@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} } @inproceedings{KanzlerBoehmMircketal., author = {Kanzler, Michael and B{\"o}hm, Christian and Mirck, Jaconette and Schmitt, Dieter and Veste, Maik}, title = {Einfluss agroforstlicher Nutzung auf das Mikroklima, den Ackerfruchtertrag und die potentielle Evaporation}, series = {B{\"a}ume in der Land(wirt)schaft - von der Theorie in die Praxis, Tagungsband mit Beitr{\"a}gen des 5. Forums Agroforstsysteme 30.11. bis 01.12.2016 in Senftenberg (OT Brieske)}, booktitle = {B{\"a}ume in der Land(wirt)schaft - von der Theorie in die Praxis, Tagungsband mit Beitr{\"a}gen des 5. Forums Agroforstsysteme 30.11. bis 01.12.2016 in Senftenberg (OT Brieske)}, editor = {B{\"o}hm, Christian}, publisher = {BTU}, address = {Cottbus}, isbn = {978-3-940471-27-7}, pages = {127 -- 131}, abstract = {Der folgende Beitrag widmet sich der Frage, inwieweit sich mikroklimatische {\"A}nderungen in einem Agroforstsystem (AFS) bedingt durch die Geh{\"o}lzkomponente kleinr{\"a}umig auf die gemessene Evaporation sowie auf die Produktivit{\"a}t von Winterweizen (Triticum aestivum) auswirken. Hierf{\"u}r wurden im Zeitraum von M{\"a}rz bis August 2016 Untersuchungen auf einem ca. 40 ha großen Agroforstschlag und einer angrenzenden, konventionell bewirtschafteten Freifl{\"a}che bei Neu Sacro (Landkreis Spree-Neiße, Brandenburg) durchgef{\"u}hrt. Neben mikroklimatischen Kenngr{\"o}ßen wie der Lufttemperatur, der relativen Luftfeuchte, der Windgeschwindigkeit und der Globalstrahlung wurde auch die Evaporation nach Piche bestimmt. Erg{\"a}nzend wurden Ertragsmessungen zum Kornertrag und Messungen zum Blattfl{\"a}chenindex (LAI) des angebauten Winterweizens durchgef{\"u}hrt. Neben {\"A}nderungen der Tagesminima der relativen Luftfeuchtigkeit im Nahbereich der Geh{\"o}lzstreifen wurde eine Reduktion der durchschnittlichen Windgeschwindigkeit von bis zu 51 \% gegen{\"u}ber der Freifl{\"a}che festgestellt. Die Minderung der Evaporation im Vergleich zur Freifl{\"a}che betrug je nach Witterung bzw. N{\"a}he zum Geh{\"o}lzstreifen bis zu 58 \% und wurde dabei maßgeblich durch die Windgeschwindigkeit beeinflusst. R{\"a}umliche Unterschiede ergaben sich auch bez{\"u}glich des Kornertrags sowie beim LAI. So fielen die Kornertr{\"a}ge im Agroforstsystem mit bis zu 9,2 t ha-1 gegen{\"u}ber ca. 7,0 t ha-1 f{\"u}r die Referenzfl{\"a}che {\"u}berwiegend h{\"o}her aus. Mit Ausnahme des Leebereichs in 3 m Entfernung zum Geh{\"o}lzstreifen lagen auch die LAI-Werte des AFS {\"u}ber jenen der angrenzenden Freifl{\"a}che. Diese ersten Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass in AFS durch Geh{\"o}lzstrukturen neben der Windgeschwindigkeit auch die Wasserverdunstung im Bereich der angrenzenden Ackerkulturen gemindert werden kann. Die mikroklimatischen Unterschiede wirkten sich dabei potentiell auch positiv auf das Wachstumsverhalten bzw. den Ertrag des Winterweizens aus. Vor dem Hintergrund einer Verringerung der potentiellen Evaporation und einer hieraus resultierenden h{\"o}heren Wasserverf{\"u}gbarkeit f{\"u}r die Ackerkulturen k{\"o}nnte die agroforstliche Landnutzung zuk{\"u}nftig auch f{\"u}r trockenheitsgef{\"a}hrdete Gebiete Mitteleuropas eine vorteilhafte Anpassungsstrategie des Ackerbaus an den Klimawandel darstellen.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{VesteBoehmQuinkensteinetal., author = {Veste, Maik and B{\"o}hm, Christian and Quinkenstein, Ansgar and Freese, Dirk}, title = {Estimation of biological nitrogen fixation by black locust in short-rotation forests using natural 15N abundance method}, series = {EGU General Assembly 2012, held 22-27 April, 2012 in Vienna}, booktitle = {EGU General Assembly 2012, held 22-27 April, 2012 in Vienna}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, abstract = {The importance of short rotation forests and agroforestry systems for woody biomass production for bioenergy will increase in Central Europe within the next decades. In this context, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) has a high growth potential especially at marginal, drought-susceptible sites such as occur in Brandenburg