Brief Information, 30. October 2024

"We want to be pioneers"

Katrin Böhning-Gaese, the new Scientific Director of the UFZ discusses her plans for the institute and the challenges of her new role.

Dr Böhning-Gaese, when was the last time you held binoculars in your hand?

(laughs) For us ornithologists, carrying binoculars on every holiday and walk is a déformation professionelle. And here at the UFZ, I often have to remind myself to focus on my computer screen instead of the view outside.

Why is that?

It’s because of the bird migration. From my office on the top floor of a building in Leipzig Science Park, I have a clear view of starlings and house martins passing by. I could spend the whole day watching them.

Did your penchant for birds start in childhood?

No. Even during my studies, I initially focussed on neuroscience and immunobiology. It wasn’t until my degree dissertation that I first encountered ornithology. In hindsight, this felt almost too late. However, the study of birds captivated me, and I dedicated an entire season to observing white storks from their arrival from Africa until their departure. I spent every day outside watching them rear their young, forage for food, and endure bad weather.

You have just taken up your new post as Scientific Director of the UFZ. Do you benefit from this experience in the field?

I am convinced of that. During my time in the US, I learned an important lesson that shaped my academic focus. Although I initially wanted to continue studying birds, I found myself drawn to the emerging field of macroecology. I was fascinated by the approach of studying broad patterns across the Earth rather than analysing each species individually. But I also realised that without understanding the systems, you can’t ask the right questions. This concept also applies to my work at the UFZ.

Let’s be more specific: How exactly do you benefit from this experience at the UFZ?

As a scientist, I’ve learned not to seek answers alone but rather to work interdisciplinarily, especially with the social sciences. And that, by the way, is what fascinates me about the UFZ.

Namely?

With its breadth of content, its integrative research approach, its interdisciplinary approach, and the successful transfer of knowledge and technology to society, the UFZ has come a long way. This truly inspires me. Although I knew many UFZ scientists from my work, I discover new insights and exciting connections nearly every day.

That almost sounds as if you have nothing more to do.

(laughs) Of course, I have a lot of ideas about how to further develop the UFZ. For example, I would like to strengthen our engagement with society, particularly in the realms of politics, business, and the public. In problematic areas such as global biodiversity loss, climate adaptation, and water shortages or pollution, the primary issue is a lack of implementation. So how do we bring the knowledge to where it is needed? And how can we initiate change in such a way that people are happy to support it? I am convinced that traditional communication channels are not enough. We need to engage more in dialogue and take time to listen and identify where the real problems lie. This may even change one or the other scientific question - and give them a completely different relevance.

How will this change the work of the UFZ?

We already collaborate extensively with stakeholders outside of science. For example, in the various living labs. The scientists involved are already incorporating the feedback from their dialogue partners into their research. I would like to see us strengthen this approach at the UFZ and maintain our interfaces at the various levels - in the local context as well as at the European and international level. I will launch a strategy to align these ideas with how we, as a community of 1,200, can shape the future of the UFZ and define our roles. 

Is it really science that is now in charge? If we look at the buzzword of planetary boundaries - for example, the huge overburdening of ecosystems - there is already an incredible amount of knowledge but a lack of appropriate action.

To be honest, I really struggle with the concept of planetary boundaries. It describes how earth systems change and is based on the hypothesis that there are tipping points beyond which there is no way back. A positive outcome of this concept is that many people have realised the planet has limits and that we can no longer continue with business as usual. The downside is that it leaves people clueless. If six out of nine planetary boundaries are crossed, what does that mean for me? For many young people in particular, this, together with climate fears and the extinction of species, leads to considerable feelings of deep despair.

So what do you propose?

We need to develop tangible solutions within planetary boundaries. Scientists should identify solutions for a good life within the planetary boundaries - for everyone whether in Germany or the Global South, wealthy or disadvantaged. 

That is a high standard. How does that work in practice?

We all know that many problems are interrelated. For example, cultivating energy crops on a large scale often results in a loss of biodiversity and competition with food crop production. Almost everyone knows these connections by now. However, we often overlook the fact that the solutions are interrelated. Not only the problems but also the solutions are systemic. For instance, recultivating forests benefits both biodiversity and the climate. 

What role do you see the UFZ playing in this?

I hope that we can use our excellent science to point out positive development paths. For example: The EU recently passed the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). To this end, measures are to be introduced on 20% of land and sea areas to strengthen ecosystems. And certain important habitat types that are in poor condition are to be restored - at least 30% by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. As scientists, we should make the necessary knowledge available. So far, this has been achieved only to a limited extent. It is also important here to organise the changes in such a way that people are happy to support them and are not offended. Scientists should see themselves as pioneers, mediators, and catalysts for social change. 

One of your specialities is a model project on bird diversity, which you are bringing to the UFZ. What is it all about?

It is about concrete solutions to promote biodiversity. New regulations require large companies to report their biodiversity footprint. The primary challenge is measuring this footprint across their entire supply chain and finding ways to improve it. This is where the pilot project comes in. Whilst we already have various measurement tools such as the field bird or forest bird indicator, there is still a lack of concrete, robust indicators that can be used to evaluate measures to improve bird diversity. 

That would have an effect on numerous sectors.

Exactly, just think of the financial sector. There is great demand for investments that increase biodiversity. However, it is difficult to offer corresponding products because there is a lack of data and models to reliably evaluate them. And providers want to avoid the appearance of simply greenwashing. We want to identify measures where we can make concrete statements: "If I buy this fund, there will be more skylarks or more lapwings in the fields in Brandenburg."

Up until now you’ve lived in Frankfurt. Will you be moving to Leipzig? 

Yes, I’m moving here with my husband. We are still looking for a flat. And in addition to all my professional resolutions, I have also made one for my leisure time. I appreciate good wines and want to thoroughly explore the nearest wine region, Saale-Unstrut. It takes less than an hour to get there by regional train.

It’s a mineral-rich wine - the vines grow on shell limestone.

You see, I think that’s quite the coincidence. I grew up in the Swabian Alb, where the landscape is also characterised by limestone. I’m all the more excited about the discoveries I’ll make in the countryside around Leipzig.

_{The interview was conducted by Kilian Kirchgeßner}

Dr Katrin Böhning-Gaese has been the Scientific Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig since September and a professor at Goethe University Frankfurt since 2010. Until August 2024, she was Director of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre in Frankfurt am Main. She completed her studies in Tübingen with research stays in the US. She is a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and has received numerous high-calibre awards for her work, including the German Environmental Award.

Further information

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