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Research Unit
Biodiversity and People
Biodiversity is indispensable for mankind. The rapid loss of biodiversity is destabilizing ecosystems worldwide and is leading to a biodiversity crisis that poses a threat to our livelihoods just as severe as the climate crisis.
Despite numerous efforts, the protective measures taken so far have only been partially successful because insufficient attention has been paid to the social causes of the crisis. In the Research Unit “Biodiversity and People”, we therefore focus on the question of what attitudes towards biodiversity exist and how behaviors towards its protection can be promoted.
Our research focuses on two research strands:
Indirect drivers and societal causes of biodiversity loss
To protect biodiversity, we need to better understand the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss. Other than direct drivers such as land use and pollution, indirect drivers such as values, behavior, demographic changes, and economic and political conditions have barely been researched. We therefore analyze the roles of actors, their awareness of biodiversity and their motives for action in order to identify the social-ecological causes of biodiversity loss and to enable effective change.
Conception and realignment of biodiversity protection
To stop the loss of biodiversity, a profound changes in society and politics are needed. This changes require a new awareness as well as new practices and perspectives if biodiversity protection is to be achieved. In our research, we therefore ask: How can the protection of biodiversity be better integrated into everyday life? How to reach a consensus on what kind of biodiversity is worth protecting? Here, it is important to view biodiversity and society as inseparable and to develop strategies that combine the protection and use of biodiversity.
Contact
Team
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Dr. habil. Katja Brinkmann
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Dr. habil. Katja Brinkmann
Head of the Social-Ecological Systems Hub
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Apl. Prof. Dr. Diana Hummel
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Apl. Prof. Dr. Diana Hummel
Coordinator for Academic Teaching and Qualification of Young Scientists
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Dr. Stefan Liehr
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Dr. Stefan Liehr
Member of the Executive Board, Head of the Social-Ecological Systems Hub
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Dr. Alexandra Lux
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Dr. Alexandra Lux
Member of the Executive Board, Head of the Knowledge Processes and Transformations Hub
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Projects
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NormA – Normative Conflicts in the Field of Biodiversity ![]()
BiodiversityNormA – Normative Conflicts in the Field of Biodiversity
Go to ProjectThe research project examines normative conflicts that are emerging in the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
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SoCoDES – Social-ecological dynamics of ecosystem services ![]()
BiodiversitySoCoDES – Social-ecological dynamics of ecosystem services
Go to ProjectSoCoDES investigates socio-ecological dynamics in the Anthropocene and focuses in particular on interactions between biodiversity and social developments.
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Biodiversity and Climate: Socio-ecological Biodiversity Research ![]()
BiodiversityBiodiversity and Climate: Socio-ecological Biodiversity Research
In cooperation with the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), ISOE is investigating what reduced biodiversity means for the provision of ecosystem services to society.Go to Project -
Bio-O-Ton – Biodiversity assessment of biotope types through machine learning based on citizen science sound recordings and satellite images ![Woman hiker using smartphone in spring forest]()
BiodiversityBio-O-Ton – Biodiversity assessment of biotope types through machine learning based on citizen science sound recordings and satellite images
Go to ProjectThe project Bio-O-Ton develops a new machine-learning approach to the assessment of biodiversity by combining smartphone sound recordings with satellite imagery.
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Business for Biodiversity: T-Labs for social-ecological change ![]()
BiodiversityBusiness for Biodiversity: T-Labs for social-ecological change
Go to ProjectIn so-called Transformation Labs, the project works with companies in the food industry to research how measures to promote biodiversity can be effectively designed and implemented.
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ENABLElocal – Enabling use of biodiversity monitoring data in local conservation management ![]()
BiodiversityENABLElocal – Enabling use of biodiversity monitoring data in local conservation management
Go to ProjectFor evidence-based decisions in applied biodiversity conservation, ENABLElocal promotes the exchange of biodiversity monitoring data between local actors and global initiatives.
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SoCuLa – Socio-cultural Drivers of Biodiversity Change in Germany ![]()
BiodiversitySoCuLa – Socio-cultural Drivers of Biodiversity Change in Germany
Go to ProjectThe research project investigates the influence of social transformation processes on cultural landscapes and their biodiversity.
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Conflicts over the forest of the future ![]()
Biodiversity Climate Adaptation Knowledge and ParticipationConflicts over the forest of the future
Go to ProjectForest conversion to mixed forest is intended to ensure the sustainability of forests threatened by climate change. Conflicts over their use are dealt with and negotiated in the “Forest of the Future” project through dialog formats such as round tables.
