Results from the Gumpenstein test facility in “Nature Communications”
In the globally unique ClimGrass facility at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein in Irdning, the expected climate changes of the future are simulated and their effects are researched . To this end, researchers from Germany and abroad with different expertise have been working together successfully since 2011.
In a collaboration with the University of Vienna, remarkable results on soil life and microbial growth have now been published for the first time in one of the most recognized scientific journals “ Nature Communications (Metze et al., 2023).
Gumpensteiner ClimGrass system simulates climate change
In the Gumpenstein ClimGrass test facility, temperatures, precipitation and also CO 2 concentrations can be controlled on the permanent grassland test plots. For this purpose, the surface temperatures were increased by three degrees using infrared heating and the atmospheric CO 2 concentrations were increased by supplying air enriched 2 This simulates the expected climate changes and measures their effects on grassland yield, forage quality, nutrient and water balance, gas exchange in the soil and plants, root formation and soil life.
Soil life reacts differently
Higher temperatures and changes in the water balance influence the growth of soil microorganisms and thus, among other things, the nutrient supply and absorption of plants. In the experiment, microbial growth decreased during drought, although there were clear differences between species. What was particularly interesting was that in those areas where future climatic conditions had already been simulated for years, a significant adjustment in the proportion of microbial species and their growth in drought conditions was found. These species were able to cope with drought stress much better. However, the overall number of species decreased significantly. If it is known which microbes are more tolerant - such as filamentous Streptomyces species - then these can possibly be specifically promoted through management.
Link to publication
Metze, D.; Schnecker, J.; Canarini, A.; Fuchslueger, L.; Cook, B.J.; Stone, BW; Hungate, B.A.; Hausmann, B.; Schmidt, H.; Schaumberger, A.; Bahn, M.; Kaiser, C. and Richter, A. (2023): Microbial growth under drought is confined to distinct taxa and modified by potential future climate conditions. Nature Communications 14 (1), 5895.