Disentangling the effects of changing environmental chemistry and climate on biogeochemistry and biodiversity of natural alpine soils and waters

Principal investigator: Jiří Kopáček
(Co)investigator from the Department: Eva Kaštovská
Funding provider: Czech Science Foundation
Duration: 2014 to 2016

Project goals: 
An integrated study on effects of changing environmental chemistry and climate on biogeochemical processes in soils (weathering, mineralization, P and Al mobility) and lakes (nutrient availability, toxicity) and their biodiversity (soil and water invertebrates).

Project description:
The Tatra Mountains have been exhibiting world largest recovery of aquatic and terrestrial alpine ecosystems from atmospheric acidification due to unique declines in S (>60%) and N (40%) deposition since 1989. Resulting changes in biogeochemical processes and biodiversity are, however, confused by parallel effects of increasing temperature. Disentangling these effects is crucial for assessing future development of natural ecosystems under anticipated trends in atmospheric pollution and climate change. On the basis of our long-term research in this area, we study effects of the chemical and climatic changes in natural alpine ecosystems on (i) weathering rates, soil chemistry, and leaching of nutrients (P, N, and C), base cations, and toxic Al forms to waters, (ii) in-lake processes responsible for P immobilization in waters and sediments, (iii) biological recovery (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos) in lakes, and (vi) soil biodiversity (microbial composition and soil invertebrates) along gradients of soil pH and elevation (vegetation zones, temperature).