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2011
Tamir Klein
at: Ecosylve, France
Starting date of visit: 20/10/2011
Length of Visit (no. of days): 8
Project Title: Hydraulic parameterization for MuSICA - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
MuSICA, a multilayer, multileaf pine forest model was developed by Prof. Jerome Ogee of INRA at this site. Our eco-physiological research at a semi-arid pine forest in Israel was a good starting point for a comparative study with the Atlantic pine forest at Le Bray, ‘ECOSYLVE’, and for testing the application of the model in sites ranging from the semi-arid to the temperate zone.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
The project included a visit to the site to compare instrumentation and different forest characteristics (e.g. soil water retention, species-specific PLC50, shaded fraction of soil); however most of the efforts were dedicated to computer-based integration of the parameters to the model. This was done in the form of an ‘expert panel’ where hydraulic parameterization is one of the key topics. Also, carbon fluxes and tree physiology parameters were parameterized with Dr. Kadmiel Maseyk (INRA), while energy fluxes and radiation parameters with Dr. Eyal Rotenberg (WIS). Specific work on the model was guided by Prof. Jerome Ogee (INRA) and applied with Dr. Fyodor Tatarinov (WIS). The project started with a parameterization phase, followed by a sequence of model runs on selected data arrays from both Le Bray and Yatir and analysis of the results.
Grap Tami KleinPlease highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
We showed that the hydraulic parameterization was capable of producing meaningful predictions of the hydraulic segment and of the overall forest flux system.
On a more personal aspect, the French-Israeli collaboration with Prof. Jerome Ogee and Dr. Lisa Wingate was enhanced.
Do you have any personal comments/anecdotes regarding your visit?
Hosting by our collaborators Prof. Jerome Ogee and Dr. Lisa Wingate was outstanding.
2012
Michael Herbst
at: Rothamsted Research field sites, UK
Starting date of visit: 29/05/2012
Length of Visit (no. of days): 4
Project Title: Linking soil organic carbon pools with measured fractions - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
The Rothamsted field sites provide a pretty unique selection of long-term experiments on carbon cycling. Several treatments were relevant to out scientific goals, to link carbon turnover model pools to measured carbon fractions. Of course we needed fresh sample material and the additional availability of archived material really attracted us.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
Everything was prepared perfectly by the Rothamsted staff. We collected fresh topsoil samples of eight plots. For the same treatments we extracted 12 samples from the archive.
Michael Herbest in the fieldPlease highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Well, first of all we have the contact to the scientists in Rothamsted and I am pretty sure there will be some future co-operation. For the scientific outcome we actually have to wait until all samples are fractionated and the models are run.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
The flight from Cologne to Heathrow airport took about 50 minutes. After that we spent 65 minutes on the London tube to get to St. Pancras station. So, basically you can state we travelled to Rothamsted by underground railway.
Martin Weiser
at: Tatra Windstorm, Slovakia
Starting date of visit: 24/05/2012
Length of Visit (no. of days): 10
Project Title: Spruce seedling recruitment - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
We were motivated by unique chance to study large scale disturbance, where we started our pilot study just two years before. This project allowed us to broadly enlarge the scope – thanks to this project, we were able to work also at sites where post-disturbance management took place and also at sites where canopy just started to open. We were also interested in microsite climatic data – but they would be useless without proper calibration that was possible thanks to good instrumentation at the site. Moreover, we wanted to start deeper cooperation with local administration and scientists.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We tagged circa one thousand of spruce seedlings in various environments, enlarging our set of marked individuals to 1550. For all of them, we measured their height, base stem diameter, age, surrounding vegetation, presence of woody debris, distance to the nearest neighbour. These individuals are now located in all main types of environment: sites without post-disturbance management, managed sites and sites where canopy just started to open due to bark beetle.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
We acquired data about abundance of post-disturbance seedling recruitment and their growth in various types of vegetation and micro-site abiotic conditions. Preliminary data analysis shows us that spruce seedlings are more numerous at sites dominated by Avenella flexuosa than at those dominated by Calluna vulgaris, but opposite is true for their increase in height. Slope orientation plays significant role in determination of number of seedlings, too. Overall results are being processed now.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
We like bears (especially those we met in the field)! We wish to thank Ing. Peter Fleischer for his help and very valuable comments and discussions.
Silvana Munzi
at: Whim, UK
Starting date of visit: 04/06/2012
Length of Visit (no. of days): 24
Project Title: Long-term effects of Nitrogen deposition in lichen ecophysiology: insight into the mechanisms that are involved in its sensitivity and tolerance - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
I study the effects of nitrogen on lichens physiology. Whim works like a big natural lab in which lichens grow in their natural environment but under controlled conditions. Moreover, being all the samples exposed to the same climatic conditions, at Whim it is possible to link lichen responses directly to the treatment effects (Nr, Nr + K and/or P) without any environmental interference.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
I was interested in physiological changes caused by long-term exposure to different nitrogen compounds in in situ lichens. Thus, I measured lichen surface pH, Fv/Fm, Performance Index, and gas exchange in Cladonia portentosa growing in plots treated with different concentrations of reduced and oxidized nitrogen compounds. Lichen material was collected to carry out analysis of enzymatic activity, isotopes, ion content (Mg, Ca, K), total carbon and nitrogen content. I also took pictures of all the samples to observe morphological changes related to the treatments and collected material for microscopy study of lichen ultrastructure. Transplants of Xanthoria parietina and Evernia prunastri were prepared and put in the site to study the effects of short and medium-term exposure to nitrogen on a resistant and on a sensitive species.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
A very interesting experience. I usually work in Mediterranean environment and at Whim bog I had the opportunity to work in a completely different environment. Although an accurate elaboration of the collected data is still missing at the moment, I can say we achieved important objectives. In particular, interesting findings regard the importance of P and K for the algal partner, the difference between dry and wet nitrogen deposition, and the effect of nitrogen deposition on lichens pH. Moreover, precious material was collected for further analysis and a transplant experiment was set up that guarantees a further and fruitful collaboration between the University of Lisbon and the CEH.
Agustín Rubio Sánchez
at: Höglwald forest, Germany
Starting date of visit: 10/07/2012
Length of Visit (no. of days): 67
Project Title: Fluxes of green house gases from tree stems and the influence of tree species composition. - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
We were interested in accessing this experimental site because of the long term soil N2O emissions dataset they already had. Thus we wanted to correlate the Höglwald data set with the stem N2O emissions we could obtain. Moreover, because of its silvicultural factors, as this is a beech and spruce forest with a huge range of tree ages, it allowed us to experiment whether the emissions were independent from tree age.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
At first we designed and developed the stem chambers (for both adult and young beeches). Secondly we tested the chambers, and emissions from the soil and from stems were below our detection limit. Therefore, we fertilized with about 50 kg N ∙ ha‐1. After the fertilization N2O stem emissions were found. N2O emissions from adult beeches were measured at different heights (to see if the emissions were decreasing as it was thought). In addition, the data was correlated with the soil emissions and also soil columns which were installed to measure the concentration of N2O at different soil depths. Finally, the experiment was again repeated in a young forest stand.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
We were able to demonstrate that tree stem emissions of N2O may occur. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between soil and stem N2O emissions, at a rough rate of 10 ug N2O‐N h‐1 m‐2 of soil to 1 ug N2O‐N h‐1 m‐2 of bark. We also observed a strong decline in the N2O stem fluxes when measuring at higher stem heights.
