Projects
Modelling the current and future impacts of liana infestation on the demography and biogeochemical cycles of tropical forests Ghent University
Tropical forests are currently experiencing large-scale structural changes, the most apparent being the increase in liana abundance and biomass. Lianas (woody vines) are a key growth-form of these ecosystems where they constitute up to 40% of the woody stems. The (structural) parasitic relationship they impose on trees leads to increased tree mortality, decreased tree growth rate, and hence overall reduced forest carbon sequestration. Climate ...
Chair Van Dierendonck: Mechanism of global changes and biogeochemical cycles Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Bulk and species-specific high-precision isotopic analysis of mercury for unravelling its biogeochemical cycle Ghent University
Mercury (Hg) is recognized as one of the most hazardous global pollutants. High-precision Hg isotopic analysis via multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) is a novel and powerful analytical approach permitting (i) a better assessment of the risks of Hg contamination, (ii) an identification of the sources contributing to the Hg present in an environmental compartment, and
(iii) a more profound insight into the chemical ...
Biogeochemical cycle of heavy metals in natutal freshwater tidal marshes and in flood control areas. University of Antwerp
Biogeochemical cycling, redox transformations and microbial actors in electrified sediment ecosystems. University of Antwerp
Microbial fluxes of greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4) in karst ecosystems: comprehensive assessment and biogeochemical modelling (MIFLUKE) University of Antwerp
Linking living plant traits to soil biogeochemical functions in ecosystem patches under different land using regimes using an isotope-based assessment 'Acronym: PlaBioF) Ghent University
Understanding how human-induced vegetation shifts modify N cycling is essential. In this study, land use patches under different land management will be characterized according to their plant functional diversity. Living plant effects on gross N cycling and microbial community structure will be determined. Links between plant functional diversity and biogeochemical ecosystem functioning will be investigated.
Biogeochemical impact of land-use intensification and its legacy effects on tropical forest recovery through cation limitation Ghent University
Biogeochemistry directs ecological recovery of secondary forests, and thereby impacts the rate of carbon accumulation along succession. Recent observations suggest that cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium) limit forest productivity in the tropics, although research to date has largely focused on nitrogen and phosphorus. Moreover, the intensification of land-use change impacts cation availability at the onset of succession, likely further ...
Biogeochemical sustainability in terrestrial ecosystems Ghent University
Increasing antropogenic pressure is accelerating land-use change, and generally increasing human impact on ecosystems.Especially in the tropics, where population growth is ongoing still, this poses huges challenges to the socio-ecological nexus. At the basis of the tension between human and natural ecosystems are the biogeochemical cycles. Ultimately biogeochemistry will define whether or not land management, or land-use in general, can be ...