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. 2023
  2. Published

    Can rare arable plants benefit biological pest control potential of cereal aphids in croplands?

    Twerski, A., Albrecht, H., Gallé, R., Sauter, F., Császár, P. & Fischer, C., 01.02.2023, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 66, p. 40-49 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Values shift in response to social learning through deliberation about protected areas

    Andrade, R., van Riper, C. J., Goodson, D. J., Johnson, D. N., Stewart, W., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Lo, V. & Raymond, C. M., 01.01.2023, In: Global Environmental Change. 78, 12 p., 102630.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Assembly history modulates vertical root distribution in a grassland experiment

    Alonso-Crespo, I. M., Weidlich, E. W. A., Temperton, V. M. & Delory, B. M., 01.2023, In: Oikos. 2023, 1, 13 p., e08886.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Klaus Dierßen (1948-2022) Obituary

    Härdtle, W. & Schrautzer, J., 2023, In: Tuexenia. 43, p. 357-373 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Pflanzengesellschaft des Jahres 2023: Die Strandlingsrasen (Littorelletea uniflorae p.p.)

    Remy, D., Tischew, S., Dierschke, H., Heinken, T., Hölzel, N., Bergmeier, E., Schneider, S., Horn, K. & Härdtle, W., 2023, In: Tuexenia. 42, p. 321-350 30 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Plant Community of the Year 2024: Vegetation of wet meadows (Calthion palustris)

    Schneider, S., Bergmeier, E., Boch, S., Ewald, J., Härdtle, W., Heinken, T., Hölzel, N., Horn, K., Lütt, S., Remy, D., Ruthsatz, B., Schwabe, A., Tischew, S., Becker, T. & Dierschke, H., 2023, In: Tuexenia. 43, p. 277-334 58 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Schöningen: a reference site for the Middle Pleistocene

    Serangeli, J., Verheijen, I., Rodríguez-Álvarez, B., Altamura, F., Bigga, G., Schoch, W. H., Urban, B., van Kolfschoten, T., Venditti, F. & Conard, N. J., 2023, In: Journal of Mediterranean Earth Sciences. 15, p. 369-387 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Science on ecosystems and people to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

    Schröter, M., Berbés-Blázquez, M., Albert, C., Hill, R., Krause, T., Loos, J., Mannetti, L. M., Martín-López, B., Neelakantan, A., Parrotta, J. A., Quintas-Soriano, C., Abson, D. J., Alkemade, R., Amelung, B., Baptiste, B., Barrios, E., Djoudi, H., Drakou, E. G., Durance, I., García Llorente, M., Geneletti, D., Harmáčková, Z. V., Jacobs, S., Kaiser, N. N., Kingsley, J., Klain, S., Martínez-Harms, M. J., Murali, R., O’Farrell, P., Pandit, R., Pereira, L., Rana, S., Riechers, M., Rusch, G. M., Sala, J. E., Schulp, C. J. E., Sitas, N., Subramanian, S. M., Villasante, S. & van Oudenhoven, A., 2023, In: Ecosystems and People. 19, 1, 10 p., 2220913.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  10. 2022
  11. Published

    The programme on ecosystem change and society (PECS) – a decade of deepening social-ecological research through a place-based focus

    Norström, A. V., Agarwal, B., Balvanera, P., Baptiste, B., Bennett, E. M., Brondízio, E., Biggs, R., Campbell, B., Carpenter, S. R., Castilla, J. C., Castro, A. J., Cramer, W., Cumming, G. S., Felipe-Lucia, M., Fischer, J., Folke, C., DeFries, R., Gelcich, S., Groth, J., Ifejika Speranza, C., Jacobs, S., Hofmann, J., Hughes, T. P., Lam, D. P. M., Loos, J., Manyani, A., Martín-López, B., Meacham, M., Moersberger, H., Nagendra, H., Pereira, L., Polasky, S., Schoon, M., Schultz, L., Selomane, O. & Spierenburg, M., 31.12.2022, In: Ecosystems and People. 18, 1, p. 598–608 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Biodiversity–stability relationships strengthen over time in a long-term grassland experiment

    Wagg, C., Roscher, C., Weigelt, A., Vogel, A., Ebeling, A., de Luca, E., Roeder, A., Kleinspehn, C., Temperton, V. M., Meyer, S. T., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Buchmann, N., Fischer, M., Weisser, W. W., Eisenhauer, N. & Schmid, B., 14.12.2022, In: Nature Communications. 13, 1, 11 p., 7752.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Habitat diversity and peat moss cover drive the occurrence probability of the threatened ground beetle Carabus menetriesi (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a Bavarian mire

