Earthworm-mycorrhiza interactions and their consequences for the diversity and functioning of grassland ecosystems
Abstract
Understanding what determines plant diversity and functioning of grassland ecosystems is a major goal of contemporary ecological research. While there is increasing evidence that either earthworms or arbuscular-mycorhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in determining the diversity and functioning of grassland ecosystems, their interactive effects have greatly been neglected in the past research. This project is specifically designed to improve our understanding of the functional and structural interactions between earthworms, AMF and plant species in grassland ecosystems and their feedback effects on the diversity, structure and functioning of these ecosystems. Therefore, during 36 months full-factorial experiments at different levels of ecological complexity and spatial scales will be conducted using mesocosms in the greenhouse, trays in the laboratory and field plots. Mesocosm experiments will address basic questions whether earthworm-AMF interactions can (i) affect the diversity and functioning of plant communities, (ii) influence the establishment of seedlings in these communities and (iii) affect plant community diversity and structure by creating soil microsites enriched in nutrients and/or AMF. The laboratory experiment indirectly addresses earthworm-AMF interactions by investigating AMF-induced changes on plant tissue quality and its consequences for earthworm herbivory. The objective of the field experiment is to investigate whether different earthworm community densities can influence AMF distribution and symbiosis and consequently affect grassland diversity and functioning.
Publikationen
Earthworms, mycorrhizae and the structure and diversity of grassland communities: the effect of earthworm activity
Autoren: Heiner, B., Zaller, J.G., Schmidt, O., Drapela, T., Putz, B., Frank, T. Jahr: 2008
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Earthworms, mycorrhizae and the structure and diversity of grassland communities: the role of AMF
Autoren: Putz, B., Zaller, J.G., van der Heijden, M., Wanek, W., Heiner, B., Drapela, T., Frank, T. Jahr: 2008
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Do earthworms affect the utilization of nutrients and the mycorrhizal colonization of grassland plants?
Autoren: Wechselberger K., Zaller J.G., van der Heijden M.G.A., Wanek W., Drapela T., Gorfer M., Frank T. Jahr: 2009
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Solar UV-B and warming affect decomposition and earthworms in a fen ecosystem in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Autoren: Zaller, J.G., Caldwell, M.M., Flint, S.D., Ballaré, C.L., Scopel, A.L., Sala, O.E. Jahr: 2009
Journal articles
Do earthworms affect the mycorrhizal colonisation of grassland plants?
Autoren: Wechselberger, K., Zaller, J.G., Wanek, W., Drapela, T., Gorfer, M., van der Heijden, M.G.A., Frank, T. Jahr: 2009
Journal articles
A simple method for in situ-labelling with 15N and 13C of grassland plant species by foliar brushing
Autoren: Putz, B; Drapela, T; Wanek, W; Schmidt, O; Frank, T; Zaller, JG Jahr: 2011
Journal articles
Stable isotope N-15 and C-13 labelling of different functional groups of earthworms and their casts: A tool for studying trophic links
Autoren: Heiner, B; Drapela, T; Frank, T; Zaller, JG Jahr: 2011
Journal articles
Soil sand content can alter effects of different taxa of mycorrhizal fungi on plant biomass production of grassland species
Autoren: Zaller, JG; Frank, T; Drapela, T Jahr: 2011
Journal articles
Effects of earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of the medicinal herb Calendula officinalis (Asteraceae)
Autoren: Zaller, JG; Saccani, F; Frank, T Jahr: 2011
Journal articles
Earthworm-Mycorrhiza Interactions Can Affect the Diversity, Structure and Functioning of Establishing Model Grassland Communities
Autoren: Zaller, JG; Heigl, F; Grabmaier, A; Lichtenegger, C; Piller, K; Allabashi, R; Frank, T; Drapela, T Jahr: 2011
Journal articles
Interactions between a herbicide, earthworms and mycorrhiza in a Trifolium repens model ecosystem
Autoren: Heigl, F; Grabmaier, A; Zaller JG Jahr: 2012
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Interactions between earthworms, mycorrhizal fungi, plants and aphids revealed by stable isotope labelling of earthworms
Autoren: Grabmaier, A; Heigl, F; Wanek, W; Frank, T; Zaller, JG Jahr: 2012
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Herbivory of an invasive slug is affected by earthworms and the composition of plant communities.
Autoren: Zaller, JG; Parth, M; Szunyogh, I; Semmelrock, I; Sochurek, S; Pinheiro, M; Frank, T; Drapela, T; Jahr: 2013
Journal articles
Regenwürmer stehen mit Blattläusen in funktioneller Beziehung
Autoren: Salzburger Nachrichten Jahr: 2015
Newspaper / Magazine article
Boku-Forscher weisen Interaktion zwischen Regenwürmern und Blattläusen nach
Autoren: Der Pflanzenarzt Jahr: 2015
Newspaper / Magazine article
Wurm und Laus gehen Verbindung ein
Autoren: Tiroler Tageszeitung Jahr: 2015
Newspaper / Magazine article
BOKU-Forschung zeigt Netzwerke zwischen unter- und oberirdischen Organismen auf
Autoren: ÖJ Jahr: 2015
Newspaper / Magazine article
Project staff
Thomas Frank
Univ.Prof. Mag. Dr. Thomas Frank
thomas.frank@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83311
Project Leader
01.11.2007 - 30.10.2012
Thomas Drapela
Mag. Dr. Thomas Drapela
thomas.drapela@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-33037
Project Staff
01.11.2007 - 30.10.2012
Johann Zaller
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Johann Zaller
johann.zaller@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83318
Sub Projectleader
01.11.2007 - 30.10.2012
BOKU partners
External partners
Agroscope Reckenholz Zürich
Dr. Marcel van der Heijden
partner