The conflict managers
Farm land is also a habitat for wild animals, some of which pose major challenges to agriculture. They cause damage to seeds and crops or kill farm animals. ZALF researcher Hannes König and his junior research group "Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Agricultural Landscapes" are working on new instruments for wildlife management to minimize these conflicts. Their research focuses on the biology and social acceptance of wolf, wild boar, European bison and co.
Using crop residues more efficiently
They are left over after harvest: crop residues such as straw or leaves. What happens to this material now can have a great influence on the humus content of the soil and thus on its fertility, as well as its climate footprint. Researchers at ZALF are looking for ways to make the best use of the crop residues from our fields.
The city park as an ecosystem
Every day we humans change the image of our environment. This influence is particularly intense in urban areas. Here, emissions and the degree of soil sealing by building development are particularly high. In a study conducted in Berlin, ZALF researchers are investigating how urbanization affects important ecosystem functions of green spaces in our cities.
A painting from above and below
They are water filters, nutrient reservoirs, habitats and even climate protectors: Soils fulfill many functions without which humans could not exist. In order to obtain as much information as possible about these all-rounders, Brandenburg scientists evaluate drone and satellite images and use special soil sensors to look deep into the world beneath our feet. They often draw their findings from an astonishing variety of colors revealed by the images and samples.
Interview with Peter Weißhuhn
Insect protection: When insects are suffering, so is the environment.
