Working Group Dynamics of Soil Processes

The main objective of the Working Group is to increase our understanding on the dynamics of soil processes, their interaction with vegetation and climate, and respective feedback mechanisms. With such increased understanding, we aim to contribute to overarching questions about Earth’s future biogeochemical cycles and climate. We have a focus on processes in permafrost-affected ecosystems in northern high latitudes and study in particular

• soil organic matter mineralization, stabilization, and translocation
• greenhouse gas balance and its dynamics including methane and nitrous oxide
• coupling of heat, water, and solids transport
• interactions between carbon and nutrient cycle processes
• impact of meteorological events on ecosystem processes

To accomplish these goals, the group observes processes in the field, performs laboratory experiments, and develops and employs numerical models.