Institute of Ecology

Organisational unit: Institute

Organisation profile

The Institute of Ecology is the biological and natural science department of Leuphana University of Lüneburg. Research focuses on the effects of global changes such as climate change and land use change on organisms and communities biodiversity loss as well as on biological and chemical processes. In cooperation with the human sciences, socio-economic factors of ecosystem research are considered.

Main research areas

Research foci at the Institute of Ecology are the effects of global change such as climate change and land use change on organisms and their communities and on biological functional and chemical processes. The focus is on the causes and effects of declining animal and plant populations as well as current biodiversity loss and the associated changes in abiotic and biotic ecosystem functions. In collaboration with human science research groups at Leuphana University, socio-economic factors of ecosystem research are also jointly considered.

Experimental research takes place both in laboratories, in greenhouses and in open spaces at Leuphana University. Further, many investigations take place in cultivated landscapes and in urban areas. The field studies are carried out in various countries of the temperate and Mediterranean latitudes and the tropics and sub-tropics, but also regionally, e.g. in Lüneburg and the Lüneburg Heath. Research cooperations exist with many different national and international universities and non-university institutions such as local nature conservation organizations and schools. Particularly noteworthy are the cooperations with the Alfred Töpfer Academy for Nature Conservation and the biosphere reserve administration Niedersächsische Elbtalaue.

The courses range from basic and advanced courses in various sub-fields of ecology and biology, including the performance of experiments in laboratory practicals and in the field, to interdisciplinary courses in the Bachelor's and Master's programs.

In interdisciplinary courses, contents from the fields of landscape ecology, botany, soil ecology, zoology, genetics and nature conservation are linked together, as well as courses that combine different disciplines of the natural sciences with those of the human sciences.

  1. Journal articles › Research › Peer-reviewed
  2. Published

    Factors affecting fruit set in Aizoaceae species of the Succulent Karoo

    Pufal, G., Mayer, C., Porembski, S. & Juergens, N., 01.07.2008, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 9, 4, p. 401-409 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Farmed areas predict the distribution of amphibian ponds in a traditional rural landscape

    Hartel, T. & von Wehrden, H., 21.05.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 5, 8 p., e63649.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Farmers' perceptions of climate change and adaptation strategies in South Africa's Western Cape

    Talanow, K., Topp, E., Loos, J. & Martín-López, B., 01.01.2021, In: Journal of Rural Studies. 81, p. 203-219 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Fast response of groundwater to heavy rainfall

    Wittenberg, H., Aksoy, H. & Miegel, K., 01.04.2019, In: Journal of Hydrology. 571, p. 837-842 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Fate of airborne nitrogen in heathland ecosystems a - 15N tracer study

    Friedrich, U., Falk, K., Bahlmann, E., Marquardt, T., Meyer, H., Niemeyer, T., Schemmel, S., Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 04.2011, In: Global Change Biology. 17, 4, p. 1549-1559 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Field measurement of ammonia emissions after nitrogen fertilization-A comparison between micrometeorological and chamber methods

    Ni, K., Köster, J. R., Seidel, A. & Pacholski, A., 01.11.2015, In: European Journal of Agronomy. 71, p. 115-122 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Finnish Pipunculidae (Diptera) studies Part I: Taxonomic notes on Cephalops Fallén, 1810, Pipunculus Latreille, 1802 and Tomosvaryella Aczél, 1939

    Kehlmaier, C., 04.01.2008, In: Zootaxa. 1672, 1, p. 1-42 42 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Fire and landscape context shape plant and butterfly diversity in a South African shrubland

    Topp, E. N., Tscharntke, T. & Loos, J., 01.03.2022, In: Diversity and Distributions. 28, 3, p. 357-371 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    First automatic size measurements for the separation of dwarf birch and tree birch pollen in MIS 6 to MIS 1 records from Northern Germany

    Theuerkauf, M., Nehring, E., Gillert, A., Bodien, P. M., Hein, M. & Urban, B., 01.06.2024, In: Ecology and Evolution. 14, 6, 17 p., e11510.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    First record of a Mermithidae (Nematoda) from the meloid beetle Meloe violaceus Marsham, 1802 (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

    Lückmann, J. & Poinar, G. O., 01.05.2003, In: Parasitology Research. 90, 1, p. 82-83 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Flachendeckende Landschaftspflege am Beispiel der Bodenteicher Seewiesen, Niedersachsen

    Schwerdtfeger, G. & Urban, B., 1992, In: Telma. 22, p. 267-276 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Fluctuations of carabid populations inhabiting an ancient woodland (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

    Gunther, J. & Assmann, T., 01.03.2004, In: Pedobiologia. 48, 2, p. 159-164 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Foliar application of lambda-cyhalothrin modulates root exudate profile and the rhizosphere bacteria community of dioecious Populus cathayana

