Beyond Soil: exploring microbial dynamics and carbon cycling in Arctic Tundra soils

This project aims to investigate microbial dynamics and carbon cycling in Arctic tundra soils, with a focus on the role of soil microorganisms in carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas fluxes. Located in the Ny-Ålesund area of Svalbard, this study complements ongoing research on herbivore impacts in the region by examining soil microbial activity in relation to carbon and nitrogen cycles. The Arctic tundra, which harbors a significant portion of the global below-ground carbon pool, is particularly vulnerable to climate change and permafrost thawing, which may accelerate microbial decomposition and release CO2. By long-term flux measurements, this research will help predict how climate change and grazing pressures interact to influence carbon release, providing insight into crucial feedback mechanisms in the global climate system.