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. 2016
  2. Published

    archiDART: an R package for the automated computation of plant root architectural traits

    Delory, B. M., Baudson, C., Brostaux, Y., Lobet, G., du Jardin, P., Pagès, L. & Delaplace, P., 01.2016, In: Plant and Soil. 398, 1-2, p. 351-365 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Baumartenvielfalt und Ressourcennutzung - Ergebnisse eines Stickstoff-Tracer-Experimentes in Baumanpflanzungen im subtropischen China

    Härdtle, W., 2016, Jahrestagung der Reinhold-Tüxen-Gesellschaft e.V: vom 4. bis 6. März 2016 in Hannover : zu Ehren von Professor Dr. Elgene Box (University of Georgia, Athens, USA). Pott, R. (ed.). Hannover: Reinhold-Tüxen-Gesellschaft , p. 75-86 12 p. (Berichte der Reinhold-Tüxen-Gesellschaft; vol. 28).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransferpeer-review

  4. Published

    Grünland spielt eine wichtige Rolle für die Vielfalt und für das Klima

    Temperton, V. M., 2016, Warnsignal Klima: Die Biodiversität unter Berücksichtigung von Habitatveränderungen, Umweltverschmutzung und Globalisierung. Lozan, J. L., Müller, R., Brekle, S.-W. & Rachor, E. (eds.). Hamburg: Wissenschaftliche Auswertungen Verlag, p. 170-176 7 p. 3.12. (GEO ).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Halboffene Verbundkorridore: Ökologische Funktion, Leitbilder und Praxis-Leitfaden

    Aßmann, T., Boutaud, E., Finck, P., Härdtle, W., Matthies, D., Nolte, D. I. I., von Oheimb, G., Riecken, U., Travers, E. & Ullrich, K., 2016, Münster: BfN-Schriftenvertrieb im Landwirtschaftsverlag. 296 p. (Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt; vol. 154)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  6. Published
  7. Published

    Sustainability and Ecosystems

    Wehrden, H., von Oheimb, G., Abson, D. & Härdtle, W., 2016, Sustainability Science : An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 61-70 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Published
  9. Published

    Towards sustainable land uses within the Elbe river biosphere reserve in Lower Saxony, Germany by means of TerraSAR-X images

    Farghaly, D., Elba, E. & Urban, B., 2016, In: Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection. 4, 3, p. 97-121 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. 2015
  11. Published

    Multitrophic diversity in a biodiverse forest is highly nonlinear across spatial scales

    Schuldt, A., Wubet, T., Buscot, F., Staab, M., Aßmann, T., Böhnke-Kammerlander, M., Both, S., Erfmeier, A., Klein, A.-M., Ma, K., Pietsch, K., Schultze, S., Wirth, C., Zhang, J., Zumstein, P. & Bruelheide, H., 10.12.2015, In: Nature Communications. 6, 8 p., 10169.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Living in Heterogeneous Woodlands - Are Habitat Continuity or Quality Drivers of Genetic Variability in a Flightless Ground Beetle?

    Marcus, T., Boch, S., Durka, W., Fischer, M., Gossner, M. M., Müller, J., Schöning, I., Weisser, W. W., Drees, C. & Assmann, T., 07.12.2015, In: PLoS ONE. 10, 12, 18 p., e0144217.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Lexsyg smart - A luminescence detection system for dosimetry, material research and dating application

    Richter, D., Richter, A. & Dornich, K., 04.12.2015, In: Geochronometria. 42, 1, p. 202-209 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Excavations at Schöningen and paradigm shifts in human evolution

    Conard, N. J., Serangeli, J., Böhner, U., Starkovich, B. M., Miller, C. E., Urban, B. & van Kolfschoten, T., 02.12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 1-17 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Butterfly communities in miombo woodland: Biodiversity declines with increasing woodland utilisation

    Jew, E. K. K., Loos, J., Dougill, A. J., Sallu, S. M. & Benton, T. G., 01.12.2015, In: Biological Conservation. 192, p. 436-444 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Characterizing the Lower Paleolithic bone industry from Schöningen 12 II: A multi-proxy study.

