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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · 1d

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 · 8d

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 · 23d

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

Forum Agroforstsysteme | DEFAF e.V.

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

agroforst-info.de

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · Sep 4

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 · Sep 2

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 · Jul 31

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 · Jun 23

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 · Jun 12

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 · Jun 5

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 · May 28

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 · May 23

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 · May 13

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 · May 12

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 · May 2

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 · Apr 29

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 · Apr 24

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 · Apr 22

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 · Apr 17

Continuing our team spotlight with Helene from SP5!
#agroforestry #formula

Introduction of Helene Garre 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 · Apr 16

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 · Apr 15

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 · Apr 14

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 · Apr 3

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 · Mar 31

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...

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

www.uni-giessen.de

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FORMULA Research Unit @formula-research.bsky.social · Mar 28

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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