Thorsten Schafer’s Post

Our new paper, just out in Nature Communications, makes me very proud, because it describes an experiment jointly set up by 4 PhD students in the lab, Mohan and Huiying Li are joint first authors, and Peter and Yanjie are co-authors, along with former postdoc Masahiro Ryo, now at ZALF. Testing deviations from three null model predictions, we demonstrate that higher factor dissimilarity and a larger number of factors could drive larger deviations from null models and trigger more frequent occurrence of synergistic factor net interactions on soil functions.This brings us one step forward to a mechanistic understanding of high-dimensional effects of factors. Our work highlights the importance of considering factor similarity in future research on interacting factors. #soilhealth #globalchange #ecology https://lnkd.in/eSGAspkh

Sharing our recent paper published in the International Journal of Earth Sciences https://lnkd.in/dGvWkCjA

Metabarcoding and microscopy characterization of phytoplankton from frontal areas of the Argentine Sea - Frontiers in MarineS cience: The Argentine Sea is worldwide recognized as a highly productive area, characterized by extensive phytoplankton blooms during spring and summer. Despite the well-known importance of frontal areas for biomass accumulation, phytoplankton diversity remains poorly studied. In an unprecedented approach for the Argentine Sea, we combined microscopy and 18Sv4 metabarcoding analyses for a refined assessment of summer phytoplankton composition in three understudied frontal areas of the Argentine Sea (≈43°−55°S), with contrasting oceanographic conditions. Metabarcoding and microscopy analyses agreed on the detection of the dominant phytoplanktonic groups in the different frontal areas studied; chlorophytes in VALDES Peninsula, dinoflagellates in waters off Blanco Cape, and diatoms in de los Estados Island. The analysis of the phytoplankton community was significantly enriched by combining both techniques, microscopy provided cell abundances and biomass data and metabarcoding provided greater detail on species composition, revealing an important specific richness of dinoflagellates, diatoms and other delicate groups, such as chlorophytes. However, we also considered differences between the methods for certain taxa at a lower taxonomic level (species/genus) of the dominant taxa, such as the underestimation of the diatoms Asterionellopsis glacialis and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and the overestimation of Chaetoceros contortus by metabarcoding in comparison to microscopic counts. The detection of several taxa belonging to small and delicate groups, previously overlooked due to the lack of distinct morphological features, establishes a baseline for future studies on phytoplankton diversity in the Argentine Sea.

WOW, your work on utilizing human urine-based struvite as fertilizer to enhance crop yields on Mars and Moon regolith simulants is so interesting! What do you anticipate the impact of this work on future space missions. More About Space Resource Technologies: https://lnkd.in/g-VpkZfc

Source: BMC plant biology Study examines effects of karst fissures and rainfall on growth of Pinus yunnanensis and Pinus elliottii seedlings. Increased karst thickness enhances P. yunnanensis growth but inhibits P. elliottii. Optimal growth for P. yunnanensis under I_6dS_1/4 and P. elliottii under I_3dS₀. Findings aid vegetation restoration in karst areas under climate change. Further research on karst fissure sizes needed.

🚜 vs 🌦️ Our paper on the interactions between biogeochemical cycles driven by hydrology in agricultural context has been accepted and is now online! 🇪🇺 I got funds for this research from the European Research Council H2020 through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COSTREAM, and I really enjoy this paper as it represents my last contribution as a scientist 🎓 Hope it will found some interest 😉 https://lnkd.in/dDtRGwjD

📃Scientific paper: Microbial features of mature and abandoned soils in refractory clay deposits Abstract: Processes of soil restoration in anthropogenically disturbed soils is an urgent topic in modern ecology and nature management. Being mediator between mineral soil composition and plant vegetation, soil microbial community is important factor of soil restoration processes. Analysis of main soil nutrition components followed by 16S amplicon sequencing are sufficient methods for primary analysis of novel locations. Here is the primary analysis in a novel location in Northwest Europe (Russia). Main nutrition parameters (pH, P, Na and NH_4^+) and 16S rDNA Illumina amplicons were explored in abandoned soils from sandy pit quarry (2 sites) and refractory clay mining dumps (4 sites). Microbial communities of mature soils and dumps are variable and different in terms both nutritional and microbial components. pH, N and TOC are strong predictors for microbial composition. Dumps of refractory clays pQ_2 are non-developed soils, highly acidic and form specific microbial community. Differences between dumps and mature soils in both pre-quaternary and quaternary soils are connected with specific bacterial taxa. Those taxa are connected more with plant composition, not the soil properties themselves. The exact changes in microbial community are unique for different soils and areas. Graphical Abstract Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/F9 ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

🌱🌕🔴 New paper release - Human urine-based struvite as fertilizer. I'm thrilled to share the release of our latest paper, "Effect of struvite on the growth of green beans on Mars and Moon regolith simulants," published in the "De Gruyter". This groundbreaking research delves into the crucial role of sustainable food production for future human habitation on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars . As we prepare for extended space missions and potential colonization, establishing self-sustaining agricultural ecosystems becomes paramount. The study explores the viability of utilizing human urine-based struvite as fertilizer to enhance crop yields in simulated Martian and lunar soils. The results are nothing short of remarkable! It was found that the addition of struvite significantly boosted the growth of green beans on both Mars and Moon regolith simulants, leading to a higher bean harvest compared to control conditions. This research opens up exciting possibilities for sustainable food production in space, showcasing the potential of leveraging waste products to support crop growth and ensure the long-term survival of future space settlers. For the whole paper please go to: https://lnkd.in/ebz9cSkh For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Wieger Wamelink or me. Wageningen University & Research #SpaceExploration #Agriculture #Sustainability #Research #Mars #Moon #SpaceColonization

📃Scientific paper: Microbial features of mature and abandoned soils in refractory clay deposits Abstract: Processes of soil restoration in anthropogenically disturbed soils is an urgent topic in modern ecology and nature management. Being mediator between mineral soil composition and plant vegetation, soil microbial community is important factor of soil restoration processes. Analysis of main soil nutrition components followed by 16S amplicon sequencing are sufficient methods for primary analysis of novel locations. Here is the primary analysis in a novel location in Northwest Europe (Russia). Main nutrition parameters (pH, P, Na and NH_4^+) and 16S rDNA Illumina amplicons were explored in abandoned soils from sandy pit quarry (2 sites) and refractory clay mining dumps (4 sites). Microbial communities of mature soils and dumps are variable and different in terms both nutritional and microbial components. pH, N and TOC are strong predictors for microbial composition. Dumps of refractory clays pQ_2 are non-developed soils, highly acidic and form specific microbial community. Differences between dumps and mature soils in both pre-quaternary and quaternary soils are connected with specific bacterial taxa. Those taxa are connected more with plant composition, not the soil properties themselves. The exact changes in microbial community are unique for different soils and areas. Graphical Abstract Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/F9 ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

"Different currencies for calculating resource phenology result in opposite inferences about trophic mismatches." Conclusions on trophic mismatches can differ substantially depending on how food phenology is measured. We provide a case study from northeast Greenland on a shorebird (Sanderling) and its arthropod prey, and show that estimates of mismatch can be reversed depending on whether arthropod abundance (i.e. counts) or arthropod biomass is used. New paper, congratulations Tom Versluis and Misha Zhemchuzhnikov! https://lnkd.in/eQsqNBb4