Equipment
Research Geobotany Section
Our mission is to understand the function of ecosystems around the world and to improve the sustainability and resilience of ecological and socio-ecological systems that are affected by natural and human-induced change. Our research is dedicated to the description and analysis of ecosystems, the long-term provision of ecosystem services at spatial and temporal scales, and the assessment of the impacts and interactions of abiotic and biotic factors on biodiversity. Shaped by geological and climatic events and constantly changing due to bio- and geogenic processes, the state of our research object can only be described temporarily. Change is always happening.
Ecosystems - analysis and use
We can only understand and correctly evaluate many processes in ecosystems through long-term observation and analysis. However, the duration of scientific projects is often limited to a few years. One focus of our research is therefore on long-term studies that enable a comprehensive assessment and improved evaluation of changes - such as under the influence of global warming and biological invasions. This integrative vegetation ecology provides an indispensable basis for the protection and conservation of endangered species and ecosystems.
Focusing on the biodiversity of arthropods and the interactions between arthropods and plants, we investigate the relationships between land use intensity and landscape context as well as the conservation and resilience of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.
It requires experience to recognise and evaluate the processes in ecosystems. We use vegetation surveys, multi-stage field experiments, greenhouse and laboratory experiments, landscape genetic methods, ecological modelling and the synthesis of environmental data.
