Multi-site experiments
About ALTER-Net's multi-site experimental studies
ALTER-Net has coordinated two multi-site experiments (MSEs) in order to demonstrate that simple field experiments can be conducted across Europe. Reports of the two experiments are available.
- MSE-I (trampling of vegetation)
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.
Read the full report - MSE-II (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.
Read the full report
ALTER-Net brings together 26 leading institutes from 18 European countries