Welcome to Soil Ecology!
How does the soil work, which is the basis for our nutrition and quality of life? Can we repair contaminated soil systems?
These are the questions we are looking into in our working group and would be pleased if you would like to participate.
Current Projects
SFB 1357: Microplastic A06
The Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 1357: "Microplastics - Understanding the mechanisms and processes of biological effects, transport and formation: From model to complex systems as a basis for new solutions" investigates the formation, migration and effects of microplastics and develops new approaches to solving this immense environmental problem.
Carbon-4D
The aim of “Carbon4D” is the development of a data-driven 4D model of SOC mineralization on a landscape scale that accounts for highly complex and nonlinear relationships. To reach this aim, measurements of SOC mineralization rates and of their controlling factors (SOC stocks, soil moisture and temperature) are combined with multi-source remote sensing data and weather- and soil information in a machine learning approach. Based on the learned relationships, 4D predictions are made for a typical German low mountain landscape located in Central Hesse that serves as the test area for Carbon4D. On the basis of the 4D model, a detailed analysis of temporal, spatial, and vertical patterns of SOC mineralization rates and their controlling factors will be conducted. Hence, Carbon4D will provide a first approach of a near real-time monitoring framework of SOC mineralization rates and soil CO2 efflux in all 4 dimensions, which will provide new insights into patterns and controlling factors.
Mad Soil
A research unit exploring the quantitative characterization of the spatial composition, the microarchitecture, the stability, and the properties of soil microaggregates with a unique combination of sophisticated high-resolution imaging and analytical techniques.
ORDIAmur
Overcoming Replant Disease by an Integrated Approach
Rhizosphere Spatiotemporal Organisation - SPP 2089
This Priority Programme aims at the identification of spatiotemporal patterns in the rhizosphere and at the explanation of the underlying mechanisms. The key concept of the programme consists of approaching the rhizosphere as a self-organised system.
CRC 1211
The objective of the project is to pioneer the research on the mutual evolutionary relationships between Earth surface processes and biota. The target areas are arid to hyper-arid systems, where both biota and Earth surface process are severely and predominantly limited by the availability of water.
CRC 806
Culture-Environment Interaction and Human Mobility in the Late Quarternary
Biodiversity Exploratories
The exploratories sustain the scientific infrastructure to develop the intellectual framework needed to address critical questions about changes in biodiversity and to evaluate the impacts of those changes for ecosystem processes.