@inproceedings{SesermanVesteFreese, author = {Seserman, Diana-Maria and Veste, Maik and Freese, Dirk}, title = {Optimisation of biomass productivity of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on marginal lands - a case study in Lower Lusatia, NE Germany}, series = {European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2017 Vienna, Austria, 23-28 April 2017}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2017 Vienna, Austria, 23-28 April 2017}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {The profitability of reclaiming post-mining areas depends on the tree biomass productivity and the restoration of ecosystem functions, such as improving soil and water quality. Agroforestry systems, regarded as combined land-use systems of trees and crops, have the ability to facilitate soil development while reducing wind speed, soil erosion and evaporation. Achieving the maximum biomass productivity of the tree stands depends on the corresponding soil conditions and water availability, but is also influenced by stand structure and the competition between individual trees. For this purpose, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees were planted in a Nelder design in 2010, on a reclaimed post-mining site of the open-cast lignite mining in Welzow S{\"u}d (Brandenburg, Germany). Black locust is regarded as a drought-adapted tree species and commonly used for the reclamation of former lignite mining sites in Lower Lusatia, Germany. The Nelder design encompasses angles of arc of equal measure and with the same origin traversed by successive circumferences set at a predefined radial distance. Accordingly, a total of 1071 trees were planted in Welzow S{\"u}d at the intersection between 63 spokes and 17 circumferences and at densities ranging from 0.4 to 8.0 m2, with the aim of examining the influence of stand density on the tree growth in a timeframe of six years. In order to evaluate the biomass production of the trees and to determine an optimal planting density on a marginal land, various scenarios were assessed with the help of the Yield-SAFE model, a parameter-sparse process-based agroforestry model. The study revealed the consequences of choosing different tree densities on the tree biomass productivity and water use of trees in relation to the competition for light and water.}, language = {en} } @misc{Veste, author = {Veste, Maik}, title = {Biologische Bodenkrusten - Pioniere der B{\"o}den}, series = {Naturmagazin Berlin - Brandenburg}, volume = {36}, journal = {Naturmagazin Berlin - Brandenburg}, number = {1}, issn = {0935-7602}, pages = {14 -- 15}, abstract = {Nach extremen St{\"o}rungen durch Br{\"a}nde, Vulkanausbr{\"u}chen und Hangrutschungen, aber auch menschlichen Eingriffen werden B{\"o}den mehr oder weniger zerst{\"o}rt und vegetationsarm. Es entstehen sogenannte initiale Rohb{\"o}den, die durch Ver{\"a}nderung der Bodenstruktur, Minderung der Wasserhaltekapazit{\"a}t als auch durch N{\"a}hrstoffarmut extrem beeinflusst werden. Dabei haben anf{\"a}ngliche und n{\"a}hrstoffarme {\"O}kosysteme, wie Grasl{\"a}nder und Offenlandschaften, aus Sicht des Naturschutzes einen hohen Wert f{\"u}r die Landschaft und sind in der intensiv genutzten Kulturlandschaft Mitteleuropas selten geworden. Insbesondere bieten Binnend{\"u}nen, wie sie in Norddeutschland h{\"a}ufig sind, Potenzial f{\"u}r die Entwicklung von initialen Lebensr{\"a}umen mit ihren spezifisch angepassten Pflanzen. Neben den Pionierarten werden die Rohb{\"o}den, wie sie nach St{\"o}rungen entstehen, zuerst durch verschiedene bl{\"u}tenlose Pflanzen, den sogenannten Kryptogamen, besiedelt.}, language = {de} } @misc{ZaplataFischerWinteretal., author = {Zaplata, Markus K. and Fischer, Annette and Winter, S. and Schaaf, Wolfgang and Veste, Maik}, title = {Development of an initial ecosystem - II. Vegetation dynamics and soil pattern in an artificial water catchment in Lusatia, NE Germany}, series = {Gf{\"O} 2009: Dimensions of ecology - From global change to molecular ecology}, journal = {Gf{\"O} 2009: Dimensions of ecology - From global change to molecular ecology}, editor = {Holzheu, Stefan and Thies, B.}, publisher = {Bayreuther Zentrum f{\"u}r {\"O}kologie und Umweltforschung (BayCEER) Selbstverlag}, address = {Bayreuth}, pages = {S. 124}, language = {en} } @misc{SchaafGerwinBiemeltetal., author = {Schaaf, Wolfgang and Gerwin, Werner and Biemelt, Detlef and Veste, Maik and Fischer, Annette}, title = {Monitoring of Soil-Plant-Atmosphere patterns and processes in an artificial catchment}, series = {EGU General Assembly 2009, Vienna, Austria, 19 - 24 April 2009}, journal = {EGU General Assembly 2009, Vienna, Austria, 19 - 24 April 2009}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GypserFischerLangeetal., author = {Gypser, Stella and Fischer, Thomas and Lange, Philipp and Veste, Maik}, title = {Impact of biocrust succession on water retention and repellency on open-cast lignite mining sites under reclamation in Lower Lusatia, NE-Germany}, series = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2016, Vienna, Austria}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2016, Vienna, Austria}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {Mining