    Harry, I., Assmann, T., Dormann, C. F. & Skarbek, C. J., 01.12.2022, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 26, 6, p. 863-871 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Positive intercropping effects on biomass production are species-specific and involve rhizosphere enzyme activities: Evidence from a field study

    Kumar, A., Blagodaskaya, E., Dippold, M. A. & Temperton, V., 01.12.2022, In: Soil Ecology Letters. 4, 4, p. 444-453 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    ReSurveyGermany: Vegetation-plot time-series over the past hundred years in Germany

    Jandt, U., Bruelheide, H., Berg, C., Bernhardt-Römermann, M., Blüml, V., Bode, F., Dengler, J., Diekmann, M., Dierschke, H., Doerfler, I., Döring, U., Dullinger, S., Härdtle, W., Haider, S., Heinken, T., Horchler, P., Jansen, F., Kudernatsch, T., Kuhn, G., Lindner, M., Matesanz, S., Metze, K., Meyer, S., Müller, F., Müller, N., Naaf, T., Peppler-Lisbach, C., Poschlod, P., Roscher, C., Rosenthal, G., Rumpf, S. B., Schmidt, W., Schrautzer, J., Schwabe, A., Schwartze, P., Sperle, T., Stanik, N., Stroh, H. G., Storm, C., Voigt, W., von Heßberg, A., von Oheimb, G., Wagner, E. R., Wegener, U., Wesche, K., Wittig, B. & Wulf, M., 01.12.2022, In: Scientific data. 9, 1, 13 p., 631.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. 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

  17. Published

    Using meaningful places as an indicator for sense of place in the management of social-ecological systems

    Knaps, F., Gottwald, S., Albert, C. & Herrmann, S., 01.11.2022, In: Ecology and Society. 27, 4, 12 p., 9.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Application of modern coexistence theory to rare plant restoration provides early indication of restoration trajectories

    Aoyama, L., Shoemaker, L. G., Gilbert, B., Collinge, S. K., Faist, A. M., Shackelford, N., Temperton, V. M., Barabás, G., Larios, L., Ladouceur, E., Godoy, O., Bowler, C. & Hallett, L. M., 01.10.2022, In: Ecological Applications. 32, 7, 14 p., e2649.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Assessing mire-specific biodiversity with an indicator based approach

    Hammerich, J., Dammann, C., Schulz, C., Tanneberger, F., Zeitz, J. & Luthardt, V., 01.10.2022, In: Mires and Peat. 28, 29 p., 32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Carbon fluxes within tree-crop-grass agroforestry system: 13C field labeling and tracing

    Zhou, J., Shao, G., Kumar, A., Shi, L., Kuzyakov, Y. & Pausch, J., 01.10.2022, In: Biology and Fertility of Soils. 58, 7, p. 733-743 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Socio-Environmental Vulnerability of Agriculture Communities to Climate Change in Western Himalaya: A Household-Level Review

    Chauhan, N., von Wehrden, H. & Joshi, P. K., 24.09.2022, Challenges of Disasters in Asia: Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience. Sajjad, H., Siddiqui, L., Rahman, A., Tahir, M. & Ahsan Siddiqui, M. (eds.). Springer Verlag, p. 123-145 23 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  22. Published

    Land-use change differentially affects endemic, forest andopen-land butterflies in Madagascar

    Wurz, A., Grass, I., Lees, D. C., Rakotomalala, A. A. N. A., Sáfián, S., Martin, D. A., Osen, K., Loos, J., Benasoavina, E., Alexis, T. & Tscharntke, T., 01.09.2022, In: Insect Conservation and Diversity. 15, 5, p. 606-620 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Placing Brazil's grasslands and savannas on the map of science and conservation

    Overbeck, G. E., Vélez-Martin, E., Menezes, L. D. S., Anand, M., Baeza, S., Carlucci, M. B., Dechoum, M. S., Durigan, G., Fidelis, A., Guido, A., Moro, M. F., Munhoz, C. B. R., Reginato, M., Rodrigues, R. S., Rosenfield, M. F., Sampaio, A. B., Barbosa da Silva, F. H., Silveira, F. A. O., Sosinski, Ê. E., Staude, I. R., Temperton, V. M., Turchetto, C., Veldman, J. W., Viana, P. L., Zappi, D. C. & Müller, S. C., 01.09.2022, In: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 56, 125687.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  24. Published

    Root biology never sleeps: 11th Symposium of the International Society of Root Research (ISRR11) and the 9th International Symposium on Root Development (Rooting2021), 24-28 May 2021

