WP1 - Field quantification of functional pathways in shrub-encroached grasslands
In WP1 we will test functional pathways from community-level plant traits, soil water and nitrogen availability in grasslands with varying levels of shrub colonization.
Field work
During field work we implement a series of different methodologies to gather data from aboveground and belowground compartments. During the summers 2021 and 2022 we took plant samples from herbaceous and shrub species as well as soil samples for microbial community analysis and soil parameters.
Lab work
During lab work we process the samples taken during fieldwork in order to obtain data on C, N, P stocks, nutrient availability, microclimatic data, plant traits and fungal structures and composition.