ATBC 2008 - Schwendenmann

Symposium

Linking aboveground and belowground components of tropical ecosystems

Organizer : Luitgard Schwendenmann (lschwen -at- gwdg.de) and Emma Sayer (sayere -at- si.edu).

Although soil and vegetation of terrestrial ecosystems are inextricably connected, the two components are often considered separately. However, there is an increasing awareness of the linkages and feedbacks between aboveground and belowground systems and a combined aboveground-belowground perspective is required to achieve a better understanding of ecosystem processes (Wardle et al. 2004, Bardgett et al. 2005). An improved insight on aboveground-belowground interactions will also be critical in improving our predictions of the effects of human-induced environmental changes on ecosystem properties.

This symposium seeks to highlight a cross-section of research centered on soil functions and soil-plant interactions. The main themes of the symposium are: 1) the function of soils in understanding aboveground ecosystem processes, 2) the influence of plant and soil processes on litter decomposition and fine root development and 3) the implication of human-induced environmental changes on aboveground-belowground interactions. A further aim of this symposium is to focus on cross-continental comparisons (specific regions of interest are West Africa, Southeast Asia and South/Central America). The symposium will also provide a broad overview of current techniques regarding sampling design and analytical methods.

Litter in during the flowering peak in Suriname (September, dry season)