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. 2020
  2. Published

    Between Ostrom and Nordhaus: The research landscape of sustainability economics

    Drupp, M. A., Baumgärtner, S., Meyer, M., Quaas, M. F. & von Wehrden, H., 01.06.2020, In: Ecological Economics. 172, 17 p., 106620.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Leverage points for sustainability transformation: a review on interventions in food and energy systems

    Dorninger, C., Abson, D. J., Apetrei, C. I., Derwort, P., Ives, C. D., Klaniecki, K., Lam, D., Langsenlehner, M., Riechers, M., Spittler, N. & von Wehrden, H., 01.05.2020, In: Ecological Economics. 171, 9 p., 106570.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Indigenous and local knowledge in sustainability transformations research: a literature review

    Lam, D., Hinz, E., Lang, D. J., Tengö, M., Wehrden, H. V. & Martín-López, B., 03.2020, In: Ecology and Society. 25, 1, 25 p., 3.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Climate – grazing interactions in Mongolian rangelands: Effects of grazing change along a large-scale environmental gradient

    Ahlborn, J., von Wehrden, H., Lang, B., Römermann, C., Oyunbileg, M., Oyuntsetseg, B. & Wesche, K., 01.02.2020, In: Journal of Arid Environments. 173, 10 p., 104043.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Linking large-scale and small-scale distribution patterns of steppe plant species—An example using fourth-corner analysis

    Treiber, J., von Wehrden, H., Zimmermann, H., Welk, E., Jäger, E. J., Ronnenberg, K. & Wesche, K., 01.02.2020, In: Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants. 263, 8 p., 151553.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Grazing effects on intraspecific trait variability vary with changing precipitation patterns in Mongolian rangelands

    Lang, B., Ahlborn, J., Oyunbileg, M., Geiger, A., von Wehrden, H., Wesche, K., Oyuntsetseg, B. & Roemermann, C., 01.01.2020, In: Ecology and Evolution. 10, 2, p. 678-691 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. 2019
  9. Published

    The Role of Linked Social-Ecological Systems in a Mobile Agent-Based Ecosystem Service from Giant Honey Bees (Apis dorsata) in an Indigenous Community Forest in Palawan, Philippines

    Matias, D. M. S., Borgemeister, C., Sémah, A. M. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2019, In: Human Ecology. 47, 6, p. 905-915 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    'Where is everybody?' An empirical appraisal of occurrence, prevalence and sustainability of technological species in the Universe

    Engler, J. O. & Von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2019, In: International Journal of Astrobiology. 18, 6, p. 495-501 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    The framing of power in climate change adaptation research

    Woroniecki, S., Krüger, R., Rau, A. L., Preuss, M. S., Baumgartner, N., Raggers, S., Niessen, L., Holländer, L., Beyers, F., Rathgens, J., Wagner, K. C., Habigt, L., Krause, T., Wamsler, C., von Wehrden, H. & Abson, D., 01.11.2019, In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change. 10, 6, 21 p., e617.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  12. Published

    Towards more effective and transferable transition experiments: learning through stratification

    Engler, J.-O., Zimmermann, H., Lang, D. J., Feller, R. & Wehrden, H., 01.11.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 6, p. 1503-1514 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Fridays for Future aus nachhaltigkeitswissenschaftlicher Perspektive

    von Wehrden, H., Kater-Wettstaedt, L. & Schneidewind, U., 18.10.2019, In: GAIA. 28, 3, p. 307-309 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Human-carnivore relations: A systematic review

    Lozano, J., Olszańska, A., Morales-Reyes, Z., Castro, A. A., Malo, A. F., Moleón, M., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., Cortés-Avizanda, A., von Wehrden, H., Dorresteijn, I., Kansky, R., Fischer, J. & Martín-López, B., 09.2019, In: Biological Conservation. 237, p. 480-492 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Differentiating forest types using TerraSAR–X spotlight images based on inferential statistics and multivariate analysis

    Farghaly, D., Urban, B., Sörgel, U. & Elba, E., 01.08.2019, In: Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment. 15, 100238.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Navigating cognition biases in the search of sustainability

    Engler, J. O., Abson, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 15.06.2019, In: Ambio. 48, 6, p. 605-618 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  17. Published

    Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research: finding the common ground of multi-faceted concepts

    von Wehrden, H., Guimarães, M. H., Bina, O., Varanda, M., Lang, D. J., John, B., Gralla, F., Alexander, D., Raines, D., White, A. & Lawrence, R. J., 07.05.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 3, p. 875-888 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Privatizing the commons: New approaches need broader evaluative criteria for sustainability