State (Eastern Germany). As a pioneer tree species black locust grows under a wide range of site conditions. The native range of black locust in Northern America is classified by a humid to sub-humid climate with a mean annual precipitation of 1020 to 1830 mm. In Central and Eastern Europe, this species is cultivated in a more continental climate with an annual precipitation often below 600 mm. Therefore, black locust is known to be relatively drought tolerant compared to other temperate, deciduous tree species. Because of its N2-fixation ability black locust plays generally an important role for the improvement of soil fertility. This effect is of particular interest at marginal sites in the post-mining landscapes. In order to estimate the N2-fixation potential of black locust at marginal sites leaf samples were taken from black locust trees in short rotation plantations planted between 1995 and 2007 in post-mining sites south of Cottbus (Brandenburg, NE Germany). The variation of the natural 15N abundance was measured to evaluate the biological nitrogen fixation. The nitrogen derived from the atmosphere can be calculated using a two-pool model from the quotient of the natural 15N abundances of the N2-fixing plant and the plant available soil N. Because representatively determining the plant available soil N is difficult, a non-N2-fixing reference plant growing at the same site with a similar root system and temporal N uptake pattern to the N2-fixing plant is often used. In our case we used red oak (Quercus rubra) as a reference. The average nitrogen content in the leaves of black locust ranged from 3.1\% (C/N 14.8) in 15 years old trees to 3.4\% (C/N 14.4) in 3 year-old trees, respectively. A higher content of nitrogen was found in leaves of re-sprouted trees with 4.3\% (C/N 11.5). The estimated percentage of nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (\% NdfA) in black locust was 63\% - 83\% compared to 56\% in seabuckthorn (Hippopha{\"e} rhamnoides) and 79\% in common broom (Genista scuparia). The annual leaf biomass production of black locust varied between 1325 (2 years old trees) and 2576 kg/ha a (4 years old trees). The estimated leaf nitrogen fixed by Robinia was approx. 30.5 - 59.2 kg/ha a. From the results, we can conclude that the biological nitrogen fixation by Robina is an important factor for the nitrogen balance of short-rotation plantations on nutrient poor-soils.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FischerVesteEiseleetal., author = {Fischer, Thomas and Veste, Maik and Eisele, Andreas and Bens, Oliver and Spyra, Wolfgang and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {High resolution mapping of Normalized Difference Vegetation Indices (NDVI) of biological soil crusts}, series = {EGU General Assembly 2012, held 22-27 April, 2012 in Vienna}, booktitle = {EGU General Assembly 2012, held 22-27 April, 2012 in Vienna}, publisher = {European Geophysical Society}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SesermanVesteFreeseetal., author = {Seserman, Diana-Maria and Veste, Maik and Freese, Dirk and Swieter, Anita and Langhof, Maren}, title = {Benefits of agroforestry systems for land equivalent ratio - case studies in Brandenburg and Lower Saxony, Germany}, series = {Proceedings of the 4th European Agroforestry Conference Agroforestry as Sustainable Land Use 28-30 May 2018, Nijmegen, The Netherlands}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 4th European Agroforestry Conference Agroforestry as Sustainable Land Use 28-30 May 2018, Nijmegen, The Netherlands}, publisher = {University of Santiago de Compostela}, address = {Santiago de Compostela}, isbn = {978-84-09-02384-4}, pages = {26 -- 29}, abstract = {Transitioning towards agroforestry demands systematic productivity assessments of such systems under different climatic and edaphic conditions. In this regard, the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) serves as a valuable productivity indicator of agroforestry since it evaluates yields from growing trees and crops together in comparison to yields from monocultures over the same