Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL
Introduction: Karmen Franinović | Moderation: Duy Bui
— Dr. Ivano Brunner, Head of Research Unit ‘Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry’
«Understanding Forest Soils»
Brief introduction of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL and our research unit "Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry". Our task is to study and monitor changes and threats to forest soils that occur almost daily due to climate change, drought, storms, landslides, avalanches, nitrogen inputs, soil acidification or pathogens.
You may think forest soils are boring, but they harbour some valuable delicacies, like truffles or porcini mushrooms. Wood is as much a product of the forest soil (furniture) as heat (energy wood) and tap water (water storage). Perhaps the most important service provided by forest soils, however, is the long-term storage of carbon in the form of soil organic matter, known as "humus," and the provision of habitat for thousands of different soil organisms, such as earthworms, springtails, water bears, fungi, slime molds, or bacteria.
— Dr. Beat Frey, Senior Scientist and Head of the Rhizosphere Processes Group
«Permafrost and Ice – Unexplored Treasure of Unknown Microbes»
The Alps and the Arctic with its glaciers and permafrost are particularly affected by climate warming. For the first time, we have analysed microbiomes from alpine permafrost and glacier ice with the aim for searching of microbial life. The results were surprising: up to 1000 different microorganisms were found, about many of them are unknown or poorly explored. Are these organisms dormant in the frozen ground or are they active? For thousands of years, these organisms were trapped in the permafrost and ice. What will happen to them when they are awakened from their "slumber" by global warming? Among them some could be interesting for biotechnology. But it is also possible that there are microbes among them that are dangerous to humans. It’s time now to explore this unknown microbial treasure in ice and permafrost.
18 January 2022