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ShapeDOM

Species composition and land use shape dissolved organic matter, composition and degradability (ShapeDOM)

Project: Species composition and land use shape dissolved organic matter, composition and degradability (ShapeDOM)

Project Management: Prof. Dr. Jan Siemens

Person in charge: M. Sc. Alexander Konrad

Project duration: since 2020

 

Summary:

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) can be described as the product of the incomplete decomposition of organic matter that has escaped complete mineralization to CO2. DOM transports nutrients and pollutants in ecosystems and is an important factor in soil development. It plays a key role in biogeochemical cycles, because organic substances containing energy, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and many other elements are more mobile and more accessible to microorganisms in dissolved form than in undissolved form. Understanding the controls of the composition and concentration of DOM as a link between biogeochemical cycles of different elements and between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is therefore essential for sustainable land use.

Land use intensity and species composition of terrestrial ecosystems influence DOM quantity and quality, the controlling mechanisms are largely unknown. The plots of the Biodiversity Exploratories offer the perfect basis to explore these mechanisms due to their number and diversity as well as the amount of information regarding their biocenoses and abiotic site conditions.:

 

Funding: JLU Gießen