Function through Diversity

Hauling, planting and weeding trees: when the spadework is finished, it will be the largest biodiversity experiment in the world. A new forest is being created on 60 hectares in Xingangshan, in Eastern China. Gardeners are planting 96 native plant species and more than half a million trees and bushes. As we watch the trees grow little by little and experience the daily life of the Chinese workers, the students from Germany, Switzerland and China explain to us the most important factors of the ecosystem. What roles do herbs, herbivores, bacteria and, of course, climate play?

 
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Function through Diversity: Episode 12, 08/02/2010

Hierarchy in the Forest

 

A complex field: One of the projects belonging to the largest forest experiment in China is studying the genetic variation of trees and shrubs. The project is looking at the genetic structure of the species. There are two general approaches: Firstly, the performance of the plants is looked at on a large scale. The second approach focuses on the molecular level, in order to gain an understanding of the processes within and between the individuals and populations in the natural environment. There are great challenges to be overcome. First of all, a large forest needed to be planted...

At a glance

Field of Research: Biology, Botany, Ecology, Forestry, Life Sciences, Mycology, Population Genetics, Soil Science, Statistics
 
Location: Gutianshan / China, Halle, Jiangxi / China
 
Episodes: 14
 
Season/Year: 2. Season/ 2009
 
Status: Finished
 
Topics: genetic variation, hierarchies, gutianshan, halle, biologists, forest experiment
 
 
15.06.2009

Function Through Diversity

Pioneering work in China: the world’s largest biodiversity experiment
 
30.06.2009

The Chicken or the Egg?

Watching the forest grow: the researchers are interested in one thing in particular: what effect does biological diversity—biodiversity—have on the functions and processes in a forest ecosystem?
 
13.07.2009

What’s What?

Calling the trees by name: More than five times as many tree species grow in the Gutianshan National Nature Reserve than in the whole of Germany - and the researchers need to familiarise themselves with all of them before they can get down to work.
 
06.08.2009

Young and Rich

How does biodiversity of young woody plants affect ecosystem processes? Fieldwork with a difference...
 
07.09.2009

A Colourful Mixture

It’s all in the mixture. How does the level of diversity of tree species affect how a forest ecosystem works? A brief guide to ecological niches and environmental gradients.
 
23.09.2009

Forest in the Balance

Does more forest mean more biodiversity? To test this relationship, the mass of the forest needs to be determined. But how do you weigh a tree?
 
26.10.2009

Neighbourly Relationships

The battle for the crown. How diversity influences competition between trees – which ones will make it to the top?
 
14.12.2009

East Chinese Phenotypes

Leaf surface area divided by dry weight: How to measure plant characteristics. And what do the various phenotypes mean for biodiversity?
 
11.01.2010

Crawling Predators

Spiders, ground beetles and other predators: How are plant and animal diversity related?
 
18.01.2010

Exotic Invaders

It’s not just in the forest canopy that our team of researchers is studying the subtropical forests of China. They also want to find out what is going on at ground level…
 
25.01.2010

Material Cycles

Why are there 1000 bags lying on the forest floor in Gutianshan? Of cycles over and under ground…
 
01.02.2010

The Horizon ABC

It goes on beyond the horizon: How do soil, precipitation and plants influence each other? Also, how do you measure raindrops?
 
08.02.2010

Hierarchy in the Forest

Ecosystems, habitats, species: Diversity in the forest adheres to a clearly defined hierarchy. What role does the genetic variability of species play?
 
15.02.2010

Going Underground

What started above ground is finishing underground: What role does diversity play in the soil? In its final episode, DFG Science TV shows the smallest living being on earth…
 
 
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