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Diese Doktorarbeit erforscht die komplexe Welt des mikrobiellen Lebens in alpinen Umgebungen und befasst sich mit der komplexen Heterogenität, die durch Vegetation, Topographie, Höhe und Klima bedingt ist. Die alpinen Regionen bedecken einen beträchtlichen Teil der Landoberfläche der Erde und fungieren als Hotspot der Biodiversität, während sie gleichzeitig eine zentrale Rolle für die globale Wasserversorgung, als Waldreserven und als Reservoir für Bodenschätze spielen. Der Schwerpunkt dieser Forschung liegt auf der Erforschung des mikrobiellen Lebens (Pilze und Bakterien) und dessen Interaktionen in alpinen Böden. Die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels konnten jedoch nicht ignoriert werden, und diese Studie berücksichtigt auch dessen Auswirkungen auf die Gesamtergebnisse. Es wird vorerst ein theoretischer Rahmen geschaffen, der die Forschung leitet und die Notwendigkeit unterstreicht, Wissenslücken im Zusammenhang mit der Heterogenität alpiner Böden und mikrobiellen Interaktionen zu schließen. Basierend darauf wählt diese Studie strategisch repräsentative Lebensräume aus. Das führt zur Gliederung der Publikationen in drei Habitat basierte Module: subalpine Wälder, alpine Graslandschaften und Gletschervorfelder. Die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit und die einzigartigen Ressourcen der Innsbrucker Doktorandenschule für Gebirgsforschung tragen zur Reichhaltigkeit und Tiefe der Forschungsergebnisse bei. Der Schwerpunkt der Dissertation liegt auf den Wechselwirkungen zwischen Pilzen und Pflanzen, zwischen Pflanzen und Boden, sowie zwischen den mikrobiellen Gemeinschaften in Gletschervorfeldern. Modul I liefert neue Erkenntnisse über die Ektomykorrhiza-Vielfalt in subalpinen Wäldern. Modul II untersucht das komplizierte Gleichgewicht der mikrobiellen Gemeinschaften, welches die Eigenschaften von Pflanzen in alpinen Graslandschaften beeinflusst, die von den Auswirkungen des Klimawandels betroffen sind. Modul III ist eine bahnbrechende Studie über Pilz- und Bakteriengemeinschaf, This Ph.D. thesis explores the intricate world of microbial life in alpine environments, addressing the complex heterogeneity imposed by vegetation, topography, altitude, and climate. The alpine regions cover a significant portion of the Earth's land surface, acting as hot-spot of biodiversity while playing a pivotal role in global water supply, forest reserves, and mineral resources. The primary focus of this research lies in exploring microbial life (fungi and bacteria) and interactions in alpine soils. However, the implications of climate change could not be ignored and this study also takes into account its effects on the overall findings. A theoretical framework is established to guide the research, emphasizing the need to bridge knowledge gaps related to alpine soil heterogeneity and microbial interactions. The study strategically chooses representative habitats, leading to the organization of publications into three modules: subalpine forests, alpine grasslands, and glacier forefields. Interdisciplinary collaboration and the unique resources provided by the Innsbruck Doctoral School in Mountain Research contribute to the richness and depth of the research outcomes. The dissertation has a particular focus on fungal-plant interactions, plant-soil interactions, and the microbial communities in glacier forefields. Module I reveals novel insights into ectomycorrhizal diversity in subalpine forests, while Module II explores the intricate balance of microbial communities influencing plant traits in alpine grasslands underscored by the impact of climate change. Module III represents a groundbreaking study on fungal and bacterial communities in glacier forefields, addressing a critical gap in understanding early soil development, community assembly processes, and microbial associations. This research acknowledges its descriptive nature and the inherent complexity of soil ecosystems, urging future studies to consider fine-scale heterogeneity. Concluding with an outlook, Dissertation Universität Innsbruck 2024

