PD Dr. Ina C. Meier, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen – 12 June 2018

Root-Rhizosphere Interactions in Forests under Global Change: The Role of Root Exudation in Shaping Ecosystem Processes

ABSTRACT

The main components of anthropogenic global change will affect the C sink strength and biogeochemistry of the terrestrial vegetation. In particular, increasing atmospheric CO2 and increasing risk of summer droughts have been identified as critical components of global climate change. In my talk I will analyze how climatic changes influence C sequestration and nutrient cycling of temperate forest ecosystems. Specifically, I will focus on the interaction of plants with soil microbes via root exudation, which is an important determinant of tree productivity and forest ecosystem functions under elevated CO2 and summer droughts. I will also demonstrate that the mycorrhizal type is a crucial mediator of the metabolomic composition of root exudates, which affects the C and N cycles of the ecosystem.

Nature of Life seminars

Date       :   12 June 2018

Time       :   15.45 hours

Location:   Room F647, W&N building VU Amsterdam