N.M. Boerma (Naomi)

Climate change and consequent rising sea levels will impact coastal wetland ecosystems, where large amounts of carbon are stored in anoxic layers of the sediment. Disturbance of the balance in these ecosystems could lead to release of this carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). In my PhD I am studying the ecophysiology of methane cycling microorganisms exposed to climate change stressors in freshwater peat systems in the Netherlands. Through combining field work with molecular methods and incubation studies we aim to increase our understanding of how microorganisms can adapt to and influence global greenhouse gas cycles.

• RIBES research theme IV: Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions