13 July 2026, by Website Team Biologie

Photo: MENDELU/Rewald

Linda Kochniss and Maxi Bergmann during the award ceremony

Linda Kochniss and Maxi Bergmann, from the Functional Forest Ecology Research Group at the University of Hamburg, won first prizes for the best poster and best picture, respectively, in the field of woody roots research. These prizes were awarded by international experts at the University of Insubria in Italy, based on results from their DFG-funded PhD projects.

The roots of woody plants play a pivotal role in the resilience of trees to a changing climate, as well as in the sequestration of carbon in forests worldwide. In June 2026, Como welcomed the global research community studying the physiological processes of woody plant roots, providing a platform for discussing new discoveries and developments. Leading researchers, students, and professionals explored how woody roots contribute to soil health and sustainable production across diverse ecosystems. In her poster presentation, Linda Kochniss demonstrated how the ectomycorrhizal type and tree species diversity influence faster hyphal length ingrowth in forest soil. Maxi Bergmann’s picture presentation revealed the beauty of microscopic fruiting bodies emerging from oak fine roots. These significant contributions to current knowledge were awarded first prizes by the expert community.

Winner: Linda Kochniss and Maxi Bergmann

Functional Forest Ecology / University of Hamburg