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. 2013
  2. Published

    Estimation of the acid dissociation constant of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids through an experimental investigation of their water-to-air transport

    Vierke, L., Berger, U. & Cousins, I. T., 01.10.2013, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 47, 19, p. 11032-11039 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Wood-pastures in a traditional rural region of Eastern Europe: Characteristics, management and status

    Hartel, T., Dorresteijn, I., Klein, C., Máthé, O., Moga, C. I., Öllerer, K., Roellig, M., von Wehrden, H. & Fischer, J., 01.10.2013, In: Biological Conservation. 166, p. 267-275 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    A systematic review of guiding principles for sustainable urban neighborhood development

    Lüderitz, C., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 10.2013, In: Landscape and Urban Planning. 118, October, p. 40-52 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  5. Published

    Erneuerbare Energien in der Region und deren Finanzierung

    Degenhart, H. & Schomerus, T., 10.2013, Handbuch Nachhaltigkeit: Strategie - Forschung - Praxis. Schäfer, H. & Krummrich, K. (eds.). 1. ed. Stuttgart: Deutscher Sparkassen Verlag, p. 172-185 14 p.

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

  6. Published

    Toxicity testing with luminescent bacteria - Characterization of an automated method for the combined assessment of acute and chronic effects

    Menz, J., Schneider, M. & Kümmerer, K., 10.2013, In: Chemosphere. 93, 6, p. 990-996 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    An Optimization of Salt Hydrates for Thermochemical Heat Storage

    Rammelberg, H., Myrau, M., Schmidt, T. & Ruck, W., 04.09.2013, Innovative Materials for Processes in Energy Systems 2013: Innovative Materials for Processes in Energy Systems. Shobo, T. (ed.). p. 550-555 6 p. (Chemical Science & Engineering Series; vol. 3).

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

  8. Published

    Gemeinsam entscheiden in Unternehmen. Einbindung von Stakeholdern in strategische Entscheidungen

    Hansen, E. G. & Spitzeck, H., 02.09.2013, In: Ökologisches Wirtschaften. 28, 3, p. 12-13 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  9. Published

    Climatic responses of tree-ring width and δ13C signatures of sessile oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.) on soils with contrasting water supply

    Härdtle, W., Niemeyer, T., Aßmann, T., Aulinger, A., Fichtner, A., Lang, A. C., Leuschner, C., Neuwirth, B., Pfister, L., Quante, M., Ries, C., Schuldt, A. & Oheimb, G., 01.09.2013, In: Plant Ecology. 214, 9, p. 1147-1156 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Cultural ecosystem services: A literature review and prospects for future research

    Milcu, A. I., Hanspach, J., Abson, D. & Fischer, J., 01.09.2013, In: Ecology and Society. 18, 3, 34 p., 44.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Soil texture and altitude, respectively, largely determine the floristic gradient of the most diverse fog oasis in the Peruvian desert

    Muenchow, J., Hauenstein, S., Bräuning, A., Bäumler, R., Rodríguez, E. F. & von Wehrden, H., 01.09.2013, In: Journal of Tropical Ecology. 29, 5, p. 427-438 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Economic/ecological tradeoffs among ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation

    Hussain, A. M. T. & Tschirhart, J., 09.2013, In: Ecological Economics. 93, p. 116-127 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Economic gain, stability of pollination and bee diversity decrease from southern to northern Europe

    Leonhardt, S., Gallai, N., Garibaldi, L. A., Kuhlmann, M. & Klein, A.-M., 09.2013, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 14, 6, p. 461-471 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Fatty Acid Profile of the Initial Oral Biofilm (Pellicle): an In-Situ Study

    Reich, M., Kümmerer, K., Al-Ahmad, A. & Hannig, C., 09.2013, In: Lipids. 48, 9, p. 929-937 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    How to specify the structure of substituted blade-like zigzag diamondoids

    Balaban, A. T. & Rücker, C., 09.2013, In: Central European Journal of Chemistry. 11, 9, p. 1423-1430 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Non-technical success factors for bioenergy projects-Learning from a multiple case study in Japan

    Blumer, Y. B., Stauffacher, M., Lang, D. J., Hayashi, K. & Uchida, S., 09.2013, In: Energy Policy. 60, 9, p. 386 - 395 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Predictive mapping of species richness and plant species' distributions of a peruvian fog oasis along an altitudinal gradient

    Muenchow, J., Bräuning, A., Rodríguez, E. F. & von Wehrden, H., 09.2013, In: Biotropica. 45, 5, p. 557-566 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Signalarten - ein praxisnaher Beitrag zur Erfassung der Naturnähe und Biodiversität in Wäldern

    Fichtner, A. & Lüderitz, M., 09.2013, In: Natur und Landschaft. 88, 9/10, p. 392-399 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Simultaneous Determination of 11 Sulfonamides by HPLC–UV and Application for Fast Screening of Their Aerobic Elimination and Biodegradation in a Simple Test

    Mahmoud, W. M. M., Khaleel, N. D. H., Hadad, G. M., Abdel-Salam, R. A., Haiß, A. & Kümmerer, K., 09.2013, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 41, 9, p. 907-916 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Mountain cold-trapping increases transfer of persistent organic pollutants from atmosphere to cows' milk

    Shunthirasingham, C., Wania, F., MacLeod, M., Lei, Y. D., Quinn, C. L., Zhang, X., Scheringer, M., Wegmann, F., Hungerbühler, K., Ivemeyer, S., Heil, F., Klocke, P., Pacepavicius, G. & Alaee, M., 20.08.2013, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 47, 16, p. 9175-9181 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Develop, then intensify

    Hanspach, J., Abson, D. J., Loos, J., Tichit, M., Chappell, M. J. & Fischer, J., 16.08.2013, In: Science. 341, 6147, p. 713-713 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Crown size-growth relationships of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) are driven by the interplay of disturbance intensity and inter-specific competition

    Fichtner, A., Sturm, K., Rickert, C., von Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 15.08.2013, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 302, p. 178-184 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    A comparative survey of chemistry-driven in silico methods to identify hazardous substances under REACH

    Nendza, M., Gabbert, S., Kühne, R., Lombardo, A., Roncaglioni, A., Benfenati, E., Benigni, R., Bossa, C., Strempel, S., Scheringer, M., Fernández, A., Rallo, R., Giralt, F., Dimitrov, S., Mekenyan, O., Bringezu, F. & Schüürmann, G., 01.08.2013, In: Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP. 66, 3, p. 301-314 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Pesticide and Greenhouse Gas Externalities from US Agriculture: The Impact of their Internalization and Climate Change

    Shakhramanyan, D. N. G., Schneider, U. A. & McCarl, B. A., 01.08.2013, In: Climate Change Economics. 4, 3, 28 p., 1350008 .

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Ant seed predation, pesticide applications and farmers income from tropical multi-cropping gardens

    Motzke, I., Tscharntke, T., Klein, A.-M., Wanger, T. C. & Sodhi, N. S., 08.2013, In: Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 15, 3, p. 245-254 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    A review of transdisciplinary research in sustainability science

    Brandt, P., Ernst, A., Gralla, F., Lüderitz, C., Lang, D., Newig, J., Reinert, F., Abson, D. & von Wehrden, H., 08.2013, In: Ecological Economics. 92, August, p. 1-15 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  27. Published

    Braucht Nachhaltigkeit die Geschlechterperspektive?

    Katz, C. & Thiem, A., 08.2013, Zukunftsfähige Berufe: Umweltberufe - modern und vielfältig. Büro für nachhaltige Kompetenz (ed.). Wien: FORUM Umweltbildung im Umweltdachverband, p. 72-83 12 p. (forum exkurse; vol. 10).

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

  28. Published

    Dezentral und partizipativ? Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von Bürgerbeteiligung zur Umsetzung der Energiewende

    Heinrichs, H., 08.2013, Die deutsche "Energiewende" nach Fukushima: Der wissenschaftliche Diskurs zwischen Atomausstieg und Wachstumsdebatte. Hennig, B. & Radtke, J. (eds.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag, p. 119-138 20 p. (Beiträge zur sozialwissenschaftlichen Nachhaltigkeitsforschung; vol. 8).

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

  29. Published

    Effect of Planning for Connectivity on Linear Reserve Networks

    Lentini, P. E., Gibbons, P., Carwardine, J., Fischer, J., Drielsma, M. & Martin, T. G., 08.2013, In: Conservation Biology. 27, 4, p. 796-807 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Emotion understanding and cognitive abilities in young children

    von Salisch, M., Hänel, M. & Freund, P. A., 08.2013, In: Learning and Individual Differences. 26, p. 15-19 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Hollow futures? Tree decline, lag effects and hollow-dependent species

    Manning, A. D., Gibbons, P. G., Fischer, J., Oliver, D. L. & Lindenmayer, D. B., 08.2013, In: Animal Conservation. 16, 4, p. 395-403 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    In situ air-water and particle-water partitioning of perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluorosulfonic acids and perfluorooctyl sulfonamide at a wastewater treatment plant

    Vierke, L., Ahrens, L., Shoeib, M., Palm, W.-U., Webster, E. M., Ellis, D. A., Ebinghaus, R. & Harner, T., 08.2013, In: Chemosphere. 92, 8, p. 941-948 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Multiscale performance of landscape metrics as indicators of species richness of plants, insects and vertebrates