Anthropogenic climate change has caused temperature increases all across the globe. Mountainous areas are among the most affected and are experiencing alarming rates of warming. Such rapid warming will have effects on alpine vegetation and their distribution throughout the alps. While there are many studies that have investigated shifting vegetation distribution around the world, none have found concrete evidence of an upwards shift of the tree line within the Alps to date. This study therefore investigates the potential size and timing of a tree line shift within the Martell Valley in the Italian Alps. Zirben (Pinus cembra) is a common tree species at the alpine tree line and is the focus of this investigation. Changes in average summer temperatures were the main factor investigated in this report as they were found to be the limiting factor for tree growth at the tree line. Average summer temperature differences were found between the current climate and for four different future climate scenarios: two for the near future and two for the far future. Differences in average summer temperatures between current (2011-2020) and future climates (RCP 4.5 & 8.5 2041-2060, RCP 4.5 & 8.5 2081-2100) ranged from 1°C to 7°C which corresponded to a potential upwards shift ranging between 194 and 794 meters. While these numbers indicate a potential shift, there are many factors that could delay a Zirben migration such as future climate uncertainties, alpine pasture usage, soil formation duration, seed dispersal and disturbance rate among other factors. In reality, the quantified shift values were concluded to be generalizations at best due to uncertainties in these factors. Future studies are recommended to physically study Zirben at the tree line for the next decades to a century to order to observe trends in tree line shift and Zirben migration.

Scatter-hoarding birds provide effective long-distance seed dispersal for plants. Transporting seeds far promotes population spread, colonization of new areas, and connectivity between populations. However, whether seeds transported over long distances are deposited in habitats favorable to plant regeneration has rarely been investigated, mainly due to methodological constraints. To investigate dispersal patterns and distances of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) seeds we utilized advances in tracking technology to track the movements of their sole disperser, the spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes). We found routine individual movements between single seed harvesting and seed caching site. Harvesting sites of individual birds overlapped, whereas seed caching sites were separated and located on average 5.3 km away from the harvesting site. Interestingly, most distant caching sites were located at low elevations and in spruce forest, where Swiss stone pine does not naturally occur. This suggests that nutcrackers disperse seeds over long distances but that a large portion of these seeds are cached outside the known pine habitat. Therefore, we conclude that the implications of such long-distance seed dispersal movements for plant populations should be carefully considered in combination with the effects of habitat quality on plant recruitment.

Background: Genetic processes shape the modern-day distribution of genetic variation within and between populations and can provide important insights into the underlying mechanisms of evolution. The resulting genetic variation is often unequally partitioned within species' distribution range and especially large differences can manifest at the range limit, where population fragmentation and isolation play a crucial role in species survival. Despite several molecular studies investigating the genetic diversity and differentiation of European Alpine mountain forests, the climatic and demographic constrains which influence the genetic processes are often unknown. Here, we apply non-coding microsatellite markers to evaluate the sporadic peripheral and continuous populations of cembra pine (Pinus cembra L.), a long-lived conifer species that inhabits the subalpine treeline ecotone in the western Alps to investigate how the genetic processes contribute to the modern-day spatial distribution. Moreover, we corroborate our findings with paleoecological records, micro and macro-remains, to infer the species' possible glacial refugia and expansion scenarios. Results: Four genetically distinct groups were identified, with Bayesian and F ST based approaches, across the range of the species, situated in the northern, inner and south-western Alps. We found that genetic differentiation is substantially higher in marginal populations than at the center of the range, and marginal stands are characterized by geographic and genetic isolation due to spatial segregation and restricted gene flow. Moreover, multiple matrix regression approaches revealed effects of climatic heterogeneity in species' spatial genetic pattern. Also, population stability tests indicated that all populations had experienced a severe historical bottleneck, no heterozygosity excess was detected, suggesting that more recently population sizes have remained relatively stable. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated tha

Simultaneous hydrodistillation and extraction of Pinus cembra needles from Slovakia was done (via Likens Nickerson apparatus) for the first time. In essential oil extracts 55 compounds were identified, comprising 99.6% of the extract. The most abundant were monoterpene hydrocarbons (71.0%). In the terpene profile -pinene, limonene/-phellandrene, germacrene D, -pinene, and -cadinene dominated (53.2%, 11.4%, 9.4%, 4.6%, and 4.3%, respectively). Seven new compounds for P. cembra, such as methyl daniellate (0.5%), 1,8 cineole (0.2%) and trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (0.2%), etc. were found. In needle cuticular wax of P. cembra the amount of nonacosan-10-ol was 75.8%. n-Alkanes ranged from C20 to C35 with the most dominant C31, C29 and C33 (33.4%, 16.9%, and 9.6%, resp.). Differences in terpene profiles between Slovakian and Greece from one side and Romanian and Polish cembran pines on the other side could be the consequence of its disjuncted areal in Carpathian Mountains caused by glaciation and survival of species in different ecological niches. Obtained differences in n-alkane profiles among our and literature results could be the consequence of different age of trees.

