People
Prof Maarja Öpik
Professor
Group Leader
maarja.opik@ut.ee
(+372-5053410)
The main focus of my research has been the molecular detection and identification of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (subphylum Glomeromycotina). I have been at the forefront of molecular AM fungal research by developing DNA sequence-based nomenclatural system for Glomeromycotina with the goal to link the specimen (culture-) originating and environmental sequence information. This system of virtual taxa (VT) is implemented in the database MaarjAM, which collates published information about Glomeromycota sequences and related metadata (location, host, habitat information). Our team continues developing the system, as the data volumes and types continuously progress.
With the Virtual Taxon tool in our hands and accumulating ecological content of MaarjAM database, we look into the lives of AM fungi in natural and (strongly) human impacted habitats, in interaction with other micro-and macro-organisms and in relation to the functioning of the ecosystems.
On the applied side, we are exploring how to make use of AM fungi and soil biota for restoring vegetation, for directing succession of vegetation and in sustainable agricultural production. Much of this research happens in collaboration with our research partners and partners in the field.
I contribute as academic editor for the journals New Phytologist, Fungal Ecology and IMA Fungus.
Current projects:
- Soil fungi in the farming landscape (FUNFARM, Personal Research Grant PRG PRG1789; Maarja Öpik)
I am broadly interested in plant community ecology, with the focus on the belowground compartment. Specifically, I am investigating how the diversity of plant-symbiotic fungi varies along different environmental gradients, and what are the abiotic and biotic factors underlying the observed patterns. I am currently leading a project dealing with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi along elevational gradient in the Himalayan Mountains, and I am fascinated by the ability of fungi and plants to grow in some of the most hostile and extreme environments on Earth. My research also addresses land-use impact on soil biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. I’m interested in how various agricultural practices (organic vs conventional agriculture, regenerative agriculture, pesticide use) influence soil life, namely mycorrhizal fungal diversity and related ecosystem functions. I utilize next-generation sequencing, bioinformatical tools and multivariate statistics to analyze mycorrhizal communities across various spatial scales. I have international work experience (Canada, Czech Republic, Germany) and I have attended scientific expeditions in Iceland, Mongolia, Tasmania, the Himalayan mountains and Mexico. During the last 10 years, I have published nearly 40 high-level scientific publications, which have been cited more than 2800 times (H=23) according to Google Scholar.
Current projects:
- Soil fungi in the farming landscape (FUNFARM, Personal Research Grant PRG PRG1789; Maarja Öpik)
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi along altitudinal gradients: relationships with evolutionary and ecological processes at multiple spatial scales (Personal Research Grant, Starting project PUT1170; Inga Hiiesalu)
- Interactive effects of local and landscape scale restoration of semi-natural grasslands and agricultural fields on species interactions and ecosystem functions (Interrest, Aveliina Helm)
I am broadly interested in ecology, but my research is mainly focused on topics related with soil. Soil is central to many ecosystem processes and the driving force behind is soil biota. For this reason my research is tightly connected with the diversity and dynamics of soil biota. I’m especially interested in systems where soil use and ecology meet in practice – agriculture, seminatural communities, ecosystem restoration in practice and etc. I feel especially happy when I can use knowledge and experience from basic studies to tackle problems in soil and nature conservation.
Current projects:
- Test battery for the effect determination of chemicals in soils: Suitability of test systems with mycorrhiza fungi for the risk assessment (ERAMYC, Mari Moora)
- Soil fungi in the farming landscape (FUNFARM, Personal Research Grant PRG PRG1789; Maarja Öpik)
- Interactive effects of local and landscape scale restoration of semi-natural grasslands and agricultural fields on species interactions and ecosystem functions (Interrest, Aveliina Helm)
Elis Vollmer is a project manager at the Institute of Ecology, University of Tartu, and works as the head of the Centre of Renewable Energy at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU). She has MSc in environmental protection. In the soil ecology group she supports management of the Environmental Observatory and FunFarm projects. She is the board member of the international Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Network (CEESEN). She leads the UN SDG workgroup as part of the Green University initiative at EMU. In 2018-2019, she was Estonian representative in the International Energy Agency. She has extensive experience in leading green transition projects (both national and EU level), project coordination, trainings and communication. Her special interest is in the applied research in just transition and knowledge transition from academia to society.
My primary interest revolves around uncovering the secrets of fertile and healthy soil—understanding what it entails, how to grow, maintain, and restore it. I am particularly intrigued by the role of soil biodiversity in this process and how it can be influenced to benefit both food cultivation and ecosystem functionality. In my doctoral research, I delve into the specific distribution and role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, a key group in soil life, within the agricultural landscapes of Estonia. I aim to explore evidence-based methods for managing soil life to preserve both biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
Current projects:
- Soil fungi in the farming landscape (FUNFARM, Personal Research Grant PRG PRG1789; Maarja Öpik)
MSc Sarkal Jyakhwa
Doctoral student in soil ecology
sarkal.jyakhwa@ut.ee
Sarkal Jyakhwa is a junior research fellow in the Soil Ecology Workgroup at the University of Tartu, Estonia. He comes from Nepal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST), Kathmandu, Nepal. In 2022, he graduated with a prestigious Erasmus Mundus master’s degree in plant breeding (emPLANT) from the Institute Polytechnique Unilasalle, France, and the University of Helsinki, Finland.
The aims of his project are (i) to identify how AM fungal diversity and abundance changes due to crop rotation and fertilization in a long-term organic experiment and (ii) to study the temporal dynamics of root trait development in response to different AMF species.
His research methodology includes collecting soil samples, subsequent DNA-based analysis of AM fungal diversity to characterize the AM fungal communities, X-ray CT scans, and other root analysis approaches.
Supervisors: Prof. Maarja Opik, Prof. Ivika Ostonen, and Assistant Professor Saoirse Tracy, University College Dublin, Ireland
Research project -Temporal observations of soil: root interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
My bachelor’s thesis investigates the global distribution and niche patterns of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and I participate in research activities of soil ecology and community ecology workgroups. My supervisors are Inga Hiiesalu, John Davison, and prof Martin Zobel. I help the workgroup in the lab and also fieldwork in the future.
My CV: https://www.etis.ee/CV/Jaak_P%C3%A4rtel/eng/
Nora Liis Kavald
Bachelor´s student
nora.liis.kavald@ut.ee
I am studying the effect of different moisture regimes on the root microbiome of faba bean varieties for my bachelor’s thesis. This research is part of the larger FUNFARM project, which investigates soil fungi in agricultural landscapes. My supervisor is Inga Hiiesalu.