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Deadwood fulfills specific functions in the forest ecosystem. It serves as a habitat for a variety of insects, fungi, mosses, and microorganisms. During the decomposition process, organisms break down the wood and return bound nutrients such as nitrogen and carbon to the soil cycle. In addition, standing and lying deadwood stores moisture and offers shelter for regenerating seedlings. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) study these biological processes. Fieldwork is conducted in forest stands, followed by microbiological examinations in the laboratory. The survey provides data on the degree of wood decomposition, the species diversity of the organisms involved, and their influence on nutrient dynamics in the forest soil. (oro)