    Carley, C. N., Chen, G., Das, K. K., Delory, B. M., Dimitrova, A., Ding, Y., George, A. P., Greeley, L. A., Han, Q., Hendriks, P. W., Hernandez-Soriano, M. C., Li, M., Ng, J. L. P., Mau, L., Mesa-Marín, J., Miller, A. J., Rae, A. E., Schmidt, J., Thies, A., Topp, C. N., Wacker, T. S., Wang, P., Wang, X., Xie, L. & Zheng, C., 01.09.2022, In: The New phytologist. 235, 6, p. 2149-2154 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  25. Published

    Sustainable lifestyles: towards a relational approach

    Böhme, J., Walsh, Z. & Wamsler, C., 09.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 5, p. 2063-2076 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Effects of tree diversity on canopy space occupation vary with tree size and canopy space definition in a mature broad-leaved forest

    Georgi, L., Kunz, M., Fichtner, A., Bienert, A., Maas, H.-G. & von Oheimb, G., 15.08.2022, In: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 323, 109055.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    How to estimate carabid biomass?—an evaluation of size-weight models for ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and perspectives for further improvement

    Weiss, F. & Linde, A., 01.08.2022, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 26, 4, p. 537-548 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    What are mycorrhizal traits?

    Chaudhary, V. B., Holland, E. P., Charman-Anderson, S., Guzman, A., Bell-Dereske, L., Cheeke, T. E., Corrales, A., Duchicela, J., Egan, C., Gupta, M. M., Hannula, S. E., Hestrin, R., Hoosein, S., Kumar, A., Mhretu, G., Neuenkamp, L., Soti, P., Xie, Y. & Helgason, T., 01.07.2022, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 37, 7, p. 573-581 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  29. Published

    Taxonomic revision of the African and Southwest Asian species of Platyderus Stephens, subg. Eremoderus Jeanne (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Sphodrini)

    Guéorguiev, B., Wrase, D. W., Assmann, T., Muilwijk, J. & Machard, P., 13.06.2022, In: Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 69, 1, p. 71-122 52 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published
  31. Published

    Microbial nutrient limitation and catalytic adjustments revealed from a long‐term nutrient restriction experiment

    Kumar, A. & Pausch, J., 01.06.2022, In: Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. 1, 2, p. 142-148 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Multiple anthropogenic pressures challenge the effectiveness of protected areas in western Tanzania

    Giliba, R., Fust, P., Kiffner, C. & Loos, J., 01.06.2022, In: Conservation Science and Practice. 4, 6, 17 p., e12684.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Planning for Sea Spaces II: Towards an Agenda for Research

    Crawford, J., Walsh, C., Sielker, F. & Smith, G., 06.2022, In: Planning Practice and Research. 37, 3, p. 269-275 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  34. Published

    The European Forest Plant Species List (EuForPlant): Concept and applications

    Heinken, T., Diekmann, M., Liira, J., Orczewska, A., Schmidt, M., Brunet, J., Chytrý, M., Chabrerie, O., Decocq, G., De Frenne, P., Drevojan, P., Dzwonko, Z., Ewald, J., Feilberg, J., Graae, B. J., Grytnes, J. A., Hermy, M., Kriebitzsch, W.-U., Laivins, M., Lenoir, J., Lindmo, S., Marage, D., Marozas, V., Niemeyer, T., Paal, J., Pyšek, P., Roosaluste, E., Sadlo, J., Schaminée, J. H. J., Tyler, T., Verheyen, K., Wulf, M. & Vanneste, T., 16.05.2022, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 33, 3, 16 p., e13132.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Neanderthals in changing environments from MIS 5 to early MIS 4 in northern Central Europe – Integrating archaeological, (chrono)stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental evidence at the site of Lichtenberg

    Weiss, M., Hein, M., Urban, B., Stahlschmidt, M. C., Heinrich, S., Hilbert, Y. H., Power, R. C., von Suchodoletz, H., Terberger, T., Böhner, U., Klimscha, F., Veil, S., Breest, K., Schmidt, J., Colarossi, D., Tucci, M., Frechen, M., Tanner, D. C. & Lauer, T., 15.05.2022, In: Quaternary Science Reviews. 284, 107519.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Disentangling Obstacles to Knowledge Co-Production for Early-Career Researchers in the Marine Sciences

