Termites are important components of most soil invertebrate communities in the tropics and are considered ecosystem engineers that alter the flow of energy and nutrients through terrestrial ecosystems. Because of their wide occurrence, extensive research has focused on termite social structure, geographical distribution, and behavior. However, considerably less research has been conducted on how these insects affect ecosystem properties within savanna ecosystems. We investigate the impact of termites and their interactions with large herbivores in the Serengeti ecosystem.

Available languages: English

The Nutrient Network (NutNet) is a grassroots research effort to address these questions within a coordinated research network comprised of more than 40 grassland sites worldwide. We are interested in how general our current understanding of productivity-diversity relationships is, to what extent plant production and diversity are co-limited by multiple nutrients in herbaceous-dominated communities and under what conditions grazers or fertilization control plant biomass, diversity, and composition.

Available languages: English

Grubbing by wild boars incorporates the forest floor into the mineral soil, which could significantly alter forest soil properties (physical, chemical and biological). This could not only affect carbon (C) and nutrient fluxes and stores, but also forest productivity and stand regeneration. The objectives of this study are be to assess how wild boar grubbing effects soil physical (soil bulk density, pH), chemical and biological (microbial biomass, composition) properties in deciduous forest stands as well a how they affect stand regeneration and understory development.

Available languages: English

Trophic interactions of herbivores of different body sizes are assessed using exclosures in different vegetation types in grassland ecosystems of the Swiss National Park. The focus is on changes in plant, root and microbial biomass and nutrient content (nitrogen and phosphorus) as well as on the composition of plant and microbial communities over the course of several growing seasons.

Available languages: German English

Since the foundation of the Swiss National Park in 1914, one focus of botanical research has always been long-term monitoring of vegetation development. As relevées have been repeated on the permanent plots, the researchers are now able to make precise statements about long-term development of tall-herb communities, nutrient-rich meadows, rich and poor pastures as well as woodland communities.

Available languages: English French

Red wood ants (Formica rufa-group) are found in many conifer and mixed conifer-hardwoods forests of Europe. While a lot of research concerning red wood ant biology, behavior, and geographical distribution has been conducted in the past, very little information is available regarding their impact on soil processes and soil pool sizes.

Available languages: English

Scientists from USA started an international study on organic matter decomposition in 2000. Their main objectives are to determine the effects of soil properties on wood decomposition rates and microbial decay patterns across a wide range of soil types and climatic regimes as well as to determine the impact of various forest management practices on wood decomposition. In 2001 WSL established additional plots in the Swiss National Park.

Available languages: English