Research in the Grassland Sciences group focuses on the process- and system-oriented understanding of functional plant diversity and of ecosystem biogeochemistry, in particular biospheric-atmospheric greenhouse gas exchange, both in response to human and biophysical drivers, across spatial and temporal scales.

Based on a multidisciplinary approach, we use classical ecological methods and further develop innovative tools, such as stable isotope analyses and micrometeorological measurements, in our observational and experimental studies.

• Employing stable isotopes to determine the residence times of soil water and the temporal origin of water taken up by Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies in a temperate forest
  Brinkmann, N; Seeger, S; Weiler, M; Buchmann, N; Eugster, W; Kahmen, A
  NEW PHYTOLOGIST, 219 (4):1300-1313; 10.1111/nph.15255 SEP 2018
• Interspecific trait differences rather than intraspecific trait variation increase the extent and filling of community trait space with increasing plant diversity in experimental grasslands
  Roscher, C; Schumacher, J; Gubsch, M; Lipowsky, A; Weigelt, A; Buchmann, N; Schulze, ED; Schmid, B
  PERSPECTIVES IN PLANT ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS, 33 42-50; 10.1016/j.ppees.2018.05.001 AUG 2018
• Tackling Food System Challenges through Experiential Education Criteria for Optimal Course Design
  Grant, M; Shreck, A; Buchmann, N
  GAIA-ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES FOR SCIENCE AND SOCIETY, 27 (1):169-175; 10.14512/gaia.27.1.13 2018
• How do leaf trait values change spatially and temporally with light availability in a grassland diversity experiment?
  Bachmann, Dorte; Roscher, Christiane; Buchmann, Nina
  OIKOS, 127 (7):935-948; 10.1111/oik.04533 JUL 2018
• Trait means, trait plasticity and trait differences to other species jointly explain species performances in grasslands of varying diversity
  Roscher, C; Gubsch, M; Lipowsky, A; Schumacher, J; Weigelt, A; Buchmann, N; Schulze, ED; Schmid, B
  OIKOS, 127 (6):855-865; 10.1111/oik.04815 JUN 2018
• Crops, Nitrogen, Water: Are Legumes Friend, Foe, or Misunderstood Ally?
  Adams, MA; Buchmann, N; Sprent, J; Buckley, TN; Turnbull, TL
  TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE, 23 (6):539-550; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2018.02.009 JUN 2018
• Origin context of trait data matters for predictions of community performance in a grassland biodiversity experiment
  Roscher, C; Schumacher, J; Gubsch, M; Lipowsky, A; Weigelt, A; Buchmann, N; Schmid, B; Schulze, ED
  ECOLOGY, 99 (5):1214-1226; MAY 2018
• Greenhouse gas fluxes over managed grasslands in Central Europe
  Hortnagl, L; Barthel, M; Buchmann, N; Eugster, W; Butterbach-Bahl, K; Diaz-Pines, E; Zeeman, M; Klumpp, K; Kiese, R; Bahn, M; Hammerle, A; Lu, HY; Ladreiter-Knauss, T; Burri, S; Merbold, L
  GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, 24 (5):1843-1872; https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-1293-2018 MAY 2018
• Impacts of droughts and extreme-temperature events on gross primary production and ecosystem respiration: a systematic assessment across ecosystems and climate zones
  Authors: von Buttlar, J; Zscheischler, J; Rammig, A; et al.
  Source: BIOGEOSCIENCES, 15 (5):1293-1318; 10.5194/bg-15-1293-2018 MAR 5 2018 
• Genotypic variability enhances the reproducibility of an ecological study
  Authors: Milcu, A; Puga-Freitas, R; Ellison, AM; et al.
  Source: NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION, 2 (2):279-+; 10.1038/s41559-017-0434-x FEB 2018 
• Biodiversity-multifunctionality relationships depend on identity and number of measured functions
  Authors: Meyer, ST; Ptacnik, R; Hillebrand, H; et al.
  Source: NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION, 2 (1):44-49; 10.1038/s41559-017-0391-4 JAN 2018
• Resilient Leaf Physiological Response of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to Summer Drought and Drought Release 
  Author(s): Pflug, Ellen E.; Buchmann, Nina; Siegwolf, Rolf T. W.; et al. 
  Source: FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE, 9: FEB 19 2018 
  Document Type: Article (Details)

• Plant and Ecosystem Ecophysiology
• Biogeochemistry
• Greenhouse Gas Exchange (CO₂, H₂O, CH₄, N₂O)
• Biodiversity & Ecosystem Functioning
• Stable Isotope Ecology
• Policy Advice

• Global change biology
• Sustainable and efficient resource use.
• Ecosystem Ecology