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Scientific Project B1 - Spatio-temporary development of root growth, decay and exsudation in the initial phase of the ecosystem genesis

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We aim to investigate the interactions between root development and root activity of pioneer plants in the initial stages of ecosystem development on a freshly restored nutrient-poor sandy soil and the development of soil structures governing the spatial patterns of flow and transport processes. We will study the composition and spatio-temporal patterns of root exudates and their effect on soil properties. These studies will occur in a realistic heterogeneous soil environment where plants compete for various scarce nutrients with different spatial distributions. The question is how root growth responds to the conflicting demands arising from these heterogeneities The hypothesis is that root system development and exudation patterns follow a strategy of optimizing nutrient acquisition and that soil nutrients may thus provide a template for root development.