    Rölfer, L., Elias Ilosvay, X. E., Ferse, S. C. A., Jung, J., Karcher, D. B., Kriegl, M., Nijamdeen, T. M., Riechers, M. & Walker, E. Z., 13.05.2022, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 9, 8 p., 893489.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Conservation value of semi-open habitats for ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Cicindelidae) in Central Europe

    Boutaud, E., Nolte, D., Harry, I., Aßmann, T. & Drees, C., 01.05.2022, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 31, 5-6, p. 1469-1489 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Spring barley performance benefits from simultaneous shallow straw incorporation and top dressing as revealed by rhizotrons with resealable sampling ports

    Reichel, R., Kamau, C. W., Kumar, A., Li, Z., Radl, V., Temperton, V. M., Schloter, M. & Brüggemann, N., 01.05.2022, In: Biology and Fertility of Soils. 58, 4, p. 375-388 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Decision-making for nature’s contributions to people in the Cape Floristic Region: the role of values, rules and knowledge

    Topp, E., Loos, J. & Martín-López, B., 05.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 3, p. 739-760 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Mosaic landscapes provide conservation pockets for an endangered species: Colias myrmidone in Romania

    Loos, J., Schröer, C., Becker, T., Kastal, A., Kortmann, E. & Dolek, M., 05.2022, In: Insect Conservation and Diversity. 15, 3, p. 359-369 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Better performance of organic than conventional tomato varieties in single and mixed cropping

    Ficiciyan, A. M., Loos, J. & Tscharntke, T., 21.04.2022, In: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. 46, 4, p. 491-509 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Competitive interactions shape plant responses to nitrogen fertilization and drought: evidence from a microcosm experiment with Lilium bulbiferum L. and Secale cereale L.

    Lütke Schwienhorst, J., Pyrlik, C., Tomberge, A., Fichtner, A., Walmsley, D., von Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 01.04.2022, In: Plant Ecology. 223, 4, p. 437-451 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Contextualising coastal management and adaptation: Examining situated practices and path dependencies in Ireland and Germany

    Tubridy, F., Walsh, C., Lennon, M. & Scott, M., 01.04.2022, In: Ocean and Coastal Management. 220, 11 p., 106095.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Remotely sensed effectiveness assessments of protected areas lack a common framework: A review

    Gohr, C., von Wehrden, H., May, F. & Ibisch, P. L., 01.04.2022, In: Ecosphere. 13, 4, 14 p., e4053.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  45. Published

    Neighbourhood Species Richness Reduces Crown Asymmetry of Subtropical Trees in Sloping Terrain

    Perles García, M. D., Kunz, M., Fichtner, A., Meyer, N., Härdtle, W. & von Oheimb, G., 16.03.2022, In: Remote Sensing. 14, 6, 14 p., 1441.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  46. Published

    Three source-partitioning of CO2 fluxes based on a dual-isotope approach to investigate interactions between soil organic carbon, glucose and straw

    Chen, Z., Kumar, A., Brookes, P. C., Kuzyakov, Y., Luo, Y. & Xu, J., 10.03.2022, In: Science of the Total Environment. 811, 10 p., 152163.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Planning for Sea Spaces I: Processes, Practices, and Future Perspectives

    Walsh, C., Sielker, F., Smith, G. & Crawford, J., 04.03.2022, In: Planning Practice and Research. 37, 2, p. 131-135 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  48. 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

  49. Published

    Optimisation of root traits to provide enhanced ecosystem services in agricultural systems: A focus on cover crops

    Griffiths, M., Delory, B. M., Jawahir, V., Wong, K. M., Bagnall, G. C., Dowd, T. G., Nusinow, D. A., Miller, A. J. & Topp, C. N., 01.03.2022, In: Plant Cell and Environment. 45, 3, p. 751-770 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  50. Published

    Urgent need for updating the slogan of global climate actions from 'tree planting' to 'restore native vegetation'

    Tölgyesi, C., Buisson, E., Helm, A., Temperton, V. & Török, P., 01.03.2022, In: Restoration Ecology. 30, 3, 4 p., e13594.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Planning for Sea Spaces I: Processes, Practices and Future Perspectives

    Walsh, C. (Editor), Sielker, F. (Editor), Smith, G. (Editor) & Crawford, J. (Editor), 03.2022, London: Taylor and Francis Inc. 138 p. (Planning Practice and Research; vol. 37, no. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  52. Published

    Palaeoecological Interpretation of a Late Holocene Sediment Sequence from the Alpine Belt of the Southern Mongolian Altai Mountains

    Goenster-Jordan, S., Urban, B. & Buerkert, A., 17.02.2022, In: Open Quaternary. 8, 1, 18 p., 2.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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