SystemLink

RESEARCH TRAINING GROUP 2360
GRADUIERTENKOLLEG 2360

SystemLink

Is a research training group with an innovative qualification plan for young researchers who investigates bottom-up and top-down interactions in terrestrial ecosystems propagating from aquatic environments as a result of their exposure to anthropogenic stress.

363A49C5-E4E9-44D9-AF44-E471C09E3399

WHY?

The impact of matter input from terrestrial sources on aquatic systems is well known. The reverse process has received less attention.

 

We hypothesize that invasive species and micropollutant exposure cause top-down and bottom-up mediated responses in terrestrial ecosystems.

IMG_20200415_152353507_HDR

HOW?

PhD students in SystemLink either conduct experiments in unique aquatic terrestrial mesocosm facilities combined with laboratory and field research, or develop and apply process-based environmental models.

DSC02691

WHAT?

SystemLink thrives to increase the knowledge on effect translation across ecosystem boundaries by integrating biogeochemical fluxes and biological subsidies.

IMG_6830-1-scaled.jpg

HIGHLIGHTS

13 December 2024

This publication from Victoria Sophie Stoll and co-authors examined the impact of the mosquito control agent Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) on the diversity and community composition of three Chironomidae subfamilies across different micro-habitats. The study found effects on both interspecific and intraspecific diversity, as well as on the community composition of the subfamily Chironominae, while Tanypodinae and Orthocladiinae were not affected. Furthermore, evidence suggests that these effects depend on variation in the micro-habitat. These outcomes highlight the variability of Bti’s impact on Chironomidae communities across subfamilies and micro-habitats, potentially elucidating discrepancies reported in prior studies. Link to the study

08 November 2024

 

This recent publication by SystemLink PhD student Franziska Fiolka and co-authors shows that frequently flooded riparian soil and plants have higher concentrations of pesticides due to flooding from streams. The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Water, concluded that this flood-mediated pesticide transfer might affect the terrestrial food-web. Link to the study

28 July 2024

The public and music met science at the climate concert “WasserWandel.” SystemLink Postdoc Dr. Alessandro Manfrin moderated the event, organized by the Staatstheater Augsburg and majestically performed by the Augsburger Philharmoniker Orchestra. Dr. Manfrin introduced the audience to the numerous challenges that aquatic and riparian ecosystems face due to climate change, along with the wide range of anthropogenic alterations affecting their biodiversity. Also present at the event was Jürgen K. Enninger, Head of the Department for Culture, World Heritage, and Sports for the city of Augsburg.

 

Insights into our work

GALLERY

Dissection-scaled.jpg
Mesocosm-scaled.jpg
IMG_20191017_130320-scaled.jpg
IMG_4180-copy-scaled.jpg
Fieldstudy.jpg
DSC02702

Introduction SystemLink

VIDEO