MultiTroph: Multi-trophic interactions in a forest biodiversity experiment in China

Alexandra-Maria Klein; Helge Bruelheide; Douglas Chesters; Tim Diekötter; Alexandra Erfmeier; Heike Feldhaar; Felix Fornoff; Christina Grozinger; Nina Kranke; Yu Liang; Xiaojuan Liu; Arong Luo; Yvonne Oelmann; Michael Orr; Jana S. Petermann; Huijie Qiao; Finn Rehling; Manuela Sann; Thomas Scholten; Andreas Schuldt; Steffen Seitz; Michael Staab; Simon Thorn; Ming-Qiang Wang; Zhi-Shu Xiao; Naili Zhang; Chao-Dong Zhu

doi:10.3897/rio.12.e181743

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Research Ideas and Outcomes 12: e181743
https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.12.e181743 (06 Jan 2026)

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Article metadata
Authors' note
Introduction
The BEF-China experiment
Objectives
- Subprojects (SP)
- SP1: Wood decomposition and decomposer interactions
  - Workpackage 1: Natural deadwood diversity and abundance related to tree diversity
  - Workpackage 2: Impacts of tree diversity on diversity and functional traits of saproxylic insect communities in naturally occurring deadwood
  - Workpackage 3: Impacts of tree diversity, wood traits and saproxylic insects on decomposition of lying deadwood
  - Workpackage 4: Impacts of tree diversity and saproxylic insects on decomposition of suspended deadwood
- SP2: Trophic-interaction, tree-diversity and soil-erosion effects on soil-plant stoichiometry
  - Workpackage 1: Joint sampling strategy and soil data baseline (StS, TS)
  - Workpackage 2: Differentiation of nutrient patterns by erosion and transport related processes (StS, TS)
  - Workpackage 3: Nutrient availability and recycling at hillslope scale with changing tree diversity (StS, TS)
  - Workpackage 4: Productivity- vs. recycling-driven tree diversity effects on nutrients in soil microorganisms (YO)
- SP3: Plant-herbivore-predator food webs, stoichiometry and functions
  - Workpackage 1: Trophic community composition of arthropods
  - Workpackage 2: Trophic functions of arthropods
  - Workpackage 3: Resolved plant-herbivore-predator food webs
- SP4: Linking cavity-nesting bee and wasp food webs to other trophic interactions
  - Workpackage 1: Tree diversity effects on trophic interactions with increasing forest succession
  - Workpackage 2: Multitrophic network extension facilitated by DNA barcoding to link bees and wasps to their food resources
  - Workpackage 3: Linking cavity-nesting Hymenoptera to deadwood and decomposers
- SP5: Trophic interactions across tree regeneration stages
  - Workpackage 1: Natural tree regeneration
  - Workpackage 2: Pre- and post-dispersal seed predation
  - Workpackage 3: Germination and seedling herbivory
- SP6: Trophic interactions and ecological functions of ants under changing tree diversity
  - Workpackage 1: Diversity and functional traits
  - Workpackage 2: Trophic interactions and trophic positions
  - Workpackage 3: Ecosystem functions
- Z2: Data management and synthesis
  - Workpackage 1: Data portal
  - Workpackage 2: Multitrophic network analysis and multidiversity
  - Workpackage 3: Multidiversity and ecosystem (multi)functionality
Project updates
- Additional work package funded by the University of Freiburg: Carrion decomposition and decomposer interactions
- Career milestones of project members
Project publications (until November 2025)
Declaration
References

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