Projects

Here you find an overview about recent and past projects.

Land Use Conflicts   (UFZ subject within Helmholtz programme-oriented funding - POF 3); 2014-18; Helmholtz Association

Emerging Ecosystems   (UFZ subject within Helmholtz programme-oriented funding - POF 3); 2014-18; Helmholtz Association

EndYear_Project runtime_Acronym (& url)_Meaning of acronym _Role BZF_Funding_Participating Working Groups
  • 2019_2015-2019_ eLTER _eLTER H2020: European Long-Term Ecosystem and Socio-Ecological Research Infrastructure_Contribution_EU HORIZON 2020_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2019_2015-2019_ STACCATO _SusTaining AgriCultural ChAnge Through ecological engineering and Optimal use of natural resources_Coordination_BiodivERsA, Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2018_2015-2018_no webpage_Relative effects of local and regional factors as drivers for plant community diversity functional trait diversity and genetic structure of species on Baltic uplift islands_Co-PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2018_2011-2018_ LEGATO _Land-use intensity and Ecological Engineering – Assessment Tools for risks and Opportunities in irrigated rice based production systems_Coordination_Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2017_2014-2017_ BEF-China _The role of genetic diversity for the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functions_Co-PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2017_2014-2017_EpiDiv ( Biodiversity Exploratories )_Epigenetic diversity of grassland plants in the Biodiversity Exploratories_Co-PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2017_2012-2017_ EU BON _Building the European Biodiversity Observation Network__EU FP7_Macroecology_
  • 2017_2012-2017_ TEEB-DE _Natural Capital Germany - TEEB DE_Contribution_BMUB, BfN_
  • 2017_2014-2017_no webpage_Erfassung der Flora und Fauna in den Schutzgebieten der Stadt Halle (Saale)_Coordination_UFZ-BZF, Stadt Halle (Fachbereich Umwelt)_
  • 2016_2013-2016_ EC21C _European Conservation for the 21st Century__BiodivERsA/Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)_
  • 2016_2013-2016_no webpage_The importance of antagonistic interactions for plant species coexistence and ecosystem functioning_PI_DFG, iDiv Flexible Pool_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2015_2011-2015_no webpage_Local adaptation and gene flow in Empetrum hermaphroditum a keystone species of boreal-arctic ecosystems along an altitudinal stress gradient_Co-PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2015_2012-2015_ APPEAL _Assessment and valuation of Pest suppression Potential through biological control in European Agricultural Landscapes_PI_BiodivERsA, Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)_
  • 2015_2010-2015_ ExpeER _Experimentation in Ecosystem Research_Contribution_EU FP7_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2015_2011-2015_ GeneLand _The relationship between neutral and adaptive genetic diversity in the context of historic and present land use and landscape structure _PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology, Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2015_2010-2015_ STEP _Status and Trends of European Pollinators_PI_EU FP7_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2014_2011-2014_ BEF-China _The role of genetic diversity for the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functions_PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2014_2010-2014_ FunDivEurope _Functional significance of forest biodiversity in Europe. Task IV.7 Resistance to invasive plant species_Task leader_EU FP 7_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2014_2011-2014_no webpage_The role of seed limitation, herbivory and plant invasions for species diversity and biomass production in herbaceous communities_PI_Graduate school HIGRADE_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2013_2010-2013_ EnvEurope _Environmental quality and pressures assessment across Europe: the LTER network as an integrated and shared system for ecosystem monitoring_Contribution_EU Life+_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2013_2006-2013 _ GIN _Integrating the ecology and evolution of invasions: a predictive framework and collaborative approach_Contribution_NSF/USA_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2012_2008-2012_ BEF-China _The role of genetic diversity for the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functions_PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2012_2009-2012_ CLIMIT _CLimate change impacts on Insects and their MITigation_Coordination_BiodivERsA, Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)_
  • 2012_2010-2012_PRONAS PRONAS _PROjektionen der NAtur für Schulen_Coordination (PI)_DBU_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2012_2011-2012_no webpage_The impact of biological invasions and herbivory on the functioning of grassland ecosystems_PI_DAAD PPP-USA_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2012_2007-2012 _no webpage_The role of soil microbes in plant invasions: inhibition at home and facilitation away?_Contribution_NSF/USA_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2012_2009-2012_no webpage_Monitoring "Klimawandel und Biodiversität"_PI_LfULG_
  • 2011_2008-2011_GenLink_The link between genetic diversity and species diversity: patterns and processes in grassland plants _PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2011_2008-2011 _ QUANTGEN _The evolutionary impact of land use: quantitative genetic diversity and phenotypic selection of grassland plants in the Biodiversity Exploratories_PI_DFG, SPP Biodiversity Exploratories_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2011_2008-2011_ RAME _Research Association Mining and Environment in Vietnam_Contribution and sub-project coordination_BMBF_
  • 2010_2007-2010 _DIVA III / TP PHYTO_Plant diversity in grassland ecosystems: The importance of local adaptation, isolation, and invasions_PI_BMBF, collaborative project DIVA III, BIOLOG programme_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2010_2007-2010_SUBICON_SUBICON – Successional change and biodiversity conservation in a red oak chronosequence_PI_BMBF_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2009_2006-2009_ MACIS _Minimisation of and Adaptation to Climate change Impacts on biodiverSity_PI_EU FP6_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2009_2007-2009_ RUBICODE _Rationalising Biodiversity Conservation in Dynamic Ecosystems_PI_EU FP6_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2008_2006-2008_no webpage_Developing molecular tools for conservation of amphibian species_Co-PI_Humboldt foundation_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2008_2006-2008_ COCONUT _Understanding effects of land use changes on ecosystems to halt loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction, fragmentation and degradation_PI_EU FP6_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2007_2003-2007_ ALARM _Assessing Large scale Risks for biodiversity with tested methods_Coordination_EU FP6_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2007_2003-2007_ DAISIE _Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe__EU FP6_
  • 2007_2003-2007 _DIVA II / TP PHYTO_Plant diversity in grassland ecosystems: The roles of regional species pool, invasions and herbivory_PI_BMBF, collaborative project DIVA II, BIOLOG programme_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 2007_2004-2007_SUBICON_Successional change and biodiversity conservation in a red oak chronosequence_PI_BMBF_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2006_2003-2006_no webpage_Dynamic range limitation and reaction to climate change: metapopulation processes in marginal populations of the Black Rush (Juncus atratus)_PI_DFG_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2006_2003-2006 _INVASIONS_The invasiveness of cultivated forms of an alien plant: a case study on Mahonia aquifolium_PI_BMBF, collaborative project INVASIONS_Plant Population Ecology, Molecular Ecology_
  • 2006_2003-2006_INVASIONS_The invasion potential of alien species_Co-PI_BMBF_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2006_2002-2006_ MacMan _Maculinea Butterflies of the Habitats Directive and European Red List as Indicators and Tools for Habitat Conservation and Management_Coordination_EU FP5_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2005_2005_no webpage_Literature review Monitoring of genetically modified organisms_PI_SMLU Dresden_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2004_2001-2004_ Greenveins _Greenveins - Vulnerability of biodiversity in the Agro-ecosystem as influenced by Green Veining and Land-use Intensity_Co-PI_EU_Molecular Ecology, Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2004_2001-2004_SUBICON_ Successional change and biodiversity conservation in a red oak chronosequence_PI_BMBF_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2003_2001-2003_no webpage_Phylogeography of the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber L. and its implications for conservation_PI_EU_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2003_2002-2003_no webpage_Genetic differentiation and hybridisation in alien and native plant species_PI_NATO_Molecular Ecology_
  • 2003_2000-2003_ MOSAIK _Alternative Managementverfahren für die Pflege von Trockenstandorten_Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)_Social and Animal Ecology_
  • 2002_1999-2002_no webpage_Effect of elevated CO2 on genetic variation of plant populations in a calcareous grassland_PI_DFG_Plant Population Ecology_
  • 1996_1993-1996_REGNAL (no webpage)_Structure and dynamics of ecological communities in the nature park Dübener Heide_PI_BMBF, collaborative project REGNAL_Plant Population Ecology_

 

BiolFlor Logo

The database BiolFlor on biological and ecological traits of the flora of Germany covers almost 3660 species of vascular species including established and frequent casual alien plant species. It is the first biological-ecological database for the complete German flora with information on traits from the following topics:

- floristic status
- chromosome number, ploidy levels, DNA content
- phylogeny
- morphology of vegetative organs
- flowering phenology
- floral and reproductive traits
- traits of seeds, fruits, dispersal units and germination units
- ecological strategy types
- indicator values for grassland species
- geographic ranges
- anthropogenic influence on vegetation
- habitat and formation

Since we use the "standard check-list" of the German Flora (Wisskirchen & Haeupler 1998), species names and respective traits can be found under many synonyms. Data was collated from existing databases, comprehensive literature queries (more than 1800 sources), own measurements and observations as well as expert knowledge.  

Logo LTER-D
The German network for Long-Term Ecological Research LTER-D was founded in 2004 as a platform for communication, documentation and collaboration of scientists in long-term, system-oriented and interdisciplinary environmental research in Germany. From the beginning it was substantially supported by the UFZ. Actually it covers over 20 sites all over Germany performing long-term ecological research in all relevant ecosystem types from the high mountains to the Wadden Sea. LTER-D is a member in the international LTER umbrella organisation ILTER and in the European regional network LTER-Europe. Both networks are exclusively defined by the commitment of the members to their shared goals.

All TERENO (Terrestrial Environmental Observatories, a project of the Helmholtz Association) sites of the UFZ belong to LTER-D.

Segelfalter (Iphiclides podalirius; Foto: Steffen Caspari
Segelfalter (Iphiclides podalirius); Foto: Steffen Caspari

In 2005 a nationwide butterfly monitoring scheme was started in Germany. As in other long-term schemes e.g. in the UK and the Netherlands the recordings are based on weekly transect walks. In the long-term the new monitoring scheme should provide a central element for the analysis for biodiversity within Germany as well as for Europe. Therefore this scheme is also integrated into the activities of BCE (Butterfly Conservation Europe; www.bc-europe.eu).
The project is hosted at the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ and its start was an integral part of the PR activity Abenteuer Schmetterling, which included ZDF (public German television), BUND (an NGO) and UFZ.
For the next years it is envisaged to get the support of a large number of volunteers throughout the country in order to produce the data necessary for a profound analysis. Since 2006 an input mask is available which allows the online entry and processing of the data.
Monitoring activities in Germany started earlier in 2001 with a project limited to the federal state of Nordrhein-Westfalen. Experiences from this study are useful for the new nationwide scheme.
The structure of the scheme as well as experiences of the first year will be presented. A constructive discussion might contribute to further improve the scheme and to make it known to an even broader audience.

TMD