The ExpeER call for Transnational Access (TA) proposals provides a unique opportunity for research teams and individuals to access some of Europe's major research infrastructures focused on ecosystem research. Each month, we will focus on one or two of these sites.

Focus on the Höglwald Forest experimental site (Germany)

Höglwald Forest facilities

The Höglwald is a Norway spruce-dominated forest of about 370 ha surrounded by farmland in the hilly landscape of Southern Bavaria, approx. 70 km north of the Alps and 40 km west of Munich at 11° 5' E and 48°18' N. The Höglwald site (560 m asl) is operated by IMK-IFU permanently since 1993.
The site is equipped with 2 fully automated, remotely controlled measuring and data acquisition systems in standard containers for continuous quantification of net exchange of trace gases (CO2, N2O, CH4, NOX) at the soil-atmosphere interface in high temporal resolution using static and dynamic chamber techniques and one tower (50 m height) for quantification of net ecosystem exchange of CO2, H2O and sensible heat.

• What are the new developments since the beginning of ExpeER?
"In the framework of ExpeER TNA, we developed new chambers for measuring GHG emissions from tree stems, mainly N2O. They have been used in a field study and stem fluxes were compared to soil fluxes measured by the automatic measuring system."

ExpeER TNA accepted projects

• One project have been accepted so far:
- FLUxes of greenhouse gases from tree STems and the influence of TREE species composition (FLUSTTREE) - more

• Possible theme for the TNA visits: NOx: production, consumption and net emission from soil (joined field and laboratory experiment).

• How did the Höglwald forest site get visitors?
"With more than a decade, Höglwald forest holds the world record in the longest detailed dataset on biosphere-atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases. Therefore, it is well known in the international research community. We also advertised the possibility to visit the site for joined research cooperations via ExpeER Transnational Access at presentations at international meetings."

Feedback

Agustín Rubio Sánchez (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain) visited the Höglwald Forest site in June, 2012: "The staff of the KIT-IMK-IFU have always been a great support not only with logistic issues (we were provided during the experiment with everything that was needed) but also with their intellectual skills as they gave us advice and suggestions based on their long experience at the experimental site in order to obtain the best results for the experiment." - Read all

Recent publications

Luo, GJ; Bruggemann, N; Wolf, B; Gasche, R; Grote, R; Butterbach-Bahl K. (2012) Decadal variability of soil CO2, NO, N2O, and CH4 fluxes at the Hoglwald Forest, Germany. BIOGEOSCIENCES: 9, 1741-1763. DOI: 10.5194/bg-9-1741-2012

Gundersen, P; Christiansen, JR; Alberti, G; Bruggemann, N; Castaldi, S; Gasche R; Kitzler, B; Klemedtsson, L; Lobo-do-Vale, R; Moldan, F; Rutting, T; Schleppi, P; Weslien, P; Zechmeister-Boltenstern, S (2012) The response of methane and nitrous oxide fluxes to forest change in Europe. BIOGEOSCIENCES: 9, 3999-4012. DOI: 10.5194/bg-9-3999-2012

Van Oijen, M; Cameron, DR; Butterbach-Bahl, K; Farahbakhshazad, N; Jansson, PE; Kiese R; Rahn, KH; Werner, C; Yeluripati, JB (2011) A Bayesian framework for model calibration, comparison and analysis: Application to four models for the biogeochemistry of a Norway spruce forest. AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY: 151, 1609-1621. DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2011.06.017

Matejek, B; Huber, C; Dannenmann, M; Kohlpaintner, M; Gasche R.; Papen H (2010) Microbial N turnover processes in three forest soil layers following clear cutting of an N saturated mature spruce stand. PLANT AND SOIL: 337, 93-110. DOI: 10.1007/s11104-010-0503-2

Wu, X; Brueggemann, N; Gasche R; Shen, ZY; Wolf, B; Butterbach-Bahl, K (2010) Environmental controls over soil-atmosphere exchange of N2O, NO, and CO2 in a temperate Norway spruce forest. GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES. DOI:10.1029/2009GB003616