Research and Project Groups

Research and Project groups of the Department of Biogeochemical Integration

light green = project groups dark green = research groups

Former Research Groups

Hydrology-Biosphere-Climate Interactions

Group leader: René Orth

The HydroBioClim group explored the interplay of soils, vegetation and atmosphere. Through modelling and observation data analysis the group contributed to
(1) a better management of extremes such as droughts and heat waves,
(2) improved hydro-meteorological forecasts, and
(3) more reliable climate change projections. more

Hybrid and explainable deep learning (HDL)

Project group leader: Basik Kraft

The research group investigated approaches to use deep learning for process understanding via explainable machine learning (XAI) and hybrid modeling, the combination of physically-based modeling and machine learning. Scientific insights can either be achieved via built-in mechanisms (e.g., hybrid modeling) or via post-hoc explanations. Both approaches are motivated by the ever-growing amounts of Earth observation data, the limited capability of traditional, physically-based models to reproduce observed patterns, and the capability of modern deep learning approaches to approximate the behavior of complex Earth system processes. more

Terrestrial Biosphere Modelling (TBM)

Group Leader: Sönke Zaehle
The Terrestrial Biosphere Modelling Group (TBM) aims at improving the understanding of the interactions of the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus at temporal and spatial scales for relevant for the Earth System. To accomplish this goal, the group develops and employs numerical models of terrestrial biosphere processes, and uses observational constraints obtained from biosphere monitoring or ecosystem manipulation to challenge model formulations. An improved representation of key (eco-physiological) processes, in particular those affecting nutrient availability and its role in ecosystem dynamics, is a key component of the group's research. The group investigates the consequences of the coupling of the terrestrial biogeochemical cycles for biogeochemical and biogeophysical interactions with the climate system. more

Empirical Inference of the Earth System

Group Leader: former: Miguel Mahecha. Current: Markus Reichstein
The Global Empirical Inference Group reveled insights from observations by means of data-driven research is a key element in Earth system sciences. Long-term observations of multiple Earth system properties encode our knowledge on how land-surface processes respond to climatic variability and interact with biodiversity. They developed methods to extract the valuable information in these data in order to confront them with models, and gain new insights. We aim at a more profound understanding of changing land ecosystems and their responses to and interactions with climate anomalies..

Terrestrial Ecosystem Modelling Group

Group Leader: Christian Beer
The Terrestrial Ecosystem Modelling Group (2006 - 2014) led by Christian Beer investigated interactions between thermal, hydrological and carbon processes in the context of climate change by a mechanistic modeling approach with a main focus on ecosystems at high latitudes.