Professorship of Normativity of Methods

Organisational unit: Professoship

Organisation profile

The research agenda of the Quantitative Methods of Sustainability Science Group revolves around the central theme of development, transfer and application of quantitative methods to sustainability-related problems with the aim of creating novel knowledge and solutions.

Main research areas

Since our agenda is naturally an interdisciplinary endeavor, our group comprises a wide array of disciplinary backgrounds ranging from the natural to the social sciences, including biology, ecology, economics, environmental science, geography, human ecology, psychology and physics. What unites us is our belief in the idea that disciplinary knowledge is helpful, yet an interaction of disciplines can create new pathways.

We work on a wide array of model systems that we focus on in order to apply methods and generate novel knowledge. These model systems include the urban, rangelands, agricultural landscapes, and protected areas. Frequently, we aim at generating a larger overview on specific topics building on systematic reviews. In particular, research foci at the group include ecology, economics and the effects of land-use change on dryland rangelands, as well as the methodology and conduction of systematic literature reviews.

  1. 2025
  2. Published

    Effectiveness of the world network of biosphere reserves in maintaining forest ecosystem functions

    Gohr, C., von Wehrden, H., Saatchi, S., Pettorelli, N. & Ibisch, P. L., 12.2025, In: Communications Earth & Environment. 6, 1, 10 p., 83.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. E-pub ahead of print

    Mostly harmless econometrics? Statistical paradigms in the ‘top five’ from 2000 to 2018

    Engler, J. O., Beeck, J. J. & von Wehrden, H., 03.03.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Economic Methodology.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. E-pub ahead of print

    Investigating values and environmental attitudes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

    Detjen, L., Schröder, S., Schwenck, M., Summa, J., Schreiber, J. & von Wehrden, H., 20.01.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    A leverage point perspective on serious games for sustainability transformation: a systematic literature review

    Foppe, S. & von Wehrden, H., 01.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 1, p. 269-286 18 p., 101782.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Building ethical awareness to strengthen co-production for transformation

    Partelow, S., Luederitz, C., Huang, Y. S., von Wehrden, H. & Woopen, C., 01.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 1, p. 307-314 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  7. 2024
  8. Published

    Transformational ethics to bridge the void between facts and truths

    von Wehrden, H. & Wäger, P., 30.12.2024, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 33, 4, p. 333 1 p.

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

  9. E-pub ahead of print

    Diversity on a small scale: phylogeography of the locally endemic dwarf succulent genus Oophytum (Aizoaceae) in the Knersvlakte of South Africa

    Schmidt, S. A., Schmiedel, U., Carstens, F., Rau, A.-L. & Rudolph-Bartsch, B., 04.12.2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Annals of Botany. 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Biosphere Reserves as model regions for transdisciplinarity? A literature review

    Dabard, C. H., Gohr, C., Weiss, F., von Wehrden, H., Neumann, F., Hordasevych, S., Arieta, B., Hammerich, J., Meier, C., Jargow, J., Luthardt, V., Ibisch, P. L. & Ferreira, A. F., 11.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 6, p. 2065-2081 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  11. Published

    Correction to: Biosphere Reserves as model regions for transdisciplinarity? A literature review (Sustainability Science, (2024), 10.1007/s11625-024-01542-1)

    Dabard, C. H., Gohr, C., Weiss, F., von Wehrden, H., Neumann, F., Hordasevych, S., Arieta, B., Hammerich, J., Meier, C., Jargow, J., Luthardt, V., Ibisch, P. L. & Ferreira, A. F., 11.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 6, p. 2083-2084 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  12. Published

    Transdiziplinäre Zusammenarbeit für nachhaltige Flächennutzung: Verständnis fördern, Szenarien entwicklen, Synergien finden

    Pfendtner-Heise, J., Krebs, A. & von Wehrden, H., 11.2024, 9 p.

    Research output: other publicationsContributions to online encyclopediaTransfer

  13. Published

    A systematic review of peer-reviewed gender literature in sustainability science

    Frank, E., Mühlhaus, R., Mustelin, K. M., Trilken, E. L., Kreuz, N. K., Bowes, L. C., Backer, L. M. & von Wehrden, H., 07.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 4, p. 1459-1480 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  14. Published
  15. Published

    15 years of degrowth research: A systematic review

    Engler, J. O., Kretschmer, M. F., Rathgens, J., Ament, J. A., Huth, T. & von Wehrden, H., 01.04.2024, In: Ecological Economics. 218, 14 p., 108101.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Long-term drought triggers severe declines in carabid beetles in a temperate forest

    Weiss, F., von Wehrden, H. & Linde, A., 04.2024, In: Ecography. 2024, 4, 17 p., e07020.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. 2023
  18. Published

    Methods in sustainability science

    von Wehrden, H., 29.12.2023, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 32, 4, p. 341-341 1 p.