However, detectable N2O emissions from the tree stems only took place after addition of fertilizer to the soil, which led to higher soil nitrogen availability, higher N2O concentration in the soil and, therefore, higher soil N2O emissions. We hypothesize that stem emissions may occur also when the soil N2O emissions are moderate, but the stem emission rates are below the detection limit of gas chromatography.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
The staff of the KIT‐IMK‐IFU have always been a great support not only with logistic issues (we were provided during the experiment with everything that was needed) but also with their intellectual skills as they gave us advice and suggestions based on their long experience at the experimental site in order to obtain the best results for the experiment
Jerzy Cierniewski
at: Northern Negev, Israel
Starting date of visit: 20/08/2012
Length of Visit (no. of days): 10
Project Title: Ground and space measurements and modeling of soil albedo variation in the Negev LTER (GASMoSAN) - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
I intended to get access to the North Negev site, because I previously collaborated with Professor Arnon Karnieli, working there. I have cooperated with him since 1996, visiting his Remote Sensing Laboratory several times. Our common research interests have been focused on modelling and measurements of the bidirectional reflectance and albedo of soil and rocky desert surfaces. The results of our common studies were published in 6 papers in international remote sensing journals.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We concentrated on collecting the diurnal broadband blue-sky albedo variation sets of cultivated and uncultivated soil surface with different roughness. We were able to collect these albedo sets for 8 uncultivated natural desert soil and rocky surfaces and 8 cultivated surfaces located in Kibbutz and Experimental Agricultural Farm near Sede Boker. The instantaneous albedo values were measured in the spectral range of 335-2800 nm, using four albedometers LP PYRA 06 and recorded by two DaqPRO 5300 data loggers. Three dimensional shapes of the studied surfaces will be documented using stereo-photographs taken with a digital camera moveable along the leveled beam placed above the target on special support.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Preliminary results of the measuring experiments show that the albedo of those surfaces varied significantly at relatively high solar zenith angles. The albedo of the extremely rough ploughed and natural rocky surfaces almost did not rise at solar zenith angles lower than 75°, while the curve of the extremely smooth cultivated and uncultivated natural desert surfaces increased throughout the analysed solar zenith angle ranges, rising strongly at the angles lower than for the rough surfaces. We expect, the soil albedo data sets collected in the frame of this project will allow us to quantitatively describe the relation between the broadband blue-sky albedo of the studied surfaces and the solar zenith angle with respect to their roughness.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
I received logistical and technical assistance for the preparation of the cultivated soil surfaces for the albedo measurements, as well as for the implementation all of the planned measuring experiments. Prof. Arnon Karnieli and the technical staff from the Remote Sensing Laboratory helped me very much in making these measurements. I am very pleased with the stay in the North Negev site.
Carlos Raul Ochoa Hueso
Whim, UK
Starting date of visit: 23/08/2012
Length of Visit (no. of days): 7
Project Title: Isoprene emissions and pigment content in Sphagnum from peatlands in relation to N deposition. - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
I have been collaborating with Dr. Lucy Sheppard since a few years ago. Given that the N deposition experiment that she manages in Whim is really unique, it was a great opportunity to be able to apply for ExpeER funding to go to Whim. My main research interests are related to the effects of N deposition on terrestrial ecosystems but I had not had the opportunity to work on peat bogs before, which was also a good motivation to apply for ExpeER funding, and thus to be able to apply some of the techniques that I normally use in my lab with samples from Whim.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
My work in Whim mainly consisted in going to the field to visit the experimental and site and collect Sphagnum samples for subsequent analyses in the lab. Once in the lab, moss samples were prepared for FvFm (Handy Pea) and chlorophyll content (ADC chlorophyll meter) measurements. The same mosses were then used for isoprene emission determinations. Little fragments of Sphagnum capitula were also collected from each sample and stored either in silica gel or in liquid nitrogen for pigment determinations back in my lab in Spain. These pigment determinations would allow us not only to quantify the amount of different photosynthetic and photoprotective pigments in Sphagnum in relation to the N treatments, but would also allow us to correlate these values with those provided by the ADC chlorophyll meter.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Up to now, we are still analyzing the results obtained from the project and finishing with the pigment determinations in Spain. Anyways, the key outcomes will be related to the potential link between isoprene emissions and pigment content (mainly carotenoids) in Sphagnum. Given that Sphagnum is the main dominant species in peat bogs and that isoprene emissions can influence the local climate, it will be really important to determine if there is a relationship between increased N deposition, altered pigment content and, finally, isoprene emissions to the atmosphere. Pigment and FvFm determinations will also let us know how Sphagnum respond in physiological terms to increased N deposition.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Everything in my visit to Penicuik was great, including both the scientific and the personal environments. The people in the CEH were really kind and helpful and it was a great experience to learn how they organize and carry out their daily work.
Antonio Ramón Ricarte Sabater
at: Fruška Gora, Serbia
Starting date of visit: 18/09/2012
Length of Visit (no. of days): 19
Project Title: Using Syrphidae (Diptera) as bioindicators.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
Fruška Gora has a high diversity of hoverflies (Syrphidae) (211 species). Many basic data on the hoverflies of Fruška Gora are available and the environmental variables for this site are well known. Thus, Fruška Gora offers an excellent framework to study the biology, ecology and conservation of poorly known species such as those of saproxylic and phytophagous hoverflies. The proximity of the University of Novi Sad, where one of the top European research teams on the Syrphidae has been working for years, was also a reason in selecting Fruška Gora for the TA visit.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
Early stages (puparia and larvae) of saproxylic and phytophagous hoverflies were searched in different breeding sites (tree holes, sap runs, bulbs, etc). The saproxylic habitat of Fruška Gora was characterised qualitatively for planning future research in other periods of the year. To contribute to the monitoring of the populations of rare hoverfly species in Serbia, adults were surveyed in localities with different degree of protection within Fruška Gora.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
This TA visit was useful to know how the saproxylic habitat is at Fruška Gora, as well as to monitor the populations of saproxylic species at this time of the year. Many results are important for species conservation and will eventually become part of a paper on monitoring rare hoverfly species in Serbia. The search of the poorly-known phytophagous larvae of Eumerus and Merodon hoverflies confirmed the difficulty in finding them and drives us to find new sampling areas within Fruška Gora or to implement the sampling techniques. This TA visit was also used to complete other scientific collaborations on saproxylic hoverflies with the research team at the University of Novi Sad. Thanks to this visit, a new relationship between this university and National Museums Scotland has been opened.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Everyone who assisted me in the field or in the lab at the University of Novi Sad was very helpful and kind, but Dr Zorica Nedeljković was specially so, since she scored me every day to the field and provided technical support, etc. Also the TA coordination team (Cristina Martinez, etc) have been very helpful and courteous all the time. Although the visit was in Sep/Oct, the weather was unusually warm and dry most of the days and the habitats were too parched.
Ibrahim Ozdemir
at: Negev, Israel
Starting date of visit: 20/10/2012
Length of Visit (no. of days): 10
Project Title: Remote Sensing of Forest Canopy Cover in the Negev LTER with satellite data.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
We conducted a study to predicting forest structural parameters using the image texture derived from WorldView-2 multispectral imagery (This work was published in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation) at this semi-arid pine forest in Israel two years ago. Prof. Karnieli and I decided to resume this cooperation and also to test the potential of very high resolution satellite data in estimating the Percentage of Canopy Cover (CC) that might be a good indicator of deforestation.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
First, we determined the location of sampling plots representing various stand types on the aerial photos. Then, the satellite-based vegetation indices to be used for modeling the CC were decided. Together with Prof. Karnieli, a strategy to moderate the influences of the herbaceous vegetation on pixel values was developed. Also, the methods to be used for validating the models were discussed.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
This study showed that there are strong relationships between the NDVI and the percent Canopy Cover (CC) in Aleppo pine plantations in a semi-arid zone in Israel (R2=0.61). The process used for adjusting the brightness values of herbaceous vegetation cover to the brightness values of bare ground increased the explained variance in the percentage of CC by 7% (R2=0.68). We also visited the Yatir forest with the colleagues (Dr. Michael Sprintsin and Johannes Guagnin) to discuss the potential research topics for further cooperation.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
The research atmosphere at the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research in Sede-Boker Campus was great. Prof. Karnieli was a great supervisor and always supportive and encouraging of my research.
