Sarah Schwieger from Umeå University (Sweden) recently received funding for a project in collaboration with Durin. We are excited to have her on the team and look forward to adding valuable insights on belowground processes to the project!
Read further to learn more about her and her research plans:
Unveiling the Hidden Carbon Dynamics of alpine and Arctic Roots: A Collaboration with DURIN
I am Sarah Schwieger, a plant ecologist at Umeå University and I am passionate about understanding the crucial role of plant roots in Arctic and alpine ecosystems, particularly in the face of climate change. My research focuses on root decomposition, a process that significantly influences the release of carbon stored in these vast landscapes.
The rapid expansion of shrubs in response to warming is dramatically altering these ecosystems. Roots, which constitute up to 80% of the biomass, play a vital role in carbon storage and nutrient cycling. However, the impact of warming on root decomposition remains poorly understood, creating a significant knowledge gap in predicting how these carbon-rich soils will respond to climate change.
This is where the collaboration with the DURIN project comes in. Together, we are investigating how the climate-driven expansion of dwarf shrubs affects root decomposition across climatic gradients, transitioning from grasslands to emerging shrub heathlands.
A space-for-time substitution approach allows us to observe long-term ecological changes in a shorter time frame. We will use transplantation experiments across latitudinal and elevational gradients in Norway. By moving root litter from colder and wetter sites to warmer and drier sites, we can examine how climate influences decomposition rates and test for "home-field advantage" effects.
I will further work with the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX), a global network studying warming effects in the Arctic. This allows to extend our research across the circumpolar Arctic, including Sweden, Norway, and Canada, using field-based open-top-chamber warming experiments.
By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to unravel the complex relationship between climate change, shrub expansion, and root decomposition. This research is crucial for understanding the future of carbon storage in Arctic and alpine ecosystems and predicting their potential feedback to global warming.
I am thrilled to be part of the DURIN project and contribute to a deeper understanding of these vital ecosystems.