Simultaneous hydrodistillation and extraction of Pinus cembra needles from Slovakia was done (via Likens Nickerson apparatus) for the first time. In essential oil extracts 55 compounds were identified, comprising 99.6% of the extract. The most abundant were monoterpene hydrocarbons (71.0%). In the terpene profile alpha-pinene, limonene/beta-phellandrene, germacrene D, beta-pinene, and delta-cadinene dominated (53.2%, 11.4%, 9.4%, 4.6%, and 4.3%, respectively). Seven new compounds for P. cembra, such as methyl daniellate (0.5%), 1,8 cineole (0.2%) and trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (0.2%), etc. were found. In needle cuticular wax of P. cembra the amount of nonacosan-10-ol was 75.8%. n-Alkanes ranged from C-20 to C-35 with the most dominant C-31, C-29 and C-33 (33.4%, 16.9%, and 9.6%, resp.). Differences in terpene profiles between Slovakian and Greece from one side and Romanian and Polish cembran pines on the other side could be the consequence of its disjuncted areal in Carpathian Mountains caused by glaciation and survival of species in different ecological niches. Obtained differences in n-alkane profiles among our and literature results could be the consequence of different age of trees.

Simultaneous hydrodistillation and extraction of Pinus cembra needles from Slovakia was done (via Likens Nickerson apparatus) for the first time. In essential oil extracts 55 compounds were identified, comprising 99.6% of the extract. The most abundant were monoterpene hydrocarbons (71.0%). In the terpene profile alpha-pinene, limonene/beta-phellandrene, germacrene D, beta-pinene, and delta-cadinene dominated (53.2%, 11.4%, 9.4%, 4.6%, and 4.3%, respectively). Seven new compounds for P. cembra, such as methyl daniellate (0.5%), 1,8 cineole (0.2%) and trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (0.2%), etc. were found. In needle cuticular wax of P. cembra the amount of nonacosan-10-ol was 75.8%. n-Alkanes ranged from C-20 to C-35 with the most dominant C-31, C-29 and C-33 (33.4%, 16.9%, and 9.6%, resp.). Differences in terpene profiles between Slovakian and Greece from one side and Romanian and Polish cembran pines on the other side could be the consequence of its disjuncted areal in Carpathian Mountains caused by glaciation and survival of species in different ecological niches. Obtained differences in n-alkane profiles among our and literature results could be the consequence of different age of trees.

Simultaneous hydrodistillation and extraction of Pinus cembra needles from Slovakia was done (via Likens Nickerson apparatus) for the first time. In essential oil extracts 55 compounds were identified, comprising 99.6% of the extract. The most abundant were monoterpene hydrocarbons (71.0%). In the terpene profile alpha-pinene, limonene/beta-phellandrene, germacrene D, beta-pinene, and delta-cadinene dominated (53.2%, 11.4%, 9.4%, 4.6%, and 4.3%, respectively). Seven new compounds for P. cembra, such as methyl daniellate (0.5%), 1,8 cineole (0.2%) and trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (0.2%), etc. were found. In needle cuticular wax of P. cembra the amount of nonacosan-10-ol was 75.8%. n-Alkanes ranged from C-20 to C-35 with the most dominant C-31, C-29 and C-33 (33.4%, 16.9%, and 9.6%, resp.). Differences in terpene profiles between Slovakian and Greece from one side and Romanian and Polish cembran pines on the other side could be the consequence of its disjuncted areal in Carpathian Mountains caused by glaciation and survival of species in different ecological niches. Obtained differences in n-alkane profiles among our and literature results could be the consequence of different age of trees.

