The world’s agroecosystems are under increasing pressure due to the growing global population, which is being exacerbated by climate change. It is difficult to predict exactly how the various factors of climate change will affect agricultural productivity and other ecosystem services, such as soil carbon storage, and in what direction, as there has been a lack of reliable experimental data to date.
The AgraSim research platform makes it possible to investigate the effects of future climatic and environmental conditions on the productivity of agricultural ecosystems as well as their nutrient and water use efficiency, carbon storage in the soil, greenhouse gas emissions and evaporation, and thus also the feedback on the atmosphere and climate. The experimental data is used for the further development of ecosystem and climate models and for the optimization of agricultural cultivation and management strategies.
AgraSim enables studies on plant yields, resource use efficiency, greenhouse gas balance, environmental impact and innovative cultivation techniques under current and future climate conditions. In addition, plants with special characteristics can be tested under realistic conditions. The data obtained will contribute to the improvement of models for securing yields and sustainable cultivation options for different climate regions.
AgraSim enables studies in the fields of terrestrial biogeochemistry, atmospheric research, plant physiology, agronomy, ecohydrology and soil microbiology.
State-of-the-art infrared laser absorption analyzers are used for the precise recording of greenhouse gases and reactive gases, also with isotope-specific analysis to quantify sources and sinks, e.g. photosynthesis and respiration, as well as to elucidate key processes in the soil. Matter export from the soil with the seepage water can be gauged with high precision and thus enables the closure of substance balances under different climatic conditions.
The AgraSim experimental infrastructure consists of six so-called mesocosms (experimental units), each comprising a temperature-controlled and weighable soil unit (lysimeter) with intact arable soil weighing approximately three tons and a transparent plant chamber within a fully adjustable climate chamber with a multi-channel LED light source with a near-natural spectrum and full sunlight intensity. With a fully automated process control system, defined climate conditions and air compositions (such as CO2 content) can be set, even for future conditions that do not yet exist today, and either kept constant over longer periods of time or varied based on predefined climate scenarios. In addition, the soil water balance, soil temperatures, leachate and nutrient discharge as well as the gas exchange between soil, plants and atmosphere are recorded with a high time resolution.
The AgraSim project was partially funded by the BMBF and the "Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungszentren".
Head of research group "Plant-Soil-Atmosphere Exchange Processes"
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