    He, Y., Zhu, Z., Zhou, Z., Lu, T., Kumar, A. & Xia, Z., 15.11.2022, In: Environmental Pollution. 313, 120123.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Foliar nitrogen metabolism of adult Douglas-fir trees is affected by soil water availability and varies little among provenances

    Du, B., Kreuzwieser, J., Dannenmann, M., Junker, L. V., Kleiber, A., Hess, M., Jansen, K., Eiblmeier, M., Gessler, A., Kohnle, U., Ensminger, I., Rennenberg, H. & Wildhagen, H., 22.03.2018, In: PLoS ONE. 13, 3, 24 p., e0194684.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Foraging loads of stingless bees and utilisation of stored nectar for pollen harvesting

    Leonhardt, S., Dworschak, K., Eltz, T. & Blüthgen, N., 2007, In: Apidologie. 38, 2, p. 125-135 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Foraging wireworms are attracted to root-produced volatile aldehydes

    Barsics, F., Delory, B. M., Delaplace, P., Francis, F., Fauconnier, M. L., Haubruge, É. & Verheggen, F. J., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Pest Science. 90, 1, p. 69-76 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Forb diversity globally is harmed by nutrient enrichment but can be rescued by large mammalian herbivory

    Nelson, R. A., Sullivan, L. L., Hersch-Green, E. I., Seabloom, E. W., Borer, E. T., Tognetti, P. M., Adler, P. B., Biederman, L., Bugalho, M. N., Caldeira, M. C., Cancela, J. P., Carvalheiro, L. G., Catford, J. A., Dickman, C. R., Dolezal, A. J., Donohue, I., Ebeling, A., Eisenhauer, N., Elgersma, K. J., Eskelinen, A., Estrada, C., Garbowski, M., Graff, P., Gruner, D. S., Hagenah, N., Haider, S., Harpole, W. S., Hautier, Y., Jentsch, A., Johanson, N., Koerner, S. E., Lannes, L. S., MacDougall, A. S., Martinson, H., Morgan, J. W., Olde Venterink, H., Orr, D., Osborne, B. B., Peri, P. L., Power, S. A., Raynaud, X., Risch, A. C., Shrestha, M., Smith, N. G., Stevens, C. J., Veen, G. F. C., Virtanen, R., Wardle, G. M., Wolf, A. A., Young, A. L. & Harrison, S. P., 12.2025, In: Communications Biology. 8, 1, 10 p., 444.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Forest history from a single tree species perspective: natural occurrence, near extinction and reintroduction of European yew (Taxus baccata L.) on the Darss-Zingst peninsula, southern Baltic Sea coast

    Kaiser, K., Theuerkauf, M., van der Maaten, E., van der Maaten-Theunissen, M. & Beil, A., 06.2024, In: European Journal of Forest Research. 143, 3, p. 917-942 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Forestry contributed to warming of forest ecosystems in northern Germany during the extreme summers of 2018 and 2019

    Blumröder, J. S., May, F., Härdtle, W. & Ibisch, P. L., 09.2021, In: Ecological Solutions and Evidence. 2, 3, 14 p., e12087.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Forests, farms, and fallows: The dynamics of tree cover transition in the southern part of the uluguru mountains, tanzania

    Mpanda, M., Kashindye, A., Aynekulu, E., Jonas, E., Rosenstock, T. S. & Giliba, R. A., 28.05.2021, In: Land. 10, 6, 15 p., 571.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Fragmented Landscape, Fragmented Knowledge: A Synthesis of Renosterveld Ecology and Conservation

    Topp, E. N. & Loos, J., 01.06.2019, In: Environmental Conservation. 46, 2, p. 171-179 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Fridays for Future aus nachhaltigkeitswissenschaftlicher Perspektive

    von Wehrden, H., Kater-Wettstaedt, L. & Schneidewind, U., 18.10.2019, In: GAIA. 28, 3, p. 307-309 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    From competition to facilitation: how tree species respond to neighbourhood diversity

    Fichtner, A., Härdtle, W., Li, Y., Bruelheide, H., Kunz, M. & von Oheimb, G., 01.07.2017, In: Ecology Letters. 20, 7, p. 892-900 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    From deforestation to blossom: Large-scale restoration of montane heathland vegetation

    Borchard, F., Härdtle, W., Streitberger, M., Stuhldreher, G., Thiele, J. & Fartmann, T., 01.04.2017, In: Ecological Engineering. 101, p. 211-219 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Functional and phylogenetic diversity of woody plants drive herbivory in a highly diverse forest

    Schuldt, A., Aßmann, T., Bruelheide, H., Durka, W., Eichenberg, D., Härdtle, W., Kröber, W., Michalski, S. G. & Purschke, O., 05.2014, In: New Phytologist. 202, 3, p. 864-873 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Functional complementarity and specialisation: The role of biodiversity in plant–pollinatorinteractions

    Blüthgen, N. & Klein, A.-M., 06.2011, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 12, 4, p. 282-291 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Functional diversity and trait composition of butterfly and bird communities in Farmlands of Central Romania

    Hanspach, J., Loos, J., Dorresteijn, I., Wehrden, H., Moga, C. I. & David, A., 01.12.2015, In: Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. 1, 10, p. 1-8 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Functional flower traits and their diversity drive pollinator visitation

    Fornoff, F., Klein, A.-M., Hartig, F., Benadi, G., Venjakob, C., Schaefer, H. M. & Ebeling, A., 07.2017, In: Oikos. 126, 7, p. 1020-1030 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Functional traits drive ground beetle community structures in Central European forests: Implications for conservation

    Nolte, D., Schuldt, A., Gossner, M. M., Ulrich, W. & Assmann, T., 01.09.2017, In: Biological Conservation. 213, Part A, p. 5-12 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Functional trait similarity of native and invasive herb species in subtropical China-Environment-specific differences are the key

    Bachmann, D., Both, S., Bruelheide, H., Erfmeier, A., Ding, B.-Y., Gao, M., Härdtle, W. & Scherer-Lorenzen, M., 01.11.2012, In: Environmental and Experimental Botany. 83, p. 82-92 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Gene flow across large distances in the cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia in a central European forest

    Ruppert, L. S., Staab, M., Rappa, N. J., Frey, J. & Segelbacher, G., 04.2025, In: Ecology and Evolution. 15, 4, 11 p., e71294.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Generalist social bees maximize diversity intake in plant species-rich and resource-abundant environments

    Kaluza, B. F., Wallace, H., Keller, A., Heard, T. A., Jeffers, B., Drescher, N., Blüthgen, N. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.03.2017, In: Ecosphere. 8, 3, 19 p., e01758.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Genesis and dating of Late Pleistocene-Holocene soil sediment sequences from the Lüneburg Heath, Northern Germany

    Urban, B., Kunz, A. & Gehrt, E., 03.06.2011, In: E&G Quaternary Science Journal. 60, 1, p. 6-26 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Genes versus environment: Geography and phylogenetic relationships shape the chemical profiles of stingless bees on a global scale

    Leonhardt, S. D., Rasmussen, C. & Schmitt, T., 07.07.2013, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 280, 1762, 11 p., 20130680.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered insect species Carabus variolosus in its western distribution range: implications for conservation

    Matern, A., Desender, K., Gaublomme, E., Drees, C., Paill, W. & Aßmann, T., 01.04.2009, In: Conservation Genetics. 10, 2, p. 391-405 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Genetic erosion in a stenotopic heathland ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae): a matter of habitat size ?

    Drees, C., Vries, H., Härdtle, W., Matern, A., Persigehl, M. & Aßmann, T., 01.02.2011, In: Conservation Genetics. 12, 1, p. 105-117 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Genetic erosion in habitat specialist shows need to protect large peat bogs

    Drees, C., Zumstein, P., Buck-Dobrick, T., Härdtle, W., Matern, A., Meyer, H., Oheimb, G. & Aßmann, T., 12.2011, In: Conservation Genetics. 12, 6, p. 1651-1656 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Genetic relatedness and chemical profiles in an unusually peaceful eusocial bee

    Leonhardt, S. D., Form, S., Blüthgen, N., Schmitt, T. & Feldhaar, H., 01.10.2011, In: Journal of Chemical Ecology. 37, 10, p. 1117-1126 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Genome size influences plant growth and biodiversity responses to nutrient fertilization in diverse grassland communities

    Morton, J. A., Arnillas, C. A., Biedermann, L., Borer, E. T., Brudvig, L. A., Buckley, Y. M., Cadotte, M. W., Davies, K., Donohue, I., Ebeling, A., Eisenhauer, N., Estrada, C., Haider, S., Hautier, Y., Jentsch, A., Martinson, H., McCulley, R. L., Raynaud, X., Roscher, C., Seabloom, E. W., Stevens, C. J., Vesela, K., Wallace, A., Leitch, I. J., Leitch, A. R. & Hersch-Green, E. I., 11.12.2024, In: PLoS Biology. 22, 12, 21 p., e3002927.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Geochemical Assessment of Sediment Quality Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Ennore Creek, North of Chennai, SE Coast of India.

