This course provides hands-on training in state-of-the-art methods to study microbial structures and biogeochemical processes in diverse Alpine systems. The emphasis is on field-scale measurements of biogeochemical processes, but the course also includes introductory lectures, laboratory experiments/analyses, as well as excursions, and concludes with student presentations of collected data.

Microorganisms catalyze a large number of reactions that are of great importance to terrestrial and aquatic environments. To improve our understanding of the dynamics of a specific environment, it is important to gain a better understanding of microbial structures and their functions under varying environmental conditions.

Introduction to microbial metabolism. Principles of bacterial carbon metabolism and enegy production. Degradation of carbon sources in aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. Chemolithotrophy. Metabolism of sulfur and nitrogen.

First, the students learn how to analyze soil systems with physical, chemical and microbiological methods. Later, the students train their experimental skills by conducting kinetic experiments in the laboratory and by quantifying process rates under field conditions in a river.

Project work in plant ecology, soil chemistry, soil protection, and soil microbiology with the aim of learning and applying field and laboratory methods for the investigation and description of terrestrial ecosystems.