The interdisciplinary joint project Landscapes under Climate Change – Influence of management and climate change on interactions of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is headed by Prof. Dr. Jörg Völkel (Coordinator), PD Dr. Michael Dannenmann (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), Prof. Dr. Jürgen Geist, Prof. Dr. Dr.h.c. Ingrid Kögel-Knabner & Prof. Dr. Michael Schloter. Climate change influences the (nutrient) matter balance in the near subsurface, and therefore the interaction patterns between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in cultural and natural landscapes will change and put ecological and economic soil functions and ecosystem services at risk. C, N, P compounds play a prominent role in the search for mitigation and adaptation strategies. Changes in the metabolic balance of soils and soil-borne sediments are closely linked to changes in the microbiome. The complex interaction patterns in the near subsurface (critical zone) of terrestrial ecosystems are directly linked to aquatic ecosystems via substance inputs to water bodies, whose biodiversity is particularly at risk. In cultural landscapes, the form of land use is of utmost importance, especially grassland and its management. In search of suitable mitigation strategies, the project investigates these changes in the sink and source function of the C, N, P reservoirs along a climatic gradient in the Bavarian Forest near Regensburg from the montane to the colline stage within the same natural unit. In the context of the project, quasinatural grassland sites without current and without previous soil management form the reference conditions. They are contrasted with long-term intensively used sites. On the basis of these scenarios, the interactions between landscape and climate will be illuminated and, in comparison with the corresponding regulations such as the Water Framework Directive and the Soil Protection Ordinance, management strategies will be developed with the aim of maintaining soil functions under climate change conditions and reducing undesirable inputs from terrestrial to aquatic systems. In addition to cultural landscape genesis, the structure of the near-surface subsurface with material stocks, layer structure, weathering phenomena, pedogenesis and slope water flow is of fundamental importance. Hence, the interdisciplinary project combines the competences of geomorphology, soil science, microbiology, stable isotope biogeochemistry, hydrology and aquatic systems biology. The following position will be available from November 1st, 2023 or later as soon as possible 1 Scientific Assistant (E13 TV-L, full-time, temporary).

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