Simultaneous hydrodistillation and extraction of Pinus cembra needles from Slovakia was done (via Likens Nickerson apparatus) for the first time. In essential oil extracts 55 compounds were identified, comprising 99.6% of the extract. The most abundant were monoterpene hydrocarbons (71.0%). In the terpene profile -pinene, limonene/-phellandrene, germacrene D, -pinene, and -cadinene dominated (53.2%, 11.4%, 9.4%, 4.6%, and 4.3%, respectively). Seven new compounds for P. cembra, such as methyl daniellate (0.5%), 1,8 cineole (0.2%) and trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (0.2%), etc. were found. In needle cuticular wax of P. cembra the amount of nonacosan-10-ol was 75.8%. n-Alkanes ranged from C20 to C35 with the most dominant C31, C29 and C33 (33.4%, 16.9%, and 9.6%, resp.). Differences in terpene profiles between Slovakian and Greece from one side and Romanian and Polish cembran pines on the other side could be the consequence of its disjuncted areal in Carpathian Mountains caused by glaciation and survival of species in different ecological niches. Obtained differences in n-alkane profiles among our and literature results could be the consequence of different age of trees.

Simultaneous hydrodistillation and extraction of Pinus cembra needles from Slovakia was done (via Likens Nickerson apparatus) for the first time. In essential oil extracts 55 compounds were identified, comprising 99.6% of the extract. The most abundant were monoterpene hydrocarbons (71.0%). In the terpene profile alpha-pinene, limonene/beta-phellandrene, germacrene D, beta-pinene, and delta-cadinene dominated (53.2%, 11.4%, 9.4%, 4.6%, and 4.3%, respectively). Seven new compounds for P. cembra, such as methyl daniellate (0.5%), 1,8 cineole (0.2%) and trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (0.2%), etc. were found. In needle cuticular wax of P. cembra the amount of nonacosan-10-ol was 75.8%. n-Alkanes ranged from C-20 to C-35 with the most dominant C-31, C-29 and C-33 (33.4%, 16.9%, and 9.6%, resp.). Differences in terpene profiles between Slovakian and Greece from one side and Romanian and Polish cembran pines on the other side could be the consequence of its disjuncted areal in Carpathian Mountains caused by glaciation and survival of species in different ecological niches. Obtained differences in n-alkane profiles among our and literature results could be the consequence of different age of trees.

Проведен анализ анатомических характеристик годичных колец у подвоев P. sylvestris L. и привоев двух климатипов P. sibirica Du Tour (емельяновского и сургутского) и одного климатипа P. cembra L. (карпатского) за 10 лет их совместного роста. У привоев P. sibirica относительно контрольных деревьев увеличивается число трахеид, их радиальный диаметр и толщина клеточной стенки (кроме клеточной стенки сургутских привоев). В то же время в годичных кольцах подвоев P. sylvestris число трахеид и размеры данных характеристик уменьшаются относительно контрольных деревьев. Исключение составляет сосна обыкновенная, являющаяся подвоем для привоев сургутского климатипа, у которой радиальный диаметр трахеид переходной зоны увеличивается. Сезонная динамика радиального диаметра трахеид и толщины клеточной стенки привитых деревьев сохраняет свою видовую особенность, характерную для непривитых деревьев, что свидетельствует о стабильности генетической программы дифференциации ксилемы. Адаптация привоев к климатическим условиям их места происхождения не влияет на анатомическую структуру годичных колец подвоев в годы, близкие по условиям к климату региона происхождения привоев, The analysis of the anatomical characteristics of tree rings of P. sylvestris L. rootstocks and scions of P. sibirica Du Tour (Emelianovo and Surgut provenances) and P. cembra L. (Karpat provenance) has been carried out for 10 years of their joint growth. The number of tracheids, their radial diameter and the cell wall thickness for the P. sibirica scions increases relative to control trees (with the exception of the cell wall thickness for Surgut scions). At the same time, in the annual rings of the P. sylvestris rootstocks these characteristics as well as the number of tracheids decrease relative to the control trees. An exception is the Scots pine, which is the rootstock for Surgut provenance scion, for which the radial tracheid diameter of the transition zone increases. The seasonal dynamics of the radial tracheid diameter and the cell wall thickness of the grafted trees retains the species features typical for the ungrafted trees, suggesting the stability of the genetic program of xylem differentiation. The adaptation of scions to the climatic conditions of their place of origin does not affect the anatomical structure of the tree rings of the rootstocks during the years in which the conditions are close to the climate of the region of origin of the scions

