Current research projects

of the Research Group Applied Landscape Ecology and Ecological Planning
© AG Ökoplan

How do young farmers look to the new CAP funding period - and beyond to their future? - A case study along the implementation of agroforestry

Under the key question “How do young farmers see their future?” The project examines which visions guide young farmers in the face of the multiple crises of our time, and whether and to what extent the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with its increased focus on overall solutions, is perceived as supporting a sustainable transformation of the agri-food system. A particular focus is on agroforestry systems. It is examined whether agroforestry systems are perceived as an interesting strategy in terms of young farmers' visions and their initiatives to strengthen resilience.

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Project duration: May 2023 - January 2024

Permaculture garden as a meetingpoint
© C. Steinhäuser

Ecosystem Künstlerdorf - Learning from Nature

This project was initiated as accompanying research to the institutional social-ecological transformation process of the residency program for international artists of the Künstlerdorf Schöppingen Foundation. This process aimed to be inspired by permaculture in order to create a model for fair and sustainable coexistence within the Künstlerdorf community and the surrounding citizen. In the meantime, the project has grown and developed in an interdisciplinary manner, won the Citizen Science Prize of the University of Münster and, above all, has led to a deep learning process from each other for everyone involved.

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Term: May 2022 - March 2024

Biobras
© AG Ökoplan

BIOBRAS - Research-based learning in neglected biodiverse ecosystems of Brazil

Global change, particularly climate change, land-use change and invasive species, are currently the main threats to biodiversity and compromise the targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The global loss of biodiversity can further affect ecosystem services. Consequently, conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources have become key research topics in recent years. Further, the Agenda 2030 and CBD call for intensified technical and scientific cooperation, access to and transfer of technology and education, and the raising of public awareness.

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Term 2018 - 2022

EUfMAa
© AG Ökoplan

EUfMa - Watercourse development of heavily modified waterbodies

The objective of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) to achieve good ecological and chemical status or good ecological potential for all water bodies by 2015 has not been met, and there are hardly any better forecasts for the current management period. New approaches must be taken, especially on HWMB water bodies. The DBU-funded project seeks to explore the effectiveness of small-scale measures in particular through the cooperative development of decision support for WFD implementation practice at catchment level for heavily modified lowland streams and the creation of a measures database with guidance. In addition, knowledge about monitoring is to be improved by significantly shortening the survey intervals.

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