    Muthumanickam, J., Nagarajan, R., Velmurugan, P. M., Giridharan, L., Neetha, V. & Urban, B., 01.2014, In: Journal of Science and Technology. 22, 1, p. 315-328 14 p., JST-0407-2012.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Germination performance of native and non-native Ulmus pumila populations

    Hirsch, H., Wypior, C., von Wehrden, H., Wesche, K., Renison, D. & Hensen, I., 14.12.2012, In: NeoBiota. 15, 15, p. 53-68 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Global and regional probabilities of major nuclear reactor accidents

    Engler, J. O., 01.09.2020, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 269, 7 p., 110780.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Global assessment of the non-equilibrium concept in rangelands

    Wehrden, H. V., Hanspach, J., Kaczensky, P., Fischer, J. & Wesche, K., 03.2012, In: Ecological Applications. 22, 2, p. 393-399 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Global assessment of the non-equilibrium theory of rangelands: Revisited and refined

    Engler, J. O. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, In: Land Use Policy. 70, p. 479 - 484 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities

    Author Collaboration of "Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities", Hähn, G. J. A., Damasceno, G., Alvarez-Davila, E., Aubin, I., Bauters, M., Bergmeier, E. & Haider, S., 02.2025, In: Nature Ecology & Evolution. 9, 2, p. 237-248 12 p., e12976.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Global food security, biodiversity conservation and the future of agricultural intensification

    Tscharntke, T., Clough, Y., Wanger, T. C., Jackson, L., Motzke, I., Perfecto, I., Vandermeer, J. & Whitbread, A., 07.2012, In: Biological Conservation. 151, 1, p. 53-59 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Global growth and stability of agricultural yield decrease with pollinator dependence

    Garibaldi, L. A., Aizen, M. A., Klein, A. M., Cunningham, S. A. & Harder, L. D., 05.04.2011, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). 108, 14, p. 5909-5914 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Global malnutrition overlaps with pollinator-dependent micronutrient production

    Chaplin-Kramer, R., Dombeck, E., Gerber, J., Knuth, K. A., Mueller, N. D., Mueller, M., Ziv, G. & Klein, A.-M., 07.11.2014, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 281, 1794, p. 1-7 7 p., 20141799.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Global patterns of ecologically unequal exchange: Implications for sustainability in the 21st century

    Dorninger, C., Hornborg, A., Abson, D., von Wehrden, H., Schaffartzik, A., Giljum, S., Engler, J. O., Feller, R. L., Hubacek, K. & Wieland, H., 01.01.2021, In: Ecological Economics. 179, 14 p., 106824.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Global trait–environment relationships of plant communities

    Bruelheide, H., Dengler, J., Purschke, O., Lenoir, J., Jiménez-Alfaro, B., Hennekens, S. M., Botta-Dukát, Z., Chytrý, M., Field, R., Jansen, F., Kattge, J., Pillar, V. D., Schrodt, F., Mahecha, M. D., Peet, R. K., Sandel, B., van Bodegom, P., Altman, J., Alvarez-Dávila, E., Arfin Khan, M. A. S., Attorre, F., Aubin, I., Baraloto, C., Barroso, J. G., Bauters, M., Bergmeier, E., Biurrun, I., Bjorkman, A. D., Blonder, B., Čarni, A., Cayuela, L., Černý, T., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Craven, D., Dainese, M., Derroire, G., De Sanctis, M., Díaz, S., Doležal, J., Farfan-Rios, W., Feldpausch, T. R., Fenton, N. J., Garnier, E., Guerin, G. R., Gutiérrez, A. G., Haider, S., Hattab, T., Henry, G., Hérault, B., Higuchi, P., Hölzel, N., Homeier, J., Jentsch, A., Jürgens, N., Kącki, Z., Karger, D. N., Kessler, M., Kleyer, M., Knollová, I., Korolyuk, A. Y., Kühn, I., Laughlin, D. C., Lens, F., Loos, J., Louault, F., Lyubenova, M. I., Malhi, Y., Marcenò, C., Mencuccini, M., Müller, J. V., Munzinger, J., Myers-Smith, I. H., Neill, D. A., Niinemets, Ü., Orwin, K. H., Ozinga, W. A., Penuelas, J., Pérez-Haase, A., Petřík, P., Phillips, O. L., Pärtel, M., Reich, P. B., Römermann, C., Rodrigues, A. V., Sabatini, F. M., Sardans, J., Schmidt, M., Seidler, G., Silva Espejo, J. E., Silveira, M., Smyth, A., Sporbert, M., Svenning, J. C., Tang, Z., Thomas, R., Tsiripidis, I., Vassilev, K., Violle, C., Virtanen, R., Weiher, E., Welk, E., Wesche, K., Winter, M., Wirth, C. & Jandt, U., 01.12.2018, In: Nature Ecology & Evolution. 2, 12, p. 1906-1917 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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