activities can strongly affect ecosystem properties by destruction of naturally developed soils and removal of vegetation. The unstructured substrates show high bulk densities, compaction, low water infiltration rates, reduced water holding capacities and higher susceptibility to wind and water erosion. In the initial stage of the ecosystem development, the post-mining sites are open areas without or with a low cover of higher vegetation. It is well-known that biocrusts are able to colonize the soil surface under such extreme conditions without human support and affect soil hydrological processes such as water infiltration, run-off or re-distribution. Investigations were conducted on two former lignite open-cast mining sites, an artificial sand dune on the reclaimed watershedWelzow "Neuer Lugteich" and a reforestation area in Schlabendorf (Brandenburg, north-east Germany). The aim was to relate the hydrological characteristics of the topsoil to successional stages of biological soil crusts on reclaimed soils and their influence on repellency index and water holding capacity compared to pure mining substrate. Our study emphasized the influence of changing successional stages and species composition of biological soil crusts, forming a small-scale crust pattern, on water repellency and retention on sandy soils in temperate climate. Different successional stages of soil crusts were identified from initial scattered green algae crusts, dominated by Zygogonium spec. and Ulothrix spec., and more developed soil crusts containing mosses such as Ceratodon purpureus and Polytrichum piliferum. Lichens of the Genus Cladonia were more pronouncedly contributed to biocrusts at later and mature stages of development. The repellency index on the one hand increased due to the cross-linking of sand particles by the filamentous green algae Zygogonium spec. which resulted in clogging of pores, and on the other hand decreased with the occurrence of moss plants due to absorption caused by bryophytes. The determination of the water retention curves showed an increase of the water holding capacity, especially in conjunction with the growth of green algae layer. The absorption capacity of soil crust biota as well as a decreased pore diameter in the green algae layers positively affected the water retention of crusted soil compared to pure substrate. The occurrence of bryophytes with later succession weakened the repellent behavior of the biocrusts, increased infiltration, and might have affected the run-off at small-scale on biocrusts. Certainly, the biological soil crusts showed water repellent properties but no distinctive hydrophobic characteristics. On both locations, similar trends of water repellency and retention related to crustal formation were observed, in spite of different relief, reclamation time and inhomogeneous distribution of crustal organisms.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MantovaniVesteBoldtBurischetal., author = {Mantovani, Dario and Veste, Maik and Boldt-Burisch, Katja and Fritsch, Simone}, title = {Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) root growth response to different irrigation regimes}, series = {Gf{\"O} 43rd Annual Meeting, Building bridges in ecology, linking systems, scales and disciplines, September 9 to 13, 2013, Potsdam, Germany}, booktitle = {Gf{\"O} 43rd Annual Meeting, Building bridges in ecology, linking systems, scales and disciplines, September 9 to 13, 2013, Potsdam, Germany}, editor = {Jeltsch, Florian and Joshi, Jasmin}, pages = {33 -- 34}, abstract = {Robinia pseudoacacia L. is a pioneer tree species native from North America. Its original range is a climatic region classified as humid to sub-humid, with a mean annual precipitation of 1020 to 1830 mm. However, it grows under a wide range of edaphic and climatic conditions and the species has proven to be relatively drought tolerant. In central Europe, with a continental climate, the species has been successfully cropped for biomass production also on marginal land, even in post-­-mining areas characterized by water limitation and harsh edaphic conditions. Due its drought tolerance, fast resprouting rate and its ability to live in symbiosis with Rhizobia and thus fix atmospheric nitrogen, black locust could become a key species for short-­-rotation plantation on marginal land. Several studies have been already carried out to quantify the black locust above ground production and its water use efficiency. However, the relation between the black locust biomass allocation, root system development and plant water use has still to be examined. In our study we evaluated the drought stress effect on black locust below ground biomass production, root distribution, and the root and rhizobial association. Different irrigation regimes were chosen to test the plant's performance in a lysimeter experiment, under semi-­-controlled environmental conditions, for the duration of two vegetation periods. From the results obtained we determined the root biomass allocation under different irrigation regimes and identified the close relation between the soil water condition and the rhizobial association.