Research project CG/DD1/06 (Research action CG)
Rich fens are amongst the most species rich herbaceous vegetation types in Europe. Their vegetation is characterised by low growing, evergreen species. Given the right environmental conditions (predominantly determined by soil chemistry and hydrology), and very extensive management, they exhibit stable coexistence of numerous species of which none reaches dominance. They are therefore excellent model systems to study in the framework of this programme:
1. they contribute enormously to biodiversity
2. their precious environmental status is a good indicator for the ‘biodiversity success of sustainable development and
3 there is a need for studies of complex systems reaction to global change, including species interactions and soil process feedback's.
This project we will not adopt this echo-physiological approach, but we will rather concentrate on hydrological and soil chemical effects of climate change. In wetlands, hydrology is the primary factor shaping the ecosystems appearance. This is especially true for the systems under study: their base richness, low productivity and permanent wetness all result from their hydrological status and relations with the surroundings. In previous research we demonstrated that the soil chemistry of rich-fens may be much more dynamic then previously thought. Lowering the water table after summer drought immediately initiates an acidification process in the fen soil and may lead to higher phosphorus (P) concentrations in soil water. The present proposal is a follow up to this project and will work towards applicability of the knowledge in methods for sustainable policy development with respect to biodiversity and global change. It will concentrate on three issues:
1. the construction of a general model of fen soil sensitivity to drought induced acidification, taking into account soil physical and chemical aspects, and the site specific relation of the water table movement with the climate. Models of the relation between hydrological status and climate will be based on climate data which are available through RMI. Future climate scenario's will be selected in co-operation with climate groups in the program (UCL, RMI). If climate scenario's of sufficient resolution are not available historical data-series of extreme events will be used;
2. model the behaviour of P in rich fen soils under ‘normal' and transient conditions of drought and acidification; and
3. assess, through the use of micro-cosm experiments, the response of different functional groups in the vegetation to drought induced acidification and estimate the P availability to the vegetation in ‘normal' and transient conditions.
The study sites will be based in Belgium, but surveys will be conducted abroad to extend the data basis of the project.
Cyberspace: brochure réalisée à l'occasion de l'exposition "Vivre ou survivre"
SSTC ... et al. Bruxelles: SSTC, 2001 (SP0702)
[To download]
Cyberspace: brochure samengesteld ter gelegenheid van de tentoonstelling "Leven of overleven"
DWTC ... et al. Brussel: DWTC, 2001 (SP0703)
[To download]
Hydrological, soil chemical and ecological effects of climate change in species rich fens: final report
Van Haesebroeck, Véronique - Vlassak, Karel - Hens, Maarten ... et al Brussels: OSTC, 2001 (SP0984)
[Exhausted]
