Uni Koeln mit Schrift small

Log in

Log in

Irrigation experiment of B02 and Z03 in August 2023

In August 2023, members of subprojects Z03 and B02 conducted a comprehensive field irrigation experiment in the Paposo area. The experiment took place on top of an alluvial fan surface, where previous investigations of subproject B02 showed the presence of three species of the rain-depended darkling beetle of the genus Gyriosomus after the 2017 El Niño rainfall period (cf. Zúñiga-Reinoso et al., 2019). The experiment was carried out in cooperation with subprojects B04 and B08 and aimed at provoking ecosystem response to different precipitation amounts and at defining thresholds for each species of Gyriosomus to activate the metamorphosis and develop adult specimen as previously observed. Altogether eight plots of 5x4 m size were irrigated with demineralized water using a portable irrigation device designed by Z03. The different plots received 0 mm, 20 mm (20 l/m2), 40 mm (40 l/m2) and 60 mm (20 l/m2) rainfall between 22nd and 29th August 2023, thus simulating a 8 day-long rainfall period. After the experiment, the fenced plots were equipped with pitfall traps in order to collect only those epigean insects that eclosed due to the irrigation. Pre- and post-irrigation soil samples were taken for analysis of nematode (B08) and microbial (B04) activity, and the plots are further monitored by soil moisture sensors and time lapse cameras in order to reconstruct timing and extent of irrigation-triggered soil moisture and plant growth. Post-irrigation monitoring and insect collection will continue for 3 months after irrigation.

 

Delivery of 8000 l water to the experimental site
Delivery of 8000 l water to the experimental site
Photo:
M.May

  The experimental field
The experimental field included 8 fenced plots, soil moisture loggers and a meteorological station
Photo: M. May

 

Delivery of 8000 l water to the experimental site
Artificial rainfall
Photo:
M.May

  Artificial rainfall
Waiting for the rain to stop...
Photo:
M.May

 

Developing plant cover
Developing plant cover ~1 week after irrigation started
Photo:
R. Predel

  Flowering plants on a 60 mm plot
Flowering plants on a 60 mm plot ~5 weeks after last irrigation
Photo:
A. Jara

 

Gyriosomus camanchaca
Gyriosomus camanchaca found on a 40 mm plot ~1 month after last irrigation
Photo:
A. Jara

  The irrigation group
The irrigation group during after-work-BBQ (M. May = inlay)
Photo:
M. May

 

Desert rainfall - some impressions
Video:
M. May


Contact

  Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Tibor J. Dunai
Institute of Geology and Mineralogy | University of Cologne
Zülpicher Str. 49b | 50674 Cologne
+49 (0)221 470-3229 | tdunai@uni-koeln.de
   
  Managing Director:
Christian Tiede
Institute of Geology and Mineralogy | University of Cologne

Zülpicher Str. 49b | 50674 Cologne
+49 (0)221 470-89833 | christian.tiede@uni-koeln.de

 _

  Co-Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Martin Melles
Institute of Geology and Mineralogy | University of Cologne

Zülpicher Str. 49a | 50674 Cologne
+49 (0)221 470-2262 | mmelles@uni-koeln.de
   
  Scientific Coordinator:
Dr. Benedikt Ritter
Institute of Geology and Mineralogy | University of Cologne

Zülpicher Str. 49b | 50674 Cologne
+49 (0)221 470-89868 | benedikt.ritter@uni-koeln.de

 _

  Co-Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Dietmar Quandt
Nees Institute for Biodiversity of Plants | University of Bonn

Meckenheimer Allee 170 | 53115 Bonn
+49 (0)228 73-3315 | quandt@uni-bonn.de
   
  Webmaster:
Tim Schlüter
Institute of Geography | University of Cologne

Otto-Fischer-Str. 4 | 50674 Cologne
+49 (0)221 470-3735 | webmaster@sfb1211.de
Uni Köln   Uni Bonn   Goethe Uni Frankfurt   GFZ
           
  RWTH Aachen   Uni Heidelberg    

Partners Chile

 

Logo Partner Chile   Logo Partner Chile  

Logo Partner Chile

  Logo Partner Chile   Logo Partner Chile
                 
Logo Partner Chile   Logo Partner Chile   Logo Partner Chile   Logo Partner Chile

Partners Namibia

 

Logo Partner Namibia   Logo Partner Namibia  

Logo Partner Namibia

  Logo Partner Namibia