We explore the diversity, interactions, and functions of microbial communities in soils, groundwater, and the terrestrial subsurface. Our research focuses on how microorganisms drive biogeochemical cycles, sustain life under energy limitation, and respond to environmental change. We aim to understand the ecological principles shaping microbial communities and their resilience in a changing world.
The terrestrial subsurface hosts a vast and largely hidden microbial biosphere. Microorganisms in groundwater and rocks drive key transformations of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and other elements, while facing increasingly limited energy and nutrient availability with greater isolation from the surface.
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Image: Balance of the MicroverseExplore our Activities in the Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse"