2013
Aggeliki Kaloveloni
at: Fruška Gora, Serbia
Starting date of visit: 29/01/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 15
Project Title: ModEling The current and future HOverfly Distribution (METHOD) - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
Besides bees, especially hoverflies are considered to be very important pollinators worldwide both for wild flowers and crops. Despite their significant role in pollination they haven’t been studied as much as bees. So, considering their importance, better knowledge of hoverflies’ spatial distribution is essential. Since Fruška Gora has a high diversity of hoverflies I was interested to model their current potential distribution and their future under climate change scenarios, as better knowledge of hoverflies’ spatial distribution would facilitate the efficient protection of their populations.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
The work at the site was pertaining to database management and preparation of data (such as process of bioclimatic variables and checking of the accuracy of species coordinates) and species distribution models implementation. A visit to the site was also included for the comprehension of habitat types and characteristics of the site in general.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
The main scientific outcomes of the study are the following: The studied species are widely distributed (more than 50 presence points each species), especially at the central, northern and eastern part of Fruška Gora. From the four applied models – generalized linear model (GLM), generalized additive model (GAM), generalized boosted model (GBM) and maximum entropy (MaxEnt) – the GBM was the best model (AUC > 0.8) for all species. Five bioclimatic variables were chosen without strong multicollinearity (Pearson correlation coefficient < 0.8). The most important bioclimatic variables for the potential distribution of hoverfly species were the a) minimum temperature of coldest month for the species Chrysotoxum cautum and Epistrophe eligans, b) mean temperature of wettest quarter for the species Eristalis arbustorum and Sphaerophoria scripta and c) precipitation of wettest quarter for the species Episyrphus balteatus. The results of the predicted future distribution for the years 2050 and 2080 showed a significant decline (5 – 25 %) of the suitable occurrence area compared to the predicted current distribution.
Christoph Salbach
at: Negev, Israel
Starting date of visit: 09/01/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 79
Project Title: EVAHYPE - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
Classification and regression methods are fundamental to setup applications based on hyperspectral measurements. Recent machine learning methods are suitable to deal with high dimensional and noisy data. The remote sensing group of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev provides such knowledge. Therefore I wanted to get contact to extend and exchange methodology for classification tasks.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We classified various treatments for different land use such as grazing, afforestation and agro-pastoral ecosystems. Hyperspectral data with a total of 217 soil samples were available. To this data we applied and compared the machine learning techniques partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and random forests (RF). We compared the accuracy of the methods and the ability to discriminate the land use treatments with different soil quality.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
We showed that both PLS-DA and RF performing very well for the investigated classification tasks. Both are suitable to discriminate various treatments of the different land use types. Therefore, we can consider the ability of both methods for further applications, e.g. classifying soil quality of certain land use, based on hyperspectral measurements and associated models. Further detailed results are currently discussed and prepared for a publication. The work done is base for further co-operation and exchange between the collaborators.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
I want to thank Prof. Arnon Karnieli, his colleagues Tarin Paz-Kagan and Ofer Rozenstein for an outstanding support and a pleasant working environment during my stay.
Herndl Markus
at: Hyytiälä, Finland and Hesse, France
Starting date of visit: 24/02/2013 - 04/03/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 5 - 3
Project Title: Measuring and modelling soil CO2 concentrations, production and diffusion.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
The teams managing the Hesse and Hyytiälä sites have different methodologies for determining soil pore space gas concentrations. Furthermore at Hyytiälä site, there is the possibility to get familiar with the diffusion profile model developed by Pumpanen et al. (2008).
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
The visit in Hyytiälä and Hesse was mainly to meet and learn from the experts at the stations. During the stay, the methods of measuring and modelling soil CO2 concentrations, production and diffusion was acquired. The method in Hyytiälä is based on gas collectors which enable both continuous air circulation and manual gas sampling with syringe from porous PTFE tubes installed in different soil layers. During the visit in Hyytiälä I got familiar with the diffusion profile model developed by Pumpanen et al. (2008) and tested the model simulations with actual field measurements conducted with CO2 concentration gradient measurements. At the Hesse site, the methodology used is based on porous tubes inserted horizontally in the soil, which was demonstrated and explained during the visit. Furthermore the know-how of the laser technology of the hosting team has been explained and discussed.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
The key outcome of the project was to get knowledge concerning the method of measuring CO2 in soil pore space and of modeling CO2 production and diffusion using the soil CO2 gradient method. With the gathered site specific expertise, it will be possible to build up a facility to measure CO2 efflux in cultivated grassland. This facility should be built up in 2013 as a part of a climate manipulation experiment where temperature and CO2 content of the air can be modified in the field.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Thanks to the teams at Hyytiälä and Hesse for their hospitality, their time and for the interesting discussions!
Marcus Guderle
at: ECOTRON Montpellier, France
Starting date of visit: 03/02/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 59
Project Title: Influence of biodiversity on soil water flow.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
We are members of the Jena Biodiversity Experiment research community, which conducted a measurement campaign on 12 lysimeters (4 and 16 species mixtures) in the ECOTRON facility 2012. In this measurement campaign, a variety of components of the water balance were measured (e.g. infiltration, drainage and evapotranspiration as well as soil matric potential and soil moisture). The visit in Montpellier was important to collaborate on the data analysis with the staff of the ECOTRON. This was a necessary step as all measurement devices where managed by the ECOTRON personnel.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
The main questions of our research is whether root water uptake profiles differ significantly between ecosystems of different diversity and how plant diversity influences vertical soil water fluxes. In order to address our objectives, I analysed time series of soil matric potential, soil moisture, groundwater table, drainage, evapotranspiration as well as irrigation and climate data recorded in 2012 to close the water balance. In addition, I applied a data-driven method for interpreting short term fluctuations of soil moisture, especially comparing changes in dynamics between day and night. This method allows a first order distinction between root water uptake and vertical flux and thus the estimation of evapotranspiration and root water uptake patterns over depth and time; without solving soil water flow equations. The results of the evapotranspiration estimated with these two methods were compared with the evapotranspiration measured with the weight change of the lysimeter.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Preliminary results show that more diverse species mixtures transpire more water than less diverse species mixtures. To answer our key questions, I have to conduct further data analyses, which are in progress.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Thanks to the team of the CNRS ECOTRON for the great time and their hospitality. Especially, I would like to thank Alex Milcu, Jacques Roy, Damien Landaise and Gilbert Jacquier for the fruitful discussions and conversations.
Cornelia Gläßer
at: Negev, Israel
Starting date of visit: 14/03/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 7
Project Title: PHENOSENSING. - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
We have experiences with the spaceborne satellite sensor RapisEye data in phenological agricultural sites and natural vegetation sites under Central European climate condition. The Negev site with complete other climate condition and long term data sets is well suited to transform our experiences to other region and to develop new algorithm. More over the Negev test site can be used for developing of new change detection methods for distribution and physiological stage of the vegetation during the phonological season.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We have done different spectral measurements of typical plant communities (crusts, lichens moses, annuals, perennials) with the spectrometer ASD in the spectral range from 450 to 2500nm. In addition we have done geobotanical analyses and test site mapping. These test sites we need for the classification of the satellite data as well as for the validation of the results. For better description of the spectral signal of sparse vegetation we took soil samples from the typical vegetation units for chemical analyses and spectral measurements. We discussed with the Israelian colleagues the data base and the preprocessing and classification methods.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
The visit was oriented on field data sampling during the high vegetation period. It is compared with the addional measurements over the whole phenological season.
More over we validated our first results from image processing of the Rapid Eye data in the field. It is an important step for future algorithm development and transformation of these algorithms to the whole phenological data sets of two years with highly varying in precipitation.
The results showing well the differences between different stages of vegetation development as well as between the two years.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Thanks to Prof. Arnon Karnieli, and his whole team, especially Alexander Goldberg and Natalia Panov for the outstanding support, field work and pleasant atmosphere as well as fruitful discussion of the whole program and further steps.
