Ecosystems Biology

The functioning of ecosystems determines major processes of life on earth. As human well-being is closely linked to ecosystem performance, major ecosystem services closely linked to human health are studied to understand and support ecosystem functions as well as to detect global change impacts. These functions include the sustainable use of soils for the production of high quality and sufficient yield of crops for human nutrition by efficient use of natural resources as well as the use of the natural potential of soils and groundwater ecosystems for the degradation of contaminations.

The diversity and activities of communities of microbes and higher organisms contributing to these processes are studied in mechanistic as well as in ecosystemic approaches. Furthermore, the response of biota to global change is investigated. Mainly plant systems are studied in response to climatic stressors, but also to biological challenges with pathogens. Good health and nutrition of plants is seen as integrated outcome of the interaction of climate, soil functioning, water supply and microbial activities as drivers of nutrient turnover.

The understanding of the interaction of beneficial and pathogenic microbes amongst each other and with plant roots and shoots will additionally be used to understand and model molecular interactions of microbes with higher organisms. The multitude of chemical substances with relevance for the functioning and regulation of these multi-organismic processes are analyzed using highly resolving analytical tools. In addition, advanced molecular tools are applied to reveal the compositions and activities of the organismic diversity of complex ecosystems.

Finally, human health also depends on microbial ecosystems associated with important human organs such as the skin, the lung and the gut which are highly influenced by environmental parameters, food quality and human activities. Increased knowledge about the steering of ecosystem parameters in these complex microbial communities and their interaction with human body processes will greatly support human well-being, too.

Further information

• Scientific education: thematic fields (overview)
• Ecosystems biology: lectures, seminars and courses (overview)