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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

🌽Manual maize harvest at Großmutz! This week the #FORMULA teamed up in the field for another important campaign in 2026: cutting, collecting & weighing maize samples across transects, satellite plot, irrigated plot & reference site. Now the lab analyses can start! #agroforestry #fieldwork

Marina Schneider carrying two square meter cuts of maize in her arms.

Weighing station for the fresh weight of the square meter cuts of maize (Photo: Marina Schneider).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Update from SP3: Species-level identification of all carabid beetles from the first pitfall trapping is now complete 🪲 Data analysis can now begin! #formula #agroforestry #Carabidae

Cicindela campestris (Photo: Franziska Deppe)

Carabid beetles of the FORMULA sampling of both agroforestry sites (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

Detail photo of Carabus granulatus (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

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Reposted by FORMULA Research Unit

ProLOEWE @proloewe.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

LOEWE goes🐢Galápagos:4️⃣LOEWE researchers from @loewe-tree-m.bsky.social+LOEWE-TRIO are shaping the new @dfg.de Research Unit GArua! The team will study how climate change affects the Galápagos🌫️🌳🌴cloud forests, its biodiversity, endemic species+water balance through changes in the iconic garúa mist.

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Part of our #FORMULA team attended the 8th European Agroforestry Conference in Neuchâtel, Switzerland together with JLU colleagues! We shared exciting insights into agroforestry research and connected with peers from across Europe. 🌍 Thanks for the inspiring exchange! 👏 #EURAF2026 #agroforestry

Alvin John Felipe, Suzanne Jacobs, Sarah-Olivia Peter, Eva-Maria Minarsch, Dmitrii Khaliullin, Matthias Beier, Wiebke Niether, Philipp Weida, Farimah Asadi, Sebastian Gauly, Jan Siemens in front of the University of Neuchâtel (Photo provided by Farimah Asadi).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Field day for #FORMULA! @azmisheriff.bsky.social (SP4) & Alissa (SP5) combined drone-based multispectral, thermal & RGB imaging with ground measurements (NDVI, NDRE, stomatal conductance) and root/mycorrhiza sampling to link above- & belowground biomass in agroforestry. #Agroforestry #RemoteSensing

The drone which we used for our campaign was flown by Lars and Simon from ZALF (Photo: Alissa Böhm).

The devices used by Alissa Böhm to measure NDVI and stomatal conductance (Photo: Alissa Böhm).

Drone route for the agroforesty system in Großmutz (Photo: Alissa Böhm).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

🌽🍃 🌽 When maize grows, measurements must adapt. Großmutz, Sophie (SP1) is monitoring NH₃, CO₂, and N₂O emissions throughout the growing season using adapted field methods. Also, sensors, including dendrometers and sap flow measurements, help track water uptake and tree–crop interactions. #FORMULA

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

🌱 News from SP1 PhD Matthias Beier has successfully completed the first carbon soil sampling campaign at Großmutz. Now: SOC analyses and density fractionation to better understand carbon storage in agroforestry systems. #FORMULA #Agroforestry #SoilCarbon #SOC #CarbonStorage

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

📢 FORMULA PhD researchers will be presenting their work at the 8th European Agroforestry Conference (EURAF 2026) in Switzerland. 🌳🌾 #EURAF2026 #Agroforestry #FORMULA #Research #SustainableAgriculture #DFG

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

🌾🌳News SP4 – @azmisheriff.bsky.social is currently focusing on the establishment of a growth chamber experiment investigating plant–mycorrhiza interactions using different crop and forb species under contrasting soil treatments. #FORMULA #Agroforestry #Mycorrhiza

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

🌽Grossmutz:The first irrigation of the maize was successful.Logistics are all set: Water is tanked at a hydrant in the nearby village and transported to the field in a trailer carrying a 1000l tank. A generator powers the electric pump that pumps the water into the drip irrigation system. #FORMULA

