Dr. Sinikka Jasmin Paulus

Current Research Interest

My research investigates non-rainfall water inputs – including dew, fog, frost, rime, and vapor absorption/adsorption – which form at or near the Earth’s surface, unlike rainfall. These inputs are particularly important for ‘habitability’ as they provide a continuous source of liquid water, even during dry periods, influencing soil hydraulics, microbial activity, and biogeochemical processes. Despite their small quantity, they can significantly impact ecosystem function.

I aim to improve our ability to detect and quantify these often-overlooked water sources to better understand their combined importance across ecosystems globally. This understanding is crucial for assessing how climate change may alter their formation and impact ecosystem water balances.

My work focuses on providing observational evidence of these non-rainfall water inputs across a range of in situ measurements. Through collaborations, we use this data to explore ecosystem-scale consequences. By linking molecular-scale understanding of water interactions with ecosystem observations, I aim to improve our understanding of how small-scale processes shape large-scale water and carbon dynamics.

News:

Learn more about my current work at the GEWEX PAN-GLASS conference 

or from the EGU 2026 programme

Tuesday, 5 May 2026 | EGU26-16325
Differences in soil water retention properties and plant available water below trees and grasses in a Mediterranean savanna
by Max Wittig et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-16325

Wednesday, 6 May 2026 | EGU26-14924
Tracking Water Status and Drought Response with GNSS-T VOD Across Tropical to Temperate Forest Ecosystems
by Konstantin Schellenberg et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-14924

We also organized the Splinter Meeting SPM38 about our initiative on Co-Developing Metadata Standards for In-Situ ET Measurements 

Community service:

• until January 2024: Elected deputy of the equal opportunities officer of the MPI-BGC
  
• Supervision of students, assistance in university lectures (FSU Jena, UNI Freiburg)
  
• Scientific reviewer for Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS), Journal of Hydrology, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

Former research as Undergraduate Student:

University of Freiburg - Institute of Ecosystem Physiology:

In the group of Maren Dubbert we analysed the water uptake of roots in a temperate grassland using stable water isotopes. We combined two measurement methods to measure "live" and without disturbance in situ (i.e. without removing material) the isotopy of soil water vapour and leaf transpiration during a drought. We compared these results with the isotopic signature of destructively sampled material to characterise the methodological differences. Such method comparisons are important development steps to evaluate the potential applications of new methods and are often the basis for many follow-up studies. (Link Master thesis) (Link Paper)

University of Freiburg - Institute of Soil Ecology:

Under the supervision of Martin Maier, I supported research as a student assistant in the field of soil gas transport. We measured trace gas concentrations in the soil column using a portable in situ sampling rod developed within the group. In various measurement campaigns this technique was combined with other measurements to gain information on

• the drivers of variability in methane consumption on a small scale (link)
  
• the effects of turbulence-induced pressure pumping on gas transport in the soil (link)
  
• the correlation between methane production in the soil and methane emission from the trunk of beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) (link)