    Partelow, S., Abson, D. J., Schlueter, A., Fernandez-Gimenez, M., von Wehrden, H. & Collier, N., 03.05.2019, In: International Journal of the Commons. 13, 1, p. 747-776 30 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Intraspecific trait variation patterns along a precipitation gradient in Mongolian rangelands

    Lang, B., Geiger, A., Oyunbileg, M., Ahlborn, J., von Wehrden, H., Wesche, K., Oyuntsetseg, B. & Römermann, C., 01.05.2019, In: Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants. 254, p. 135-146 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Research on the social perception of invasive species: a systematic literature review

    Kapitza, K., Zimmermann, H., Martín-López, B. & Wehrden, H. V., 14.03.2019, In: NeoBiota. 43, p. 47-68 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    sPlot – A new tool for global vegetation analyses

    Bruelheide, H., Dengler, J., Jiménez-Alfaro, B., Purschke, O., Hennekens, S. M., Chytrý, M., Pillar, V. D., Jansen, F., Kattge, J., Sandel, B., Aubin, I., Biurrun, I., Field, R., Haider, S., Jandt, U., Lenoir, J., Peet, R. K., Peyre, G., Sabatini, F. M., Schmidt, M., Schrodt, F., Winter, M., Aćić, S., Agrillo, E., Alvarez, M., Ambarlı, D., Angelini, P., Apostolova, I., Arfin Khan, M. A. S., Arnst, E., Attorre, F., Baraloto, C., Beckmann, M., Berg, C., Bergeron, Y., Bergmeier, E., Bjorkman, A. D., Bondareva, V., Borchardt, P., Botta-Dukát, Z., Boyle, B., Breen, A., Brisse, H., Byun, C., Cabido, M. R., Casella, L., Cayuela, L., Černý, T., Chepinoga, V., Csiky, J., Curran, M., Ćušterevska, R., Dajić Stevanović, Z., De Bie, E., de Ruffray, P., De Sanctis, M., Dimopoulos, P., Dressler, S., Ejrnæs, R., El-Sheikh, M. A. E. R. M., Enquist, B., Ewald, J., Fagúndez, J., Finckh, M., Font, X., Forey, E., Fotiadis, G., García-Mijangos, I., de Gasper, A. L., Golub, V., Gutierrez, A. G., Hatim, M. Z., He, T., Higuchi, P., Holubová, D., Hölzel, N., Homeier, J., Indreica, A., Işık Gürsoy, D., Jansen, S., Janssen, J., Jedrzejek, B., Jiroušek, M., Jürgens, N., Kącki, Z., Kavgacı, A., Kearsley, E., Kessler, M., Knollová, I., Kolomiychuk, V., Korolyuk, A., Kozhevnikova, M., Kozub, Ł., Krstonošić, D., Kühl, H., Kühn, I., Kuzemko, A., Küzmič, F., Landucci, F., Lee, M. T., Levesley, A., Li, C. F., Liu, H., Lopez-Gonzalez, G., Lysenko, T., Macanović, A., Mahdavi, P., Manning, P., Marcenò, C., Martynenko, V., Mencuccini, M., Minden, V., Moeslund, J. E., Moretti, M., Müller, J. V., Munzinger, J., Niinemets, Ü., Nobis, M., Noroozi, J., Nowak, A., Onyshchenko, V., Overbeck, G. E., Ozinga, W. A., Pauchard, A., Pedashenko, H., Peñuelas, J., Pérez-Haase, A., Peterka, T., Petřík, P., Phillips, O. L., Prokhorov, V., Rašomavičius, V., Revermann, R., Rodwell, J., Ruprecht, E., Rūsiņa, S., Samimi, C., Schaminée, J. H. J., Schmiedel, U., Šibík, J., Šilc, U., Škvorc, Ž., Smyth, A., Sop, T., Sopotlieva, D., Sparrow, B., Stančić, Z., Svenning, J. C., Swacha, G., Tang, Z., Tsiripidis, I., Turtureanu, P. D., Uğurlu, E., Uogintas, D., Valachovič, M., Vanselow, K. A., Vashenyak, Y., Vassilev, K., Vélez-Martin, E., Venanzoni, R., Vibrans, A. C., Violle, C., Virtanen, R., von Wehrden, H., Wagner, V., Walker, D. A., Wana, D., Weiher, E., Wesche, K., Whitfeld, T., Willner, W., Wiser, S., Wohlgemuth, T., Yamalov, S., Zizka, G. & Zverev, A., 01.03.2019, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 30, 2, p. 161-186 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Toward Sustainable Urban Metabolisms: From System Understanding to System Transformation

