The aim of this project is to investigate the evolution in biodiversity and community structures of unicellular organisms (testate amoebae and diatoms), in microcosms exposed to extreme environmental conditions. We will investigate two principle questions:
(1) If we manipulate the diversity of plants in model grassland ecosystems, does this change the diversity of unicellular organisms?
(2) Are more diverse communities of unicellulars better protected against extreme events (higher survival or better recovery)?
Extreme climatic events will be simulated experimentally with electronically controlled radiation from infrared-heaters, by induction of a natural heat wave