period. Consequently, our objective was to evaluate the overall productivity of two agroforestry systems in Forst (Brandenburg) and Wendhausen (Lower Saxony) by means of LER. Our approach followed two assumptions: (i) the yields of trees and crops had equal economic importance and (ii) the economic importance was given solely by the annual crop, the yield of trees representing a supplementary profit. The resulted values for LER were consistently above their specific threshold, corroborating the greater efficiency of agroforestry systems rather than monoculture. Additionally, this study highlighted the importance of choosing the appropriate assumptions when calculating the LER.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SesermanPohleVesteetal., author = {Seserman, Diana-Maria and Pohle, Ina and Veste, Maik and Freese, Dirk}, title = {Variabilit{\"a}t der holzigen Biomasseproduktion von Pappel und Robinie als Folge des Klimawandels in einem Alley-Cropping System in der Lausitz}, series = {1. Erfurter Tagung "Schnellwachsende Baumarten - Etablierung, Management und Verwertung", vom 16.11.-17.11.2017}, booktitle = {1. Erfurter Tagung "Schnellwachsende Baumarten - Etablierung, Management und Verwertung", vom 16.11.-17.11.2017}, publisher = {Fachhochschule Erfurt}, address = {Erfurt}, pages = {88 -- 89}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{GypserVeste, author = {Gypser, Stella and Veste, Maik}, title = {Biological soil crusts as driver for ecosystem structures and functions on reclaimed post-mining sites in Lower Lusatia, Germany}, series = {9th International Symposium on Ecosystem Behavior BIOGEOMON, Litomysl, Czech Republic, August 20-24, 2017}, booktitle = {9th International Symposium on Ecosystem Behavior BIOGEOMON, Litomysl, Czech Republic, August 20-24, 2017}, editor = {Nov{\´a}k, Martin and Kr{\´a}m, Pavel and Step{\´a}nov{\´a}, M.}, pages = {33 -- 34}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{VesteHalke, author = {Veste, Maik and Halke, Christian}, title = {{\"O}kophysiologische Plastizit{\"a}t der Photosynthese von Robinien (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) und Hybrid-Pappeln (Populus nigra L. x P. maximowiczii Henry) bei Hitzestress und Sommertrockenheit in der Niederlausitz}, series = {B{\"a}ume in der Land(wirt)schaft - von der Theorie in die Praxis, Tagungsband mit Beitr{\"a}gen des 5. Forums Agroforstsysteme 30.11. bis 01.12.2016 in Senftenberg (OT Brieske)}, booktitle = {B{\"a}ume in der Land(wirt)schaft - von der Theorie in die Praxis, Tagungsband mit Beitr{\"a}gen des 5. Forums Agroforstsysteme 30.11. bis 01.12.2016 in Senftenberg (OT Brieske)}, editor = {B{\"o}hm, Christian}, address = {Cottbus}, isbn = {978-3-940471-27-7}, pages = {144 -- 157}, abstract = {Mit der Zunahme von extremen Witterungsereignissen ist die Auswahl von angepassten Baumarten und Klonen von großer Bedeutung f{\"u}r den Agrarholzanbau in der Lausitz. So z{\"a}hlte der Sommer 2015 zu den drittw{\"a}rmsten Sommern in Deutschland mit langanhaltenden Trockenzeiten und Hitzeperioden auch in Brandenburg. Die {\"o}kophysiologischen Reaktionen von Robinien und Hybrid-Pappeln (Klon Max 1) auf Hitze- und Trockenstress wurden in einem Agroforstsystem bei Neu Sacro, Brandenburg untersucht. Die {\"o}kophysiologische Anpassungsf{\"a}higkeit wurde hinsichtlich der Photosyntheseleistung (Chlorophyllfluoreszenz), dem Wasserpotential, der 13C/12C Diskriminierung und dem Blatt-N-Gehalt untersucht. Gut wasserversorgte B{\"a}ume der beiden Arten zeigten keine wesentlichen Einschr{\"a}nkungen in Bezug auf die Photosyntheseleistung und dem N{\"a}hrstoffhaushalt, da am Standort ein Grundwasseranschluss auch w{\"a}hrend der Trockenheit gew{\"a}hrleistet war. Bedingt durch kleinr{\"a}umige Bodenheterogenit{\"a}ten kann es allerdings auch {\"o}rtlich zu Wassermangel kommen. An diesen Standorten zeigten die Pappeln deutliche morphologische und {\"o}kophysiologische Anzeichen von Trockenstress. Bei der sommerlichen Hitze zeigte die Photosynthese der beiden Baumarten eine hohe Plastizit{\"a}t.