Understanding the processes associated with organic matter (OM) transformations at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is key to understanding the flow of energy and macro-elements (carbon and nitrogen) at the landscape scale. Fungi produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes and convert various forms of complex plant-derived OM, and are thus one of the main regulators of carbon balance. We suggest that, contrary to previously accepted paradigms, many fungi colonizing plant matter in terrestrial conditions remain important players in energy transfer to higher trophic levels in stagnant freshwater.
In order to reveal with sufficient resolution the complex interactions that accompany fungal lifestyles at the soil-water interface, we have assembled a team of collaborators with a multidisciplinary focus and will use a combination of modern molecular methods, advanced bioinformatic analyses, and state-of-the-art approaches in analytical chemistry to address some of the pressing knowledge gaps in the emerging field of microbial ecology.

Within the project we offer new interesting topics for Bachelor and Master theses. For more information:doc. Ing. Jiří Bárta. PhD. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Illustration figure: Bacteria stained by FISH on fungal hyphae in soil (Eickhorst and Tippkötter, 2008, Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40(7):1883-1891)

We will identify major environmental factors controlling P leaching from undeveloped soils in natural, unmanaged areas. We will evaluate effects of soil recovery from acidification, increasing dust deposition, and climate-accelerated physical erosion of rocks on chemistry and ability of soils to retain/release P. The most pronounced increases in lake water P concentrations (besides USA) have occurred in the Tatra Mountains, mainly in catchments with high proportion of scree and undeveloped till soils. Using local rocks, we will experimentally assess effects of climate change on their physical erosion. Then, we will evaluate effect of increased rock weathering on soil chemistry and P retaining ability. Special attention will be paid to composition of microbial community of till soils, and activity and role of its major components in P mobilization from rock and dust. Using long-term trends in chemistry and biology of lakes, we will evaluate individual and synergetic effects of recovery from acidification and climate change on the ongoing changes in their nutrient status and trophy.