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

SPZ update: One transect and the irrigated plot were equipped with radiation sensors. The latest generation of LED-based “light sabers”, mounted on poles to monitor radiation dynamics within the agroforestry system. #FORMULA #Agroforestry #RadiationMonitoring #LightSensors #PARSensors

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

FORMULA ¹⁵N experiment:a multi-scale design combining labelled slurry applications across distance gradients with GHG flux measurements(N₂O, N₂), NH₃ monitoring, microbial isotope analyses, and continuous soil sensing to trace nitrogen pathways at high spatial resolution. #agroforestry #15N #FORMULA

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

From workshop to field 🌾 What if radiation measurements in crops could be both precise and affordable? FORMULA is assisting in developing low-cost LED-based line ceptometers for spatial and temporal radiation mapping in simple and complex agri-systems. #Agroforestry #AgTech #PlantScience #formula

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

A few insights from the major work effort by our technician and student assistants at Gladbacher Hof:the soil moisture sensor connections were fully repaired and reconnected to the Dragino system. Spring is in full bloom and so is the workload. #agroforestry #formula #soilmoisture#sensors #fieldwork

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

FORMULA PhDs joined the Isotope Course 2026 at the University of Tübingen, exploring stable and radioisotope theory, fractionation, and tracers such as carbon and nitrogen. The course featured IRMS and Picarro demonstrations, analytical calculations, and applications in soil and ecosystem research.

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Reposted by FORMULA Research Unit

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft @dfg.de · 20/01/2026

#GrüneWoche: Die DFG-Senatskommission zur Transformation von Agrar-/Ernährungssystemen SKAE fordert in einem Positionspapier langfristige Forschung und neue politische Rahmenbedingungen für diversifizierte Anbausysteme von #Nutzpflanzen – und benennt 6 konkrete Handlungsfelder: sohub.io/ijh9

sohub.io

Für eine krisenfeste Landwirtschaft: DFG-Senatskommission fordert stärkere Unterstützung für vielfältige Anbausysteme von Nutzpflanzen

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Get to know three more FORMULA members from SP1, SP2 and SP4! #agroforestry #formula

Introduction of Azmi Sheriff regarding her background, role in the project and research focus (Photo on the right: JLU / Till Schürmann).

Introduction of Sebastian Gauly regarding his background, role in the project and research focus (Photo on the right: JLU / Till Schürmann).

Introduction of Sophie von Witten regarding her background, role in the project and research focus (Photo on the right: JLU / Till Schürmann).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Mobile soil-moisture sensors installed! At our agroforestry site in Großmutz, SP2’s Farimah Asadi added 10 cm sensors to complement the permanent ones at 40 cm and 60 cm. Excited to improve our understanding of near-surface moisture dynamics. #formula #agroforestry

Installed mobile soil-moisture sensors at the Großmutz agroforestry site. The photos shows the sensors inserted into the soil at 10 cm depth, along with their connected nodes and support poles used for data transmission (Photo: Farimah Asadi).

Installed mobile soil-moisture sensors at the Großmutz agroforestry site. The photos shows the whole transect of the sensors, along with their connected nodes and support poles used for data transmission (Photo: Farimah Asadi).

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Reposted by FORMULA Research Unit

ProLOEWE @proloewe.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Spielerisch🤹🏼‍♂️ #Wissenschaft und #Demokratie von innen 🏋🏼stärken: ProLOEWE mit dem #Wissenschaftsplanspiel „Wissen🆚Meinung“ #KI, am 28. November 2025 zu Gast bei der @leopoldina.org in Halle. Mehr dazu ➡️ proloewe.de/de/aktuelles... + ➡️ www.leopoldina.org/veranstaltun...

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Sampling completed! 🌱 At both of our agroforestry systems and their reference sites, Subproject 2, in particular our PhD candidate Sebastian Gauly and helpers, collected soil samples to determine stocks of mineral N and gravimetric water content at different depths. #formula #agroforestry

Holes of soil probes for Nmin analysis (Photo: Sebastian Gauly).

Soil sampling device at the agroforestry site in Großmutz (Photo: Sebastian Gauly).

