Speaker: Anders Priemé, Professor, Section for Microbiology and Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), University of Copenhagen.

Host: Anders Johansen

Title: The effect of Global warming in the Arctic - a microbiologist's perspective

Abstract:

Global change likely affects the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Since soil bacteria and fungi are key players in organic matter decomposition, nutrient turnover, and production and consumption of greenhouse gases, shifts in the community composition and activity of these microorganisms may impact soil functioning.

Global warming is expected to be pronounced in the Arctic resulting in widespread thawing of permafrost. In the Northern Hemisphere, 25% of the land area, equivalent to 19 million square kilometer, is influenced by permafrost. Permafrost contains 1700 billion tons of organic material corresponding to almost half of the organic material in all soils. The extent of greenhouse gas emission from thawed permafrost soils is unknown, but it has been estimated that 850-1400 billion tons of CO2 equivalents (about half from carbon dioxide and the other half from methane) will be emitted by 2100. In the newly established Center for Permafrost, CENPERM (www.CENPERM.ku.dk), at University of Copenhagen, we study the effects of permafrost thawing in Greenland. In my talk, I will describe the initial work in CENPERM related to the complex effects of thawing permafrost on microorganisms and biogeochemical processes, and describe our plans for the next five years.

Language: the presentation will be in English.

Venue: the presentation will take place in ENVS Campus Roskilde,- THE PAVILION.

Registration: external guests interested in attending the presentation should e-mail Winni Eia Esbensen wee@dmu.dk

View poster here.