ALTER-Net has coordinated three multi-site experiments (MSEs) in order to demonstrate that simple field experiments can be conducted across Europe. Reports of the first two experiments are available.

MSE-III The impact of dung beetle assemblages on dung and seed dispersal

In this multi-site experiment we investigate whether the functional composition of dung beetle assemblages has an impact on dung decomposition and secondary seed dispersal processes. The added value of working at the multi-site level is the wide bioclimatic range of sites; for this reason, sites throughout the entire Western Palaearctic zone are included. This allows also us to investigate whether predicted climate change will have an impact on these processes through the changes it induces in dung beetle assemblage composition. In 2014, the experiment was run at 12 study sites in eight European countries.

MSE-II The impact of nutrients and climate on litter decomposition

Our second multi-site experiment addressed the variation of litter decomposition across a European gradient. Specifically, the study investigated the impact of nutrient availability along a broad climatic gradient to explore the impact of nutrients and climate on decomposition. This MSE involved 20 experimental sites in 10 countries, with 8 grassland sites and 12 in forested ecosystems.

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MSE-I  Effects of trampling on plant assemblages

This experiment looked at vegetation responses to disturbance by trampling, which is an important factor controlling the assemblage of plants. We established 39 experimental sites in 10 European countries. 17 sites were in grassland, 22 in forest ecosystems.

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