SP 06: Experimental Farming, riparian wetland carbon storage & bioindicators

In addition to the optimization of existing agricultural land management techniques (e.g., no-tillage, use of crop residues), which will be analyzed by other subprojects and their Brazilian partners, here we want to (1) perform novel on-farm organic matter adding experiments to analyze the potential additional carbon sequestration in these systems by "carbon burial". In the Brazilian Cerrado, the arable fields are bordered by riparian wetlands, which have an enormous potential for natural carbon storage. Therefore (2) the carbon stocks of these wetlands will be analyzed and their geographic extension and their economic value assessed. Conservation of riparian wetlands as prime sites of C-storage may be incentivated by valueing this ecosystem service. (1+ 2 = activity of post-Doc). Moreover (3), we want to identify assemblages of terrestrial invertebrates as bioindicators for the well-functioning of the decomposition process during the experiments, and to compare them with the decomposer soil faunae in natural ecosystems (cerrado remnants, gallery forests) in order to implement a biotic assessment tool for the success of SOM enrichment. (3 = activity of PhD candidate).

Please see also the Poster of SP 06 presented at the Kick-Off Workshop in Cuiabá, Brazil, 6-9 July 2011

Project Members:
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Irmler
Ecology-Centre, University of Kiel
Prof. Dr. Karl Matthias Wantzen
University of Tours
Dr. Malte Unger
Ecology-Centre, University of Kiel
PhD Student Karina Peña
Ecology-Centre, University of Kiel