Research areas

At the Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research and Applied Ecology (CIBRA), we investigate the complex interactions between biodiversity, the environment and human influences. We analyse these relationships not only at different spatial scales, from individual gardens to landscape elements at regional and national level. CIBRA also considers changes in biodiversity over time, drawing on findings from palaeontology and museum collections.

Our fields of research include integrative biodiversity research, environmental monitoring, restoration ecology as well as settlement and urban ecology.

Integrative Biodiversity Research

Integrative biodiversity research brings together different scientific disciplines and methods as well as social perspectives in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the diversity of life. Only together can solutions for the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources be developed.

Further information

Environmental monitoring

The research field of environmental monitoring combines experiments and findings from integrative biodiversity research with the second core area of CIBRA, applied ecology.

Further information

Restoration Ecology

In almost all parts of the world, including Germany and the Münsterland region, many pristine habitats have been lost. In north-west Germany, it is particularly bogs and wetland biotopes that have been destroyed or severely degraded by anthropogenic use. Restoration projects therefore aim to restore the original ecosystems of the natural and cultural landscape.

Further Information

Urban and settlement ecology

Even though cities and villages may appear to be hostile places for animals and plants at first glance, important refuges for animals and plants can be created there. Or as Prof Buchholz puts it: ‘Cities are not hostile places, cities are islands of biodiversity’.

Further Information