Irma Wynhoff
at: Doñana, Spain
Starting date of visit: 11/04/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 4
Project Title: Improving Doñana’s contribution to Butterfly Conservation Europe (BCE Doñana).
What motivated you to request access to this site?
One of the most important initiatives of BCE is the establishment of Butterfly Indicators (Butterfly Grassland Indicator and Butterfly Climate Change Indicator) based on the monitoring results of Butterfly Monitoring Schemes throughout Europe. For Spain, the BMS in Catalonia was included. However, we knew about the transects in Doñana and in some other regions. Including those into the European BMS would result in an improvement of the Butterfly Indicators on the one hand, and a better representation of the Mediterranean biodiversity into the schemes.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
After a presentation on butterfly monitoring in Europe, we visited all transect sites in Doñana, together with the local experts, the chair of BCE and the coordinator of the Catalan BMS. We gave critical remarks to improve the transects and the recording for better integration into the European data base. In addition, improving the counts also means that the method gets more sensitive for measuring various impacts on butterflies in Doñana. Furthermore, we discussed how to set up a nationwide BMS in Spain, including all schemes already present, and what is needed to include both the professional schemes in National Parks, as well as the schemes run by volunteers. To integrate the existing schemes and get more transects started, a national coordinator, an online input tool with website and manuals and publicity in well known natural history journals is needed. We produced a brief planning schedule with actions.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
- improvements of the butterfly transects in Doñana;
- integration of the results from the BMS in Doñana into the data base of BCE;
- report on the achieved results;
- adaptation of the Manual for Butterfly Monitoring in Spain;
- a public seminar on Butterfly Monitoring and Indicators in Europe;
- better integration of Spanish butterfly experts into the BCE network;
- detailed list of actions to start up a national BMS.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
It was great to stay at the Doñana Field Station in the middle of such an impressive National Park. The whole team of Doñana was very kind and helpful, they made us feel at home from the first moment. From personal and scientific point of view, I think that we achieved more than I expected. I am looking forward to more cooperation in the future, and the successful start of a national monitoring scheme in Spain.
Kristof Van Oost
at: Rothamsted, UK
Starting date of visit: 14/04/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 11
Project Title: Tillage operations & soil movement: Implications for long-term experiments.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
Our project aimed at quantifying and modeling the effect of soil redistribution by tillage operations on long term plot experiments. We were motivated to collaborate with Rothamsted Research as we wanted to take advantage of the highly detailed transects that were recorded some 20 years ago. In combination with records of crop yield and management, resampling these transects will result in an improved quantification of between-plot movement.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We resampled two total P transects sampled across plots in 1990 at very high spatial resolution on Broadbalk. In total, we collected c. 140 surface samples that will be analyzed for total P. We also quantified gradients in SOC concentration across plot for selected study areas using spectroscopic methods. The advantages of spectroscopic methods are that SOC gradients can be mapped using a very high spatial resolution (< 10cm) at a low cost and with minimal disturbance of the field experiments. These high resolution maps will provide information that will be used to validate the representation of plot layout of the experiments in a soil movement model.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
One of the key outcomes of this project is that the Expeer funding allowed us to start collaboration between the University of Aarhus, Rothamsted Research and the Université catholique de Louvain. We are currently analyzing the samples in the laboratory and we started with the interpretation of the spectral images. Preliminary results indicate that clear SOC gradients between plots exist that are related to the plot layout. However, an in-depth analysis and scenario analysis with the improved model will require the quantification of SOC and P content of all the samples.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
The surroundings of the experimental site are exceptional and we learned that the Rothamsted Manor has been used regularly for historic BBC series!
Hendrik de Bruin
at: Negev, Israel
Starting date of visit: 24/05/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 10
Project Title: Scintillometry under advective conditions in a semi-arid ecosystem (DesertScint). - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
The main motivation of my request was to test the applicability of a displaced-beam laser scintillometer (SLS) in ecology and related fields in the semi-arid environment. The main challenge is to develop better understanding of the atmospheric boundary layer and the main processes governing soil-vegetation-atmosphere interactions under desert conditions, by means of a newly implemented technology of scintillometry.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
The visit included:
a. Site visits to the SLS site at Sede Boker and Bet-Dagan.
b. Examination of the installation protocols used in these environments.
c. Data analysis of current and previous measurements collected with the scintillometer to determine the main challenges of conducting such measurements at the site.
d. Discussions with colleagues at Sede Boker who work daily with the SLS to learn of potential additional issues affecting the measurements.
e. General discussions on future scientific research such as measuring dew in semi-arid ecosystems.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
The visit was very successful for the following reasons:1. We have advanced our understanding in the functioning of the scintillometer under desert conditions. Clearly, this environment is a very challenging environment for application of scintillometry.
2. We have managed to identify potential sources for malfunction of the instrument and developed some ideas on how to improve the instrument’s suitability for dryland conditions. Yet, further research is required for obtaining full capacity of the instrument.
3. Discussions on future applications of scintillometry in current research on semi-arid ecosystems For instance the combination of a LICOR and a SLS to measure dew.
4.Successful scientific collaboration was initiated with the hope for continuation.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
The NEGEV site is very unique having intriguing environmental conditions and providing excellent scientific support and stimulation. Hospitality is of high standards.
I had the privilege to meet academic stuff and students, with which I will gladly keep collaboration.
Arkadiusz Przybysz
at: Bologna, Italy
Starting date of visit: 05/05/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 13(11)
Project Title: Ecophysiological responses of urban trees to experimental drought condition.
How did you find out about the TA opportunities in ExpeER?
I found out about TA opportunities in ExpeER as a result of personal contact with dr Rita Baraldi, director of Institute of Biometeorology (IBIMET) of the Nationale Research Council.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
I was motivated by the possibility to work with very experience team in excellent laboratory. I found it as a great opportunity to improve my skills and knowledge. Scientist working in Institute of Biometeorology in Bologna are well recognized specialists in the field of identification and quantification of volatile isoprenoids compounds. My stay in IBIMET was also a chance to establish scientific and personal contacts, which in the close future should lead to new projects.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
In this project the antioxidant system, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOC), and physiological responses of Cercis siliquastrum exposed to controlled drought were investigated. Parameters describing photosynthetic apparatus (photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, chlorophyll a fluorescence) and water relations (transpiration rate, leaf water potential, relative water content) were evaluated in 5 measurements terms. At the same time samples for analysis of VOC emissions and photosynthetic pigments (xanthophyll, Chl a and b, lutein, β-carotene) were taken. Experiments were performed on 5 biological replicates with 2 measurements/samplings per each. Photosynthetic apparatus efficiency was determined with portable gas exchange system Licor 6400 set up for simultaneous VOC sampling. Identification and quantification of VOC will be performed by using a Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer and Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometer.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Preliminary results showed that limited water avaiblity in pots have negative effect on Cercis siliquastrum plants. Starting from 5th day of experiment first symptoms of drought stress were recorded, such as wilting of plants and decrease values of relative water content and leaf water potential. Simultaneously rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, as well as values of chlorophyll a fluorescence decreased. Lowered intensity of photosynthesis can be explained, at least partially, with reduced stomatal conductance. Up to now, samples for VOC emissions and photosynthetic pigments are still under evaluation.
Another important outcome of the project was to get knowledge concerning the method of VOC sampling which will be implemented in my laboratory in Poland.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
I would like to express my gratitude to whole Bologna team. Special thanks goes to Rita Baraldi, Camilla Chieco and Osvaldo Facini. At the site everything was prepared perfectly. Pleople involved in the project were dedicated and always helpful. I enjoyed every second I spent in Bologna. My stay in Bologna would not be so easy without help of Cristina Martinez!
In general, what do you think about this kind of research opportunity?
