Knowledge for sustainable development

Biodiversity loss is considered a global crisis, as species extinction is worldwide impairing ecosystem functions that are also essential for human survival. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services IPBES is therefore calling for a rapid transformative...

Regional conflicts over the use of water resources are rather common and will continue to intensify as a result of climate change and the increasing strain on natural water resources. Water-intensive agriculture in particular is dependent on efficient solutions. In the HypoWave+ research project, a...

In many coastal regions of Europe, tourism is an important cornerstone of a prosperous economy. This also applies to the Croatian island of Krk and the surrounding mainland, especially during the summer months. However, it is precisely during this hot and dry period that the local drinking water...

Insect biodiversity is essential for life on our planet. However, this diversity is acutely threatened by changes in land use. At the same time, we can observe that cities have become places of refuge for insects. The Frankfurt research project “SLInBio” is examining how our lifestyles are linked to...

Climate change is exacerbating water scarcity, especially in the arid regions of the world. Namibia, with its savannah landscapes, is particularly affected. These ecosystems are among the driest regions in the world and are already threatened by climate change and an increasing pressure from land...

The district of Mansfeld-Südharz in Saxony-Anhalt that is particularly affected by drought and flooding, shows what anticipatory groundwater management could look like. A project group led by the ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research has now produced a pioneering paper on this subject: All...

PFAS – these four letters stand for the controversial group of substances known as perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. As they are water-, grease- and dirt-repellent, these chemicals are used in numerous everyday products. However, it is precisely because of their properties that...

Mongolia has one of the last intact steppe ecosystems with traditional land use and a remarkable biodiversity. The mobility of wild and domestic herd animals plays an important role in the survival of this ecosystem, which is transforming as a result of climate change. However, the nomadic way of...

Prof. Dr. Flurina Schneider, Scientific Director of ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, is the new co-spokesperson of Ecornet (Ecological Research Network). The network is an association of eight independent, non-profit environmental and sustainability research institutes in Germany.

The earth is reaching its limits: In the Anthropocene, humans have changed the ecological foundations of life to such a fundamental extent that the planetary limits of several earth systems have been reached. The symptoms such as global warming, species extinction, and water scarcity are well known,...