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Independent Research Groups

For reserach groups embedded in departments, please see the respective department pages.

Organic Paleobiogeochemistry
Dr. Christian Hallmann
General information
Group web page

Biospheric Theory and Modelling
Dr. Axel Kleidon
General information
Group web page

Hydrology-Biosphere-Climate Interactions
Dr. René Orth
General information
Group web page

Carbon Balance and Ecosystem Research
Prof. Dr. Ernst-Detlef Schulze
General information
Web page

Theoretical Ecosystem Ecology
Dr. Carlos Sierra
General information
Group web page

Functional Biogeography
Prof. Dr. Christian Wirth & Dr. Jens Kattge
General information
Group web page

Terrestrial Biosphere Modelling
Dr. Sönke Zaehle
General information
Group web page

Former Groups

Christian Hallmann is preparing to spike the drilling fluids. Drilling in Australia in 2012 for sampling Archean rocks. Experimental plot in front of the institute's greenhouse with sorghum and sunflower. Soil water is collected to determine the molecular and isotopic composition of dissolved organic matter (DOC) (Photo: Susanne Héjja). 13C Labelling at the Jena Experiment. The carbon isotope is used as biomarker to trace the flow of matter within the plant and the soil. At the Jena Experiment in the Saale valley we investigate the impact of plant diversity on soil microbial communities and how this interplay affects the soil carbon cycling, May 2015 (Photo: Susanne Héjja) This experiment aims at looking at the soil microbes to find out about the below-ground food chain. (Photo: Susanne Héjja) Wind turbine on the plateau of the Saale river in Thuringia. Axel Kleidon's group investigates the limits and associated climatic consequences of various renewable energy resources. (Photo: Susanne Héjja) During a field expedition to the Grand Canyon Christian Hallmann and his coworkers collect Neoproterozoic rocks that were deposited just before Earth plunged into it's most severe Snowball Earth glacial. (Photo: copyright by Christian Hallmann) A highway of paleoproteozoic rocks on the Becher Islands, Canada. (Photo: copyright by Christian Hallmann) The lacustrine sediments of the central Tibetan Plateau lakes provide evidence on the Asian Monsoon intensity. (Photo: Roman Witt) Compound specific isotope signals of terrestrial and aquatic biomarkers are used for reconstructing the late Quaternary Monsoon dynamics on the Tibetan plateau. The picture shows a Tibetan lake without a feeding river and only being nourished by precipitation. (Photo: Gerd Gleixner) Namibia, Gobabeb Desert, Helichrysum candolleanum is a perennial herb growing on African grassland and open woodland. (Photo: Eric Morgan) Camel thorn (Acacia eriloba) is perfectly adapted to water deficiency. (Photo: Eric Morgan) Siberia, log transportation on the Jenissey river (Photo: Ulrich Pruschitzki) Siberia, valley with blue aquilegia (Photo: Ulrich Pruschitzki) The picture shows an experimental setup in the Hainich National Park where we investigate the effects of tree leaf litter quality and composition on the release of dissolved organic matter. (Photo: Andrea Scheibe) Dictamnus albus or burning bush is a herbaceous perennial plant blooming in front of the institute's building in the summer. (Photo: Susanne Héjja) Siberia's open wide. The picture was taken during an expedition to carry out a forest inventory along the 69° longitude from the Mongolian border to the Arctic Ocean by Prof Schulze's group. (Photo: Ulrich Pruschitzki) Research expeditions are an important link between lab experiments, field tests and modelling. In Argentina we collected soil samples along a climatic gradient and in the rain shadow zone of the Andes on the lava plateaus, called "mesetas". (Photo: Valérie Schwab) Root tubercles of the yellow vetch (Vicea lutea), a Mediterranean shrub moving into West Central Europe. (Photo: Euan James, private)

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