Peter Biro

Modeling Ecohydrological Feedback Mechanisms Along a Grass to Shrub Transition Zone in a Semi-Arid Region on the Example of the Northern Chihuahua Desert, New Mexico

The main task of the study is to improve the knowledge of the effects of ecohydrologic feedback mechanisms as a driver for shrub encroachment in dry-land regions. For this purpose we want to examine in what extent storm and interstorm periods as non-biotic parts of the ecosystem affect the ongoing dynamics of redistribution of water and soil resources. To be able to investigate the interlinkages in the most effective way for different spatial and temporal scales an integrated model framework was set up.