Field of activity
Biomass and Cultural Landscape Development
More than 50% of Germany’s surface is dedicated to agriculture and forestry. This land used by farmers and foresters forms the basis for the supply of food and renewable raw materials – and thus also for the villages and towns embedded within these cultural landscapes. At the same time, it influences the water balance and the biodiversity of the landscapes, as well as regional value creation and quality of life in rural areas. The sustainable management of these cultural landscapes is therefore an essential prerequisite for successfully addressing ecological, economic and social challenges.
Against this backdrop, we develop concepts for the production and utilisation of biomass, as well as for strengthening regional value creation and the valorisation of ecosystem services. We do not view biomass in isolation, but rather as an integral part of regional material and utilisation cycles. Our (research) work is consistently guided by the requirements of practical application and combines scientific findings with concrete practical applications.
Our current topics include (selection)
01
Agroforestry systems
Development of agroforestry systems and related regional value chains.
02
Reducing potential risks
Reducing potential risks posed by extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and drought.
03
Economics of agroforestry systems
Economics of agroforestry systems and analysis of ecosystem services.
04
Demonstration network
Establishment of a demonstration network in Germany and Europe (map under construction).
05
Traditional agroforestry systems
Analysis of traditional agroforestry systems, such as wood pastures in Romania.
06
Production-integrated compensation
Development of production-integrated climate compensation measures using agroforestry systems and flower-based cover crops.
07
Water creek restoration
Development of new water creek restoration concepts for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, particularly in intensively farmed agricultural areas.
08
CO₂ sequestration through landscape management
Analysis and implementation/action plans for natural climate protection through compensation and replacement measures: CO₂ sequestration through landscape management measures (German Federal Highway Research Institute – bast, Project 02.0469).
09
ZENAPA – Zero Emission Nature Protection Areas
The EU LIFE project ZENAPA aims to achieve CO₂e-neutral large-scale protected areas, thereby making collaborative contributions to climate, nature and species conservation.
10
CARENA – CArbon REmoval in NAture Parks
The EU LIFE project CARENA focuses on natural climate protection in large-scale protected areas and strengthens the role of nature parks as carbon sinks (in development, project launch in November 2026).
The aim of our work
The aim of our work is to develop sustainable circular economy systems that connect value creation, rural development, climate protection and climate adaptation. We do not view ecosystem services, biodiversity and the habitats connectivity as being conflicting with land use, but rather as integral components of future-proof cultural landscapes. We place particular emphasis on integrating different land-use needs and functions within these areas. It is crucial to us that the solutions we develop are economically viable, feasible in practice and socially acceptable. Rather than considering individual interests in isolation, we develop multifunctional concepts that integrate different needs and create viable long-term prospects.
Together with partners from agriculture, forestry, business, public administration and civil society, we develop and test practical approaches to the sustainable planning of rural areas. This interdisciplinary collaboration gives rise to a range of services that closely integrates research, development and implementation – a model that is unique in Germany.
Completed projects
- ELKE Development of extensive land-use concepts for the production of renewable raw materials as potential compensatory and replacement measures
- WERTvoll WERTvoll City-Countryside Partnership: Leipzig and the surrounding area
- EvA Development of regional agroforestry systems in agriculture to promote climate-resilient and economically competitive grassland management
- Bioeconomy Potentials for a rural bioeconomy
- MUNTER Development of a management system for farmers and municipalities to enhance environmental protection and nature conservation through optimised energy crop cultivation