In my master thesis, I am interested to know whether plant-soil-feedback can explain the spatial dynamics of the clonal grass Brachypodium pinnatum. In this experiment, I am evaluating the plant response in different field soil samples taken from Brachypodium pinnatum colonies at the Swiss National Park. Besides, microbial diversity as well as abiotic properties will be determined for each soil sample. Understanding the mechanisms behind the spatial distribution of this monodominant grass can provide keys to its management and, more generally, will give us insights into the spatial distribution of clonal plants.