    John, B., Luederitz, C., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.03.2019, In: Ecological Economics. 157, p. 402-414 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Determinants of farm size and stocking rate in Namibian commercial cattle farming

    Engler, J.-O., Wehrden, H. & Baumgärtner, S., 01.02.2019, In: Land Use Policy. 81, p. 232-246 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Leverage points 2019: A transdisciplinary conference, inspiring change

    Leventon, J., Zimmermann, H., Von Wehrden, H. & Becker, S., 01.01.2019, In: GAIA. 28, 1, p. 55-57 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. 2018
  26. Published

    Commercializing traditional non-timber forest products: An integrated value chain analysis of honey from giant honey bees in Palawan, Philippines

    Matias, D. M. S., Tambo, J. A., Stellmacher, T., Borgemeister, C. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2018, In: Forest Policy and Economics. 97, p. 223-231 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Ecological changes and local knowledge in a giant honey bee (Apis dorsata F.) hunting community in Palawan, Philippines

    Matias, D. M. S., Borgemeister, C. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2018, In: Ambio. 47, 8, p. 924-934 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Linking concepts of change and ecosystem services research: A systematic review

    Rau, A.-L., Bickel, M. W., Hilser, S., Jenkins, S., McCrory, G., Pfefferle, N., Rathgens, J., Roitsch, D., Schroth, T. N., Stålhammar, S., Villada, D., Weiser, A., Wamsler, C., Krause, T. & Wehrden, H., 01.12.2018, In: Change and Adaptation in Socio-Ecological Systems. 4, 1, p. 33-45 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    A Social–Ecological Systems Framework as a Tool for Understanding the Effectiveness of Biosphere Reserve Management

    Ferreira, A. F., Zimmermann, H., Santos, R. & Wehrden, H., 10.10.2018, In: Sustainability. 10, 10, 26 p., 3608.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  30. Published

    Reconnecting with nature for sustainability

    Ives, C. D., Abson, D. J., von Wehrden, H., Dorninger, C., Klaniecki, K. & Fischer, J., 01.09.2018, In: Sustainability Science. 13, 5, p. 1389-1397 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Temporal Dynamics of Ecosystem Services

    Rau, A. L., von Wehrden, H. & Abson, D. J., 01.09.2018, In: Ecological Economics. 151, p. 122-130 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Home range size and resource use of breeding and non-breeding white storks along a land use gradient

    Zurell, D., von Wehrden, H., Rotics, S., Kaatz, M., Groß, H., Schlag, L., Schäfer, M., Sapir, N., Turjeman, S., Wikelski, M., Nathan, R. & Jeltsch, F., 12.06.2018, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 6, JUN, 11 p., 79.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Facing the heat: A systematic literature review exploring the transferability of solutions to cope with urban heat waves

    Hintz, M. J., Lüderitz, C., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 06.2018, In: Urban Climate. 24, p. 714-727 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Beyond Biodiversity Conservation: Land Sharing Constitutes Sustainable Agriculture in European Cultural Landscapes

    Loos, J. & Wehrden, H., 02.05.2018, In: Sustainability. 10, 5, 11 p., 1395.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    A review of ecological gradient research in the Tropics: identifying research gaps, future directions, and conservation priorities

    Muenchow, J., Dieker, P., Kluge, J., Kessler, M. & von Wehrden, H., 01.02.2018, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 27, 2, p. 273-285 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  36. Published

    Organic farming promotes bee abundance in vineyards in Italy but not in South Africa

    Kehinde, T., von Wehrden, H., Samways, M., Klein, A. M. & Brittain, C., 01.02.2018, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 22, 1, p. 61-67 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition alters growth responses of European beech (Fagus sylvativa L.) to climate change

    Hess, C., Niemeyer, T., Fichtner, A., Jansen, K., Kunz, M., Maneke, M., von Wehrden, H., Quante, M., Walmsley, D., von Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 02.2018, In: Environmental Pollution. 233, p. 92-98 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    A social-ecological typology of rangelands based on rainfall variability and farming type

    Engler, J.-O., Abson, D. J., Feller, R., Hanspach, J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, In: Journal of Arid Environments. 148, p. 65 - 73 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    A Sustainability Agenda for Tropical Marine Science

