Objective
By some accounts exploring the origins of soil microbial diversity represents a scientific frontier similar to that of space exploration in its scope, described by Curtis and Sloan (2004) as ”an immense and unexplored frontier in science of astronomical dimensions and of astonishing complexity”. The complexity is attributed to soil ecological heterogeneity reflecting interplay of spatio-temporal, physical, and nutritional variables delineating spheres of influence that define microbial habitats and function. Key to microbial life in soil is a flickering aqueous network that defines nutrient diffusional pathways and shapes microbial dispersion and interactions. We propose to develop an individual-based and spatially resolved modeling platform that explicitly considers soil pore structure and aqueous phase configuration and associated biophysical processes forming a virtual soil microcosm. The assembly of these complex ingredients into a computational platform will enable systematic hypotheses testing concerning central questions in microbial ecology that are neither addressed by present ecological theories nor emerge from standard continuum models. Specifically, the project will provide quantitative insights into effects of hydration extremes on survival strategies, the roles of space and diffusional heterogeneity, aspects of dispersion and trophic interactions, self-organization of consortia, and emergence of temporal niches in soil. The research will transform quantitative understanding of soil biophysical processes, a gap that presently limits coherent interpretation of the rapidly growing molecular-based estimates of soil biodiversity, and is essential for guiding future data collection. The research lies at the interface between environmental microbiology and soil physics cutting across disciplinary boundaries and addressing broad issues impacting soil and water quality, the functioning of global bio-geochemical cycles, and the fate of anthropogenic pollutants.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy space exploration
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences hydrology
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2012-ADG_20120216
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.