}, language = {en} } @misc{DietzKueppersWachendorfetal., author = {Dietz, Miriam and K{\"u}ppers, Manfred and Wachendorf, Magnus and Stefan, Thorsten and Veste, Maik and Gypser, Stella}, title = {Modelling photosynthesis and carbon fluxes of moss- and lichen-dominated biological soil crusts in temperate dry acid grasslands in Brandenburg}, series = {Gf{\"O} 2019, Science Meets Practice, 49th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, university of M{\"u}nster, 9-13 September 2019}, journal = {Gf{\"O} 2019, Science Meets Practice, 49th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, university of M{\"u}nster, 9-13 September 2019}, address = {M{\"u}nster}, pages = {223}, abstract = {Top soils in temperate climates are regularly covered by cryptogames. Depending on the climatic and environmental conditions and their development stage, these biocrusts are built up by different species of cyanobacteria, bacteria, green algae, mosses, liverworts, lichens and fungi, which crosslink the uppermost soil particles. Biocrusts create a thin surface layer of high biotic activity, with high C and nutrient pools and fluxes to deeper soil layers, where the soil tends to be biotically and biogeochemically less active. Changes in soil structure, e.g. due to the accumulation of organic material and the ability of biological nitrogen fixation, result in significant feedback and control of biogeochemical processes. We analysed the response of photosynthesis and respiration to changing temperature and light in two moss-and lichen-dominated soil crusts from a dry acid grassland in the vicinity of a pine forest in Brandenburg, Germany. For the estimation of carbon fluxes, we combined lab-based CO2 gas exchange measurements and continuous determination of biocrust drying and rewetting cycles under field conditions. These experiments facilitated the development of an empirical photosynthesis model that allows for an estimation of the carbon dynamics of biological soil crusts based on their ecophysiological performance.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SesermanPohleFreeseetal., author = {Seserman, Diana-Maria and Pohle, Ina and Freese, Dirk and Veste, Maik}, title = {Climate Change Impacts on the Growth of Hybrid Poplar Trees in an Agroforestry System in Brandenburg, NE Germany}, series = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2018, Vienna, Austria}, booktitle = {European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2018, Vienna, Austria}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {Climate change is expected in Brandenburg, eastern Germany, in terms of increasing annual temperature and changes in climate variability, as well as the number of extreme weather events. Since agroforestry systems have a planning horizon of several decades, long-term yield assessments are required in order to evaluate the economic profitability and environmental sustainability of such systems. Accordingly, our aim was to simulate the tree growth of poplar trees (Populus nigra x P. maximowiczii) in an agroforestry system in Brandenburg for the next forty years. For this purpose, we used the process-oriented Yield-SAFE model, a parameter-sparse, biophysical model developed for the simulation of plant growth in agroforestry systems. For the investigated period from 2011 to 2014, the validation simulations showed clear correlations with the observed values for woody tree biomass. For the unfolding period from 2015 to 2055, a variety of possible climate changes (including higher evaporation requirements and reduced water availability) and their uncertainties were incorporated into our assessment. The tree yield sensitivity to future climatic conditions was evaluated using 100 realizations of a scenario of the statistical regional climate model Statistical Analogue Resampling Scheme (STAR), which assumes an increase in annual temperature of 2K, as well as decreasing annual precipitation by 30-40 mm. The Yield-SAFE model responded sensitively to changes in the meteorological input data, showing that (1) shifts in temperature and/or precipitation would have a directly proportional influence on tree growth and (2) the impact of potential climate changes on tree growth must be assessed in terms of the complex interaction of various influencing factors. This was evidenced, for example, by the fact that higher average annual temperatures could either increase the tree growth due to a prolonged vegetation period or, on the contrary, decrease the tree growth due to higher potential evapotranspiration. The model results are important for the sustainable planning and management of agroforestry systems, upcoming risk assessments, and example analysis of adaptation scenarios in the near and distant future.}, language = {en} } @misc{GypserDiezBoellietal., author = {Gypser, Stella and Diez, Miriam and Boelli, Daniel and Wachendorf, Magnus and K{\"u}ppers, Manfred and Veste, Maik}, title = {Monitoring of biocrust development and physiological activity in disturbed ecosystems in Central Europe}, series = {Biocrust 4 - 4th International Workshop on Biological Soil Crusts}, volume = {2019}, journal = {Biocrust 4 - 4th International Workshop on Biological Soil Crusts}, address = {North Stradbroke Island, Queensland , Australia}, doi = {10.13140/RG.2.2.11042.99523}, pages = {1}, abstract = {In many ecosystems of the earth, biocrusts influence the successive development of vegetation through their influence on the soil formation. This change in soil structure, e.g. due to the accumulation of organic material and the ability of biological nitrogen fixation, results in significant feedback and controls of ecosystem processes, especially in arid regions. In Brandenburg, located in NE Germany, the dry grasslands on sand dunes and the post-mining landscapes, characterized by edaphic drought and lack of nutrients as well as disturbances, are ecologically interesting locations for investigations of the biocrusts. In recent years, the species composition, structure, N-fixation, C-fluxes, and accumulation as well as their soil hydrological properties of biocrusts have been characterized and ecophysiological measurements of biocrust activity and CO2 exchange of different biocrust types under standardized environmental conditions have been performed in the laboratory. These ecophysiological measurements were correlated for the first time with NDVI measurements using a modified consumer camera, thus enabling a spatial analysis of the photosynthesis hotspots and a transfer from the lab into the landscape. The development and physiological activity of biocrusts are significantly influenced by microclimatic boundary conditions and moisture-dry cycles. The duration of these moisture phases is decisive for their spatial and temporal development and for the differentiation of the developmental stages. The permanent recording of moisture in the biocrusts in the uppermost millimeters using a newly developed biocrust wetness sensor in combination with NDVI measurements enable detailed information about biocrust activities and carbon fluxes. These continuous measurements of NDVI and physiological activity with PRI sensors allows determining seasonal activity phases in relation to microclimatological site conditions. More recent technological developments in sensor technology make it possible to carry out detailed and cost-effective investigations of the biocrust activity over the course of the year.}, language = {en} } @misc{GypserVeste, author = {Gypser, Stella and Veste, Maik}, title = {Hotspot biocrusts: Combining chlorophyll fluorescence and NDVI to analyze spatial and temporal variations of photosynthesis}, series = {Gf{\"O} 2019, Science Meets Practice, 49th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, university of M{\"u}nster, 9-13 September 2019}, journal = {Gf{\"O} 2019, Science Meets Practice, 49th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, university of M{\"u}nster, 9-13 September 2019}, pages = {199}, abstract = {Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) play an important role as pioneering organisms on initial soils and in open landscapes after natural and human disturbances. Even though they only cover the topsoil, biocrusts are key drivers for biogeochemical and ecological processes and influencing ecosystem development. Microclimatic conditions, texture, water holding capacity, and chemical soil properties lead to the formation of spatial patterns. Sandy nutrient-poor soils in pine forests in the open-cast lignite mining district in Brandenburg are covered by biocrust, dominated by different functional types and species (e.g. algae, mosses, lichens). The photosynthetic activity of these poikilohydric organisms, strongly depending on moisture, affects biocrust function and their impact on soil C pools and dynamics. Therefore, the evaluation of photosynthesis in relation to the spatial distribution pattern variation is fundamental. For this purpose, we combined different remote sensing techniques, spectral reflectance sensors, and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging to analyze the photosynthetic dynamics in relation to biocrust species composition and wetness. Desiccation of the biocrusts was detected with a miniature moisture sensor and related to their activity. A low-cost consumer grade camera was used to determine NDVI and to map the distribution and heterogeneity of chlorophyll for a comprehensive characterization of spatial photosynthetic activity pattern. Basic as well as maximum fluorescence, the maximum photochemical efficiency, and NDVI decreased during desiccation of the biocrusts, whereby moss and moss/lichen biocrusts showed higher water holding capacities relative to green algae biocrusts. The combination of different sensor technologies is a powerful tool for monitoring long-term biocrust development and their implication for soil C dynamics.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MantovaniVesteBoehmetal., author = {Mantovani, Dario and Veste, Maik and B{\"o}hm, Christian and Freese, Dirk}, title = {Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in agroforestry systems: spatial and temporal variation of the plant water status and growth}, series = {2nd European Agroforestry Conference: Integrating Science and Policy to Promote Agroforestry in Practice, June 2014, Cottbus, Germany}, booktitle = {2nd European Agroforestry Conference: Integrating Science and Policy to Promote Agroforestry in Practice, June 2014, Cottbus, Germany}, editor = {Palma, Joao H. N.