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{GypserVeste, author = {Gypser, Stella and Veste, Maik}, title = {Application of chlorophyll fluorescence, CO2 gas exchange, and NDVI for the detection of spatial variances of photosynthesis of biological soil crusts on anthropogenic degraded soils}, series = {3rd International Workshop on Biological Soil Crusts BIOCRUST3, September 26-30, 2016, Star Hall-Moab, Utah, USA}, booktitle = {3rd International Workshop on Biological Soil Crusts BIOCRUST3, September 26-30, 2016, Star Hall-Moab, Utah, USA}, pages = {24 -- 25}, abstract = {Degradation of soils and the destruction of vegetation as a result of anthropogenic disturbances affect ecosystem functions and properties worldwide. In Brandenburg (NE Germany) various ecosystems were degraded by different human activities like surface mining and military activities on sand dunes. These resulted in degraded open landscapes with an initial soil development. These new ecosystems are characterized by a high vulnerability to erosion, low water holding capacity, lack of nutrients, or low pH. For rehabilitation of degraded soils and vegetation, these post-mining and mobile sand dunes need specific restoration measures, but beside inappropriate soil characteristics, insufficient water availability can limit plant growth. Even located in the temperate zone of Europe, Brandenburg belongs to the driest regions in Germany and faces long drought periods. In this context, the determination of the influence of biocrusts on carbon accumulation during initial ecosystem succession, small-scale investigations on photosynthetic capacity and active phase regarding biocrust formation and developmental stage, which vary from initial green algae-crusts to biocrusts dominated by soil lichens or mosses, are necessary. Hence, succession of biocrusts result in a spatiotemporal heterogeneity and distribution pattern. We could show that varying species abundance, composition, and crust succession affect photosynthetic capacity, and hence, carbon fixation capability. Different spatial hotspots could be analyzed under field conditions and monitored during the season. Long-term measurements of climatic parameters, which include radiation, temperature, precipitation, and desiccation of biocrusts, will be linked to photosynthetic performances under lab conditions. This spatial model can help to understand the impact of biocrusts on carbon accumulation in initial soils. Due to the potential to colonize soil surface under harsh conditions without human support, advantages of biocrusts can be used systematically as a supporting rehabilitation measure for physical stabilization, gain of organic carbon, and hence, facilitates the growth of indigenous vegetation during primary succession.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KleefeldVeste, author = {Kleefeld, Andreas and Veste, Maik}, title = {Robuste and strukturerhaltende Bildentrauschung via Medianfilterung und Bildsegmentierung}, series = {20. und 21. Workshop Computer-Bildanalyse in der Landwirtschaft, 3. Workshop Unbemannte Autonom Fliegende Systeme (UAS) in der Landwirtschaft, 26. Mai 2014, Osnabr{\"u}ck 07. Mai 2015, Braunschweig}, booktitle = {20. und 21. Workshop Computer-Bildanalyse in der Landwirtschaft, 3. Workshop Unbemannte Autonom Fliegende Systeme (UAS) in der Landwirtschaft, 26. Mai 2014, Osnabr{\"u}ck 07. Mai 2015, Braunschweig}, publisher = {ATB, Leibniz-Institut f{\"u}r Agrartechnik}, address = {Potsdam-Bornim}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:186-opus4-75951}, pages = {92 -- 100}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{MantovaniFreeseVesteetal., author = {Mantovani, Dario and Freese, Dirk and Veste, Maik and H{\"u}ttl, Reinhard F.