Effects of long-term enhanced game population density on soil nutrient dynamics, plant stress and plant productivity
Abstract
Forests are critically influenced by game animals and a high population of game affects various processes in forest ecosystems. Plants that are browsed by herbivorous game animals show stress reactions which can even lead to a change in plant species composition. On the other hand, a high game population density leads to high nutrient and carbon inputs via excrement and, in case of feeding, via fodder inputs. In turn, such inputs positively affect plant nutrition and growth as well as soil organic carbon build-up. While previous studies have focused on various topics related to the effects of game animals on forest ecosystems, we still lack a more holistic view on game animal-soil-plant interactions and feedback reactions. This two-phased project aims at tackling this short-coming and elucidating the effect of long-term enhanced game population density on soils and plants. The study site is located in Weikendorf, Lower Austria, and consists of a fenced area with high game animal population density and a directly adjacent, open forest with lower animal density, serving as a control. In the first phase of the project, we will analyze soil physical and chemical parameters to study the effect of increased nutrient and carbon inputs in the study area. Further, we will analyze plant amino acid composition of plants browsed by game animals to test the possibility of using leaf amino acid patterns as stress indicators. The results gained during the first phase of the project will serve as scientific basis for a subsequent, long-term research and monitoring strategy.
Publikationen
Project staff
Erich Inselsbacher
Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Erich Inselsbacher
erich.inselsbacher@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91116
Project Leader
01.04.2022 - 31.12.2023
Ursula Nopp-Mayr
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Ursula Nopp-Mayr
ursula.nopp-mayr@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83001, 83227
Project Staff
01.04.2022 - 31.12.2023
Martin Gerzabek
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Dr.h.c.mult. Martin Gerzabek
martin.gerzabek@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91112
Sub Projectleader
01.04.2022 - 31.12.2023