In this second part of the ‘Highlights of 2024’, we recap the projects and fieldwork conducted by the research teams at Uni Landau this year.
Happy New Year!!
To start the year we continue with our “Highlights of 2024” series. Today we share field work experiences conducted throughout the year.
Helicopter-applied pesticides at the river Mosel
Lorenz Witt and Ken Mauser share details of an excursion to the Mosel Valley, known for its steep slopes. Their objective was to investigate the exposure of terrestrial non-target ecosystems to aerial sprayed pesticides by analysing pesticide residues in soil, vegetation, and the butterfly’s food plant.
Under the assumption that these applications are potentially threatening the remaining habitat of a critically endangered butterfly species, the Mosel-Apollo butterfly.
You can read more about it here:
Pesticide spread in an Alpine Valley
A landscape-level study on pesticide exposure in the Venosta Valley, a highly intensive apple cultivation region in Italy’s South Tyrol, led by Carsten Brühl and Johann Zaller, investigated how synthetic pesticides from apple orchards disperse into the surrounding environment, including alpine ecosystems.
Sampling revealed pesticide residues in soil and vegetation even in remote areas, including national parks.
Mangroves in Barbados
Prof. Mirco Bundschuh and his colleagues talk about their pilot study, conducted in March 2024, where they investigate leaf-litter decomposition in mangrove forests in the Walkers Reserve in North-East Barbados. There was a nice atmosphere of collaboration between institutes despite the setbacks due to floodings. There will be updates on this project as soon as they are available, you can read the whole experience.
Human impacts in surface waters in Mendoza province, Argentina
Frederik Meyer and his colleagues talk about their research experience investigating human impacts on surface water quality and ecosystem functions in the Mendoza province of Argentina. They studied leaf decomposition, periphyton production and photosynthetic performance, and insect emergence there. The sampling covered four sites in two seasons. To get the full experience that they had, including landscape and culture you can read the full article here: