Interactions between the geosphere (rocks, soils, water, atmosphere, the Earth’s surface) and the biosphere (microorganisms, fungi, plants, animals) determine how the Earth System responds to change. Past research has largely considered geosphere and biosphere responses to Earth-System changes separately. TERRA, by contrast, develops an integrated understanding of how geo-biosphere interactions in terrestrial systems induce and respond to environmental changes, using evidence from both the geological past and the present to improve projections of future global change impacts and assess the effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Understanding feedbacks between diversity and stability in the geo- and biosphere lies at the heart of TERRA. In particular, we hypothesize that diversity in the geosphere stabilizes the biosphere, and that vice versa biodiversity is key to stabilizing the geosphere.

Harnessing our tradition of linking geo- and biosciences, TERRA represents an interdisciplinary Earth-System-Science approach in four interconnected themes. (1) We will integrate observational, experimental, and modeling approaches spanning different periods of Earth history, incorporating the full spectrum of geological and biological sciences. (2) We will analyze past geo-biosphere interactions preserved in geological records to elucidate how the Earth System responded to conditions that have not yet been encountered in historical times but may be encountered in future. (3) A mechanistic understanding of processes will be achieved by studying contemporary geo-biosphere interactions on different spatial scales. (4) Syntheses across spatio- temporal scales will be provided by advancing integrative models merging machine learning and process-based approaches. These models will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation measures to cope with global change.

In line with these four themes, TERRA will establish a new infrastructure that includes the Center for Integrative Modeling, the Facility for Dating and Analysis of Rocks and Terrestrial Sediments, the Molecular Biodiversity Laboratory, and the Diversitorium, a facility for field and laboratory experiments where the diversity of one sphere is selectively manipulated to study effects on the other sphere. The TERRA FutureLab will facilitate experimental research-based teaching and public-engagement activities to improve links between the university, research institutes and society to explore a sustainable future.

Involved Institutions:

• Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum (SGN)
• University of Hohenheim