Head: Dr. Beat Frey

The group studies the complex interactions between soil, microbes and roots under natural systems and investigates the impacts of environmental change on these interactions. The group applies biochemical, molecular and stable isotope methods in their studies. The two areas of research concern 1) soil bacterial and fungal communities as drivers for biogeochemical processes and 2) soil microbial communities and roots as indicators of environmental stress.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Projects

Drought influence on lightning-induced fires

In a changing climate, lightning-caused wildfires might increase in Switzerland over the next decades. Our studies aim at understanding patters and conditions under which these fires develop.

Root endophytic fungi and their contribution to arctic and alpine climate change feedback

Arctic and Alpine vegetation dynamics under climate change can exert a lasting impact on belowground processes and ultimately on world's largest carbon stocks. This long-term field manipulation investigates the functional significance of plant interactions with species-specific endophytic fungi.

The role of mycorrhizae in soil carbon storage of mountain ecosystems

This research project focuses on the role of mycorrhizae in the turnover of soil organic carbon in mountain ecosystems. It estimates the potential release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere resulting from changes in above and belowground communities.

Kritische Belastungsgrenzen von Quecksilber in Böden

Wir erforschen die kritischen Belastungsgrenzen von Quecksilber (Hg) in Böden mit besonderer Berücksichtigung des Bodenmikrobioms und Beeinträchtigungen von Funktionen. Diese Studie wird im Rahmen der Minamata Konvention durchgeführt, mit der die Emissionen von Hg eingedämmt werden sollen.

Charakterisierung der Biodiversität in Waldböden mittels DNA-Metabarcoding

Wir untersuchen die Biodiversität in Waldböden entlang eines europäischen Transekts von Südeuropa bis in das subarktische Finnland (durch 5 Klimatypen). Wichtige funktionelle Gruppen des Nahrungsnetzes im Boden werden taxonomisch und mittels DNA-Metabarcoding erfasst.

Einfluss des Klimawandels auf das Permafrost-Mikrobiom (CRYOLINK)

Wir erforschen den Permafrost als Refugium für mikrobielle Lebensformen in den drei Polen (Alpen, Arktis, Antarktis). Diese Organismen leben Tausende von Jahren im Permafrost und Eis. Was passiert mit ihnen, wenn sie durch die Klimaerwärmung aus ihrem „Dornröschenschlaf“ geweckt werden?

Einfluss des Klimawandels auf das Mikrobiom von Böden und Seen (CLIMARCTIC)

Wir untersuchen den Einfluss des Klimawandels auf die Biodiversität und Funktion arktischer terrestrischer Mikrobiome, insbesondere deren Ökosystemprozesse. Mit diesen Daten lassen sich die Rolle der arktischen Ökosysteme unter sich verändernden Umweltbedingungen besser vorhersagen.

Restoration of species rich grasslands

Restoration of species rich grasslands from species poor agricultural sites was successful in several projects and studies. However, the existing vegetation including the roots and the nutrient enriched topsoil had to be removed in most of the successful examples. The impact of such radical disturbances on soil organisms and soil functions has not yet been assessed. Our study aims on shedding more light into these aspects.

Mikroorganismen in einer sich erwärmenden Arktis (MICROARCTIC)

Wir untersuchen die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels - die globale Erwärmung - und das Aufschmelzen des Eises und Bodens in der Arktis und den Alpen, auf das Mikrobiom, die Freisetzung von Treibhausgase oder von Krankheitserregern, die Entdeckung von Naturprodukten und Antibiotika.

N2O emissions from soils

This project is part of the large multidisciplinary CCES project RECORD-Catchment, which investigates various aspects of river corridor management in the River Thur catchment. This SNF funded sub-project investigates factors on the microscale that govern the greenhouse gas potential of floodplain and related gleyic forest soils. This includes soil aggregation, plant - soil - microbe interactions and litter accumulations.

QuercAdapt

We investigate the relationship between genetic variation and environmental factors, notably soil characteristics, in three native oak species. Thereby we can investigate the adaptedness of the different species and provenances in the context of silvicultural practice under climate change.

Genetic Variation

Die Klimerwärmung dürfte den Wald auf vielen Standorten unter Stress setzen. Wir untersuchen, ob die genetische Variation der Waldbäume es ihnen erlaubt, sich an den Klimawandel anzupassen. Wir fokussieren dabei auf die drei häufigsten Baumarten in Schweizer Wäldern, die Fichte, die Tanne und die Buche.

Soil compaction

Soil compaction caused by passage of logging machinery reduces the soil air capacity. Prolonged compaction of forest soils might enhance greenhouse gas-producing microbial activities and induce a change in the soil microbial community and favour organisms capable of tolerating anoxic conditions.

Evoltree

A large network of research institutions collaborates within an EC-funded Network of Excellence to study the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems from an evolutionary perspective.

Soil solution in LWF plots

The chemistry of soil solution and the soil water availability for plants have been monitored since 1997 in seven forest plots in Switzerland. This project, linked to the Swiss Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research project (LWF), aims to assess the soil response to atmospheric pollution (acidifying substances and nitrogen) and to climate change.

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Staff

Rhizosphere Processes

Dr. Beat Frey	teamleader, senior scientist
Dr. Magdalene Adamczyk	Postdoc
Damian Bölsterli	master student
Johanna Donhauser	PhD student Marie Curie
Andrin Freisler	apprentice
Dr. Aline Frossard	scientific staff member
Samuel Gunz	temporary employee
Mirjam Kurz	bachelor student
Dr. Guillaume Lesage	visiting scientist
Dr. Maria Leunda	Postdoc
Carla Perez Mon	PhD student
Joel Rüthi	temporary employee
Christoph Schwörer	visiting scientist
Dr. Christoph Sperisen	scientific staff member
Beat Stierli	technical staff member