}, title = {Modified wick lysimeters for critical water use efficiency evaluation and yield crop modelling}, series = {Bericht, 14. Lysimetertagung, am 3. und 4. Mai 2011 am LFZ Raumberg-Gumpenstein}, booktitle = {Bericht, 14. Lysimetertagung, am 3. und 4. Mai 2011 am LFZ Raumberg-Gumpenstein}, publisher = {LFZ Raumberg-Gumpenstein}, address = {Irdning}, isbn = {978-3-902559-61-6}, pages = {245 -- 248}, language = {en} } @misc{GypserVeste, author = {Gypser, Stella and Veste, Maik}, title = {Importance of P limitation for the C:N:P ratio in Robinia plantations on marginal sites}, 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}, editor = {Thiede, Julia and Klein-Rauthake, Theresa}, pages = {82}, abstract = {Due to disturbances of soils after open-cast lignite mining activities in the Lusatian mining district, Northeast Germany, large areas covered with excavated and dumped material. These initial soils are characterized by a lack of nutrients and organic matter which is why Robinia pseudoacacia was established during reclamation of those marginal sites. As a pioneer species, Robinia is well suitable for the establishment on reclaimed forest ecosystems due to the N fixation capability and its ability to grow on a nutrient-poor sandy substrate with low water holding capacity. Since the N requirement of the Robinia can be covered by symbiotic nodule bacteria, P is important as a growth-limiting nutrient. Even though the total and available P in soils increased with the age of the plantings (planted between 1995 and 2007), the ratio of available to total P decreased relative to younger plantings. Despite the accumulation of organic matter and the decomposition of organic bound P, the bioavailability is affected by ad- and desorption processes, especially on Fe- and Al-hydroxides. It was hypothesized that the P demand of young trees, initially provided by a one-time fertilizer application, exceeds the P supply by mineralization over time. As a first step, kinetics of P desorption from synthetic Fe- and Al-hydroxides were characterized by using humic acid as a model organic compound, to detect fast and slow releasable P over time. At the Robinia sites, soil samples were examined at different depth with regard to their C, N and P concentrations. From the first results, we can conclude that the P availability and its limitation influences the growth performance of Robinia as well as the N-fixing symbiotic bacteria and, thus, the C:N:P ratio as a long-term effect on an ecosystem scale.}, language = {en} } @misc{VesteGypser, author = {Veste, Maik and Gypser, Stella}, title = {{\"O}kologische Funktionen und Dienstleistungen biologischer Bodenkrusten in Offenlandschaften - Fluch oder Segen?}, 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 = {166}, abstract = {Initiale und n{\"a}hrstoffarme {\"O}kosysteme wie Grasl{\"a}nder und Offenlandschaften haben aus Sicht des Naturschutzes einen hohen Wert f{\"u}r die Landschaft und sind in der intensiv genutzten Kulturlandschaft Mitteleuropas selten geworden. Gerade Bergbaufolgelandschaften, aber auch gest{\"o}rte Binnend{\"u}nen, bieten Potenzial f{\"u}r die Entwicklung von initialen Lebensr{\"a}umen und Landschaften. Die obersten Millimeter der Bodenoberfl{\"a}che dieser {\"O}kosysteme werden durch Biokrusten besiedelt. Gebildet werden diese komplexen Lebensgemeinschaften aus einer Vielzahl von Cyanobakterien, Gr{\"u}nalgen, Moosen, Pilzen, Bakterien und Flechten. Diese Organismen „verkleben" die Bodenoberfl{\"a}che und beeinflussen als „{\"O}kosystem en miniature" maßgeblich die {\"o}kosystemaren Prozesse und die weitere Vegetationsentwicklung. Der Eintrag von C und N sowie die Akkumulation von organischem Material f{\"o}rdert die Bodenentwicklung in der initialen Phase. W{\"a}hrend der Sukzession der Biokrusten entwickeln sich die komplexen biotischen Prozesse des N-Kreislaufes mit R{\"u}ckkopplungen auf die N{\"a}hrstoffversorgung. Ausgeschiedene Exopolysaccharide, die eine Verbindung mit den Bodenpartikeln eingehen, verkleinern nach Regen den Porenraum der Bodenoberfl{\"a}che und vermindern die Infiltration. Besonders Moos- und Flechten-Krusten unterbinden bei geringen Niederschlagsintensit{\"a}ten die Infiltration in tiefere Bodenschichten. Konkurrenz und die großfl{\"a}chige Versiegelung der Bodenoberfl{\"a}che haben zudem negative Auswirkungen auf die Keimung und Etablierung von h{\"o}heren Pflanzen. Diese biotischen Interaktionen f{\"u}hren bei gesteuerten Sukzessionen auf Renaturierungsfl{\"a}chen zu {\"A}nderungen der Vegetationsentwicklung. Somit wird die Bedeutung der Biokrusten f{\"u}r die Renaturierungs{\"o}kologie z.T. kontrovers diskutiert. Klein- und großr{\"a}umige St{\"o}rungen hingegen sind als integraler Bestandteil der {\"O}kosystementwicklung einzuschließen.