I am very positive about this kind of research opportunities. In Bologna I found everything what I was looking for, excellent team and infrastructure, what allows to except good paper from performed experiment and future scientific cooperation. It is also important to clarify that without the support of ExpeER program I would not be able to carry out your work at this research infrastructure.
Katerina Machacova
at: Hyytiala, Finland
Starting date of visit: 19/05/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 76
Project Title: Nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions from Pinus sylvestris.
How did you find out about the TA opportunities in ExpeER?
One of my colleagues gave me first information about this great opportunity. The internet page of the ExpeER project provided all necessary information about its experimental sites and application process.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
As a fresh PostDoc, I have been looking for cooperation possibilities and appropriate experimental sites, where I could perform research focusing on determination of CH4 and N2O emissions from coniferous tree species. The SMEAR II measuring station in Hyytiala, Finland, is located in a pine forest and is well equipped for flux measurements and ecophysiological investigations due to the top-class instrumental and technical equipment and long-term ongoing measurements.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
The main objective of the TA visit was to determine whether and to which extent mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), as a representative of in this research field never studied coniferous tree species, emit N2O and CH4 from its aboveground tree surfaces under field conditions. Therefore, the main task was the characterization and quantification of CH4 and N2O emissions from stems and shoots of P. sylvestris. Soil emissions of both trace gases were determined parallel to stem and shoot emissions. The effect of soil humidity on stem and soil emission rates were studied by comparison of emission rates of both gases from stems of trees growing on experimental plots with higher and lower mean soil humidity. The emission fluxes of N2O and CH4 from shoots were measured parallel to stem and soil emissions thus enabling their comparison.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
To my knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the determination of N2O and CH4 emissions from coniferous tree species. Moreover, the presented work was performed on adult trees under natural forest conditions, which enables an estimation of contribution of Scots pine trees to the trace gas exchange between pedosphere/ecosystem and the atmosphere. Such studies are in the presented research topic rather an exception, the majority focuses on experiments on seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Finally, the presented study will complement the CH4 and N2O flux measurements at the experimental site and will contribute to analyses of the processes influencing the trace gas fluxes at the footprint.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
I would like to thank research and technical staff from the University of Helsinki for the help by the measurement campaign. Special thanks belong to Mari Pihlatie, Anni Vanhatalo, Elisa Halmeenmäki, Jaana Bäck, Hermanni Aaltonen, Pasi Kolari, Juho Aalto, Jukka Pumpanen, Reijo Pilkottu, Heikki Laakso, Matti Loponen, Sirkka Lietsala and Janne Levula. I wish to thank the ExpeER project for the financial support of the measurement campaign and Cristina Martinez for the help with formalities.
In general, what do you think about this kind of research opportunity?
I find this kind of research opportunities great, especially for young researchers (PhD and PostDoc students), who are at the beginning of the research career. Such funding enables them to work at international top-class experimental sites, to broaden their scientific experiences and knowledge, and to establish new international contacts and cooperation!
Jennifer Muller
at: Roma-Lecceto, France
Starting date of visit: 13/05/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 5 days on-site, 2 days field preparation at CNR and CRA & 4 days field work follow up, discussion + wrap-up with Drs Matteucci & Fares, total number of days including travel days for 3 separate visits = 21
Project Title: Partitioning of ozone deposition into stomatal and non-stomatal sinks - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
The holm oak forest at Castelporziano provided an excellent basis for the investigation of stomatal and non-stomatal partitioning of ozone, as well as investigation of the importance of below-canopy ozone sinks for this ecosystem. By delivering complementary ozone flux measurements below canopy to the established long-term canopy flux measurements of ozone, as well as energy and other trace gases at the Castelporziano site, a small investigative study suitable for an ExpeER TNA was made feasible.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
As ozone is an important phytotoxic air pollutant, its partitioning to different removal pathways is of particular interest. Over vegetation, ozone can be taken up into the plant through the stomata (also called stomatal sink) and it can also be destroyed at the leaf surface, leaf litter, and on soil (described by umbrella term "non-stomatal" sink). In this work, ongoing long-term ozone flux measurements above the canopy were supplemented with ozone flux measurements below the forest canopy to quantify ozone destruction to the leaf litter and soil. A fast response, chemiluminescence based ozone analyser (type ROFI) was used for eddy covariance flux measurements, installed in May 2013, at 2.4 m height above the forest floor, less than 10 m away from the flux tower. Below canopy ozone flux measurements ended 23 August 2013, covering most of the summer season.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Scientific outcomes: A paper has been submitted to peer-reviewed journal for publication (currently in review), entitled: "Simultaneous measurements of above and below canopy ozone fluxes help partitioning ozone deposition between its various sinks in a Mediterranean Oak Forest". The summertime below canopy flux measurements were used to identify main predictors for ozone sinks to soil using a step-wise regression approach. Based on the modelled below/above canopy partitioning, ozone sink budgets for all seasons could be estimated.
Other: The ExpeER TNA was successful in starting a new collaboration with Italian researchers from the Institute of Agroenvironmental and Forest Biology (National Research Council of Italy, CNR; Dr Matteucci) and the Research Centre for the Soil-Plant-System, Agricultural Research Council (CRA; Dr Fares).
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
I would like to thank Dr Giorgio Matteucci (CNR) and Dr Silvano Fares (CRA) for hosting me and collaborating on this project, and providing me with a superb opportunity to learn more about Mediterranean forest ecosystems. I would also like to thank Roberto Moretti, Tiziano Sorgi and Filippo Ilardi for the technical support they provided in the field.
Stefanie von Bueren
at: Research Centre Juelich, Germany
Starting date of visit: 19/08/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 26
Project Title: Unmanned Aerial Vechicles (UAVs) for environmental monitoring.
How did you find out about the TA opportunities in ExpeER?
Massey University was made aware of funding opportunities via an email from ExpeER early in the year 2013.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
We had a PhD student from the Research Centre in Juelich visiting our Institute in February 2013. After successful field experiments with different UAVs and multi- and hyperspectral sensors we were keen to conduct further experiments during the European summer. As Juelich is a TA site we decided to apply for funding via the ExpeER network to gain access to this excellent infrastructure.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We have had some clear sunny days where we could fly our UAVs and instruments over different experimental sites, mainly grassland plots. We were able to collect data over a long term fertiliser experimental site and along with extensive ground sampling of plant biophysical parameters a solid dataset was acquired. Furthermore, we collected calibration images and tested new artificial and natural calibration targets to improve quantitative derivation of information from our imaging sensors.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
As we were busy collecting data we have not yet been able to deal with the large amount of data gathered. Quick looks into the data imply that our datasets can be used to derive models for biophysical parameter estimation using UAVs and lightweight multi-and hyperspectral sensors. From a more technical site, improvements to the flying instruments were made, including a remote trigger for a camera and a live video feed to the ground. This will enable us to collect data much more reliably and quickly. Furthermore, participation at the UAV workshop for remote sensing of vegetation in Cologne was possible and might lead to some further cooperations.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
At times working with UAVs and their little quirks can be quite challenging. It was good to see that people on the other side of the world deal with the same or similar problems and we had a few good laughs when a flight didn't quite go as planned.
In general, what do you think about this kind of research opportunity?
The ExpeER funding network provided me with a great opportunity to visit the Research Centre in Juelich. I appreciate that this network also allows overseas researchers access to its funding scheme.
Sirkku Manninen
at: Whim, UK
Starting date of visit: 04/09/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 25
Project Title: Inter- and intra-specific differences in Decomposition of Sphagnum litter under exposure to reactive nitrogen compounds.
How did you find out about the TA opportunities in ExpeER?
