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Vegetation and experimental ecology

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Vegetation is curcially influenced by processes of global change (e.g. climate change, atmospheric nitrogen deposition etc.). To study those influences on various vegetation types, we also conduct (repeated) vegetation surveys which are not only important in nature conservation but they also give the solid basis for consequent populations ecological and functional studies. Our focus lies in particular on dry and semi-dry meadows in the dry area of central Germany, where we also make use of previously done vegetation surveys to track potential in- or decreases of plant species, in particular endangered and/or protected ones.

We combine those vegetation ecological studies often with population ecological studies and studies on functional traits of species. Furthermore, we also apply experiments on plant species of various functional groups, in the field and the greenhouse, to study not only plant-plant but also plant-soil feedbacks. One emphasis hereby lies with studying priority effects of both native and invasive plant species, for which we collaborate with the GCEF   .

• Prof. Dr. Isabell Hensen
• Tim Meier
• Julia Dieskau

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