Terrestrial Ecology Section
The Terrestrial Ecology Section has expertise in studying the interactions between organisms, key processes they control, and their influence on the environment. We are conducting research within soil biology, plant ecology, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, plant-microbe interactions and ecosystem sciences. Together, we reveal how organisms control the cycling of natural and anthropogenic compounds in ecosystems, and how environmental changes, including climate change, impact ecosystems.
The overall research aim of the section is to broaden our understanding of the interactions between organisms, ecosystems, and the environment, and to evaluate the effects of human activities (e.g. habitat fragmentation and pollution) on these interactions.
Our main research approach is experimental and focuses on ecosystem processes and the interactions between organisms and ecosystem components, as well as the biodiversity and functioning of soil organisms and plants and associated microorganisms. We also make use of mathematical models to quantify process interactions and feedback.
Our work relies on state-of-the-art field and laboratory infrastructure. We can quantify the elemental and isotopic composition of soil, biological tissues, and gas samples, as well as specific organic compounds. We are also equipped with advanced microscopes and growth chambers, with controlled temperature and illumination, and tools for molecular biological work, such as DNA/RNA extraction and PCR, though sequencing is performed externally.
We carry out high-precision biological, physical, chemical, and molecular analyses of plants, microorganisms, soil animals, gases, and liquids. The laboratory is fully updated with analytical equipment and takes on analytical tasks for the scientific staff at the Biological Institute, as well as for external researchers. For instance, we analyze:
Species composition (plants, microorganisms)
Plant biomass
CNP in soil, plants and liquids
Secondary metabolites
15N and 13C in tissues
Photosynthesis with Licor 6400XT
CO2, O2, N2O, N2O4 (ethylene) and CH4 concentrations
Volatile organic compounds
Microbial biomass CNP
Substrate induced respiration (SIR)
Ergosterol, PLFA, Biolog
Protein assays
Cultivation of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and protozoa) Isolation and experimentation with soil micro-meso-macro fauna
DNA extraction from tissues and soil
PCR, qPCR
DNA and RNA sequencing
Electrophoresis of DNA and proteins
Microscopes: Stereo, normal light, fluorescent, inverse
The analytical equipment includes
Agilent GC with FID
Agilent GC/MS with thermal desorption (2 instruments)RALAB fitoclima 1200 climate chambers
BIORAD PCR and qPCR equipment
Eltra CS 500 Total Carbon Determinator
EuroVector Elemental Analyzer EA3028-HT
Fiastar 5000 Flow Analyzer
Growth rooms and chambers, -80 freezer
Hitachi U-2000 and U-2010 Spectrophotometers
Ionicon PTR-ToF 1000 ultra with SRI-MS (2 instruments)
LECO FP-428 Total Nitrogen Determinator
LECO TruSpec Carbon Nitrogen Determinator
Micromass IsoPrime Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometre
MJ PCT200, BioRad T100 and BioRad CFX connect PCR machines
Perkin Elmer 4100 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
Picarro G2201-i Dual Carbon Isotope Analyzer
Shimadzu GC-17A Gas Chromatograph
Shimadzu Total Organic Carbon Analyzer TOC-5000A
Tissue ball mills and Qiagen Tissue Lyzer
Photosynthesis system Walz GFS-3000FL
The section teaches in courses (in bold, where we are course responsibles) offered in the Bachelor and Master programs in Biology. In addition, we contribute to courses in the Master program in Climate Change.
(AM) Anders Michelsen - (FE) Flemming Ekelund - (KR) Kathrin Rousk - (RK) Rasmus Kjøller - (RR) Riikka Rinnan
We welcome students to contact us for thesis projects.
|
Block |
Courses in MSc Programme in Biology |
|
1 |
Advanced Ecology (KR) |
|
1 |
Danish Natural Habitats (FE) |
|
2 |
Climate Change & Biogeochemical Cycles (RR) |
|
2 |
Methodology and Sampling in Environmental Management (AM) |
|
2 |
Soil Biology (FE) |
|
3 |
Experimental Design and Statistical Methods in Biology (AM) |
|
4 |
Arctic Biology |
|
4 |
Terrestrial Ecosystem Processes and Global Change (AM) |
|
4 |
Arctic Field Course (held only even years) |
|
Block |
Courses in Bachelor Programme in Biology |
|
1 |
Organismernes Diversitet |
|
1 |
Biologiske Forsøg: Design og analyse (AM) |
|
2 |
Populationsbiologi |
|
3 |
Almen Økologi |
|
3 |
Plant Ecophysiology (KR) |
|
3 |
Basal Arktisk Biologi |
|
5 |
Feltbiologi II Botanik (FE) |
Contact
Terrestrial Ecology Section
Buildings 1 and 3, Universitetsparken 15
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
SECTION HEAD
Associate Professor
Flemming Ekelund
Email: fekelund@bio.ku.dk
Mobile: +45 2243 6301