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MORE STEP – Mobility at Risk: Sustaining the Mongolian Steppe Ecosystem (Phase II) ![]()
Biodiversity Land Use Climate AdaptationMORE STEP – Mobility at Risk: Sustaining the Mongolian Steppe Ecosystem (Phase II)
Go to ProjectThe MORE STEP research project is investigating change processes in the ecosystem of the eastern Mongolian steppe and their possible consequences for nature and society.
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SLInBio – Urban lifestyles and the valorization of biodiversity: dragonflies, grasshoppers, bumblebees and Co ![]()
BiodiversitySLInBio – Urban lifestyles and the valorization of biodiversity: dragonflies, grasshoppers, bumblebees and Co
Go to ProjectThe SLInBio joint project investigates social-ecological interactions between lifestyles and everyday practices of city dwellers and urban insect diversity.
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MediPlanB – Effects of indigenous medicinal plants on health and biodiversity ![]()
Transformation BiodiversityMediPlanB – Effects of indigenous medicinal plants on health and biodiversity
Go to ProjectThe project investigates the effects of greater plant diversity on human health and biodiversity, with a focus on the knowledge and use of medicinal plants.
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BIOZ – Environmentally friendly control of West Nile virus transmitting mosquitoes ![]()
Biodiversity Climate AdaptationBIOZ – Environmentally friendly control of West Nile virus transmitting mosquitoes
Go to ProjectThe BIOZ project investigates environmentally friendly alternatives for controlling mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile virus through citizen science, experimentation and dialog.
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ORYCS – Wildlife-based management strategies in Namibia Land Use BiodiversityORYCS – Wildlife-based management strategies in Namibia
Go to ProjectORYCS investigates the suitability of wildlife management strategies as a climate-friendly land use option. Together with stakeholders, it develops conflict-regulating approaches.
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MORE STEP – Mobility at Risk: Sustaining the Mongolian Steppe Ecosystem (Phase I) ![]()
Biodiversity Land Use Climate AdaptationMORE STEP – Mobility at Risk: Sustaining the Mongolian Steppe Ecosystem (Phase I)
Go to ProjectThe MORE STEP research project investigates processes of change in the ecosystem of the Mongolian steppe and their socio-economic and ecological causes and consequences. The mobility of wild and domesticated herd animals plays a central role here.
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Vision for Biodiversity ![]()
BiodiversityVision for Biodiversity
Go to ProjectThe study examines the biodiversity awareness, attitudes and acceptance of measures of stakeholder groups in agriculture and forestry in order to achieve more effective nature conservation.
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AJAP II – Environmentally friendly and sustainable control of the Asian bush mosquito Biodiversity Climate AdaptationAJAP II – Environmentally friendly and sustainable control of the Asian bush mosquito
Go to ProjectAJAP II investigates environmentally friendly measures against the Asian bush mosquito, tests their effectiveness and examines their acceptance by the population and local authorities.
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IMAGINE – Integrated Management of Green Infrastructure TransformationIMAGINE – Integrated Management of Green Infrastructure
Go to ProjectThe IMAGINE project is investigating how green infrastructure management can be made sustainable at regional level in five European countries.
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MORE STEP – Mobility at risk: Sustaining the Mongolian Steppe Ecosystem ![]()
Biodiversity Land UseMORE STEP – Mobility at risk: Sustaining the Mongolian Steppe Ecosystem
Go to ProjectThe MORE STEP research project is investigating change processes in the ecosystem of the eastern Mongolian steppe and their possible consequences for nature and society.
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micle – Climate Change, Changes to the Environment and Migration in Sahel Climate Adaptationmicle – Climate Change, Changes to the Environment and Migration in Sahel
The micle project examines whether climate-related changes to the environment are the trigger for migratory movement by linking social with scientific data.Go to Project -
Expert report on the carbon balance of forests BiodiversityExpert report on the carbon balance of forests
On behalf of the HSE Südhessische Energie AG, ISOE is involved in compiling an expert report on the carbon balance of carbon-offset forestry projects.Go to Project -
Gender Mainstreaming in two Saxon Hospitals Gender Mainstreaming in two Saxon Hospitals
The team developed a gender mainstreaming tool for two hospitals in Saxony in order to improve the reconcilability of work and private life for men and women.Go to Project -
demons – Supplying the Population demons – Supplying the Population
The scientists of the demons junior research group examined links between demographic developments, needs and supply systems.Go to Project