    Julien, M. A., Hardy, B., Stahlschmidt, M., Urban, B., Serangeli, J. & Conard, N. J., 01.12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 264-286 23 p., 89.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Environmental reconstruction and biostratigraphy of late Middle Pleistocene lakeshore deposits at Schöningen

    Urban, B. & Bigga, G., 01.12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 57-70 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. 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

  19. Published

    On the evidence for human use and control of fire at Schöningen

    Stahlschmidt, M., Miller, C., Ligouis, B., Hambach, U., Goldberg, P., Berna, F., Richter, D., Urban, B., Serangeli, J. & Conrad, N. J., 01.12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 181-201 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    The depositional environments of Schöningen 13 II-4 and their archaeological implications

    Stahlschmidt, M., Miller, C., Ligouis, B., Goldberg, P., Berna, F., Urban, B. & Conard, N. J., 01.12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 71-91 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    The ground beetle supertribe zuphiitae in the southern levant: (Coleoptera, carabidae)

    Austin, K., Buse, J., Chikatunov, V., Drees, C., Felix, R. F. F. L., Friedman, A. L. L., Khoury, F., Renan, I., Schmidt, C., Wrase, D. W., Aßmann, T., Marcus, T. & Boutaud, E., 01.12.2015, In: Spixiana. 38, 2, p. 237-262 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Paleoenvironment and possibilities of plant exploitation in the Middle Pleistocene of Schöningen (Germany). Insights from botanical macro-remains and pollen

    Bigga, G., Schoch, W. H. & Urban, B., 12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 92-104 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Spatial scale affects seed predation and dispersal in contrasting anthropogenic landscapes

    Pufal, G. & Klein, A. M., 12.2015, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 16, 8, p. 726-736 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    The ethics of offsetting nature

    Ives, C. D. & Bekessy, S. A., 12.2015, In: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 13, 10, p. 568-573 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Socioecological drivers facilitating biodiversity conservation in traditional farming landscapes

    Dorresteijn, I., Loos, J., Hanspach, J. & Fischer, J., 20.11.2015, In: Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. 1, 9, p. 1-9 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Elementary school children contribute to environmental research as citizen scientists

    Miczajka, V. L., Klein, A. M. & Pufal, G., 18.11.2015, In: PLoS ONE. 10, 11, 10 p., e0143229.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Pollution exposure on marine protected areas: A global assessment

    Partelow, S., von Wehrden, H. & Horn, O., 15.11.2015, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 100, 1, p. 352-358 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  28. Published

    Throughfall kinetic energy in young subtropical forests: Investigation on tree species richness effects and spatial variability

    Goebes, P., Seitz, S., Kühn, P., Li, Y., Niklaus, P. A., Oheimb, G. V. & Scholten, T., 15.11.2015, In: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 213, p. 148-159 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  29. 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

  30. Published

    Plant diversity and composition compensate for negative effects of urbanization on foraging bumble bees

    Hülsmann, M., von Wehrden, H., Klein, A. M. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.11.2015, In: Apidologie. 46, 6, p. 760-770 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Through the eye of a butterfly: Assessing biodiversity impacts of cashew expansion in West Africa

    Vasconcelos, S., Rodrigues, P., Palma, L., Mendes, L. F., Palminha, A., Catarino, L. & Beja, P., 01.11.2015, In: Biological Conservation. 191, p. 779-786 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Allocation patterns of airborne nitrogen in mountainous heathlands – A 15N tracer study in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain)

    Calvo-Fernández, J., Marcos, E., Calvo, L. & Härdtle, W., 11.2015, In: Ecological Engineering. 84, p. 128-135 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  33. Published

    Application of feedforward artificial neural network in Muskingum flood routing: A black-box forecasting approach for a natural river system

    Latt, Z. Z., 11.2015, In: Water Resources Management. 29, 14, p. 4995-5014 20 p., a006.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Red mason bees cannot compete with honey bees for floral resources in a cage experiment

    Hudewenz, A. & Klein, A. M., 11.2015, In: Ecology and Evolution. 5, 21, p. 5049-5056 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Does tree architectural complexity influence the accuracy of wood volume estimates of single young trees by terrestrial laser scanning?

    Hess, C., Bienert, A., Härdtle, W. & von Oheimb, G., 30.10.2015, In: Forests. 6, 11, p. 3847-3867 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  36. Published

    Landscape simplification filters species traits and drives biotic homogenization

    Gámez-Virués, S., Perović, D. J., Gossner, M. M., Börschig, C., Blüthgen, N., de Jong, H., Simons, N. K., Klein, A.-M., Krauss, J., Maier, G., Scherber, C., Steckel, J., Rothenwöhrer, C., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Weiner, C. N., Weisser, W., Werner, M., Tscharntke, T. & Westphal, C., 20.10.2015, In: Nature Communications. 6, 8 p., 8568.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Impact of land cover homogenization on the Corncrake (Crex crex) in traditional farmland

    Dorresteijn, I., Teixeira, L., von Wehrden, H., Loos, J., Hanspach, J., Stein, J. A. R. & Fischer, J., 04.10.2015, In: Landscape Ecology. 30, 8, p. 1483-1495 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Landscape context influences chytrid fungus distribution in an endangered European amphibian

    Scheele, B. C., Driscoll, D. A., Fischer, J., Fletcher, A. W., Hanspach, J., Vörös, J. & Hartel, T., 01.10.2015, In: Animal Conservation. 18, 5, p. 480-488 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Crop rotation modelling: A European model intercomparison

