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701-1646-00L 5 Credits MSC D-USYS

Carbon and Nutrient Cycling in Plant-Soil Systems under Global Change

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Frank Hagedorn, Prof. Dr. Sebastian Dötterl, Dr. Fanny Petibon

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:13:57

Abstract

The course covers the dynamics of carbon and nutrient between plants, microbiota, and soils in forested and agricultural landscapes. Through real case studies across pedoclimatic zones, we investigate: (i) carbon and nutrient fluxes from plot to regional scales; (ii) biogeochemical controls on cycling; and (iii) climate and land management effects on carbon fluxes in global change hotspots

Objective

Participants learn to identify, analyze and propose solutions to problems arising from land management and climate change that affect soil carbon and nutrient cycling in forested and agricultural landscapes.

Content

The students will work in groups on specific case studies that include the evaluation and interpretation of ‘real’ data. Part 1: Carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems of Switzerland o Carbon and nutrient cycles in plants and soils from the plot to national scale o Impacts of land management on biomass and soil carbon o Effects of climatic warming and drought on carbon and nutrient cycling Part 2: Drivers of terrestrial tropical carbon dynamics between plants, microbiota and soil o Weathering and biogeochemistry as controls on (tropical) carbon and nutrient cycles o Relationships between tropical forest growth dynamics, microbiota and soil properties o Feedbacks between soil development, erosion and management on tropical agricultural carbon cycling and crop yields

Resources

Literature

Biogeochemistry - An Analysis of Global Change https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123858740/biogeochemistry

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Max Places: 25
Signup End: 03.03.2026

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Carbon and Nutrient Cycling under Global Change	Tue 13:15-16:00 (ML J 34.1)	3 h weekly

Offered In

Agricultural Sciences Master
- Minors
  - Functioning of Soil Systems
Environmental Sciences Master
- Major in Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics
  - Electives
- Major in Ecology and Evolution
  - B. Advanced Concepts
    - Applications
- Major in Forest and Landscape Management
  - Natural Science Foundations
- Major in Forest and Landscape Management (from HS25 onwards) (Students who start the specialization in Forest and Landscape Management in HS25 or later study according to the 2013 regulations, edition 29.04.2025 - 8. The new structure of this specialization is shown in the current VVZ. Students who started the specialization in Forest and Landscape Management before HS25 can complete the specialization in accordance with the study guide 2024/25.)
  - Soils