    Schindler, S., von Wehrden, H., Poirazidis, K., Wrbka, T. & Kati, V., 08.2013, In: Ecological Indicators. 31, p. 41-48 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published
  35. Published

    Biomass derived ionic liquids: synthesis from natural organic acids, characterization, toxicity, biodegradation and use as solvents for catalytic hydrogenation processes

    Ferlin, N., Courty, M., Gatard, S., Spulak, M., Quilty, B., Beadham, I. G., Ghavre, M., Haiß, A., Kümmerer, K., Gathergood, N. & Bouquillon, S., 29.07.2013, In: Tetrahedron. 69, 30, p. 6150 - 6161 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Atmospheric mercury over sea ice during the OASIS-2009 campaign

    Steffen, A., Bottenheim, J., Cole, A., Douglas, T. A., Ebinghaus, R., Friess, U., Netcheva, S., Nghiem, S., Sihler, H. & Staebler, R., 24.07.2013, In: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 13, 14, p. 7007-7021 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Integrating Life Stages into Ecological Niche Models: A Case Study on Tiger Beetles

    Taboada Palomares, A., von Wehrden, H. & Assmann, T., 23.07.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 7, 13 p., e70038.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Modeling approach of thermal decomposition of salt-hydrates for heat storage systems

    Fopah Lele, A., Kuznik, F., Rammelberg, H., Schmidt, T. & Ruck, W., 14.07.2013, ASME 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conference collocated with the ASME 2013 7th International Conference on Energy Sustainability and the ASME 2013 11th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology: Heat Transfer in Energy Systems; Thermophysical Properties; Theory and Fundamental Research in Heat Transfer. A. (ed.). The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Vol. 1. p. Paper No. HT2013-17022, pp. V001T01A010; 10 pages 10 p. V001T01A010. (ASME 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conference collocated with the ASME 2013 7th International Conference on Energy Sustainability and the ASME 2013 11th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology; vol. 1).

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

  39. Published

    Communication Regarding Sustainability: Conceptual Perspectives and Exploration of Societal Subsystems

    Newig, J., Schulz, D., Fischer, D., Hetze, K., Laws, N., Lüdecke, G. & Rieckmann, M., 09.07.2013, In: Sustainability. 5, 7, p. 2976-2990 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Rainfall and temperature variation does not explain arid species diversity in outback Australia

    Traill, L., Brook, B. W., Wanger, T. C. & de Little, S. C., 08.07.2013, In: Research and Reports in Biodiversity Studies. 3, p. 1-8 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. 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

  42. Published

    Concentrations in ambient air and emissions of cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes in Zurich, Switzerland

    Buser, A. M., Kierkegaard, A., Bogdal, C., MacLeod, M., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 02.07.2013, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 47, 13, p. 7045-7051 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Complementarity, impatience, and the resilience of natural-resource-dependent economies

    Quaas, M. F., van Soest, D. P. & Baumgärtner, S., 01.07.2013, In: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. 66, 1, p. 15-32 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Grassroots Innovations for Inclusive Development: Need for a Paradigmatic Shift

    Kumar, V., Chand, V. S., Zhang, L., Hoppers, C. A. O., Zhang, W., Esders, M. & Gupta, A. K., 01.07.2013, In: Vikalpa. 38, 3, p. 103-122 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  45. Published

    Temporal variations of perfluoroalkyl substances and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in alpine snow

    Kirchgeorg, T., Dreyer, A., Gabrieli, J., Kehrwald, N., Sigl, M., Schwikowski, M., Boutron, C., Gambaro, A., Barbante, C. & Ebinghaus, R., 01.07.2013, In: Environmental Pollution. 178, p. 367-374 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Education for Sustainability, Graduate Capabilities, Professional Employment: How they all connect

    Thomas, I., Barth, M. & Day, T., 07.2013, In: Australian Journal of Environmental Education. 29, 1, p. 33-51 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  47. Published

    Elution of monomers from three different bonding systems and their antibacterial effect

    Polydorou, O., Rogatti, P., Bolek, R., Wolkewitz, M., Kümmerer, K. & Hellwig, E., 07.2013, In: Odontology / the Society of the Nippon Dental University. 101, 2, p. 170-176 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Establishment success in a forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning experiment in subtropical China (BEF-China)

    Yang, X., Bauhus, J., Both, S., Fang, T., Härdtle, W., Kröber, W., Ma, K., Nadrowski, K., Pei, K., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Scholten, T., Seidler, G., Schmid, B., von Oheimb, G. & Bruelheide, H., 07.2013, In: European Journal of Forest Research. 132, 4, p. 593-606 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    German Utilities and distributed PV: How to overcome Barriers to Business Model Innovation

    Richter, M., 07.2013, In: Renewable Energy. 55, 7, p. 456-466 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published
  51. Published