}, isbn = {978-972-97874-4-7}, pages = {263 -- 264}, abstract = {Short-rotation forestry and agroforestry systems have the potential to become an ecologically valuable and economically profitable land use alternative on marginal lands. Therefore, our project focuses on determining the water demand for biomass production of black locust in the Lusatia region (Eastern Germany). The area is characterized by relative low annual rainfall (560-600 mm/yr) and drought periods during spring and summer. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is planted in short rotation plantations as well as in agroforestry systems at reclaimed post-mining sites of the opencast mining area "Welzow S{\"u}d" and on a conventionally managed field near the town Forst (both study sites are located about 120 km to the south of Berlin). Due to mining activities the ground water table in "Welzow-S{\"u}d" is below 100 m, while on the field site in Forst the ground water table is about 2 m below the soil surface. Because of the water accessibility directly affecting the yield, it is crucial to identify the spatial variation of the soil water availability and its influence on black locust growth. The main question of this study is how the drought periods affect black locust's growth and recovery and about the drought mitigation effect obtainable by an accessible water table. The growth rate is being estimated monthly by measuring the maximum height and the trunk diameter at 10 and 130 cm. Furthermore, several trees are equipped with dendrometers to record their diameter increment in daily intervals. The pre-dawn water potential for selected trees is evaluated periodically to quantify plant water stress and relate it to the growth pattern. Water availability and microclimatic condition are monitored continuously. At the end of the vegetation period, information gathered from the field will be used to develop a growth model to link the soil water availability and plant water status with the growth rate of the trees.}, language = {en} } @misc{SeitzVeste, author = {Seitz, Steffen and Veste, Maik}, title = {Bryophyte-lichens dominated biological soil crusts affect soils and ecohydrology in temperate forests in Germany}, series = {EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria \& Online | 23-27 May 2022}, journal = {EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria \& Online | 23-27 May 2022}, doi = {10.5194/egusphere-egu22-12352}, abstract = {Forest dieback can be both a consequence and a cause of climate change. The changing climate does not only lead to temperature increases but also changes in the precipitation regime. Extreme events have increased sharply in recent years, making drought and heat waves ubiquitous. Meanwhile, for temperate forests, drought stress is considered one of the most serious impacts of climate change. In this context, forest soils are of great importance in their hydrological functions, as well as their feedbacks with ground vegetation. In this context, biological soil crusts are key drivers of functional processes and ecosystem development, also under forest, where they have been less studied so far. Bryophyte and lichen dominated communities can importantly affect e.g. water storage and discharge as well as soil development and stabilization. Moreover, they contribute to carbon and nitrogen cycling and play an important role in biogeochemical processes. Their species composition depends on soil properties such as texture and pH, on microclimate and as poikilohydric plants, their ecophysiology is strongly dependent on water availability, differing in time and space.}, language = {en} } @misc{MaWeberRaggioQuilezetal., author = {Ma, Yunyao and Weber, Bettina and Raggio Qu{\´i}lez, Jos{\´e} and Colesie, Claudia and Veste, Maik and Bader, Maaike Y. and Porada, Philipp}, title = {Determining key drivers of the annual carbon budget of biocrusts in different climatic zones}, series = {EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria \& Online | 23-27 May 2022}, journal = {EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria \& Online | 23-27 May 2022}, doi = {10.5194/egusphere-egu22-3714}, abstract = {Biocrusts are distributed over all climate zones of the world and they substantially contribute to ecosystem functioning. Their growth, determined by their carbon balance, can be affected by various climatic drivers. The effects of individual drivers are clear from laboratory experiments, but the relative importance of different drivers along climatic gradients and their underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Moreover, the effects of seasonal acclimation on the annual carbon balance are not fully understood either. Therefore, we aim at determining the level and variation of annual biocrust carbon balances and their connection to climatic drivers along environmental gradients. In addition, we explore the role that acclimation plays in the carbon balance of biocrusts}, language = {en} }