    Kollas, C., Kersebaum, K. C., Nendel, C., Manevski, K., Müller, C., Palosuo, T., Armas-Herrera, C. M., Beaudoin, N., Bindi, M., Charfeddine, M., Conradt, T., Constantin, J., Eitzinger, J., Ewert, F., Ferrise, R., Gaiser, T., Cortazar-Atauri, I. G. D., Giglio, L., Hlavinka, P., Hoffmann, H., Hoffmann, M. P., Launay, M., Manderscheid, R., Mary, B., Mirschel, W., Moriondo, M., Olesen, J. E., Öztürk, I., Pacholski, A., Ripoche-Wachter, D., Roggero, P. P., Roncossek, S., Rötter, R. P., Ruget, F., Sharif, B., Trnka, M., Ventrella, D., Waha, K., Wegehenkel, M., Weigel, H. J. & Wu, L., 10.2015, In: European Journal of Agronomy. 70, p. 98 - 111 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    The influence of leaf litter diversity and soil fauna on initial soil erosion in subtropical forests

    Seitz, S., Goebes, P., Zumstein, P., Aßmann, T., Kühn, P., Niklaus, P. A., Schuldt, A. & Scholten, T., 15.09.2015, In: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 40, 11, p. 1439-1447 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    The role of plant biodiversity in modifying the structure and functioning of higher tropic Levels in species-rich forests

    Schuldt, A., 10.09.2015, Lüneburg. 269 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesPost-doctoral dissertations

  42. Published

    Agro-ecosystem services and dis-services in almond orchards are differentially influenced by the surrounding landscape

    Schäckermann, J., Pufal, G., Mandelik, Y. & Klein, A. M., 01.09.2015, In: Ecological Entomology. 40, S1, p. 12-21 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Early subtropical forest growth is driven by community mean trait values and functional diversity rather than the abiotic environment

    Kröber, W., Li, Y., Härdtle, W., Ma, K., Schmid, B., Schmidt, K., Scholten, T., Seidler, G., von Oheimb, G., Welk, E., Wirth, C. & Bruehlheide, H., 01.09.2015, In: Ecology and Evolution. 5, 17, p. 3541-3556 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Groundwater abstraction for irrigation and its impacts on low flows in a watershed in Northwest Germany

    Wittenberg, H., 01.09.2015, In: Resources. 4, 3, p. 566-576 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Impacts of drought and nitrogen addition on Calluna heathlands differ with plant life-history stage

    Meyer-Grünefeldt, M., Calvo, L., Marcos, E., Von Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 09.2015, In: Journal of Ecology. 103, 5, p. 1141-1152 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  46. Published

    Influence of rhizobacterial volatiles on the root system architecture and the production and allocation of biomass in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P. Beauv

    Delaplace, P., Delory, B. M., Baudson, C., Mendaluk-Saunier de Cazenave, M., Spaepen, S., Varin, S., Brostaux, Y. & du Jardin, P., 12.08.2015, In: BMC Plant Biology. 15, 1, 15 p., 195.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    A review of urban ecosystem services: six key challenges for future research

    Lüderitz, C., Brink, E., Gralla, F., Hermelingmeier, V., Rau, A.-L., Abson, D., Lang, D. J., von Wehrden, H., Wamsler, C., Sasaki, R., Partelow, S., Meyer, M., Lisa, N. & Panzer, L., 01.08.2015, In: Ecosystem Services. 14, p. 98-112 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  48. Published

    Pennycress double-cropping does not negatively impact spider diversity

    Groeneveld, J. H., Lührs, H. P. & Klein, A. M., 08.2015, In: Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 17, 3, p. 247-257 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    The ground beetle tribe Cyclosomini s.l. in Israel (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

    Aßmann, T., Boutaud, E., Buse, J., Chikatunov, V., Drees, C., Friedman, A.-L.-L., Härdtle, W., Homburg, K., Marcus, T., Renan, I. & Wrase, D. W., 08.2015, In: Spixiana. 38, 1, p. 49-69 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Resolving potential conflicts between different heathland ecosystem services through adaptive management

    Alonso, I. & Härdtle, W., 14.07.2015, In: Ecological Questions. 21, p. 101-103 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    What restricts generative rejuvenation of Calluna vulgaris in continental, dry heathland ecosystems: Seed production, germination ability or safe site conditions?

    Henning, K., Von Oheimb, G. & Sabine, T., 10.07.2015, In: Ecological Questions. 21, p. 25-28 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Challenges for biodiversity monitoring using citizen science in transitioning social-ecological systems

    Loos, J., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Kirkland, P., Hartel, T., Osváth-Ferencz, M. & Fischer, J., 01.07.2015, In: Journal for Nature Conservation. 26, p. 45-48 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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