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{MantovaniVesteFreese, author = {Mantovani, Dario and Veste, Maik and Freese, Dirk}, title = {Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) adaptability and plasticity to drought}, 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 = {264 -- 265}, abstract = {Robinia pseudoacacia L. is a pioneer tree species which grows under a wide range of edaphic and climatic conditions. It is native from North America and its original range is a climatic region classified as humid to sub-humid, with a mean annual precipitation of 1.020 to 1.830 mm. However, in Central Europe the species has proven to be relatively drought tolerant in comparison to other temperate deciduous tree species. In the State of Brandenburg (Germany) for instance, with a continental climate and annual precipitation below 600 mm, the species has been successfully cropped for wood production for more than 250 years. The tree notably grows also in post-mining recultivated sites where soil water availability is limited and in spring and summer drought can occur. The importance of the species has increased over the lasts decades, after the CO2 reduction policy spread across the world, just as did the need for further sources for renewable energy. Therefore, due to its adaptability to water constraints, its fast growing and resprouting rate, together with the ability of nitrogen fixation, black locust could become a key species for short-rotation plantation on marginal land. Several studies have been already carried out to quantify the production and water use efficiency of the black locust. However, the effect of water scarcity on biomass production and the plant's response to drought stress has still to be examined. In ourinvestigation we aim to evaluate the growth performance and the ecophysiological response of black locust to water limitation. The study of the soil-plant-atmosphere system for the evaluation of the relation between water availability, atmospheric evaporative demand and plant water status is critical to identify the ecophysiological adaptation and growth response in relation to different edaphic and climatic conditions. Different irrigation regimes and cycles of drought were chosen, to test the plant's performance in a lysimeter experiment for the duration of two vegetation periods, under semi-controlled environmental conditions. The results obtained from studies were satisfactory. We assessed the drought tolerance and resilience of black locust, together with its water use efficiency. Both at whole-plant and leaf level the link between the soil water retention, plant water status and growth rate has been elucidated and the intertwined relation between primary production, transpiration, CO2 uptake and water limitation, together with the evaporative atmospheric demand, has been clarified.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MantovaniVesteFreese, author = {Mantovani, Dario and Veste, Maik and Freese, Dirk}, title = {Biomass production in agro-­-systems: Is black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) the right choice?}, 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 = {28 -- 29}, abstract = {Currently, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an important tree species in Central and Eastern Europe for the production of biomass in short-rotation plantations. Being a ruderal species and relatively drought tolerant compared to other broad leaf trees, its use in agroforestry systems will increase. That is particularly true for marginal landscapes characterized by adverse edaphic conditions, where the soil water availability is limited and in summer drought can occur. Several studies have been carried out on the subject of the black locust primary production; however there are still open questions associated with its water consumption and the biomass production, in relation to the soil