"...the relationships between microorganisms and their environments have a crucial role in the health of the planet and all of its inhabitants."
(Nature Microbiological Reviews, Editorial Board, 2008)

Research in our working group aims at an understanding of the microbial diversity and activities in the marine environment. Microorganisms occur nearly everywhere in the marine environment and thus play a crucial role in decomposition of organic matter and cycling of nutrients. Additionally bacteria serve as food source for a number of organisms, thus their characteristics are also linked to higher trophic levels (i.e. phytoplankton, zooplankton, and mussels).
At present, we concentrate mainly on the North Sea, with its diverse habitats focussing especially on how different bacterial groups and populations are influenced by climate change. Accordingly we have recently expanded also into polar and brackish environments.

Current topics:

• Microbial ecology of methanotrophic bacteria
• Foodweb Interactions
• The changing coast
• Long term ecological research (LTER)