Alvin John Felipe and Lukas Pabst extractin soil cores at the agroforestry site at Gladbacherhof (Photo: Sebastian Gauly).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Fieldwork in action! SP3 (Biodiversity) was back at the agroforestry site at Gladbacherhof, collecting soil samples along gradients. These samples will reveal how soil microarthropod communities and microorganisms respond to agroforestry dynamics. #formula #agroforestry

Carlos Gonzalez and Alvin John Felipe hammering the soil corer into the soil at the 1 m distance (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

Deniz Erkan taking small soil samples for her measurements of soil microorganisms (Bacteria, Archaea, fungi, Photo: Franziska Deppe)

Alvin John Felipe, Deniz Erkan, Carlos Gonzalez & Matthias Beier working together on the sampling (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Research meets practice: Marcel Dogotari (SP4) teamed up with the Makerspace Gießen to design custom 3D-printed parts - from mounting boards to light seals - enabling his agroforestry measurements for FORMULA. Read more in the article: makerspace-giessen.de/2025/10/09/w... #formula #agroforestry

makerspace-giessen.de

Warum Universitäten Makerspaces brauchen – Makerspace Gießen

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

The SP2 field campaign in Großmutz has been successfully completed! Permanent soil moisture sensors were installed across three transects and the irrigation plot at different depths. This setup now enables detailed monitoring of water fluxes across the site. #formula #agroforestry

The team working at the installation of the soil moisture network at the agroforestry site in Großmutz (Photo: Philipp Kraft).

Farimah Asadi inserting one of the sensors in the installation tool (Photo: Philipp Kraft).

One of the set-ups for data transmitting via LoRaWAN (Photo: Sönke Felix-Henningsen).

Franziska Deppe, Sebastian Gauly, Johannes Laufer, Sophie von Witten and Helene Garre working at one of the transects by installing sensors and compacting the soil along the trenches (Photo: Sönke Felix-Henningsen).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Here are some impressions from the 10th Forum Agroforestry Systems at @jlugiessen.bsky.social! We showcased our FORMULA project with three posters, sharing ideas and fostering collaboration with fellow researchers. #formula #agroforestry #afsforum

Alvin John Felipe and Farimah Asadi next to their poster about water fluxes in agroforestry systems.

Presentation of Eva-Maria Minarsch about her meta-analysis of the identification of the spatial distribution of microbial soil indicators in agroforestry systems (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

Helene Garre next to her poster about the sub-project five "Management, productivity and yields".

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

This week (Sept. 17–18), the 10th Forum Agroforestry takes place at JLU Gießen in cooperation with DeFAF! Andreas Gattinger, PI of FORMULA, will give a keynote on “From forest grazing to modern agroforestry – looking back & into the future.” More info here: agroforst-info.de/forum-agrofo... #formula

agroforst-info.de

Forum Agroforstsysteme | DEFAF e.V.

Der DeFAF setzt sich für alle Anliegen zur Anlage, Bewirtschaftung, Verbreitung und Förderung von Agroforstsystemen in Deutschland ein.

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Harvest complete! 🌾 Both study sites are done – using manual cuttings and a combine harvester. Data on grain & straw yield from individual agroforestry plots is collected, with more parameters now being analyzed in the lab. #formula #agroforestry

Marco Bartsch and Sophie von Witten doing manual cuttings in the winter wheat field at the Agroforestry site in Großmutz, Brandenburg (Photo: Alissa Böhm).

The team at the agroforestry site at Gladbacherhof with some of the cuttings, waiting to process the cuttings by threshing (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

The combine plot harvester at the agroforestry site at Gladbacherhof (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

Part of the harvest team: Alvin John Felipe, Eva-Maria Minarsch, Sebastian Gauly, Helen Garre, Franziska Deppe, Farimah Asaadi, Brian Daniel Ongia, Tariq Zain (back row from left to right) and Philipp Weckenbrock (sitting in front) at Gladbacherhof at the end of the field day (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

New paper out! A study on selecting reference sites for agroforestry systems -developed in the pre-phase and co-authored by several FORMULA members- has just been published. #formula #agroforestry doi.org/10.1016/j.at...

