Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems
 
 
 

TERRESTRIAL INITIATIVE OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH

MoorHouse National Nature Research

Studied site

It is England's highest and largest terrestrial National Nature Reserve (NNR), a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a European Special Protection Area

Effects of temperature changes on soil biodiversity
  • Effects on the abundances:
    Individual species, rather than communities, will respond by exhibiting different strategies
  • Effects on the vertical distribution:
    Appendages and certain body shapes prevent deep dwelling


Enchytraeid or potworm
Briones M.J.I., Ineson P. & Piearce T.G. (1997). Effects of climate change on soil fauna; responses of enchytraeids, Diptera larvae and tardigrades in a transplant experiment. Applied Soil Ecology 6: 117-134.

Effects of temperature changes on soil processes
  • Effects on nutrient dynamics
  • Effects on trophic structure
  • Effects on trace gas emissions
It has been suggested that the C stores in upland ecosystems in the UK will be responsive to climate change and our data have shown an increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release as a result of increasing temperatures.
DOC PRODUCTION

CONTROL
 + ENCHYTRAEIDS
Briones M.J.I., Carreira J. & Ineson P. (1998a). Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) and nutrient cycling in organic soils: A microcosm experiment. Applied Soil Ecology 9: 289-294.

Briones M.J.I., Ineson P. & Poskitt J. (1998b). Climate change and Cognettia sphagnetorum: Effects on carbon dynamics in organic soils. Functional Ecology 12: 528-535.

Swift M.J., Andrén O., Brussaard L., Briones M.J.I., Couteaux M.M., Ekschmitt K., Kjoller A., Loiseau P., Smith P. (1998c). Global change, soil biodiversity, and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems: three case studies. Global Change Biology 4: 729-743.

Briones M.J.I., Poskitt J. & Ostle N. (2004). Influence of Enchytraeids and warming on CO2 and CH4 greenhouse gas emissions from soil – A microcosm experiment. Soil Biology and Biochemistry36: 1851-1859.


Effects of increased CO2 on soil processes
  • E ffects on litter palatability and decomposition

Solar domes at Lancaster University (UK)




Dry weights of ash leaf fragments, derived from ambient (350) and elevated (600) CO2, after three days of incubation with Oniscus asellus

Cotrufo M.F., Briones M.J.I. & Ineson P. (1998d). Elevated CO2 affects field decomposition rate and palatability of tree leaf litter: the importance of changes in substrate quality. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 30: 1565-1571.

  • Systems to control and reduce CO2 concentrations


In ecological studies dealing with the effects of CO2 concentrations it is neccessary to establish certain gas levels and to maintain those levels throughout the course of the experiment.

In the lab this is possible with growth chambers with the appropriate device to control the gas concentration so that the programmed values are constanly maintained and monitored.

The University of Vigo has pattented two systems to achieve this aim:

1) Automated system to monitor and control CO2 concentrations in growth chambers and other environmental controlled chambers: This includes a control system, a CO2 probe, an electronic device which connects the control system with the CO2 supply and the CO2 removal kit.

2) Decreasing CO2 concentrations in closed environments: This is the CO2 removal kit which consists of a chemical absorbent which removes CO2 from the incoming dry air.

Rodeiro J., Estévez J. & Briones M.J.I. Sistema automatico de monitorización y control de CO2 en habitáculos de ambiente controlado (S.I.A.M.O.C.O.C.O.2). P200100038
Rodeiro J., Estévez J. & Briones M.J.I. Sistema reductor de la concentración de CO2 en ambientes cerrados (R.E.C.O.2). ES2186516. Fecha de publicación: 01/05/2003.