Teilprojekt (TP) 2-1 Soil sampling and insertion of litter bags

21.02.2017

Soil samples were taken in the upper and lower layer of top soils in the middle of the tree line as well as in different distances from the tree line. Hereafter, samples will be analyzed for indices for microbial activity (community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) by substrate-induced respiration and enzyme activity) as well as microbial biomass (C and N), ergosterol and microbial residues (amino sugars). Spatial variation will be analyzed considering the variation of SOC, total N, pH-value and soil texture.

In October 2016, litter bags with ¹⁵N labelled maize leaves have been buried in 1-5 cm soil depth at all sites, treatments and distances. Collecting of litter bags and sampling of soil below will be conducted after 6 to 8 months. Litter samples and soil below the litterbags will be analyzed for isotopic composition (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) for differentiation between mass loss and litter decomposition.

Sampling of top soils in an agroforestry poplar tree line

Insertion of litter bags in the top soil at the grassland site Mariensee