BIODIVERSITY AND LAND-USE IMPACTS ON TROPICAL ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION (BALI)
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Lancaster Environment Centre
Publications
Girkin N
(2018)
Composition and concentration of root exudate analogues regulate greenhouse gas fluxes from tropical peat
in Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Robinson S
(2015)
Factors influencing early secondary succession and ecosystem carbon stocks in Brazilian Atlantic Forest
in Biodiversity and Conservation
Swinfield T
(2020)
Imaging spectroscopy reveals the effects of topography and logging on the leaf chemistry of tropical forest canopy trees.
in Global change biology
Both S
(2017)
Land use not litter quality is a stronger driver of decomposition in hyperdiverse tropical forest.
in Ecology and evolution
Both S
(2019)
Logging and soil nutrients independently explain plant trait expression in tropical forests.
in The New phytologist
Girkin N
(2020)
Peat Properties, Dominant Vegetation Type and Microbial Community Structure in a Tropical Peatland
in Wetlands
Girkin N
(2018)
Root exudate analogues accelerate CO2 and CH4 production in tropical peat
in Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Girkin N
(2018)
Root-derived CO2 flux from a tropical peatland
in Wetlands Ecology and Management
Robinson S
(2020)
Soil Fungal Community Characteristics and Mycelial Production Across a Disturbance Gradient in Lowland Dipterocarp Rainforest in Borneo
in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
Elias D
(2020)
Soil Microbial Community and Litter Quality Controls on Decomposition Across a Tropical Forest Disturbance Gradient
in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
| Description | Tropical rainforests are a globally important reservoir of hyperdiversity that contributes significantly to the Earth's nutrient cylcing and greenhouse gas budget. These forests are also important socio-economic resources with natural capital that is crucial for human wellbeing and wealth in regions that are often developing options for grwoth. The tropical forests of Borneo have been severely affected by selective logging of high value woods and clear-felling to make room for industrial scale Oil Palm plantations. There is now considerable uncertainty regarding the impact of these economically important practices on the diversity, function and sustainability of these ecosystems. Specifically, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the impact of this combined pressure on tropical rainforest soils, their biodiversity and their resistance to future disturbances. This NERC Thematic programme research was comissioned to allow a consortium of UK and Malaysian researchers to work together testing ideas about the resistance and sustainability of tropical forest plant-soil ecosystems. A novel 'ecological trait' based approach was devised and deployed accross land management disturbance gradients and forest restoration sites in the Sabbah region of Malaysia in northern Bornea. This invoved plant and soil scientists living in, working through and sampling pristine and degraded rainforest, oil palm plantations and large-scale rainforest restoration experiments. The research supported here was particularly focused on soil proerties and processes accross these gradients. Key findings so far include: 1. Evidence of strong relationship between landuse, forest traits and soil properties, including resistance to future climate change. 2. Evidence that soil ecology and microbial diversity are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of deforestation and logging. 3. Evidence that restoration does not full recover the soil microbial community. This research grant ended in November 2018 - 2 PhD students continue their work into 2019 - this means that much work on data and publications is ongoing. |
| Exploitation Route | It is anticipated that evidence from across the project can be used by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (that includes industry, science, local and national governmental agencies) to develop improved methods and approaches to palm oil production. Specifically around the protection of vulnerable soils and watercourses. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment |
| Description | Findings are being gathered and used by the South East Asian Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) as evidence of the impacts of the effects of selective logging and conversion to Oil Palm plantations. Potential use in discussions with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to improve practices that will protect soil from degradation, biodiversity loss and erosion into water courses. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | PhD student visit to Lancaster University |
| Organisation | Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Research support in LU laboratories to allow the Chinese student to develop new skills and analytical approaches. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The student is funded by the CAS and is co-supervised by N. Ostle and L.Luo at the Guangzhou Institute for Geochemistry. |
| Impact | Ongoing |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | NERC Human Modified Tropical forest programme Engagement event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was workshop event bringing together scientists, Oil palm industry representatives and advocates for sustainability. Hosted at Oxford University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |