Completed research projects dealing with sustainability
Completed research projects 2025
ENOUGH - Sealing a sustainable and environmentally friendly food system
The EU Farm to Fork Strategy, at the heart of the European Green Deal, aims to develop a holistic strategy to transform the European food sector into a fair, healthy, environmentally friendly and resilient system. Systematic scientific, technological, economic and social support is required on the road to success. The EU-funded ENOUGH project will contribute to this goal by creating new knowledge, technologies, tools and methods that will enable the sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The project also aims to increase the sustainability of food systems and provide selected innovative technological, ready-to-use solutions for EU companies to ensure robust and sustainable food supply chains in the future. more Contact: Prof. Dr. Inmaculada Martínez-Zarzoso
WOOD LCC - Life cycle cost calculation (LCC) with innovative software for specifying the service life of timber components
WoodLCC enables a robust and precise life cycle cost calculation (LCC) based on novel models for the detailed determination of the service life of timber components and buildings. A holistic approach to the integration of life cycle data into LCC analysis tools will be used. The result will be the WoodLCC data platform. more Contact: Philip Bester van Niekerk
TRUESOIL - True SOC sequestration: understanding trade-offs and dynamic interactions between SOC stocks and GHG emissions for climate-smart agrisoil management
The main objective is to assess interactions between management practices aimed at increasing organic carbon in agricultural soils and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the future impact of a reduction in precipitation on the interactions between organic carbon storage and greenhouse gases will be investigated. In this context, the role of different abiotic and biotic factors in organic carbon storage and the extent to which these factors influence greenhouse gas emissions, in particular N2O, in different soil types and climatic zones will be determined. more Contact: Dr. Ana Meijide
InterRest - Interactive effects of local and landscape scale restoration of semi-natural grasslands and agricultural fields on species interactions and ecosystem functions in different social-ecological system
Calcareous grasslands, created by traditional land use in Europe, are among the most species-rich habitats but are threatened by abandonment and eutrophication. Restoration efforts are urgently needed, but current regional approaches often focus solely on species richness, ignoring biotic interactions and ecosystem functions. InterRest will address this gap by analyzing multiple interaction networks (e.g., decomposition, pollination, predation) and their role in stabilizing ecosystems, integrating social-ecological interactions to improve restoration success across landscapes. more Contact: Dr. Annika Haß
FUNPOTENTIAL - Potential of functional diversity for increasing the disturbance resiliency of forests and forest-based socio-ecological systems
As a result of climate change, natural disturbances in Europe's forests are expected to increase. FunPotential investigates nature-based adaptation strategies with higher tree species and structural diversity to establish resilient forests and economically robust forestry operations. The focus is on management and policy strategies that simultaneously maintain sustainable wood supply, climate services and biodiversity. more Contact: Prof. Dr. Carola Paul
BRACE – Barley Responses and Adaptation to Changing Environments
The BRACE project analyses the stress response of barley to drought and heat utilising a variety of techniques. As climate change exacerbates environmental stresses (e.g. temperature extremes, water availability) for plants, this is of increasing concern for sustainable crop production. BRACE therefore aims to resolve the genetic components required for resilience using wild and cultivated barley as examples.
- More information
Kontakt
Prof. Dr. Reimund Rötter
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Institut TROPAGS
reimund.roetter[at]uni-goettingen.de
ONEforest – A multi-criteria decision support system for a common forest management to strengthen forest resilience, harmonise stakeholder interests and ensure sustainable wood flows
Europe’s forests are facing challenges due to climate change and multiple interests in the forest. Therefore, alternative management concepts that lead to multifunctional, resilient forests are needed. ONEforest is developing a multi-criteria decision support system that provides information to stakeholders about the impact of forest management and that tries to balance between different interests.
- More information
Kontakt
Dr. Kai Husmann
Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
Department of Forest Economics and Sustainable Land-use Planning
kai.husmann@uni-goettingen.de
Agricultural systems of the future: NOcsPS - Agriculture 4.0 without chemical-synthetic crop protection
The aim of the research is to develop an innovative and sustainable agricultural system. NOcsPS can form a bridge between the two most established systems. In the future it could represent an independent alternative between conventional and organic farming. Furthermore, this innovative system has the potential to inspire organic farming with regard to alternative fertilisation strategies and crop measures as well as conventional farming towards reducing csPSM with optimised fertilisation.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Achim Spiller
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Marketing Research
a.spiller[at]agr.uni-goettingen.de
SUPER-G – Grassland systems and policies
The existence and management of permanent grasslands is key to the delivery of ecosystem services across Europe. However, due to various causes their maintenance and functions are under threat. The overall objective of the SUPER-G project is to co-develop sustainable systems and policies with farmers and policy makers that will be effective in optimizing productivity, whilst supporting biodiversity and achieving other ecosystem services.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Johannes Isselstein
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Institute of Grassland Science
jissels@gwdg.de
Lignin2Wood - Bio-phenols from Lignin to Wood
This project aims to develop a wood modification technology which increases the durability and weathering performance of wood and is based on using resol type phenol-formaldehyde resin, where petroleum-based phenols will be partly replaced by mono-phenolic compounds from lignin, which are obtained by a pyrolysis process. The long-term goal is to better understand the different process parameters, since using lignin as a renewable resource could be a sustainable alternative to produce wood treatment resins.
- More information
Kontakt
Prof. Dr. Holger Militz
Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
Department of Wood Biology and Wood Products
hmilitz@gwdg.de
KOOPERATIV – promoting Biodiversity at the landscape level
KOOPERATIV intends to promote biodiversity at the landscape level. Based on a landscape experiment with several farms, perennial flower strips will be implemented in different spatial arrangements and landscape proportions in the Northeim district. Ecological, economic and socio-ecological examinations will scientifically accompany the flower strip implementation. The project is funded in the Federal Program Biological Diversity by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with funds from the Federal Ministry of the Environment.
- More information
Contact:
Dr. Stefan Schüler
Department of Crop Sciences – Functional Agrobiodiversity
Project coordinator KOOPERATIV
stefan.schueler@uni-goettingen.de
Improved risk assessment of forestry-important tree species in climate change: climate sensitivity of the root system of European beech, Sessile oak, Scots pine, douglas fir and silver fir
A large part of the annual carbon gain of trees is allocated to the fine root system, therefore, a better understanding of the climate sensitivity of the fine root system of trees is essential for a better ecological as well as a economic risk assessment of our tree species in central Europe. Our research project investigates the response of the fine root system of mature trees of the economically important species European beech, Sessile oak, Scots pine, Douglas fir and silver fir to the climate change process (i.e. decreasing soil water availability and increasing temperature) along precipitation and temperature gradients in Germany.
- More information
Contact
Dr. Dietrich Hertel
Faculty of Biology and Psychology
Department of Ecology and Ecosystems Research
dhertel[at]gwdg.de
Ecological and Socioeconomic Functions of Tropical Lowland Rainforest Transformation Systems (Sumatra, Indonesia)
The aim of this project is to gain new insights on how the ecological functions of tropical rainforests and agricultural transformations systems can be maintained and improved on a landscape scale. Furthermore, human welfare needs to be improved as well as the integration of the agricultural land use and environment protection.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stefan Scheu
J.F. Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology
sscheu[at]gwdg.de
ReconCycle: Self-reconfiguration of a robotic workcell for the recycling of electronic waste
The aim of ReconCycle is to make the recycling of electronic waste more efficient. This goal should be reached through the Self-Reconfiguration of robots with the help of sensor-motor learning approaches and other artificial intelligence technologies.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Florentin Wörgötter
III. Physical Institute
Biophysics
florentin.woergoetter[at]phys.uni-goettingen.de
Development of effective and close-to-nature regulation and eradication methods as a requirement for a sustainable and future-compliant forest management (ReBek)
Teilvorhaben 2: Volatilerfassung und -analyse zur Lockstoffentwicklung sowie Wahrnehmungs-bestimmung und Verhaltens-tests
ReBek deals with the development of efficient and nature-oriented regulation and control methods as a prerequisite for sustainable and future-oriented forest management. In subproject 1, new attractive volatile compounds are beeing searched to improve respectively enable bark beetle traps. In subproject 2, repellent fragrances are being searched to protect raw wood of the tree species Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) from being infested by bark beetles.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Niko Balkenhol
Faculty of Forest Sciences
Wildtierwissenschaften
nbalken[at]gwdg.de
Small private forest and biodiversity - conservation through resource use (KLEIBER)
Subproject 2: Social-ecological analyses
Against the background of an increased and further growing demand for raw wood, this research project aims to identify the nature conservation value in small private forests and to secure them within the framework of a profitable wood utilisation. Social-ecological studies can highlight the values and concrete management practices of small private forest owners and their view of problems and perspectives with regard to nature conservation measures.
-
More information
Kontakt
Prof. Tobias Plieninger
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair for social-ecological interactions in agricultural systems
plieninger@uni-goettingen.de
Social-ecological systems in the indian rural-urban interface: functions, scales, and dynamics of transition
How do agricultural production systems and household structures change in the context of urbanisation? How does urbanisation effect regional ecosystem that provide food and other ecosystem services? How do social and ecological systems interact when rural and urban ways of life meet? In this project, three clusters investigate these four leading questions.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stephan von Cramon-Taubadel
Faculty for Agricultural Sciences
Department for Agribusiness and Rural Development
scramon[at]gwdg.de
ProFaba: Developing improved Vicia faba breeding practices and varieties to drive domestic protein production in the European Union
This international project, coordinated in Aarhus, aims at the genetic improvement of faba bean (Vicia faba). Across Europe, the assessment of agronomically important features at a common set of diverse genotypes is coordinated. Cutting-edge methods of gentyping are imployed. The genetic results will be directly implemented in applied breeding. This will drive the domestic, sustainable and eco-friendly production of domestic vegetable protein.
-
More information
Contact
apl. Prof. Wolfgang Link
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department of Crop Sciences
Division of Plant Breeding Methodology
wlink[at]gwdg.de
BARISTA: Advanced tools for breeding BARley for Intensive and SusTainable Agriculture under climate change scenarios
BARISTA researches different tools for the cultivation of barley for intensive and sustainable agriculture in Europe under the influence of climate change.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Reimund Rötter
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department of Crop Sciences
rroette[at]gwdg.de
Working across orders to save the PARTRIDGE and restore farmland wildlife
PARTRIDGE showcases how biodiversity can be restored in ten demonstration areas throughout the North Sea region. With measures geared to the demanding target species of partridge, biodiversity is to be increased by 30%. If this example is implemented on a large scale, the region can be made more innovative, more resilient and more sustainable.
-
More information
Contact
Dr. Eckhard Gottschalk
Faculty of Biology and Psychology
Department Conservation Biology
egottsc1[at]uni-goettingen.de
Development and evaluation of options to reduce nutrient inputs to surface waters in grassland regions of Northern Germany
The project aims at reducing the nutrient load of surface waters in coastal grassland regions. To do so, it is necessary to identify pathways of nutrient losses and to characterize ecological effects. Nutrient flows are recorded on different grasslands of dairy farms under varying soil conditions. This will lead to an evaluation of a range of options for an adapted grassland management.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Johannes Isselstein, PD Dr. Manfred Kayser
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Grasland Science
jissels[at]gwdg.de
Sustainable Food and Nutrition practice of the middle class population in the rural-urban areas of the south Indian city Bengaluru
The project investigates (as a subproject of the research consortium DFG-FOR2432) changes in the dietary habits of rural-urban middle class with a special interest in potentials and challenges of a social-ecological transformation towards sustainability. By focussing on specific foods, the effects of changed dietary habits on the rural-urban food production and distribution are researched.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Christoph Dittrich
Faculty of Geosciences and Geography
Institute of Geography, Department of Human geography
christoph.dittrich[at]geo.uni-goettingen.de
Politics and Ethics of Finiteness
The cooperation project with the CAU Kiel aims to develop a deeper understanding of the origin of the idea of growth and a perspective on a "great" transformation that is not only morally appellative but also grounded in social theory and political science, reflecting on what might be descriptive and normative preconditions for a transformation to an open future.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Tine Stein
Department of Political Science
Chair of Political Theory and History of Ideas
endlichkeit.stein@uni-goettingen.de
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in energy crop production by cultivating winter cover crops and permanent crops (TAWIRA)
Winter catch crops and permanent crops offer an un-used potential for greenhouse gas mitigation in energy crop cultivation. The TAWIRA research project therefore investigates the possibility of greenhouse gas savings through intelligent crop and crop rotation selection that take into account other important factors, such as economic targets. Therefore, the established index of relative cultivation suitability (IrA) is extended by the component "greenhouse gases" which hasn't been considered yet.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stefan Siebert
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair of Agronomy
stefan.siebert[at]uni-goettingen.de
IreWiNE - Indicators on regional knowledge transfer structures for sustainable development
This research project examines the importance of institutions that engage in knowledge transfer and dissemination and intermediaries for innovation processes between science, economy and the civil society. The aim is to make innovation activities related to sustainable development measurable, especially in regional innovation systems, and to investigate the significance of the structural characteristics of these actors in relation to sustainable innovation.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Kilian Bizer
Faculty of Business and Economics
Chair of Economic Policy and SME Research
bizer[at]wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
SHui: Soil Hydrology research platform underpinning innovation to manage water scarcity in European and Chinese cropping systems
The overall aim of the Horizon 2020 project SHui is to deliver a suite of technologies and tools to empower individuals and stakeholder organizations to make informed decisions to manage water scarcity in European and Chinese cropping systems and consolidating an integrated research platform for the coming decade across EU and China.
-
More information
Contact
Dr. Elke Plaas
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
elke.plaas[at]agr.uni-goettingen.de
ENVISION: An inclusive approach to assessing integrative scenarios and visions for protected area management
ENVISION develops an inclusive approach to the management of protected areas, known as ‘inclusive conservation’, with the aim of improving biodiversity and human well-being.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Tobias Plieninger
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair for social-ecological interactions in agricultural systems
plieninger[at]uni-goettingen.de
CLICKdesign - Delivering fingertip knowledge to enable service life performance specification of wood
The knowledge of wood use is fragmented, localised, and in some cases difficult to analyse and use, especially by non-wood experts. CLICKdesign aims to put the knowledge at the fingertips of the wood user, in their language, in order for more designers, architects, engineers, and visionaries to meet their ambitions to deliver low carbon construction, through performance-based wood design.
- More information
Kontakt
Prof. Dr. Christian Brischke
Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
Wood Biology and wood Products
christian.brischke[at]uni-goettingen.de
Development of a starch-based composite material as a polystyrene substitute bonded with natural binders
The aim of the research is to increase the utilization potential of starch or corn in the form of material processing. The main objective is to investigate whether corn or puffed popcorn granulate is suitable as a replacement for polystyrene, whereas the focus will lie on natural binders for the production of these composite mouldings.
- More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Alireza Kharazipour
Faculty of Forestry and Forest Ecology
Chair of Molecular Wood-Biology Ecology
akharaz[at]gwdg.de
Use of hardwoods and woods from short-rotation plantations as peat substitutes for the development of planting substrates, grow-bags and grow-blocks
The earth industry is looking for a substitute for peat, which is increasingly available in limited quantities for ecological reasons. Wood fibres are an interesting alternative, as they are more or less endlessly available in the case of sustainable forestry. The aim of this research is to take into account the restructuring of forestry and the preservation of moorland landscapes in terms of an ecological economy.
- More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Alireza Kharazipour
Faculty of Forestry and Forest Ecology
Chair of Molecular Wood-Biology Ecology
akharaz[at]gwdg.de
Sustainable intensification of agriculture through agroforestry (SIGNAL)
Agroforestry combines the cultivation of trees and bushes with farmland or pastures. This form of “multi-layered” or multi-functional land use of trees and agricultural land is found in different forms all over the world. The project SIGNAL investigates new agro-forest cultivation systems that are specifically adapted to the needs of Central European regions. Those systems should outclass common systems ecologically as well as economically.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Edzo Veldkamp
Faculty for Forestry and Forest ecology
Department for Soil Science of Tropical and Subtropical Ecosystems
eveldka[at]gwdg.de
South African Limpopo landscape network (SALLnet)
SALLnet is an international and interdisciplinary network that focuses on important ecosystem services and the resilience of multifunctional landscapes in Southern Africa, especially with regard to food security, rural poverty reduction and biodiversity protection under the conditions of climate change. Six German and five South African partner institutions work together in SALLnet, involving various disciplines, such as agroecology, agronomy, soil science, agricultural economics, and agricultural systems modelling.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Reimund Rötter
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling
reimund.roetter[at]uni-goettingen.de
MOVE: Mobility Opportunities Valuable to Everybody
MOVE seeks to improve sustainable mobility in (semi) rural areas. The access to sustainable modes of transport needs to be improved and the use of individual vehicles, emissions and cost need to be reduced. The project connects local governments, science hubs, local economic actors and residents for this purpose.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Lutz Kolbe
Faculty of Economic Sciences
Chair of Information Management
lkolbe[at]uni-goettingen.de
Enhancing productivity and nutrient efficiency in organic crop production by irrigation management (BÖLN)
The aim of the project is to evaluate strategies to increase the productivity of organic farming at crop species and system level (crop rotation) by optimizing water and nutrient supply. Factorial field trials will therefore be carried out on organic experimental and practical farms with targeted water and nutrient supply of red clover/grass mixture, faba beans and spring wheat. Specific emphasis is on optimizing pre-crop effects of the leguminous crops in the crop rotation.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stefan Siebert
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair of Agronomy
stefan.siebert[at]uni-goettingen.de
FOR 2569: Agricultural Land Markets - Efficiency and Regulation
This research group aims to answer questions that result from the worldwide increase in prices for agricultural land. Among many other factors, this increase is probably caused by a growing demand from non-agricultural investors. One of these questions relates, for example, to whether existing regulations of agricultural land markets are sufficient or whether they should be reinforced to protect sustainable agriculture.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Oliver Mußhoff
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
oliver.musshoff[at]agr.uni-goettingen.de
OXYFLUX – tracing the carbon and nitrogen cycles in terrestrial ecosystems
In this research project, the exchange of atmospheric oxygen (O2) between land and atmosphere is measured to trace the carbon cycle at local as well as global scales. In OXYFLUX we are developing a worldwide unique measurement infrastructure to detect continuously and in near-real time smallest changes in the O2 exchange of ecosystem components as well as the entire ecosystems at a forest and agricultural field site.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Alexander Knohl
Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
Bioclimatology Group
aknohl[at]uni-goettingen.de
ReCap: reduce rebound effects - increasing energy and resource efficiency
The aim is to generate knowledge on how to deal with rebound effects and to derive from this which measures are required to reduce these effects and thus substantially and sustainably reduce resource consumption. It is part of the federal government's “Green Economy” research agenda.
-
More information
Contact
Dr. Thomas Kneib
Faculty of Business and Economics
Chair of Statistics
tkneib@uni-goettingen.de
Establishment of a sustainable pedelec sharing system for small and medium-sized enterprises (PedShare)
The aim of this project is to establish and sustain an innovative and economically viable pedelec sharing system based on a digital sharing platform, which is specially designed to be used by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The project's novelty lies in the demand-oriented and efficient use of pedelecs, integrated within the operational mobility management of SMEs. Additionally, innovative scientific concepts will be integrated into the project to achieve a long-term change in behavior concerning the switch from cars to pedelecs.
- More information
Kontakt
Tim-Benjamin Lembcke
Smart Mobility Research Group
Chair of Information Management
tim-benjamin.lembcke[at]uni-goettingen.de
Sustainable Trout Aquaculture Intensification (SusTAIn)
The project aims to use the genetic variability and the adaptability of trout to innovative feed to gain new insights into the development of a sustainably intensified as well as animal and environmentally friendly aquaculture.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Brümmer
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
bbruemm[at]gwdg.de
Globalisation and Development
The microeconomic effects of globalisation on developing countries are the subject of this project. The scientist specifically research how economic globalisation (exchange of capital, technology and workforce) influences the individuals in these countries, which adaptation and reaction strategies result from this development and how these strategies retrospectively influence the people's behaviour.
-
More information
Contact
Dr. Sarah Khan
Faculty of Business and economics
coordination.glad[at]uni-goettingen.de
GreenRisks4Alp: Development of ecosystem-based risk governance concepts with respect to natural hazards and climate impact
GreenRisk4Alps will establish, test and implement new forestry and ecosystem-based management in the Alpine region. Integrated user-tailored and territorially specific risk management systems for natural hazards will be implemented in six Pilot Action Regions based on the innovative RIU model for scientific knowledge transfer.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Max Krott
Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
Department of Forest and Nature Conservation Policy and Forest History
mkrott[at]gwdg.de
ATMA4FS: Agricultural Trade and Market Access for Food Security: Micro - and Macro-level Insights for Africa
The project team analyses opportunities and challenges for local, regional and international agrifood trade and market access, while considering supply chains from the African importer/exporter perspective. Göttingen researchers collaborate with partners from Belgium, Ghana, the Netherlands, Senegal and South Africa. The project is funded by the LEAP-Agri-Initiative (https://www.leap-agri.com).
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Bernhard Brümmer
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
bbruemm[at]gwdg.de
Crop sequences for optimized use of soil resources: combining allorhizous and homorhizous species for complementary root growth in topsoil and subsoil (MIKODU)
The primary goal of the project is to reduce yield gaps in organic farming by optimizing the mobilization of water and nutrients from the solid part of the soil. The basis for this is the promotion of extensive root systems by a soil structure favourable to soil microbiology and root growth. Among other things, root growth and nutrient acquisition are to be promoted.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stefan Siebert
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair of Agronomy
stefan.siebert[at]uni-goettingen.de
BioWild: "Biodiversity and hoofed game management in economic forests; sub-project: Forest ecology: database management, monitoring and vegetation, evaluation and adaptation of the recording process"
Within the framework of this research project, representative forest areas were fenced, which prevented from browsing by ungulates, so that seedling development is not hampered. The areas serve as reference plots for comparisons with unfenced plots where forest regeneration dynamics and the composition of plant species community is studied. The results will be used to assess the impact of different measures to regulate the ungulate population density.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Christian Ammer
Faculty of Forest Sciences
Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones
christian.ammer[at]forst.uni-goettingen.de
Optimizing forest management towards improved strength properties of softwood construction timber (FutureWood):
Teilvorhaben 4: Ecological evaluation of different silvicultural treatments based on 3D forest structure and biodiversity
The intention of the project is to investigate the influence of silvicultural treatment of economically important coniferous tree species on the quality of the resulting coniferous processed wood. This subproject focuses on the ecological evaluation of different silvicultural treatment concepts based on 3D forest structure and biodiversity.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Christian Ammer
Faculty of Forest Sciences
Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones
christian.ammer[at]forst.uni-goettingen.de
Use of used wood fiberboard and chipboard as alternative raw materials for the production of low-swelling wood fiberboard through a new innovative technology
The aim of the research is to increase the utilization of used aminoplast resin-bonded chipboard and fibreboard for the production of recycled fibres in order to manufacture new fibreboard, possibly with improved features. For this purpose, used boards are to be pulped thermo- mechanically and chemo-thermo-mechanically under optimized conditions.
- More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Ursula Kües
Faculty of Forestry and Forest Ecology
Chair of Molecular Wood Biotechnology
akharaz[at]gwdg.de
MedWater: Sustainable management of politically and economically highly relevant water resources in hydraulically, climatically and ecologically highly dynamic carbonate groundwater aquifers of the Mediterranean
The objective of MedWater is the optimal management of scarce groundwater resources in fractured rock aquifers under Mediterranean climate. MedWater develops management tools to improve the efficiency of water use, while considering the conservation of existing water resources and ecosystem services. Göttingen develops mathematical tools for the simulation of the main Israeli aquifer.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Martin Sauter
Faculty of Geosciences and Geography
Applied Geology
martin.sauter[at]geo.uni-goettingen.de
SECBIVIT: Scenarios for providing multiple ecosystem services and biodiversity in viticultural landscapes
The SECBIVIT project will investigate the effects of inter-row management and pest control intensity within landscapes differing in structural diversity on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision. The consortium will develop spatially explicit agent-based models on the social-ecological system for viticulture. These models describe winegrowers as agents who take farming decisions and thereby influence the vineyard and surrounding landscape in various European viticultural regions from Spain to Romania. The aim is to model the effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services to determine optimal land use strategies in viticultural landscapes. Together with the Belmont Forum, BiodivERsA launched a call to support research on scenarios of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Foto ©Winter
-
More information
Contact
Dr. Elke Plaas
elke.plaas[at]agr.uni-goettingen.de
Silke Rascher
silke.rascher[at]uni-goettingen.de
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
Native Fine Flavor Cacao - Diversifying native fine or flavor cacao production in Peru for enhanced productivity and income
The Fine Flavor Cacao (FFC) project focuses on Cacao Blanco from Piura and Cacao Chuncho from Cusco, two in Peru native cacao varieties. The interdisciplinary team of ecologists, economists, and development experts focuses on a long-term sustainability strategy that considers future climate change, as well as an improved agroforestry management and the conservation of genetic resources. Thereby, productivity, quality, biodiversity friendliness and economic feasibility of the native cacao production may be promoted.
- More information
Contact
Prof. Teja Tscharntke
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair of Agroecology
ttschar[at]gwdg.de
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in crop production through site-optimized intercropping systems
Intercropping in arable farming systems can potentially lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The “THG-Zwifru” project therefore aims to improve the knowledge on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through intercropping.At the same time, the studies provide farmers with data to later make more efficient use of the nitrogen temporarily taken up from the soil by intercrops.
- More information
Contact
Prof. Klaus Dittert
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair of Plant Nutrition and Crop Physiology
klaus.ditter[at]agr.uni-goettingen.de
Diversity Turn in Land Use Science: The importance of social diversity for sustainable land use innovations, using the example of Vanilla farming in Madagascar
This project deals with a socio-ecological transformation process, which offers unique opportunities for a more sustainable development: the introduction of vertically integrated Vanilla harvesting in the North of Madagascar.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Andrea D. Bührmann
Faculty of Social Sciences
Göttingen Centre for Diversity Research
andrea.buehrmann[at]uni-goettingen.de
Prof. Dr. Rainer Marggraf
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Division of Environmental Economics and Resource Economics
rmarggr[at]uni-goettingen.de
RESPOND: Multilevel Governance of Mass Migration in Europe and Beyond
RESPOND aims to provide an in depth understanding of the governance of recent migratory movements at macro, meso and micro levels through cross-country comparative research. Furthermore governance practices are critically analysed with the aim of enhancing the migration governance capacity and policy coherence of the EU, its member states and third countries.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Sabine Hess
Faculty of Humanities
Institute of Cultural Anthropology/ European Ethnology
shess[at]uni-goettingen.de
Prof. Alexander-Kenneth Nagel
Faculty of Social Sciences
Institute of Sociology
alexander-kenneth.nagel[at]sowi.uni-goettingen.de
MEET: Development of “Enhanced Geothermal Systems“ – also for the Campus of the University of Göttingen
MEET: Multidisciplinary demonstration of EGS exploration and Exploitation Techniques and potentials. The MEET Project aims at boosting the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) across Europe in various geological contexts (sedimentary, volcanic, metamorphic and crystalline) by different means. The Campus of the University of Göttingen is one of the demo sites.
-
More information
Contact
Dr. Bernd Leiss
Geosciences Centre
Department of Structural Geology and Geodynamics
bleiss1[at]gwdg.de
LivingCoastLab - Practical coastal laboratory for the development of short and long-term strategies for the protection and preservation of the Halligen in Schleswig-Holstein
The aim of the research association 'Living CoastLab Halligen' is to develop sustainable strategies for coastal protection and coastal management of the Halligen in Schleswig-Holstein. The inter- and transdisciplinary team is dedicated to the concrete questions of which coastal protection measures and strategies are considered useful and technically feasible by the inhabitants as well as the question of how the natural adaptability of the Halligen can be improved under consideration of an increased sea level.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Hilmar von Eynatten
Faculty of Geosciences and Geography
Dept. of Sedimentology and Environmental Geology
hilmar.von.eynatten[at]geo.uni-goettingen.de
Grassland protection through an innovative organic pasture concept (GiB)
The southern Black Forest is characterised by grassland on arid soils. These areas are very valuable for nature conservation, but in order to preserve biodiversity, grassing or mowing must prevent the overgrowth of bushes. These are actually ideal conditions for keeping organic cattle there. However, is not profitable for many farmers thats why the research project is trying to solve this problem with a so-called collective barn concept for nature conservation grazing.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Achim Spiller
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Marketing Research
a.spiller[at]agr.uni-goettingen.de
IMPAC³: Novel genotypes for mixed cropping allow for IMProved sustainable land use ACross arable land, grassland and woodland
Mixed crop stands are hardly common in highly productive plant production. It is argued that the production processes are too complicated and that the harvest time or other process steps cannot be planned optimally. In addition, the breeding of new crop varieties is based on pure stands and not on mixtures. However, mixed stocks offer many advantages. The IMPAC³ project investigates how an ideal combination of mixing partners can improve the productivity and stability of production systems.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Johannes Isselstein
Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use
jissels[at]gwdg.de
GlobeDrought: A global-scale tool for characterising droughts and quantifying their impact on water resources, crop productivity, trade in food products, and the need for international food aid
The aim of GlobeDrought is to develop a web-based, global information system for the comprehensive characterization of drought events. Within the project, a spatially explicit description of drought risks will be conducted by considering the components drought hazard, exposure and vulnerability. The effects of droughts on water resources, crop productivity, food trade, and the need for international food aid will be investigated. For the first time droughts will be systematically assessed distinguishing effects on rainfed and irrigated cropping systems and the water supply.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stefan Siebert
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Chair of Agronomy
stefan.siebert[at]uni-goettingen.de
Sustainability as an argument: Sufficiency, efficiency and resilience as parameters for anthropogenic actions throughout history
The negotiations and practices concerning ‘Sustainability’ in the pre-modern era are investigated by looking at relevant case studies. The Greek Antiquity is not only the researched period, but also functions as the reference model for further research projects that mostly concentrate on (Northern) Germany. Methodologically, this research is based within the field of cultural studies, but it also follows trans-disciplinary approaches of the natural sciences (biological, forest and agricultural sciences) and other technical methods. The tested thesis is that sustainability as a core idea of the always changing and yet constant human behaviour is detectable in all eras of time.
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Arnd Reitemeier
Institute for historical regional archaeological research
instlafo[at]gwdg.de
Animal Welfare in Intensive Livestock Production Systems – animal husbandry in the area of tension between animal welfare, economy and society
In the context of this PhD project, the different partial projects research conflicts, but also opportunities for innovation in the area of tension between intensive animal husbandry and animal protection. The different sub-disciplines follow different approaches and all research how the different target figures of agricultural production can be reached.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Achim Spiller
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Division Marketing for Food and Agricultural products
a.spiller[at]agr.uni-goettingen.de
GRK 1666 GlobalFood
The researchers deal with the globalisation of the food sector. Around the globe, the dietary habits and consumer preferences are changing. Value-chains are increasingly integrated internationally and big supermarket chains are becoming more and more important, even in developing countries. This research-training group (RTG) investigates the effects these trends have on farmers, the agribusiness and consumers. A special focus of the research lies on issues concerning poverty and nutrition in developing countries.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim
Faculty for Agricultural Science
Department for Agribusiness and Rural Development
mqaim[at]gwdg.de
Evaluation of biological seed treatments as protective agents against two major pests in rapeseed (InRaps)
The InRaps project aims at the identification and characterization of a biological seed dressing that protects rapeseed from root maggot and flea beetle, two early pests during plant development. Results gained from this project shall pave the way for the establishment of a biological seed dressing technology to combat major rapeseed pests in the sense of an environmentally friendly and sustainable cropping strategy.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Ivo Feußner
Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences
Department of Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research
ifeussn[at]uni-goettingen.de
BearConnect: Functional connectivity and ecological sustainability of European ecological networks: a case study with the brown bear
This project investigates the degree to which existing ecological networks, including national protected areas and the Natura 2000 network, ensure landscape functional connectivity and the ability of landscapes to support resilient populations.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Niko Balkenhol
Faculty of Forest Sciences
Wildtierwissenschaften
nbalken[at]gwdg.de
Participative development of high quality tomatoes for a sustainable regional cultivation (PETRAq+n)
This project aims to form the scientific foundation for the cultivation of improved and optimally adjusted tomatoes that are suitable for sustainable regional and urban growing. Initial steps of the project are being tested in organic farming enterprises.
- More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Elke Pawelzik
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department of Crop Sciences, Division of Quality of Plant Products
epawelz[at]gwdg.de
Potential for sustainable poultry production based on local chicken breeds and regional protein plants (PorReE)
The project aims at testing a poultry production system based on crossings of local chicken breeds and using regionally grown field bean (Vicia faba) as protein source, which also offers the chance to fatten the brothers of laying hens and therefore to refrain from killing male chicks.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Henner Simianer
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department for Animal Breeding and genetics
hsimian[at]gwdg.de
The Forgotten Part of Carbon Cycling: Organic Matter Storage and Turnover in Subsoils (SUBSOM)
The project deals with the analysis of mechanisms of organic matter storage in the ground. By following an interdisciplinary approach, physical, chemical and biological influencing factors are researched. The goal of the project is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms “underground” as well as the development of a conceptual model that predicts the underground decomposition of carbon.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Christoph Leuschner
Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences
Department of Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research
cleusch[at]gwdg.de
Ecosystem services driven by the diversity of soil biota – understanding and management in agriculture (SOILMAN)
A main goal of future cropping systems will be to maintain or raise agricultural productivity while keeping production sustainable in spite of increasing food demands and ongoing soil degradation caused by inappropriate soil management practices. SoilMan aims at fostering the understanding of how the interplay of farm based soil management practices affect soil biodiversity and how soil biodiversity in turn feeds back to soil functions and ecosystem services as factors for productivity and sustainability.
-
More information
Contact
PD Dr. Martin Potthoff
Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use
mpottho[at]gwdg.de
Shared Innovation Space for Sustainable Productivity of Grasslands in Europe (Inno4Grass)
In many European countries, grasslands make up an important share of the agriculturally used spaces. Innovative models of utilisation are already well researched, but not sufficiently implemented into practice yet. The aim of this project is to facilitate the transfer of the relevant knowledge into practice and the exchange with future users. Innovative production systems are developed that link ecosystem services with profitability.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Johannes Isselstein
Faculty for Agricultural Sciences
Department of Grasslands science
jissels[at]gwdg.de
GRK1644: Skalenprobleme in der Statistik
The Research Training Group focuses on the development, extension and application of statistical methodology related to scaling problems. Challenges for statistical analysis that evolve from varying behaviour of different units of observation, such as spatial or temporal scales, are addressed by the research group.
-
More information
Contact
Dr. Thomas Kneib
Faculty of Business and Economics
Chair of Statistics
tkneib@uni-goettingen.de
META-MINE: Mining the microbiomes from marine wood-digesting bivalves for novel lignocellulose depolymerizing enzymes
Lignocellulose is a greatly undervalued biomass, and methodologies to convert it to high-value products need fortification. META-MINE will use the shipworms, nature’s own micro-biorefinery, as a model system for a holistic study of marine lignocellulose degradation.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Rolf Daniel
Faculty of Biology and Psychology
Genomic and Applied Microbiology
rdaniel[at]gwdg.de
OBAC: Overcoming energetic barriers in acetogenic conversion of carbon dioxide
Acetate-forming bacteria do neither require light nor oxygen for growth. They can be used in bioreactors to reduce CO2 with hydrogen gas or carbon monoxide. OBAC aims to engineer additional energy-generating modules into these bacteria in order to overcome natural process limitations, and paving the way to a new CO2-based manufacturing sector. Thus, the project creates cutting-edge opportunities for the development of biosustainable technologies in Europe.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Rolf Daniel
Faculty of Biology and Psychology
Genomic and Applied Microbiology
rdaniel[at]gwdg.de
Reducing Poverty Risk in Developing Countries
In this research group, Development and health economists as well as experimental economy researcher and statistics investigate how health and market risks influence households and companies in developing countries. Furthermore, political measures that could reduce those risks are researched.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stephan Klasen
Faculty of Business and Economics
Professor for Development Economics
sklasen[at]uni-goettingen.de
Elektromobilität vorleben – Development and demonstration of a regional (embedded in the smart grid) e-charging infrastructure concept for mobility provision in the transition from rural to urban areas
This research project aims at developing and implementing new business models for the use of electric mobility in establishing a sustainable mobility framework for lower Saxony. Within this context, the project puts special focus on the mobility needs of people living in rural areas.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Lutz Kolbe
Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät
Professur für Informationsmanagement
lkolbe[at]uni-goettingen.de
FOR 2716: Spatial community ecology in highly dynamic landscapes: from island biogeography to metaecosystems (DynaCom)
The motivation of the DynaCom research group is to create a trait-based food web perspective in the spatial context of ecological communities in highly dynamic landscapes. Information on multiple trait axes is required to predict the dispersal, use of resources and tolerance of interacting (trophic) organisms in the face of rapid environmental change.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Holger Kreft
Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
Chair of Biodiversity, Macroecology & Biogeography
hkreft[at]uni-goettingen.de
Sustainable diet styles - Plant-based diet styles as the key to sustainability (NES)
The interdisciplinary collaborative project "Plant-based nutritional styles as a key to sustainability" investigates the very different (and sometimes novel) plant-based nutritional lifestyles from a comprehensive sustainability perspective, taking into account human health and performance. Furthermore, it is investigated whether consumers maintain these nutritional styles in the long term.
-
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Achim Spiller
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Marketing Research
a.spiller[at]agr.uni-goettingen.de
"Gläserner Forstbetrieb" - ecological and economic evaluation of integrated nature conservation measures in forest management to ensure ecosystem services and the functionality of the forest ecosystem.
Within the framework of the project, near-to-nature as well as ecological, social and economically sustainable forest management in the North-East German lowlands is researched based on the principles of the ecosystem approach. The long-term goal is to stabilize the forest ecosystem in its function as a commercial forest and at the same time to promote ESS.
- More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Möhring
Faculty of Forestry and Forest Ecology
Chair of Forest Economics
bmoehri[at]gwdg.de
Contact - Green Office
Do you have questions or suggestions on the topic of sustainability in research? Would you like to find out more about sustainability in operations at Göttingen University? Do you have an idea concerning sustainability in your degree programme? Do you need information on international networking on sustainability? For these and general questions and suggestions, please contact us!Head of the Green Office
Marco Lange, Coordinator for SustainabilityPhone: 0551 39-21356
Email: marco.lange@zvw.uni-goettingen.de
Staff
Anna Lapa, Student BiologyE-Mail: anna.lapa@zvw.uni-goettingen.de
Alissa Dohnke, Student Geography
E-Mail: alissa.dohnke@zvw.uni-goettingen.de
David Rudolph, Student Biology
E-Mail: david.rudolph@uni-goettingen.de