Within the framework of the project “Host-parasite-interactions in freshwater phytoplankton blooms” Ingrid Sassenhagen from Uppsala University is currently sampling the diatom spring bloom in Lake Erken. The project aims to test if parasites preferentially infect highly abundant microalgal species, thereby controlling the diversity of phytoplankton communities. Many environmental sequencing studies recently revealed very high abundance and astonishing diversity of unicellular, eukaryotic parasites in different aquatic habitats. Such parasites might significantly contribute to the termination of the diatom blooms in Lake Erken. Taking advantage of the long-term monitoring data set from Lake Erken, Ingrid will also be able to trace the relative abundance of different parasitic groups through time and identify potential correlations with bloom-forming phytoplankton species. This spring, several fungal infections (Chytrids) were already observed in the diatoms Aulacoseira sp. and Asterionella sp.

 The chain-forming diatom Aulacoseira sp. infected by chytrids.

A new study shows that the evapotranspiration from boreal peatlands will increase in a future warmer climate. This has a major importance for the global water balance and could lead to lead to accelerated peatland carbon loss.

The study is based on data from 95 different flux towers on the northern hemisphere (including several within SITES) and underlines the importance of long-term and well distributed networks of measurements of the natural environment.

The study also provides an example on the importance of open data for scientific progress.

Access the article here.

Tower at station Svartberget, one of three SITES stations that have contributed with data to the study. Photographer: Andreas Palmén.

Ana Barreiro and Lina Fransson-Engman will start to work at SITES Lönnstorp during 2020.

Ana will act as a station manager for SITES Lönnstorp from the beginning of August until the middle of January when Johannes Albertsson is on parental leave. She has been working as a post-doctoral researcher in the Cropping Systems Ecology Group in the Biosystems and Technology department (SLU) for the last three years. She did her PhD in Spain, as well as her master (Environment and Natural Resources) and bachelor degree (Biology). Her main research focus is the soil microbial ecology. Currently, she is involved in a project about the impact of grassland management intensity on the soil microbial communities, which coincides with her PhD and the post-doctoral work. During her time at SLU, she has been involved in several activities related to SITES Lönnstorp and she has also been working at Röbäcksdalen Research Station during 2017. Ana is planning to integrate new experiments at the research station and she is looking forward to the new task.

Ana Barreiro.

Lina Fransson-Engman started her position as a field technician at SITES Lönnstorp in the beginning of May this year. She has been studying at Campus Alnarp (SLU) and became a Lantmästare (Higher Education Diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management) in 2009. The last three years she has been working at a small company that sells vegetable seeds. At that company she was among other things responsible for the seed germination tests. She has also several years experienced from practical work at farms and garden companies. Lina will be involved in many different tasks, which are mainly related to the SAFE experiment. In addition, she will be a back-up drone pilot for SITES Spectral.

Lina Fransson-Engman. Photographer: Johannes Albertsson.

Very warm welcome to the SITES team Ana and Lina!
 

Within the framework of the project “Host-parasite-interactions in freshwater phytoplankton blooms” Ingrid Sassenhagen from Uppsala University is currently sampling the diatom spring bloom in Lake Erken. The project aims to test if parasites preferentially infect highly abundant microalgal species, thereby controlling the diversity of phytoplankton communities. Many environmental sequencing studies recently revealed very high abundance and astonishing diversity of unicellular, eukaryotic parasites in different aquatic habitats. Such parasites might significantly contribute to the termination of the diatom blooms in Lake Erken. Taking advantage of the long-term monitoring data set from Lake Erken, Ingrid will also be able to trace the relative abundance of different parasitic groups through time and identify potential correlations with bloom-forming phytoplankton species. This spring, several fungal infections (Chytrids) were already observed in the diatoms Aulacoseira sp. and Asterionella sp.

 The chain-forming diatom Aulacoseira sp. infected by chytrids.

A new study shows that the evapotranspiration from boreal peatlands will increase in a future warmer climate. This has a major importance for the global water balance and could lead to lead to accelerated peatland carbon loss.

The study is based on data from 95 different flux towers on the northern hemisphere (including several within SITES) and underlines the importance of long-term and well distributed networks of measurements of the natural environment.

The study also provides an example on the importance of open data for scientific progress.

Access the article here.

Tower at station Svartberget, one of three SITES stations that have contributed with data to the study. Photographer: Andreas Palmén.

Ana Barreiro and Lina Fransson-Engman will start to work at SITES Lönnstorp during 2020.

Ana will act as a station manager for SITES Lönnstorp from the beginning of August until the middle of January when Johannes Albertsson is on parental leave. She has been working as a post-doctoral researcher in the Cropping Systems Ecology Group in the Biosystems and Technology department (SLU) for the last three years. She did her PhD in Spain, as well as her master (Environment and Natural Resources) and bachelor degree (Biology). Her main research focus is the soil microbial ecology. Currently, she is involved in a project about the impact of grassland management intensity on the soil microbial communities, which coincides with her PhD and the post-doctoral work. During her time at SLU, she has been involved in several activities related to SITES Lönnstorp and she has also been working at Röbäcksdalen Research Station during 2017. Ana is planning to integrate new experiments at the research station and she is looking forward to the new task.

Ana Barreiro.

Lina Fransson-Engman started her position as a field technician at SITES Lönnstorp in the beginning of May this year. She has been studying at Campus Alnarp (SLU) and became a Lantmästare (Higher Education Diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management) in 2009. The last three years she has been working at a small company that sells vegetable seeds. At that company she was among other things responsible for the seed germination tests. She has also several years experienced from practical work at farms and garden companies. Lina will be involved in many different tasks, which are mainly related to the SAFE experiment. In addition, she will be a back-up drone pilot for SITES Spectral.

Lina Fransson-Engman. Photographer: Johannes Albertsson.

Very warm welcome to the SITES team Ana and Lina!