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.
- 2025
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 2024
- 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 contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 publications › Contributions to online encyclopedia › Transfer
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Making mutual learning tangible: Mixed-method Delphi as a tool for measuring the convergence of participants’ reciprocal understanding in transdisciplinary processes
Pfendtner-Heise, J., Ackerschott, A., Schwenck, C., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.05.2024, In: Futures. 159, 15 p., 103365.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 2023
- 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 contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 2022
- 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/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 2021
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Transfer › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 2020
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research