water availability. In order to investigate the soil-plant-atmosphere system interactions, in our studies the links between the growth rate, water use efficiency and the ecophysiological response have been examined in a two year lysimeter experiment. The two years old black locust plants were selected from a recultivated post-mining area (Welzow S{\"u}d, Lusatia, Brandenburg) and established in a 100 L wicked lysimeter, installed under a light transmissive roof to avoid uncontrolled water input. During the first vegetation period, the trees were maintained constantly under three different soil moisture regimes (well-watered, moderate, drought), in relation to the hydrostatic state of the lysimeters. For the second vegetation period instead, the plants were subjected to two different irrigation cycles (long term drought stress, short term drought stress), in relation of the drought stress and recovering time duration. The results were satisfactory. At whole plant level the water use efficiency, the growth rate under different soil moisture conditions and the morphological adaptation to drought condition were assessed. In addition, at leaf level we elucidated the relation between the soil moisture together with the atmospheric evaporative demand and the ecophysiological performance in terms of H2O and CO2 rate variation. From the results emerged that the black locust cultivar may have a positive or negative effect on the ecosystem function, depending on the water availability of the areas in object. The tree can tolerate periods of drought by reducing its transpiration rate, yet it is not to be considered a water saving trees species in a well watered condition.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HalkeGypserMantovanietal., author = {Halke, Christian and Gypser, Stella and Mantovani, Dario and Lebzien, Stefan and Freese, Dirk and Veste, Maik}, title = {Yield, transpiration and growth of the new bioenergy crop IGNISCUM Candy under different water 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 = {32 -- 33}, abstract = {There is a growing global need to produce more energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One possible source of renewable energy in parts of Europe is the use of crop for bioenergy production. Currently, maize dominates the biogas production. For a diversified production of substrates alternative crops needs to be evaluated for their sustainable utilization and ecological integration into agro-systems. The new bioenergy plants IGNISCUM Candy and IGNISCUM Basic are cultivars of the Sakhalin Knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis, Fam. Polygonaceae), which are characterized by a high annual biomass production. Information on the crop production of this species is rare. Hence, understanding plant response to the combinations of water and nutrients availability is crucial for the development of sustainable plant production. In greenhouse experiments we investigate the interrelations between nutrient supply, biomass production, and plant ecophysiology. For the determination of yield-transpiration relations at whole plant level we used a wick lysimeter system, which allows us to study plant growth under controlled water regimes and to calculate the plant transpiration. The irrigation is supplied by an automatic drip irrigation system and computer-controlled in relation to the volumetric soil water content. Four different water treatments associated to the SWC range from well-watered to drought stressed plants. The influence of plant sizes on plant water use was investigated under different nitrogen supply. The fertilizer applied is calcium ammonium nitrate (N) and the rates for the four treatments are 0, 50, 100, 150 kg N/ha at the beginning of the growing season. Plant transpiration is calculated on the basis of water input, storage and drainage in weekly intervals. The cumulative transpiration of the plants during the growing season is between 49 L (drought stressed) and 141 L (well-watered) per plant, respectively. We calculated a transpiration coefficient of 525 Liters per kg dry biomass.}, language = {en} }