Tobias Stürzebecher
PhD Student
About me
I am very interested in the thin, upper and enlivened layer on our
planet- called soil or pedosphere. Soil consists of small, weathered
rock particles and organic matter. Our soils are dynamic systems.
They stay under continuous spacial and temporal changes and are
influenced by natural forces and a bunch of microorganisms, other
soil organisms, plants and also by the use of the human being. In my studies on this
unique ecosystem I focus on the essential nutrient elements (carbon,
nitrogen and phosphorus). These nutrients are very importent for life
itself and many biogeochemical processes. For me it is highly
interesting to look at processes, exchanges and interactions between
these nutrients and plants, soil and microorganisms. Most of these
processes are located around roots and roothairs. We call this zone
of soil next to the roots „rhizosphere“. In this area we find so
called „hot-spots of life“, but we are just beginning to
understand it. Many is unknown about the mechanisms and processes in
this area. Especially we do not know how these processes are
influenced by changing environmental conditions like climate change,
e.g. increasing drought periods. Additionally, the demand for a
sustainable and ecological beneficial agriculture increased in the
last decades which brings new questions and challenges for future
farmers in the context of (agroecosystem adaption, reduced
firtilization, water defizit control, etc.)
In spring 2020, we
started the BMBF suported project RootWayS where I use modern methods
and highly sensitive technologies like labeling with stable isotopes to
enlighten to shed light on the dark of the secrets of processes
between roots and soil. In this work I will also test solutions for
the big question of resource scarcity and abiotic stress in applied
agriculture.
Educational background
2016 – 2019: Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, M.Sc: Umweltwissenschaften/Environmental Sciences;
Main focus: scientific methods of soil ecology, stable isotopes in ecosystem research, exchanges and interactions between ecology and climate change
2012 – 2016: Georg-August-University Göttingen, B.Sc: Ecosystem Management;
Main focus: soil sciences, nutrient cycles, changes and adaption of land-use systems within the challenges of climate change
Project