Above- & Belowground Interactions

The hidden connections beneath our feet

Ecosystems are shaped by countless interactions occurring both above and below the soil surface. Plants, microbes, fungi, herbivores, decomposers, and soil organisms form complex networks that regulate ecosystem functioning.

Our research explores how these interactions influence biodiversity, nutrient cycling, productivity, and ecosystem resilience.

Why do above- and belowground interactions matter?

Most ecological research has historically focused on visible organisms aboveground. Yet many of the processes governing ecosystem functioning originate belowground.

Roots, soil microbes, mycorrhizal fungi, and decomposers influence plant growth, nutrient availability, carbon storage, and ecosystem responses to environmental change.

Understanding these interactions is essential for predicting ecosystem functioning in a changing world.

Key research questions

  • How do plants shape soil communities?
  • How do soil organisms influence plant performance and diversity?
  • How do above- and belowground interactions regulate nutrient cycling?
  • How do these interactions affect ecosystem responses to drought, warming, and nutrient enrichment?
  • What role do soil organisms play in ecosystem resilience?

Our approach

We combine:

  • Field experiments
  • Biodiversity experiments
  • Soil ecological analyses
  • Microbial ecology
  • Trait-based approaches
  • Global synthesis studies

Representative research topics

Plant–soil feedbacks

Understanding how plants modify soils and how these changes affect future plant communities.

Soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

Investigating the contribution of soil organisms to ecosystem processes.

Nutrient cycling

Studying how biological interactions regulate the movement of nutrients through ecosystems.

Global change impacts

Examining how environmental change alters above- and belowground interactions.

Research platforms and networks

People