Graphic design by Thomas Fungenzi, based on a concept by Karonlina Golicz.

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Update from Sophie & SP1: In Großmutz, CO₂, N₂O & ET fluxes were measured using manual closed canopy chambers. Dendrometers & sap flow sensors were also installed. Back at @zalf.bsky.social, a prototype for the automated chamber systems to measure gas fluxes is being built. #formula #agroforestry

Manual closed canopy chambers for the measurement of CO₂, N₂O and ET fluxes (Photo: Sophie von Witten).

Installed dendrometer and sap flow sensors at the agroforestry site in Großmutz (Photo: Sophie von Witten).

Installed datalogger for the dendrometer and sap flow sensors at the agroforestry site in Großmutz (Photo: Sophie von Witten).

Prototype of the semi-automatic chambers for measuring gas fluxes (Photo: Sophie von Witten).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Back from the Organic Field Days 2025! Agroforestry was a widely discussed topic, emphasising its importance in sustainable agriculture. We contributed to the event with a poster presentation and joined valuable discussions. #formula #agroforestry

FORMULA Poster at the Organic Field Days 2025 (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

View of the site of the Organic Field Days 2025 (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

Demonstration plot of a keyline agroforestry system at the Organic Field Days 2025 (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Meet Alissa from SP5 and Farimah from SP2 - two project members driving our research forward in the FORMULA project in terms of productivity & water fluxes. #agroforestry #formula

Introduction of Alissa Böhm regarding her background, role in the project and research focus (Photo on the right: JLU / Till Schürmann).

Introduction of Farimah Asadi regarding her background, role in the project and research focus (Photo on the right: JLU / Till Schürmann).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

SP4's greenhouse experiment at @zalf.bsky.social wrapped! 🌿 Studying root, leaf & hyperspectral traits across crops, phytometers & arable weeds - grown with or without mycorrhiza. Now analyzing individual plants and their leaves and roots to uncover trait variation. #formula #agroforestry

Leave scanning (Photo: Marcel Dogotari).

Azmi Sheriff working on the root analyses (Photo: Marcel Dogotari).

Investigated plant in the greenhouse at ZALF (Photo: Azmi Sheriff).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

First round of pitfall trapping successfully completed at our agroforestry sites in Hesse & Brandenburg! Now on to species identification - excited to uncover the arthropod diversity as part of FORMULA Subproject 3 on biodiversity. #agroforestry #formula #biodiversity

Agroforesty site in Großmutz (Brandenburg) in May during the first round of pitfall trapping (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

Pitfall trap sample at the agroforesty site in Großmutz (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

Pitfall trap with its cover in winter wheat at the agroforesty site in Großmutz (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

Sample of arthropods of one pitfall trap in ethanol (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

We’ve officially kicked off FORMULA with our first big in-person meeting at Gladbacherhof and @jlugiessen.bsky.social! A productive start with engaging discussions, clear goals, and great collaboration across teams. Looking forward to what’s ahead! #agroforestry #formula

FORMULA kick-off at Gladbacherhof (Photo: Marcel Dogotari).

FORMULA kick-off at IFZ (Research Centre for Biosystems, Land Use and Nutrition) of JLU (Photo: Umut Kirdemir).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Introducing Matthias from SP1! He’s advancing our work in FORMULA with a focus on carbon. #agroforestry #formula

Introduction of Matthias Beier regarding his background, role in the project and research focus (Photo on the right: JLU / Till Schürmann).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

In Subproject 2 (Greenhouse gas fluxes and carbon sequestration), soil coring was carried out at the end of February along three transects at the agroforestry site at Gladbacher Hof to assess, e.g. soil organic carbon and bulk density at different depths. #agroforestry #formula

Drone picture of the soil coring campaign in February at the agroforesty site at Gladbacher Hof (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

Soil cores of the soil coring campaign (Photo: Matthias Beier).

