Microbial Biogeochemistry

 

MicGeo – Terrestrial Microbiota in Action.
The group explores the importance of the microbiota for (i) climate, (ii) soil carbon stocks, and (iii) plant resilience. It investigates the microbiota in landscape elements of agricultural landscapes. The focus of the research is on croplands and grasslands. Selected cereal and tree species serve as model plants. The group uses gene markers, metagenomics, stable isotope probing, and RNA-based methods including bioinformatics to determine functions and dynamics of plant and soil microbiota. It also uses soil enzyme measurements and gas analytics to characterize microbial metabolism and emissions of greenhouse gases and volatiles. Experimental studies are conducted both at the scale of the individual plant (pot experiments) and at the ecosystem level (field & landscape). In addition, the ecophysiology of methylotrophs and nitrate-reducers (incl. anaerobic cultivation & genomics) is a subject of investigation