In the framework of an initiative to advance biodiversity research in Germany, we will establish three exemplary large-scale and long-term research sites (funded by the German Research Foundation). They are termed Biodiversity Exploratories, in contrast to mainly descriptive observatories. The exploratories will establish and sustain the scientific infrastructure and develop the intellectual framework needed to address critical questions about changes in biodiversity and to evaluate the impacts of those changes for ecosystem processes. Thus, in the exploratories biodiversity and ecosystem research will be merged at a large scale and with a long-term perspective. In this first phase the exploratories will address the relationship between land-use intensity, biodiversity change, and ecosystem functioning for selected taxa. After establishment, these exploratories will also integrate further contributing projects proposed by the German research community. Thus, the biodiversity exploratories will serve as a stimulating research platform for the whole German biodiversity research community. ... [Information of the supplier]
The Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute (vTI) is one of four German federal research institutes under the auspices of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). The vTI was created on January 1, 2008 from the German Federal Research Centre for Fisheries, the German Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products and part of the German Federal Agricultural Research Centre. The vTI drafts scientific basics as decision-making helps for the policy of the German federal government and thus serves, with its application oriented and practice related research, the development of the society of tomorrow. The vTI pursues interdisciplinary research in the following areas: Economics (micro and macroeconomics of agriculture, forestry, lumber, food and fish production), Technology, Material use of renewable natural resources, Climate, Biodiversity, Organic Farming. The vTI comprises 15 specialty institutes. The headquarters of the vTI are in Braunschweig with facilities in Hamburg, Großhansdorf, Eberswalde, Waldsieversdorf, Rostock, Cuxhaven, Ahrensburg and Trenthorst. ... [Information of the supplier]