    Partelow, S., Schlüter, A., von Wehrden, H., Jänig, M. & Senff, P., 01.01.2018, In: Conservation Letters. 11, 1, 15 p., e12351.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  40. Published

    Climate Change May Trigger Broad Shifts in North America's Pacific Coastal Rainforests

    DellaSala, D. A., Brandt, P., Koopman, M., Leonard, J., Meisch, C., Herzog, P., Alaback, P., Goldstein, M. I., Jovan, S., MacKinnon, A. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene: Volume 2: Climate Change. Dellasala, D. A. & Goldstein, M. I. (eds.). Oxford: Elsevier B.V., Vol. 1-5. p. 233-244 12 p. (Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene; vol. 2).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  41. Published

    Global assessment of the non-equilibrium theory of rangelands: Revisited and refined

    Engler, J. O. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, In: Land Use Policy. 70, p. 479 - 484 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. 2017
  43. Published

    Experiments and evidence in sustainability science: A typology

    Caniglia, G., Schäpke, N., Lang, D. J., Abson, D. J., Lüderitz, C., Wiek, A., Laubichler, M., Gralla, F. & von Wehrden, H., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 39-47 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Learning through evaluation: A tentative evaluative scheme for sustainability transition experiments

    Lüderitz, C., Schäpke, N., Wiek, A., Lang, D. J., Bergmann, M., Bos, J. J., Burch, S., Davies, A., Evans, J., König, A., Farrelly, M. A., Forrest, N., Frantzeskaki, N., Gibson, R. B., Kay, B., Loorbach, D., McCormick, K., Parodi, O., Rauschmayer, F., Schneidewind, U., Stauffacher, M., Stelzer, F., Trencher, G., Venjakob, J., Vergragt, P. J., von Wehrden, H. & Westley, F. R., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 61-76 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    ‘It's the Psychology, Stupid!’: Understanding Human Cognition Biases to Inform Sustainable Behavior

    Engler, J.-O., Abson, D. & Wehrden, H., 14.12.2017, Rochester: SSRN Social Science Research Network, 23 p. (SSRN; no. 3086532).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  46. Published

    Thinking beyond Western commercial honeybee hives: towards improved conservation of honey bee diversity

    Matias, D. M. S., Borgemeister, C. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2017, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 26, 14, p. 3499 - 3504 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  47. Published

    Transnational collaboration for sustainability in higher education: Lessons from a systematic review

    Caniglia, G., Lüderitz, C., Groß, M., Muhr, M., John, B., Withycombe Keeler, L., von Wehrden, H., Laubichler, M., Wiek, A. & Lang, D., 01.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 168, p. 764-779 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  48. Published

    Bridging divides in sustainability science

    Lang, D. J., Wiek, A. & von Wehrden, H., 01.11.2017, In: Sustainability Science. 12, 6, p. 875 - 879 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  49. Published

    Mapping giant honey bee nests in Palawan, Philippines through a transdisciplinary approach

    Matias, D. M. S., Stellmacher, T., Borgemeister, C., Cayron, J. G. & von Wehrden, H., 03.10.2017, In: Development in Practice: stimulating thought for action. 27, 7, p. 903-912 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Facilitating regional energy transition strategies: Toward a typology of regions

    Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Wehrden, H., 01.09.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 9, 17 p., 1560.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Intra- and interspecific hybridization in invasive Siberian elm

    Hirsch, H., Brunet, J., Zalapa, J. E., von Wehrden, H., Hartmann, M., Kleindienst, C., Schlautman, B., Kosman, E., Wesche, K., Renison, D. & Hensen, I., 01.06.2017, In: Biological Invasions. 19, 6, p. 1889-1904 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Human–nature connection: a multidisciplinary review

    Ives, C. D., Giusti, M., Fischer, J., Abson, D. J., Klaniecki, K., Dorninger, C., Laudan, J., Barthel, S., Abernethy, P., Martín-López, B., Raymond, C. M., Kendal, D. & von Wehrden, H., 06.2017, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 26–27, June 2017, p. 106-113 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  53. Published

    Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change by Reducing Evaporation Losses: Sediment Removal from the High Aswan Dam Reservoir

    Elba, E., Urban, B., Ettmer, B. & Farghaly, D., 04.05.2017, In: American Journal of Climate Change. 6, 2, p. 230-246 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  54. Published

    A review of ecosystem service benefits from wild bees across social contexts

    Matias, D. M. S., Leventon, J., Rau, A. L., Borgemeister, C. & von Wehrden, H., 01.05.2017, In: Ambio. 46, 4, p. 456-467 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch