Organisation profile

Sustainability has many facets. Inter- and transdisciplinary research and teaching characterize the School of Sustainability. Scientists in our research projects work together in the laboratory, on the heath, in the grassland, in the classroom, with the city administration, with farmers, with non-governmental organizations, with companies, with students in the lecture hall and of course at their desks.

Furthermore, we work with regional and national political actors, e.g. ministries, as well as international organizations, e.g. UNEP, UNESCO, EU. We are part of national and international bodies, e.g. sustainability advisory boards of companies, member of the German Sustainability Award, World Biodiversity Council (IPBES), in order to contribute to social change with scientific findings.

Main research areas

Vision
Sustainability science investigates on a theoretical, conceptual and empirical level how to promote sustainable development and how to find and implement effective solutions for current social and ecological challenges. The aim is to create a more sustainable future.

Sustainability researchers are called upon to take responsibility for their research, which is anchored in existing scientific knowledge and methods and serves to make the world a better place for everyone.

Mission
We promote change towards a sustainable future by developing theories, concepts and practices of inclusive education for sustainability, research, governance and management.

We acknowledge the diversity and dynamics of values, norms and behaviour and contribute with transdisciplinary methods to ensuring that tensions and differences between different disciplines, methods, topics and standards are fruitfully taken up and used with productive compromises and further developments towards sustainable development.

Principles
The School of Sustainability is guided by the normative concepts of ecological system integrity and social and economic justice.

Ecological system integrity refers to the safeguarding of life-support systems, as well as the maintenance of the well-being of life on Earth.

With social and economic justice we strive for a world in which all people can fulfil their potential without endangering system integrity and the well-being of others.

Information about the School
The School of Sustainability includes...
... ca. 25 professors
... ca. 100 research assistants
... ca. 1000 students in Bachelor and Master courses

In various inter- and transdisciplinary projects we are constantly researching and working together on changes and solutions for current challenges.

  1. 2017
  2. Published

    Governance change and governance learning in Europe: stakeholder participation in environmental policy implementation

    Challies, E., Newig, J., Kochskämper, E. & Jager, N. W., 03.04.2017, In: Policy and Society. 36, 2, p. 288-303 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published
  4. 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

  5. Published

    Mapping and analysing historical indicators of ecosystem services in Germany

    Dittrich, A., von Wehrden, H., Abson, D. J., Bartkowski, B., Cord, A. F., Fust, P., Hoyer, C., Kambach, S., Meyer, M. A., Radzevičiūtė, R., Nieto-Romero, M., Seppelt, R. & Beckmann, M., 01.04.2017, In: Ecological Indicators. 75, p. 101-110 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Servicios Ecosistémicos en Latinoamérica: De la investigación a la acción

    Laterra, P., Martín-López, B., Mastrángelo, M. & Garibaldi, L. A., 01.04.2017, In: Ecología Austral. 27, 1, p. 94-98 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Socio-technical change linking expectations and representations: Innovating thermal treatment of municipal solid waste

    Levidow, L. & Upham, P., 01.04.2017, In: Science and Public Policy. 44, 2, p. 211-224 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The relationship between plant species richness and soil pH vanishes with increasing aridity across Eurasian dry grasslands

    Palpurina, S., Wagner, V., von Wehrden, H., Hájek, M., Horsák, M., Brinkert, A., Hölzel, N., Wesche, K., Kamp, J., Hájková, P., Danihelka, J., Lustyk, P., Merunková, K., Preislerová, Z., Kočí, M., Kubešová, S., Cherosov, M., Ermakov, N., German, D., Gogoleva, P., Lashchinsky, N., Martynenko, V. & Chytrý, M., 01.04.2017, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 26, 4, p. 425-434 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    The reproductive potential and importance of key management aspects for successful Calluna vulgaris rejuvenation on abandoned Continental heaths

    Henning, K., von Oheimb, G., Härdtle, W., Fichtner, A. & Tischew, S., 01.04.2017, In: Ecology and Evolution. 7, 7, p. 2091-2100 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Energy transitions and national development indicators: A global review of nuclear energy production

    Gralla, F., Abson, D. J., Møller, A. P., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 04.2017, In: Renewable & Sustainble Energy Reviews. 70, p. 1251-1265 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  11. Published

    Simulation of the fate of Boscalid and its transformation product 4-Chlorobenzoic acid in a vineyard-terraces catchment

    Vollert, D., Gassmann, M., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 04.2017, Proceedings from the 19th EGU General Assembly, EGU2017. Copernicus Publications, Vol. 19. p. 15167 1 p. (Geophysical research abstracts; vol. 19).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    The right to liberty and security according to article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights and facing threats to public safety and national security

    Bachmann, S. D. & Sanden, J., 04.2017, In: Tydskrif vir die Suid Afrikaanse Reg . 2017, 2, p. 320-336 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  13. Published

    Vasodilatierende Substanzen in Kläranlagenabläufen und Oberflächengewässern

    Hensen, B., Faubel, C., Palm, W.-U. & Steffen, D., 04.2017, Wasser, Energie und Umwelt: Aktuelle Beiträge aus der Zeitschrift Wasser und Abfall I. Porth, M. & Schüttrumpf, H. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 208-215 8 p.

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

  14. Published

    Socio-cultural valuation approaches

    Santos-Martín, F., Kelemen, E., García-Llorente, M., Jacobs, S., Oteros-Rozas, E., Barton, D. N., Palomo, I., Hevia, V. & Martín-López, B., 30.03.2017, Mapping ecosystem services. Burkhard, B. & Maes, J. (eds.). Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd., p. 102-112 11 p.

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

  15. Published

    Social Bots als algorithmische Piraten und als Boten einer techno-environmentalen Handlungskraft

    Leistert, O., 27.03.2017, Algorithmuskulturen: Über die rechnerische Konstruktion der Wirklichkeit. Seyfert, R. & Roberge, J. (eds.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 215 - 234 20 p.

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

  16. Published

    Hochschulen und nachhaltige Entwicklung: Analysen, Konzepte, europäische Perspektiven

    Adomssent, M., Franz-Balsen, A. & Kruse-Graumann, L., 25.03.2017, In: GAIA. 16, 1, p. 78-80 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Towards a Sustainable Use of Phosphorus: A Transdisciplinary Scenario Analysis for the Administrative District of Lüneburg, Germany

    Sieveking, A., Weber, H., Riewerts, B. & Böhme, M., 23.03.2017, In: GAIA. 26, 1, p. 34-42 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Methodological Challenges in Sustainability Science: A Call for Method Plurality, Procedural Rigor and Longitudinal Research

    Wehrden, H., Lüderitz, C., Leventon, J. & Russell, S., 20.03.2017, In: Challenges in Sustainability. 5, 1, p. 35-42 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Phenotypic Plasticity Explains Response Patterns of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Saplings to Nitrogen Fertilization and Drought Events

    Dziedek, C., Fichtner, A., Calvo, L., Marcos, E., Jansen, K., Kunz, M., Walmsley, D., Von Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 20.03.2017, In: Forests. 8, 3, p. 1-11 11 p., 91.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    A plea for multifunctional landscapes

    Fischer, J., Meacham, M. & Queiroz, C., 01.03.2017, In: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 15, 2, p. 59-59 1 p.

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

  21. Published

    Experimental evidence of two mechanisms coupling leaf-level C assimilation to rhizosphere CO 2 release

    Kayler, Z., Keitel, C., Jansen, K. & Gessler, A., 01.03.2017, In: Environmental and Experimental Botany. 135, p. 21-26 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. 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

  23. Published

    Innovating Corporate Accounting and Reporting for Sustainability: Attributes and Challenges

    Schaltegger, S., Álvarez-Etxeberria, I. & Ortas, E., 01.03.2017, In: Sustainable Development. 25, 2, p. 113-122 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Innovative Measurement for Corporate Sustainability: Editorial

    Álvarez-Etxeberria, I., Ortas, E. & Schaltegger, S., 01.03.2017, In: Sustainable Development. 25 , 2, p. 111-112 2 p.

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

  25. Published

    Inside honeybee hives: Impact of natural propolis on the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor and viruses

    Drescher, N., Klein, A. M., Neumann, P., Yañez, O. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.03.2017, In: Insects. 8, 1, 18 p., 15.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published
  27. Published

    Separation of lactic acid and recovery of salt-ions from fermentation broth

    Pleissner, D., Schneider, R., Venus, J. & Koch, T., 01.03.2017, In: Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 92, 3, p. 504-511 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published
  29. Published

    Is subjective knowledge the key to fostering sustainable behavior? Mixed evidence from an education intervention in Mexico

    Redman, A. & Redman, E., 03.2017, In: Education Sciences. 7, 1, 38 p., 4.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Late pliocene–pleistocene record of the garding-2 research drill core, Northwest Germany

    Proborukmi, M. S., Urban, B., Frechen, M., Grube, A. & Rolf, C., 03.2017, In: Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften. 168, 1, p. 141-167 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Reallabore im Kontext Transformativer Forschung: Ansatzpunkte zur Konzeption und Einbettung in den internationalen Forschungsstand

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Bergmann, M., Singer-Brodowski, M., Wanner, M., Caniglia, G. & Lang, D. J., 25.02.2017, Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 62 p. (IETSR Discussion papers in Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research ; no. 1/2017).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  32. Published

    Two new Lebistina Motschulsky, 1864 species from Kenya and Tanzania (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini)

    Assmann, T., Boutaud, E., Drees, C., Marcus, T., Nolte, D., Starke, W., Terlutter, H., Völler, E. & Zumstein, P., 21.02.2017, In: African Invertebrates. 58, 1, p. 9-21 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Verhandeln

    Trötschel, R., Höhne, B., Majer, J. M., Loschelder, D. D., Deller, J. & Frey, D., 20.02.2017, Kommunikation, Interaktion und soziale Gruppenprozesse. Bierhoff, H.-W. & Frey, D. (eds.). 1 ed. Göttingen: Hogrefe Verlag, p. 803-846 44 p. (Enzyklopädie der Psychologie; vol. 6, no. 3).

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

  34. Published

    Does sustainable intensification offer a pathway to improved food security for aquatic agricultural system-dependent communities?

    Attwood, S. J., Park, S., Loos, J., Philipps, M., Mills, D. & McDougall, C., 17.02.2017, Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture: An integrated systems research approach. London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 71-87 17 p. (Earthscan food and agriculture series).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  35. Published

    The Benefit of Web- and Computer-Based Interventions for Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    Heber, E., Ebert, D. D., Lehr, D., Cuijpers, P., Berking, M., Nobis, S. & Riper, H., 17.02.2017, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 19, 2, 17 p., e32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  36. Published

    The use of player physical and technical skill match activity profiles to predict position in the Australian Football League draft

    Woods, C. T., Veale, J. P., Collier, N. & Robertson, S., 16.02.2017, In: Journal of Sports Sciences. 35, 4, p. 325-330 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    An integrative research framework for enabling transformative adaptation

    Colloff, M. J., Martín-López, B., Lavorel, S., Locatelli, B., Gorddard, R., Longaretti, P. Y., Walters, G., van Kerkhoff, L., Wyborn, C., Coreau, A., Wise, R. M., Dunlop, M., Degeorges, P., Grantham, H., Overton, I. C., Williams, R. D., Doherty, M. D., Capon, T., Sanderson, T. & Murphy, H. T., 01.02.2017, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 68, p. 87-96 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Beta diversity of plant species in human-transformed landscapes: Control of community assembly by regional productivity and historical connectivity

    Conradi, T., Temperton, V. M. & Kollmann, J., 01.02.2017, In: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 24, p. 1-10 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Crown and leaf traits as predictors of subtropical tree sapling growth rates

    Li, Y., Kröber, W., Bruehlheide, H., Härdtle, W. & von Oheimb, G., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 136-145 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Direct production of lactic acid based on simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of mixed restaurant food waste

    Pleissner, D., Demichelis, F., Mariano, S., Fiore, S., Navarro Gutiérrez, I. M., Schneider, R. & Venus, J., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 143, p. 615-623 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. 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

  42. Published

    Hazard screening of photo-transformation products from pharmaceuticals: Application to selective β1-blockers atenolol and metoprolol

    Toolaram, A. P., Menz, J., Rastogi, T., Leder, C., Kümmerer, K. & Schneider, M., 01.02.2017, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 579, p. 1769-1780 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Impact of tree diversity and environmental conditions on the survival of shrub species in a forest biodiversity experiment in subtropical China

    Yang, B., Li, Y., Ding, B.-Y., Both, S., Erfmeier, A., Härdtle, W., Ma, K., Schmid, B., Scholten, T., Seidler, G., von Oheimb, G., Yang, X. & Bruehlheide, H., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 179-189 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Interspecific and intraspecific variation in specific root length drives aboveground biodiversity effects in young experimental forest stands

    Bu, W., Schmid, B., Liu, X., Li, Y., Härdtle, W., Von Oheimb, G., Liang, Y., Sun, Z., Huang, Y., Bruelheide, H. & Ma, K., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 158-169 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Legacy effects of past land use on current biodiversity in a low-intensity farming landscape in Transylvania (Romania)

    Culbert, P. D., Dorresteijn, I., Loos, J., Clayton, M. K., Fischer, J. & Kuemmerle, T., 01.02.2017, In: Landscape Ecology. 32, 2, p. 429-444 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Leverage points for sustainability transformation

    Abson, D. J., Fischer, J., Leventon, J., Newig, J., Schomerus, T., Vilsmaier, U., von Wehrden, H., Abernethy, P., Ives, C. D., Jager, N. W. & Lang, D. J., 01.02.2017, In: Ambio. 46, 1, p. 30-39 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    On the combined effect of soil fertility and topography on tree growth in subtropical forest ecosystems - a study from SE China

    Scholten, T., Goebes, P., Kühn, P., Seitz, S., Aßmann, T., Bauhus, J., Bruelheide, H., Buscot, F., Erfmeier, A., Fischer, M., Härdtle, W., He, J.-S., Ma, K., Niklaus, P. A., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Schmid, B., Shi, X., Song, Z., von Oheimb, G., Wirth, C., Wubet, T. & Schmidt, K., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 111-127 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Salivary cues: simulated roe deer browsing induces systemic changes in phytohormones and defence chemistry in wild‐grown maple and beech saplings

    Ohse, B., Hammerbacher, A., Seele, C., Meldau, S., Reichelt, M., Ortmann, S. & Wirth, C., 01.02.2017, In: Functional Ecology. 31, 2, p. 340-349 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Sustainability and management control. Exploring and theorizing control patterns in large European firms

    Crutzen, N., Zvezdov, D. & Schaltegger, S., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 143, p. 1291-1301 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Trait-based approaches to analyze links between the drivers of change and ecosystem services: Synthesizing existing evidence and future challenges

    Hevia, V., Martín-López, B., Palomo, S., García-Llorente, M., de Bello, F. & González, J. A., 01.02.2017, In: Ecology and Evolution. 7, 3, p. 831-844 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  51. Published

    Tree diversity increases levels of herbivore damage in a subtropical forest canopy: evidence for dietary mixing by arthropods?

    Brezzi, M., Schmid, B., Niklaus, P. A. & Schuldt, A., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 13-27 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review