Our research group studies the interactions between plants and their biotic and abiotic environment. A key focus is on plant-microbe interactions in the root zone—the rhizosphere. By studying these processes, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of element cycling and greenhouse gas dynamics in ecosystems. Further research explores the impacts of climate change on plant and microbial communities, as well as the spread of invasive species and their ecological and biogeochemical consequences. Our work primarily focuses on plant ecology in wetlands and aquatic-terrestrial transition zones, such as peatlands, salt marshes, and floodplains. These ecosystems are hotspots for carbon storage and greenhouse gas exchange, playing a crucial role in the global climate system.