Biodiversity
Landscape Development
Management of Natural Hazards
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
Forest Ecosystems
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Soil Sciences
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The Research Unit focuses on the question how biogeochemical processes in forest soils, e.g. nutrient supply or organic carbon mineralization, are affected by external forces, such as pollutant transfer and climatic changes. The group investigates how forest dynamics feed back on soil physics, soil chemistry and soil biology. On a micro scale the research group develops experimental and analytical approaches to elucidate pathways and processes in the rhizosphere – including the interaction of soils with soil organisms and roots. Research results in this Unit are used to develop management options and policies for soil conservation and sustainable forest functioning.
The Unit has partners both within WSL and the wider scientific community. Stakeholders are mainly the forest services, forest owners and federal agencies.