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Scientific Project B5 - C transformation and C accumulation during initial stream succession

Staff

Stream ecosystem succession in a sandy virgin landscape is characterized by three distinct stages: an open landscape, a macrophyte-dominated stage and a woodland stage. Benthic biofilms, macrophytes and dead wood are posited to act as key physical structures that strongly influence in-stream processes during stream succession. In addition, biofilms, macrophytes and woody vegetation are sources of organic matter that vary over time in both quality and quantity. The overarching goal of the project is to understand the effects of changes in such physical structures and particulate organic matter sources on transformations of organic carbon and microbial communities in the streams. A series of experiments in artificial streams will be combined with long-term observations of natural channels in a newly created catchment. Assessment of C transformations will be supplemented by surveys of C accumulation in different carbon pools and analyses of microbial community structure. ‘Hotspots’ of C transformations during initial succession in the catchment will be identified and characterized in cooperation with partners focussing on terrestrial environments within the catchment.