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

  19. Published

    The debate on nuclear energy for sustainability: A comment

    Engler, J. O. & von Wehrden, H., 27.10.2023, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 32, 3, p. 287-291 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  20. Published

    Cross-case knowledge transfer in transformative research: enabling learning in and across sustainability-oriented labs through case reporting

    Bernert, P., Wahl, D., von Wehrden, H. & Lang, D. J., 30.09.2023, In: Urban Transformations. 5, 1, 19 p., 12.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    28 months later: the coronavirus pandemic as an analogy for future sustainability challenges

    Engler, J. O. & von Wehrden, H., 09.2023, In: Sustainability Science. 18, 5, p. 2499-2504 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  22. Published

    Random year intercepts in mixed models help to assess uncertainties in insect population trends

    Weiss, F., Wehrden, H. & Linde, A., 01.07.2023, In: Insect Conservation and Diversity. 16, 4, p. 531-537 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  23. Published

    Steering of land use in the context of sustainable development: A systematic review of economic instruments

    Ackerschott, A., Kohlhase, E., Vollmer, A., Hörisch, J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.06.2023, In: Land Use Policy. 129, 13 p., 106620.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    A leverage points perspective on Arctic Indigenous food systems research: a systematic review

    Zimmermann, S., Dermody, B. J., Theunissen, B., Wassen, M. J., Divine, L. M., Padula, V. M., von Wehrden, H. & Dorresteijn, I., 05.2023, In: Sustainability Science. 18, 3, p. 1481-1500 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  25. Published

    Practical wisdom and virtue ethics for knowledge co-production in sustainability science

    Caniglia, G., Freeth, R., Lüderitz, C., Leventon, J., West, S. P., John, B., Peukert, D., Lang, D. J., von Wehrden, H., Martín-López, B., Fazey, I., Russo, F., von Wirth, T., Schlüter, M. & Vogel, C., 05.2023, In: Nature Sustainability. 6, 5, p. 493-501 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  26. 2022
  27. 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, p. 123-145 23 p.

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

  28. 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

  29. Published

    Invertebrate herbivory rather than competition with tussocks will increasingly delay highland forest regeneration in degraded areas under active restoration

    Renison, D., Rodriguez, J. M., García Cannata, L., von Wehrden, H. & Hensen, I., 15.02.2022, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 506, 119990.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Case study meta-analysis in the social sciences. Insights on data quality and reliability from a large-N case survey

    Jager, N. W., Newig, J., Challies, E., Kochskämper, E. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2022, In: Research Synthesis Methods. 13, 1, p. 12-27 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. 2021
  32. Published

    Usually hated, sometimes loved: A review of wild ungulates' contributions to people

    Pascual-Rico, R., Morales-Reyes, Z., Aguilera-Alcalá, N., Olszańska, A., Sebastián-González, E., Naidoo, R., Moleón, M., Lozano Mendoza, J., Botella, F., von Wehrden, H., Martín-López, B. & Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., 20.12.2021, In: Science of the Total Environment. 801, 11 p., 149652.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  33. Published

    Correction to: A review of fire effects across South American ecosystems: the role of climate and time since fire (Fire Ecology, (2021), 17, 1, (11), 10.1186/s42408-021-00100-9)

    Giorgis, M. A., Zeballos, S. R., Carbone, L., Zimmermann, H., von Wehrden, H., Aguilar, R., Ferreras, A. E., Tecco, P. A., Kowaljow, E., Barri, F., Gurvich, D. E., Villagra, P. & Jaureguiberry, P., 01.12.2021, In: Fire Ecology. 17, 1, 1 p., 21.

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

  34. Published

    Understanding relational values in cultural landscapes in Romania and Germany

    Riechers, M., Balázsi, Á., Engler, J. O., Shumi, G. & Fischer, J., 10.2021, In: People and Nature. 3, 5, p. 1036-1046 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Biophysical variability and politico-economic singularity: Responses of livestock numbers in South Mongolian nomadic pastoralism

    Engler, J. O., Wesche, K., Kaczensky, P., Dhakal, P., Chuluunkhuyag, O. & von Wehrden, H., 01.09.2021, In: Ecological Economics. 187, 13 p., 107073.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    The patterns of curriculum change processes that embed sustainability in higher education institutions

    Weiss, M., Barth, M. & von Wehrden, H., 01.09.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 5, p. 1579-1593 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    sPlotOpen – An environmentally balanced, open-access, global dataset of vegetation plots

    Sabatini, F. M., Lenoir, J., Hattab, T., Arnst, E. A., Chytrý, M., Dengler, J., De Ruffray, P., Hennekens, S. M., Jandt, U., Jansen, F., Jiménez-Alfaro, B., Kattge, J., Levesley, A., Pillar, V. D., Purschke, O., Sandel, B., Sultana, F., Aavik, T., Aćić, S., Acosta, A. T. R., Agrillo, E., Alvarez, M., Apostolova, I., Arfin Khan, M. A. S., Arroyo, L., Attorre, F., Aubin, I., Banerjee, A., Bauters, M., Bergeron, Y., Bergmeier, E., Biurrun, I., Bjorkman, A. D., Bonari, G., Bondareva, V., Brunet, J., Čarni, A., Casella, L., Cayuela, L., Černý, T., Chepinoga, V., Csiky, J., Ćušterevska, R., De Bie, E., de Gasper, A. L., De Sanctis, M., Dimopoulos, P., Dolezal, J., Dziuba, T., El-Sheikh, M. A. E. R. M., Enquist, B., Ewald, J., Fazayeli, F., Field, R., Finckh, M., Gachet, S., Galán-de-Mera, A., Garbolino, E., Gholizadeh, H., Giorgis, M., Golub, V., Alsos, I. G., Grytnes, J. A., Guerin, G. R., Gutiérrez, A. G., Haider, S., Hatim, M. Z., Hérault, B., Hinojos Mendoza, G., Hölzel, N., Homeier, J., Hubau, W., Indreica, A., Janssen, J. A. M., Jedrzejek, B., Jentsch, A., Jürgens, N., Kącki, Z., Kapfer, J., Karger, D. N., Kavgacı, A., Kearsley, E., Kessler, M., Khanina, L., Killeen, T., Korolyuk, A., Kreft, H., Kühl, H. S., Kuzemko, A., Landucci, F., Lengyel, A., Lens, F., Lingner, D. V., Liu, H., Lysenko, T., Mahecha, M. D., Marcenò, C., Martynenko, V., Moeslund, J. E., Monteagudo Mendoza, A., Mucina, L., Müller, J. V., Munzinger, J., Naqinezhad, A., Noroozi, J., Nowak, A., Onyshchenko, V., Overbeck, G. E., Pärtel, M., Pauchard, A., Peet, R. K., Peñuelas, J., Pérez-Haase, A., Peterka, T., Petřík, P., Peyre, G., Phillips, O. L., Prokhorov, V., Rašomavičius, V., Revermann, R., Rivas-Torres, G., Rodwell, J. S., Ruprecht, E., Rūsiņa, S., Samimi, C., Schmidt, M., Schrodt, F., Shan, H., Shirokikh, P., Šibík, J., Šilc, U., Sklenář, P., Škvorc, Ž., Sparrow, B., Sperandii, M. G., Stančić, Z., Svenning, J. C., Tang, Z., Tang, C. Q., Tsiripidis, I., Vanselow, K. A., Vásquez Martínez, R., Vassilev, K., Vélez-Martin, E., Venanzoni, R., Vibrans, A. C., Violle, C., Virtanen, R., von Wehrden, H., Wagner, V., Walker, D. A., Waller, D. M., Wang, H. F., Wesche, K., Whitfeld, T. J. S., Willner, W., Wiser, S. K., Wohlgemuth, T., Yamalov, S., Zobel, M. & Bruelheide, H., 09.2021, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 30, 9, p. 1740-1764 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Influence of altitude and longitude on vegetation in the dzungarian gobi and the south-western mongolian altai

    Chuluunkhuyag, O., Chaoyan, L., Treiber, J., Batlai, O., von Wehrden, H., Feller, R. & Wesche, K., 08.07.2021, In: Phytocoenologia. 50, 4, p. 339-369 31 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    The effect of industrialization and globalization on domestic land-use: A global resource footprint perspective

