Lysimter System

In 2013 our quasi-lysimeter system was set up by the Animal Ecology group at the Gülpe Biological Station. It consists of 16 small enclosures that were filled with soil, with marked layers of soil being drawn in at defined depths. The enclosures were left alone for two years to allow natural grassland growth. In the first experiment, burrowing small mammals are place in 8 of the 16 enclosures once a year for one week to investigate effects of disturbance and consumption on soil and plant communtieies. Each enclosure is equipped with moisture and temperature sensors, as well as a drain with tipping bucket, to measure soil water dynamics. The next experiment will investigate effects of managaement and grass harvest in interaction with disturbing animal agents.

Measuring equipment for wind and air temperatures are installed in the immediate vicinity of the enclosures and the vegetation in the enclosures is regularly monitored.