Max Planck Institutes and Experts

The increasing loss of global biodiversity has generated concern about the consequences for ecosystem functioning. The relationships between plant diversity and ecosystem processes are investigated in the “Jena Experiment”, a large biodiversity experiment with grassland species. A central issue of this research is to contribute to a mechanistic understanding of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships, for which the analyses of species functional characteristics is a substantial prerequisite.

An increasing number of people are living in the growing cities of this world. This results in a rapid growth of the fraction of anthropogenic emissions of pollutants from such megacities. For a detailed investigation of the particulate and gaseous substances in the atmosphere in such a city and in its vicinity, extensive measurements were performed in the metropolitan area of Paris. The study of the transformation and aging processes of such species was done using modern instrumentation in a ground measurement station, on a research aircraft, and on a mobile laboratory for aerosol research.

The exchange of reactive trace gases and aerosol particles between biosphere and atmosphere contributes substantially to chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere. Recent investigations provide insight into the interplay of reactive nitrogen compounds, volatile organics and aerosol formation. The results underline the major importance of the Amazonian rainforest for the global climate and the Earth system.

Scientists are currently puzzled by the behavior of Arctic sea ice: Following a sharp and unexpected decline in summer 2007, the ice-covered area has increased both in 2008 and in 2009. At MPI for Meteorology, scientists carry out research to understand these ups and downs. They also examine what their results mean for the future evolution of the polar bear's habitat. For their studies, the researchers use sophisticated computer models, but they also carry out field measurements in the Arctic to better understand the physical properties of sea ice.

The Southern Ocean is strongly affected by global change. A long-term study of Thin-billed prions, a small seabird feeding on zooplankton in these vast ocean areas, was designed to further our understanding of the changes that currently take place in this ecosytem. Further, this study will look at adaptations that enable the birds to cope with changing conditions, such as flexible provisioning behaviour and physiological regulation of timing and investments in the breeding cycle.