Exploratories for large-scale and long-term functional biodiversity research

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In the framework of an initiative to advance biodiversity research in Germany, we propose to establish three exemplary large-scale and long-term research sites (biodiversity exploratories). They will establish and sustain the scientific infrastructure and develop the intellectual framework needed for Germany to address critical questions about changes in biodiversity and to evaluate the impacts of those changes for ecosystem processes and in relation to land management. One exploratory will be situated at Biosphere Reserve Schorfheide-Chorin (NE Germany), one at National Park Hainich and surrounding area (centre of Germany), and one in the currently establishing Biosphere reserve Mittlere Kuppenalb (SW Germany). In each exploratory the relationship between land use intensity, biodiversity change, and ecosystem functioning will be studied for selected forest and grassland taxa in real landscapes. The main research questions concern the relationship of the diversity of different plant, animal, fungal, and microbial taxa to each other, their response to land use, and their functional significance for ecosystem processes. In an integrative approach with standardized methodology the exploratories will merge biodiversity and ecosystem research; two disciplines which had mainly operated separately in the past. The questions will be addressed in a common study design consisting of plots that differ in ecological characteristics and research intensities. A grid of >1000 plots per exploratory will give baseline information on diversity and ecosystem functioning. Of these, about 100 per exploratory will be selected for intensive research. These plots will be instrumented to measure a wider range of functions combined with a more detailed analysis of diversity patterns of selected animal and plant taxa. They will also serve for experimental manipulations. Finally, 16 plots per exploratory will serve for high intensity research. Plots will be distributed over grassland and forest areas and include broad gradients of land use intensities ranging from near-natural to intensely used. The first project phase proposed here will be limited to selected taxa and ecosystem functions. One to two years after establishment, further contributing projects proposed by the German research community will integrate into the exploratories. Overall, the exploratories will enable tackling new questions on the functional significance of biodiversity in real landscapes, and they will serve as a stimulating research platform for the German biodiversity research community.