TA Site Principal Investigator told me about the visit opportunity provided by ExpeER. I got further information on the application process from the ExpeER website and by E-mail contact with Christina Martinez.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
I’m focusing my research on effects of N deposition on terrestrial ecosystems. We have lots of peatlands in Finland, so studying them is always up to date. I had been working at the site before and I knew that it is a very well-equipped experiment. The experiment has been running for 11 years, which makes it possible to study long-term effects of N deposition. As there have been and still are many measurements going on, I knew that I can discuss the results in relation to various parameters studied during the years.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
I collected cleaned and separated material for S. capillifolium and S. papillosum litterbags. Before making the litterbags, I separated, dried and ground some material for C and N analysis. I put air-dried, weighted litter in bags made of polypropylene mesh and sealed up the bags. I buried the litterbags in hummocks at the site. I already have dry weight, and total C and N concentrations on the litterbags. I’ll return and remove the litterbags in March 2014 to obtain the mass loss. I also worked on data collected previously on decomposition (mass loss, changes in microbial community), Sphagnum chemistry (phenolic and soluble NH4+ concentration), litter chemistry (total C and N, C/N), and pore water and peat chemistry (total N, NO3-/NO2-, NH4+, organic N, DOC and phenolic concentrations, pH). Working on the data relied on interaction with CEH researchers, other British researches involved in the experiment, a statistician and another visiting Japanese researcher working on throughfall under Sphagnum and soil water chemistry.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
C and N analysis indicated S. capillifolium and S. papillosum differ in their N responses. The capitulum of S. capillifolium had higher total N concentration than its stem in all treatments (i.e. including the control), while S. papillosum stem accumulated more N than the capitulum in all the supplemental N treatments. Whether these differences contribute to mass loss rate of litterbags will be seen in March 2014. Differences were also observed with respect to N form, S. papillosum took up more nitrate than S. capillifolium.Based on the discussions with the other researchers on the existing results and recent literature, we came to a conclusion that S. capillifolium and the Whim bog ecosystem seems to be able to cope with a higher N deposition than hypothesised initially and that is the current proposed critical level (5-10 kg N/ha/year) for raised and blanket bogs.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Site staff was very helpful and I enjoyed working at the site. Special thanks belong to Dr. Lucy Sheppard, Mr. Ian Leith, Lindsay Banin (statistician) and Masaaki Chiwa.
In general, what do you think about this kind of research opportunity?
The visit was very useful for me as I could get a deeper insight to N cycling in a peatland ecosystem. The site principal investigator got an extra person to collect new data as well as to work on the existing data. We will prepare two peer-reviewed papers, one on N cycling (data already exists) and another one on differences between S capillifolium and S. papillosum in litter chemistry and decomposition rate. Overall, with the ExpeER funding we can get more outcome from the Whim bog experiment.
Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou
at: Doñana, Spain
Starting date of visit: 07/10/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 11
Project Title: Functional and physiological divergence in lizards.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
As a scientist investigating morphological, functional and physiological evolution in lizards in the Iberian Peninsula, I had previously visited the Doñana National Park, where the landscape is very well preserved and populations of the model organisms I use are abundant. Together with the installations of the Estación Biológica de Doñana, this makes this TA an ideal place to obtain data for the species I am interested in.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
During the visit, the working team performed fieldwork, during which we captured 40 adult specimens of three different lizard species (i.e. Podarcis carbonelli, P. vaucheri and Tarentola mauritanica). These individuals where then taken to the laboratory, where we performed ecophysiological and functional performance experiments, we quantified the morphology of each individual and we took high resolution photographs and samples to study parasite load. The ecophysiological experiments consisted in studying the preferred body temperature of T. mauritanica in thermal gradients, as well as water loss rates in sealed chambers, for 12h per day. For all the species studied, we also quantified bite force using a force gauge and performed running trials to quantify locomotor performance.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Although the data have not been formally analysed yet, the data collected will be valuable for answering several key questions regarding physiological and functional performance in these species. For instance, it is clear that T. mauritanica, being nocturnal, follows a completely different thermal pattern than Podarcis species, which are diurnal. Further, both T. mauritanica and P. vaucheri, being animals of North African origin, seem to lose water at a much lower rate as compared to P. carbonelli, which has a distribution associated to atlantic climatic conditions. Regarding functional performance, we will be able to examine the associations with morphological variation, test for sexual dimorphism in all species and try to infer how different functional properties are integrated.
Amit Kumar Jaiswal
at: Beano, Italy
Starting date of visit: 21/10/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 12
Project Title: Changes in Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial DNA Pool as a Result of Biochar (SEDNAB). - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
Biochar research is quite young, so there are still many open questions concerning biochar physical, chemical, and microbial development as it ages in soil. There are few long-term, on-going biochar field trials that can be useful in this regard. In this respect, I thought the Beano site in Udine, Italy, is quite unique. So I visted this site to explore changes in soil microbial DNA pool and enzymes activities by long term application of biochar.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
During this project soil was sampled from the experimental plots and activities of 8 soil enzymes: acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, chitinase, esterase, leucine-aminopeptidase, Pyrophosphatase and β-glucosidase were determined upon applying an extraction/desorption procedure and using fluorescent analogues of each enzyme’s substrate on microplates. Similarly, dsDNA in the soil extract was quantified fluorimetrically on microplate reader. In addition, pH of each plots were also measured to see the effect of biochar on soil pH.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Our first analytical results showed that biochar did not have effect on pH, microbial biomass and 8 different enzymatic activities in the soil. However, we supposed that biochar amended plots may have high enzymes activities as compared with the control plots but due to adsorption of enzymes during extraction procedure (after cell lysis) might cause no difference. So, I have brought some soil sample from this sites to my lab (Israel) to check efficency of extraction procedure and to determine adsorption correction factor.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
I consider it was a great opportunity for me to work and learn with Dr. Flavio Fornasier, and conduct research on aspect of biochar effects on soil enzyme activity and microbial DNA pool. I would also like to thanks to Tiziana Pirelli, Gemini Dellevedove, Alessandro Peressotti, Giorgio Alberti, Costanza Zavalloni for their help, and University of Udine, Italy and C.R.A., Gorizia, Italy for recieving me to do my lab work. Grazie mille/Todha Raba/Dhanyabaad…
David Reinthaler
at: Montpellier Ecotron, France
Starting date of visit: 07/10/2013
Length of Visit (no. of days): 21
Project Title: Microclimate versus plant effects on relationships between soil CO2 concentrations and efflux.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
For my research on Carbon cycling with a main focus on soil respirational processes, the Ecotron is a unique facility for experimentational approaches to detect single contributions of disentangled microclimatic drivers towards carbon production and distribution in the soil profile and efflux from the soil.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
Together with the Ecotron Crew I carried out a number of Experiments, in which we tested different microclimatic conditions in the Macrocosms 1-6 of the Ecotron to identify the contribution of these drivers, as well as plant related activity on the dynamics of soil CO2 production and efflux. The (8) Experiments were performed on two crops (bean & cotton) under steady and fluctuating climatic conditions and the parameters tuned were Soil Temperature, Soil moisture and Light conditions. Soil respiration was measured using 2 “LiCor 8100 Soil respiration systems”, CO2 concentrations in the soil profile were measured with a Vaisala GMT220 CO2 transmitter system. To perform a multi-factorial analysis, parameters as air temperature, net ecosystem exchange of CO2, atmospheric pressure in- and outside the macrocosms and soil parameters as bulk density and root distribution in the profile were assessed.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
The key outcomes of my TA visit are expected to be show the effect of plant-related activity (photosynthesis) on CO2 production and soil respiration and to show the single contribution of factors as Temperature and SWC on these processes.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Besides the nice Location of the Ecotron near the beautiful city of Montpellier, I enjoyed working with the Ecotron- crew. They were very kind, interested and helpful; therefore I can strongly recommend a visit there!