In the LTSER area “Val Mazia/Matschertal” the treeline is formed by the European Larch (Larix decidua Mill.) and the Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra L.). These two trees are dominating the Alpine plant community Larici-Cembretum. At the moment alpine pastures, which are increasingly abandoned in the Alps, are colonised first by the European Larch, while a Swiss Stone Pine forest will establish once the undergrowth becomes too dense for the European Larch. Former studies on tree growth rates indicate that the European Larch will react sensitively to increasing temperatures at the treeline due to climate change and will grow faster. On the other hand, the Swiss Stone Pine has slower growth rates and will likely not be affected strongly by higher temperatures. Thus, there might be a change from Swiss Stone Pine to European Larch forests. This change in the dominating tree species might have profound impacts on the soil invertebrate community, particularly due to differing chemical and physical compositions of European Larch and Swiss Stone Pine needle litter. To investigate the effects of this change, we took soil core samples, litter samples and installed pitfall traps in pure European Larch and Swiss Stone Pine forests, as well as in mixed forests. Results did not show significant differences in soil parameters. Likewise, there were no explicit differences in species composition. Results on abundance and biodiversity showed that in pure Swiss Stone Pine forests the density of the soil invertebrate community relocate from the soil surface into deeper soil layers. Furthermore, with the indicator value method we identified winners and losers. The typical taxa for pine forests and losers are: Cybaeidae, Thomisidae, Neobisiidae, larvae of Ceratopogonidae, Lithobiidae, larvae of Cecidomyiidae, larvae of Cantharidae and Tenebrionidae, as well as Curculionidae, Staphylinidae, Formicidae and Aphidoidea. Characteristic for larch forests and hence winners are: Dendrobaena sp., L, Eva Schneider, Zusammenfassung in deutscher Sprache, Masterarbeit Universität Innsbruck 2019, Masterarbeit Eurac Research 2019

von Jasmin Lindner, Diplomarbeit Universität Innsbruck 2019

In the LTSER area “Val Mazia/Matschertal” the treeline is formed by the European Larch (Larix decidua Mill.) and the Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra L.). These two trees are dominating the Alpine plant community Larici-Cembretum. At the moment alpine pastures, which are increasingly abandoned in the Alps, are colonised first by the European Larch, while a Swiss Stone Pine forest will establish once the undergrowth becomes too dense for the European Larch. Former studies on tree growth rates indicate that the European Larch will react sensitively to increasing temperatures at the treeline due to climate change and will grow faster. On the other hand, the Swiss Stone Pine has slower growth rates and will likely not be affected strongly by higher temperatures. Thus, there might be a change from Swiss Stone Pine to European Larch forests. This change in the dominating tree species might have profound impacts on the soil invertebrate community, particularly due to differing chemical and physical compositions of European Larch and Swiss Stone Pine needle litter. To investigate the effects of this change, we took soil core samples, litter samples and installed pitfall traps in pure European Larch and Swiss Stone Pine forests, as well as in mixed forests. Results did not show significant differences in soil parameters. Likewise, there were no explicit differences in species composition. Results on abundance and biodiversity showed that in pure Swiss Stone Pine forests the density of the soil invertebrate community relocate from the soil surface into deeper soil layers. Furthermore, with the indicator value method we identified winners and losers. The typical taxa for pine forests and losers are: Cybaeidae, Thomisidae, Neobisiidae, larvae of Ceratopogonidae, Lithobiidae, larvae of Cecidomyiidae, larvae of Cantharidae and Tenebrionidae, as well as Curculionidae, Staphylinidae, Formicidae and Aphidoidea. Characteristic for larch forests and hence winners are: Dendrobaena sp., L, Eva Schneider, Zusammenfassung in deutscher Sprache, Masterarbeit Universität Innsbruck 2019, Masterarbeit Eurac Research 2019

von Jasmin Lindner, Diplomarbeit Universität Innsbruck 2019