main research

The University of Giessen CO₂ Enrichment Study focus on:

• species composition
• plant biomass production (total above- and below-ground biomass, main functional groups)
• nutrient balances (e.g. C, N)
• fodder quality (e.g. in-vitro digestibility, metabolisable energy, net energy for lactation)
• atmospheric-biospheric N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ exchange
• feed-back mechanisms on N₂O, NO/NO₂ and CH₄ exchange (fluxes, contribution of nitrification and denitrification on the observed fluxes)
• microbial biomass (biomass-C, biomass-N, CO₂ production, substrate utilisation)
• microbial populations (aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, key microbial populations involved in N-trace gas production and emission)