2014
Katerina Machacova
at: Hyytiala, Finland
Starting date of visit: 19/05/2014
Length of Visit (no. of days): 61
Project Title: Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from different tree species of boreal upland forest.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
The TA visit at the SMEAR II (Station for Measuring Ecosystem Atmosphere Relations II) station in Hyytiälä, Southern Finland, continued a successful measuring campaign in 2013 (from May until August 2013) at the same station, which showed for the first time that Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) can emit both N2O and CH4 from its aboveground surfaces, and significantly contribute to the trace gas exchange of a boreal forest.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
The aim of the measurement campaign in 2014 was to determine if also other typical tree representatives of a boreal forest never studied before (European spruce (Picea abies), birch (Betula pendula)) might contribute to the total emission budget of the boreal forest ecosystem. Therefore, the main task was the characterisation and quantification of CH4 and N2O emissions from stems of P. abies, P. sylvestris and B. pendula, and from adjacent soil. The measurements were performed on mature trees under field conditions. N2O and CH4 emissions were determined manually using static chamber systems and gas chromatographic analyses. Furthermore, the effect of soil humidity on stem and soil emissions of CH4 and N2O was studied by comparison of the emission rates among experimental plots with different mean soil humidity.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
To my knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the determination of N2O and CH4 emissions from P. abies and B. pendula, representatives of the boreal forests. The N2O and CH4 emissions from P. abies, P. sylvestris and B. pendula will be compared among tree species and experimental plots. Extensive correlation analyses with soil emissions of N2O and CH4, sap flow and various microclimatic data will be performed to investigate their effects on stem N2O and CH4 emissions. The results from this study will be important for the understanding of the role of tree vegetation in total budget of both greenhouse gases at the ecosystem and also global level.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
I would like to thank the research staff from the University of Helsinki for the help by the measurement campaign. Special thanks belong to Mari Pihlatie, Elisa Halmeenmäki, Lucas Toniolo Junior, Juho Aalto and Jaana Bäck. I wish to thank Alberto Mattedi from ExpeER project for the help with formalities. This research was financially supported by the ExpeER project (Experimentation in Ecosystem Research), project ENVIMET (CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0246), The Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence (project 272041), Emil Aaltonen Foundation and Helsinki University Centre for Environment, HENVI.
Jan Dick
at: Negev, Israel
Starting date of visit: 15/05/2014
Length of Visit (no. of days): 10 (including travelling days)
Project Title: Ecosystem service and dis-service analysis of rain fed and runoff harvesting afforestation - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
I met Israeli colleagues at an international meeting and during conversation this possibility arose to collaborate on a mutually interesting project.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
I am very impressed by the facility offered by the LTER Negev, Israel and also the staff engagement. In relation to my visit the team were excellent both before I arrived and during my visit. I confidentially expect the collaboration to continue into the future during the finalisation of a joint project.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
The utility of ecosystem services as a concept for landscape planning and policy making is well established. However there is a need for researcher on indicators to assess the services both positive and negative (so called dis-services). Working closely with Israeli colleagues we collected data related to the assessment of ecosystem services or proxies for two LTER sites as defined by two published lists which have been compiled from bottom-up (LTER site managers) and top-down (academic ecological theory). In total over 200 ecosystem services or proxies were assessed and the data availability for each determined. A draft paper was started and will be completed after my return in Scotland.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
The Israeli team were excellent in term of logistic, science and personal interaction. I had a great time and learnt a lot. Working in such a different physical environment highlighted to me the similarities in terms of ecosystem service assessment. This trip has broadened my understanding of the ecosystem service concept.
Indira Paudel
at: MEL Bologna, Italy
Starting date of visit: 04/06/2014
Length of Visit (no. of days): 23
Project Title: Effects of salinity on the leaf physiology and VOC emission of two contrasting grapefruit varieties (SALinGRA). - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
I looked over the ExpeER sites where all the instruments are available which is interest of my field like Licor 6400, GCMS, PTR_MS, and more. I found CNR-Institute di Biometerologia is the best option for me. Not only this, I went over the site manager website and found well experienced. So I decided to choose this site.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
In this analytical platform, I asked them to setup experiment for me with two rootstocks of grapefruit saplings (Volkameriana and Citrumelo). And we apply different level of salinity (3 levels). The set up was began 35 days before my visits in May 2014 and followed response on leaf physiology (Photosynthesis, gas exchange and chlorophyll florescence), plant water relations (Leaf relative water content, leaf water potentials), xanthophylls cycle and emission of volatile organic compounds every weeks. Further, we measured light, temperature, Oxygen and CO2 response curves to photosynthesis. More than this, after visual response, leaf and root sample were collected and analyzed for anatomical structure. The photorespiration has quantified using A/Ci curves under low oxygen level. Furthermore, sample for root and leaf mineral analysis were collected. Leaf physiology was followed using LICOR 6400 XT, plant water relation was measured either pressure bomb or Relative water contents and volatile organic compounds were measure using PTR-MS.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
We have tested the two rootstocks of grapefruits, one is extremely sensitive (Volkameriana) to salinity and any other stress and other is most resistance (Citrumelo). We compared three water salinity (0.6, 3 and 6 ds/m) and tested the time and quantity of response to salinity stress. The volkameriana began to react with salinity stress within one or two week after implementation of the treatments while citrumelo took even a month to see the responses and the differences were significant only in the extreme treatments. The photosynthesis, stomotal conductance, chlorophyll florescence were significantly different compared to control higher saline conditions (6 ds/m) in both rootstocks but only in volkameriana at lower saline (3 ds/m) conditions. Furthermore, monoterpine emission was higher in volkameriana at higher temperature and higher salinity but not in citrumelo. Not only this, leaf relative water content, predawn and mid-day leaf water potentials were also measured and found leaf were dehydrating with salinity and it was severe in volkameriana rootstocks.Also, Light response curves, A/Ci response curves, Light response to temperature curves has also the similar response. Leaf and root anatomical structure, stomotal density has also studied and found significant different between treatments. Further, leaf, root and shoot mineral compositions were planning investigated.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Thank you for providing this great opportunity for me.
Radek Bače
at: Tatra Windstorm, Slovakia
Starting date of visit: 10/08/2014
Length of Visit (no. of days): 15
Project Title: Forest Re-initiaion.
How did you find out about the TA opportunities in ExpeER?
One member of our group (Zuzana Michalová) previously participated in the ExpeER project “Spruce seedling recruitment” (coordinator Martin Weiser) at the Tatra Windstorm site in Slovakia.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
We found the topic of post-disturbance natural regeneration very actual and important in the light of changing climate and increasing concern about the future forest persistence. The non-intervention site at the Tatra Windstorm locality disposed over large quantities of deadwood creating highly variable patch of microhabitats, which support or impede the growth of tree seedlings.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We recorded the height increment, vitality and mortality of tagged seedlings and small trees. Indices based on height/age and height increment/height will serve as an objective category for the tree survival chance. Secondly, we registered the reason for lower vitality and mortality of seedlings. We evaluated the data from microclimate sensors and so estimated the environmental features of particular microhabitats. Data on light conditions were recorded and partially processed. After the complementation of the dataset the influence of abiotical precursors on the growth and survival of seedlings can be modeled.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
Preliminary results indicate that the important driver of spruce mortality is the proximity of the neighbouring tree. With increasing height and vitality, the trees show better chance to survive. Mortality seems to be lower on stands inhabited by only few seedlings, what points at the negative effect of intraspecific competition for survival. However, the preliminary models need to be improved by addition of further environmental variables (microclimate, light) to the models. The data analyses are currently in progress.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
We propose, the next time weather should be better*** : )
In general, what do you think about this kind of research opportunity?
We consider it to be the great opportunity to get to remote places which dispose of very interesting natural conditions from the scientific viewpoint. We also very much appreciate the possibility to cooperate with the TA site manager Mr. Peter Fleischer, who gave us data on the site conditions from the pre-disturbance period and properly discussed the situation in the national park.
Dan Yakir
at: Hyytiala, Finland
Starting date of visit: 08/09/2014
Length of Visit (no. of days): 5
Project Title: photoCOS.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
Mutual interest in the development of COS as tracer for photosynthesis and the availability of new instrumentation for this purpose in the target site.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
- Series of meetings with scientist on campus in the University of Helsinki.
