Publication

Effects of drought on the effectiveness of Phalaris arundinacea and Impatiens glandulifera in building up soil aggregates – a microcosm approach

Thomas George McMullin
2017
Student project
Abstract

Near natural floodplain ecosystems are not only stressed by frequent inundations over a year but also by periodical droughts in summer due to their reduced water retention capacity. To maintain floodplain habitats as biodiversity hotspots, a stable soil structure is required. Soil ecosystem engineers (EEs) such as plants and earthworms, who are known to build up soil macro-aggregates, have to tolerate rough conditions while they colonize these habitats. EEs¿ effectiveness on soil aggregation under periodical drought conditions has never been investigated so far. To simulate different drought intensities, a microcosm approach under controlled conditions will be set up. Soil sediments, plants and earthworms will be collected in a restored floodplain river section and incubated 8 weeks at 15°C under different soil moisture conditions. Plant resistance to drought will be assessed through leaf water potential and transpiration monitoring as well as through innovative measurements of plant resistance to embolism. This approach will help to increase the understanding of how EEs behave under periodical stress conditions.

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Related concepts (38)
Soil
Soil, also commonly referred to as earth, is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life of plants and soil organisms. Some scientific definitions distinguish dirt from soil by restricting the former term specifically to displaced soil. Soil consists of a solid phase of minerals and organic matter (the soil matrix), as well as a porous phase that holds gases (the soil atmosphere) and water (the soil solution). Accordingly, soil is a three-state system of solids, liquids, and gases.
Soil carbon
Soil carbon is the solid carbon stored in global soils. This includes both soil organic matter and inorganic carbon as carbonate minerals. It is vital to the soil capacity in our ecosystem. Soil carbon is a carbon sink in regard to the global carbon cycle, playing a role in biogeochemistry, climate change mitigation, and constructing global climate models. Natural variation such as organisms and time has affected the management of carbon in the soils. The major influence has been that of human activities which has caused a massive loss of soil organic carbon.
Soil ecology
Soil ecology is the study of the interactions among soil organisms, and between biotic and abiotic aspects of the soil environment. It is particularly concerned with the cycling of nutrients, formation and stabilization of the pore structure, the spread and vitality of pathogens, and the biodiversity of this rich biological community. Soil is made up of a multitude of physical, chemical, and biological entities, with many interactions occurring among them. Soil is a variable mixture of broken and weathered minerals and decaying organic matter.
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