    Dorninger, C., von Wehrden, H., Krausmann, F., Bruckner, M., Feng, K., Hubacek, K., Erb, K. H. & Abson, D. J., 01.07.2021, In: Global Environmental Change. 69, 21 p., 102311.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Energy conservation attitudes and intentions: investigating place attachment in Eastern Transylvania, Romania

    Klaniecki, K., Duse, I. A., Engler, J. O., Leventon, J. & Abson, D. J., 05.05.2021, In: Psyecology. 12, 2, p. 177-201 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Just another buzzword? A systematic literature review of knowledge-related concepts in sustainability science

    Apetrei, C. I., Caniglia, G., von Wehrden, H. & Lang, D. J., 01.05.2021, In: Global Environmental Change. 68, 33 p., 102222.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  42. Published

    A review of fire effects across South American ecosystems: the role of climate and time since fire

    Giorgis, M. A., Zeballos, S. R., Carbone, L., Zimmermann, H., von Wehrden, H., Aguilar, R., Ferreras, A. E., Tecco, P. A., Kowaljow, E., Barri, F., Gurvich, D. E., Villagra, P. & Jaureguiberry, P., 23.04.2021, In: Fire Ecology. 17, 1, 20 p., 11.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  43. Published

    Ecosystem services from forest and farmland: Present and past access separates beneficiaries in rural Ethiopia

    Schultner, J., Dorresteijn, I., Manlosa, A. O., von Wehrden, H., Hylander, K., Senbeta, F. & Fischer, J., 01.04.2021, In: Ecosystem Services. 48, 101263.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Interactions between species richness, herbivory and precipitation affect standing biomass in Mongolian rangelands

    Ahlborn, J., Wesche, K., Lang, B., Oyunbileg, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Römermann, C., French Collier, N. & von Wehrden, H., 01.04.2021, In: Applied Vegetation Science. 24, 2, 12 p., e12581.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Drivers and Barriers of Implementing Sustainability Curricula in Higher Education - Assumptions and Evidence

    Weiß, M., Barth, M., Wiek, A. & Wehrden, H., 12.03.2021, In: Higher Education Studies. 11, 2, p. 42 - 64 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  46. Published

    The concept of resilience in recent sustainability research

    Nüchter, V., Abson, D. J., von Wehrden, H. & Engler, J. O., 01.03.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 5, p. 1-21 21 p., 2735.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    A pluralistic and integrated approach to action-oriented knowledge for sustainability

    Caniglia, G., Lüderitz, C., von Wirth, T., Fazey, I., Martín-López, B., Hondrila, K., König, A., Wehrden, H., Schäpke, N., Laubichler, M. D. & Lang, D. J., 02.2021, In: Nature Sustainability. 4, 2, p. 93-100 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  48. 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

  49. Published

    The coronavirus pandemic as an analogy for future sustainability challenges

    Engler, J.-O., Abson, D. & Wehrden, H., 01.01.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 1, p. 317-319 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  50. 2020
  51. Published

    Going beyond certificates: A systematic review of alternative trade arrangements in the global food sector

    Rathgens, J., Gröschner, S. & von Wehrden, H., 10.12.2020, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 276, 11 p., 123208.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  52. Published

    What are the ingredients for food systems change towards sustainability? - Insights from the literature

    Weber, H., Pöggel, K., Eakin, H., Fischer, D., Lang, D. J., Wehrden, H. & Wiek, A., 01.11.2020, In: Environmental Research Letters. 15, 11, 17 p., 113001.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  53. Published

    Advancing Decision-Visualization Environments—Empirically informed Design Recommendations

    John, B., Lang, D. J., von Wehrden, H., John, R. & Wiek, A., 01.10.2020, In: Futures. 123, 102614.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  54. 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

  55. Published

    Temporal patterns in ecosystem services research: A review and three recommendations

    Rau, A.-L., Burkhardt, V., Dorninger, C., Hjort, C., Ibe, K., Keßler, L., Kristensen, J. A., McRobert, A., Sidemo-Holm, W., Zimmermann, H., Abson, D., Wehrden, H. & Ekroos, J., 01.08.2020, In: Ambio. 49, 8, p. 1377-1393 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  56. Published

    Biosphere reserves' management effectiveness-A systematic literature review and a research agenda

    Ferreira, A. F., Zimmermann, H., Santos, R. & von Wehrden, H., 01.07.2020, In: Sustainability. 12, 12, 31 p., 5497.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

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