- Giving a departmental seminar.
- Visit to the SMEAR IV field site in Hyytiala including extensive tour of the facilities, series of meetings with researches, scientists and technical staff.
- Discussion of COS methodology and recent data obtained at the site.
- Planning of future collaboration on COS and related topics.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
- Detail discussion of measurements of COS using the new quantum cascade laser.
- Addressing possible problems of temperature control.
- Addressing questions regarding night-‐time COS exchange.
- Comparing results from Finland and Israel on the validity of COS as GPP tracer.
- Outlining future collaboration on COS exchange, phenology, VOC emission over the seasonal cycle.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
This was an excellent and successful visit that will serve a basis for continuing interactions. Very efficient visit and great hospitality.
Marco Panettieri
at: Lusignan and Grignon, France
Starting date of visit: 07/07/2014 ; 22/07/2014 and 01/09/2014
Length of Visit (no. of days): 30 (3*10 days)
Project Title: AGRISOM. - link to project
How did you find out about the TA opportunities in ExpeER?
I was interested in the research carried out by Dr. Cornelia Rumpel and I contacted her in order to establish collaboration. She proposed me to join her research group for setting new experiments through the EXPEER program.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
Lusignan is one of the best managed experimental sites for agronomical research in Europe. Grignon host state-of-the-art labs for soil organic matter (SOM) characterization, mass spectrometry, and isotopic signature measurement. Visiting and carrying on experiments in these sites improved considerably my expertise and will contribute to reinforce my scientific career.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
During my first stay (in Lusignan), after a meeting with Dr. Rumpel, Dr. Chabbi, and Dr. Dignac, we decided to collect samples from the experimental area SOERE ACBB, in which grassland and cropland are alternated in order to increase SOM. We chose to compare the C3 to C4 plants conversion plots, in order to evaluate the accumulation of 13C in SOM. Afterwards, during my second and third stays (in Grignon) we fractionated the collected soil (wet sieving) in order to evidence in which aggregate fraction is the new 13C enriched SOM being accumulated. We extracted the lignin from the obtained fraction and we compared the relative abundance of lignin monomers and the isotopic signature of the samples.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
These visits have established a standard method to evaluate lignin fate and SOM accumulation/degradation cycles for future application in other experimental sites. The people involved in this project have decided to establish permanent collaborations between the institutions.
Results obtained during these visits will be evaluated soon to be published as a research paper.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
I enjoyed working with the supervisors and all the staff of Lusignan and Grignon sites. I would like to acknowledge the support provided by Xavier Charrier for the soil sampling in Lusignan and Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong for the spectrometric analyses in Grignon.
In general, what do you think about this kind of research opportunity?
ExpeER is a good opportunity to establish new collaboration between research institutes and to transfer research knowledge. These actions are fundamental to establish wider networks of research among EU.
2015
Roberto Salomon Moreno
at: Puechabon, France
Starting date of visit: 23/02/2015
Length of Visit (no. of days): 5
Project Title: Xylem CO2 fluxes derived from wood respiration in drought-stresses trees (ResStress) - link to project
How did you find out about the TA opportunities in ExpeER?
One lab colleague (Jesus Rodriguez Calcerrada) send me the link of your web site.
What motivated you to request access to this site?
I am currently studying woody respiration in oak coppices of Quercus pyrenaica (I am a PhD student). I am interested on how water stress restrains both internal fluxes of CO2 through xylem and stem CO2 efflux to the atmosphere. when I knew about the infrastructure and the rainfall exclusion set up in Puechabon site, I thought it could be perfect place to further investigate in this line.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We went to Puechabon experimental site where the TA Site Manager and other researchers (Jean Marc Ourcival and Jan Marc Limousin) explained me in detail infrastructure, sensors and previous results obtained in the experimental plot subjected to partial rainfall exclusion, as well as in the plot subtected to tatal rainfall exclusion (Drought Plus). In the CEFE at Montpellier, I did an oral presentation of the results obtained during my PhD regarding woody respiration in oak coppices of Quercus pyrenaica, and we discussed the similarities between Q. ilex and Q. pyrenaica coppices in this regard. During the rest of the week we discussed possibilities of collaboration next year and an experimental design to assess how water deficit affect internal and external CO2 fluxes to accurately estimate woody respiration in coppice forests subjected to summer Mediterranean drought.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
1 - Expansion of my scientific network (which I consider very important at this time - PhD- of the scientific area)
2 - Experimental design of a study to evaluate how water stress influences internal CO2 fluxes through xylem and external CO2 efflux to the atmosphere. Both CO2 fluxes are necessary to accurately estimate woody respiration in relation to summer drought in Mediterranean coppices.
3 - I have learned new techniques ad approaches to evaluate carbon and water balances in the frame ecophysiology research.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Besides the scientific enrichment, the research team of Montpellier (DREAM - CEFE) is really friendly and I encourage everyone to visit them! We also had some beers at not working hours!
In general, what do you think about this kind of research opportunity?
In my case, I think it is a great opportunity for young researchers to expand their scientific network to collaborate in future experiments, learn new techniques and approaches, possibilities of Post-Docs...
Maria Angela Bustamante Munoz
at: Grignon, France
Starting date of visit: 28/03/2015
Length of Visit (no. of days): 8
Project Title: C and N dynamics in an amended soil-plant system (AMENISOT) - link to project
What motivated you to request access to this site?
The main motivation to access the BIOEMCO TA site was to supplement a research project, initiated two years ago, to evaluate, the efficiency of the combined was use of organic amendments and native plant species as a method of recovering and protecting Mediterranean areas prone to degradation. This TA visit could provide important information mainly concerning how organic amendments can actually improve the content and quality of the soil organic matter, by studying the dynamics of their constituent organic matter.
Please describe briefly the work carried out at the ExpeER site?
We have determined total organic C and N contents and the stable isotope signature of C and N (13C and 15N) in the raw materials used for the composting process (pig slurry anaerobic digestate, cattle slurry anaerobic digestate and vine shoot pruning); in the compost samples throughout the composting process, in the amended and unamended soil samples and in the leaf samples of the rosemary plants grown on the unamended and amended soil. These analyses have been determined in a single analysis using a CN auto-analyser coupled with continuous-flow stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (CF-IRMS), available at the selected TA site. Data processing is being currently developed with the software available and usually used at the BIOEMCO laboratory.
Please highlight the key outcomes (scientific and other) of your visit?
The aim of this project was to evaluate the evolution of the 13C and 15N during composting and the effects of the variations in the natural 13C and 15N abundances of soil after the application of these composts. Additionally, the 13C and 15N signatures were determined in the samples of the rosemary plants grown in the amended and unamended soil. Although the obtained data are still being analysed, the initial results seem to show that the effect of the compost on the soil were more significant for 15N signature than for 13C natural abundance. The results also showed that composting seemed to enhance the homogeneity of the bulk organic material 13C and 15N signature; 13C remained or slightly decreased with the process, while 15N showed a decrease, being different depending on the raw material used. Also, in the plant samples, slight differences were observed in the 13C signature on the treatment, observing the highest values in the plants grown in the amended soils.
Do you have any personal comments or anecdotes regarding your visit?
Our visit (of Dr. Bustamante and Dr. Nogues) to the BIOEMCO TA site has been very profitable, since the results obtained are innovative (there is little information regarding the evolution of the C and N signature in composts and in compost-amended soil) and useful to study the dynamics of the C and N in the amended soil-plant system. Also, we would like to thank the personnel of the installation, especially to Veronique Vaury, for her efficiency and precious help in the lab determination, to Dr. Mathieu Sebilo and Dr. Cornelia Rumpel (Site Manager), for all their help in the interpretation of the results obtained, and to the ExpeER TA Team, especially, Dr Cristina Martinez, for her highly professional and willingness.