Soil core of the soil coring campaign (Photo: Matthias Beier).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Learn how Brian from SP5 contributes to the FORMULA project and supports our agroforestry research efforts. #agroforestry #formula

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

In SP5, Alissa, Brian & Helene worked on harmonising their field methods in the agroforestry system at Gladbacher Hof. They will use the same protocols for consistent vegetation monitoring at both sites, measuring e.g. LAI, BBCH or NDVI. #agroforestry #formula

Agroforestry site at Gladbacher Hof (Hesse, Germany) with project members of SP3 and SP5 working at it (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

Alissa Böhm, Brian Daniel Ongia and Helene Garre working on harmonising their field measurements (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

Alissa Böhm and Brian Daniel Ongia at the site at Gladbacher Hof (Hesse, Germany) with their device for photosynthesis, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Meet Carlos from SP3! Get to know his role in the FORMULA project and how he contributes to our agroforestry research. #agroforestry #formula

Introduction of Carlos González regarding his background, role in the project and research focus (Photo on the right: JLU / Till Schürmann).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Update from SP3: Soil core samples were taken at Gladbacher Hof to investigate gradients in soil microarthropod diversity and community composition. #formula #agroforestry

Soil core sampling of SP3 at Gladbacher Hof (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

Carlos Gonzalez taking soil cores from SP3 at Gladbacher Hof (Photo: Eva-Maria Minarsch).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

News from SP5: The set-up of the irrigation plot to study the interactions between the crop abiotic stressors has been successful at both sites. It is established perpendicular to the tree row to include an irradiation gradient to separate the effects of irradiation and water limitation. #formula

Set-up of the irrigation plot in Großmutz (Photo: Helene Garre).

Helene Garre and Sinyeong Kim working on the set-up of the irrigation plot at Gladbacher Hof (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

Set-up of the irrigation plot at Gladbacher Hof (Photo: Franziska Deppe).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Kicking off our team introductions with Alvin from Subproject 2 (SP2). Discover more about Alvin's background, role in FORMULA, and research focus. Stay tuned for more introductions! #agroforestry #formula

Introduction of Alvin Felipe regarding his background, role in the project and research focus (Photo on the right: JLU / Till Schürmann).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Exciting update from SP2: Three Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensors are now installed! By measuring the density of a specific energy band of neutrons produced in the upper atmosphere and reflected from the soil, changes in the water content of the AFS environment will be measured. #crns #agroforestry

Umut Kirdemir, Alvin Felipe, Farimah Asadi installing the CRNS at the agroforestry site (Photo: Suzanne Jacobs).

One of the installed CRNS at the agroforestry site directly in the tree row (Photo: Suzanne Jacobs).

Jannis Weimar, Umut Kirdemir, Alvin Felipe, Farimah Asadi with the installed CRNS at the agroforestry site (Photo: Suzanne Jacobs).

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Discover the FORMULA Research Unit! We're tackling climate, water, soil, biodiversity, and food production through 6 subprojects. Joint experiments include transect sampling perpendicular to the tree line, 15N-labelling trial on nitrogen competition, and drone/LiDAR data collection. #Agroforestry

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

JOB ALERT: As part of this project, the Professorship of Soil Resources at the @jlugiessen.bsky.social (Prof. Dr. Jan Siemens) is searching for a doctoral student in the field of nutrient cycling in soils of agroforestry systems! www.uni-giessen.de/de/ueber-uns...

uni-giessen.de

Doctoral student (m/f/d) in the field of Nutrient Cycling in Soils of Agroforestry Systems

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Welcome to the Official Bluesky Channel for the project FORMULA! Join us, a collaborative DFG-funded team from @jlugiessen.bsky.social and @zalf.bsky.social, exploring agroforestry systems and their Nature's Contributions to People (NCP). Follow for updates on research, team insights, and events!

Top: Agroforestry site at Gladbacher Hof (Photo: Till Schürmann/JLU)
Bottom: Agroforestry site in Großmutz (Photo: Marco Donat/ZALF)

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