Berhe Lab · University of California, Merced
The (biogeo) chemistry of living soil
We study how soil stores carbon, breathes greenhouse gases, and shapes Earth’s climate — where biogeochemistry meets the shape of the land.
Principal Investigator · Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
TED SpeakerFormer Director · U.S. DOE Office of ScienceMember · National Academy of EngineeringFellow · AAAS, AGU & GSA
Our work
We investigate the fundamental processes that regulate the biogeochemical cycles of essential elements in soil — the persistence of soil organic matter, the release of greenhouse gases, and the soil system’s role in maintaining Earth’s climate — integrating biogeochemical and geomorphological approaches.
What we study
Research areas
Theme 01
Deep Soil Carbon and Climate Controls
Storage, Persistence and Climate sensitivity of deep soil organic carbon.
Theme 02
Fire, Erosion, and Pyrogenic Carbon
Independent and interactive effects of fire and erosion on soil organic matter dynamics.
Theme 03
Mechanisms of Soil Organic Matter Persistence
How and why the mechanisms responsible for SOM persistence responde physical changes in the environment.
Theme 04
Landscape to Global Scale Synthesis
An integrated view linking element cycling to the form and evolution of the land surface from hillslope to global scales.
Keynote & public speaking
From the TED stage to the U.S. Congress
Dr. Berhe is a sought-after science communicator on soil, climate, and the future of science — available for keynotes, panels, commencements, and media.
TED · Vancouver
The climate change solution right under our feet
Her landmark talk on soil and climate — viewed millions of times, and now a comic too.
TED Countdown · Detroit
We actually have a shot at stopping the climate crisis
A hopeful, evidence-based case for soil-centered climate solutions.
TEDRoyal SocietyU.S. CongressNational AcademiesFalling WallsGoldschmidtCommencements
Latest
Recent highlights
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In Science We Trust?
Asmeret was featured by the American Chemical Society, C&EN in a timely piece discussing the importance of cultivating societal trust in science and scientists.
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SOIL = HISTORY
On Juneteenth, 2025, I honor the victims remembered at the Equal Justice Initiative’s Memorial for Peace & Justice. It features soils collected from lynching sites. The memorial demonstrates the rich history embedded in soil and that soil is the ultimate equalizer. The soil collection allows us to renew humanity’s connection to soil and reminds us…
Soils are beautiful
A palette from the ground
Soil profiles carry the colors of climate, minerals, and time.
Opportunities
Join the lab
Graduate students
We accept about one student per year into Environmental Systems at UC Merced. Reach out with your interests.
Postdoctoral scholars
Occasional funded openings, plus support for joint fellowship and proposal development.
Visiting scholars
We welcome self- or institution-funded international visitors for 2–12 month collaborations.