SOIL ECOLOGY GROUP
We connect basic science with practice and create evidence-based management guidelines to help maintain and restore soil biodiversity.
We are interested in patterns of soil biodiversity and its variation in natural and human-influenced systems. Our special focus is on fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi, but also bacteria, greenhouse gases and agricultural land-use.
NEWS
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Soil ecology team participated at the UT Spring Run
On 16 April 2025, the annual University of Tartu Spring Run took place. This time the soil ecology team was represented at the start – Ayesh, Miriam as runners, and Maarja, Eveli, Elis and Sirle as walkers – and all finished successfully despite the slightly wet weather. The course ran enjoyably along the banks of […]
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Tanel Vahter receives President’s Young Environmental Scientist Award
We are so pleased to announce that Tanel Vahter, a member of the Soil Ecology team, has been awarded the President’s Young Environmental Scientist Award. The President’s Award is in recognition of Tanel’s work, which has created a first-of-its-kind capability to apply DNA-based and biochemical methods to the monitoring of field soil condition, and has […]
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Baltic Agro sales team trained on soli microbiology
On 26 March, Tanel Vahter trained the Baltic Agro sales team on soil microbiology. During the day-long training, the participants were introduced to the factors affecting Estonian soils and to the problems and solutions concerning soil microbiota. The aim of the training was to increase the awareness of Baltic Agro staff and sales specialists about […]
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EcoFair 2025 spring
The Soil Ecology Research Group participated in the latest EcoFair of the Botany Department on March 20. The Ecology Fair is a biannual event where bachelor’s and master’s students can learn about the activities of the department’s research groups, thesis topics, and internship opportunities. In addition to showcasing the work of the Soil Ecology Research […]
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Adam Ruka visited soil ecology group
In March, PhD student Adam Ruka from the Czech Republic visited the Soil Ecology Group as part of the Estonian Academy of Sciences’ Estonian-Czech Mobility project. Adam’s research focuses on seasonal dynamics of microbial communities along elevational gradients in the Alps and Himalayas. During his visit, we had several insightful discussions, and he presented his […]
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Jaak participated in the Estonian 30-hour Wikipedia team article writing competition and won the first place
Workgroup’s bachelor’s student Jaak Pärtel participated in a Malaysia-themed article competition from November 9–10, where he, along with teammate Kaspar Sõukand, won the first place, earning the chance to travel to Malaysia and see the sources of their gathered information firsthand. During the competition, different Malaysian states were assigned to teams to write about in […]
Soil Ecology
Who live in the soil? What is their role there? How do they interact with each other?
How do management and natural disturbances affect soil organisms?
These are questions that the Soil ecology workgroup at the University of Tartu is investigating.
Our special focus is on fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi, but also bacteria, greenhouse gases and agricultural land-use. We are interested in patterns of soil biodiversity and its variation in natural systems such as grasslands and forests, and in human-influenced systems such as arable fields and disturbed areas.
We connect basic science with practice and create evidence-based management guidelines to help maintain and restore soil biodiversity. The soil is alive and the soil biota within it is what keeps the soil, plants and entire ecosystems functioning.