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. 2017
  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Regional differences in soil pH niche among dry grassland plants in Eurasia

    Wagner, V., Chytrý, M., Zelený, D., von Wehrden, H., Brinkert, A., Danihelka, J., Hölzel, N., Jansen, F., Kamp, J., Lustyk, P., Merunková, K., Palpurina, S., Preislerová, Z. & Wesche, K., 05.2017, In: Oikos. 126, 5, p. 660-670 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Assessing sustainable biophysical human-nature connectedness at regional scales

    Dorninger, C., Abson, D. J., Fischer, J. & von Wehrden, H., 24.04.2017, In: Environmental Research Letters. 12, 5, p. 1-11 11 p., 055001.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 2016
  18. The role of sustainability in nuclear energy plans: What do national energy strategies tell us?

    Gralla, F., John, B., Abson, D. J., Møller, A. P., Bickel, M., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2016, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 22, p. 94-106 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Molecular analyses and species distribution models indicate cryptic northern mountain refugia for a forestdwelling ground beetle

    Drees, C., Husemann, M., Homburg, K., Brandt, P., Dieker, P., Habel, J. C., von Wehrden, H., Zumstein, P. & Assmann, T., 01.11.2016, In: Journal of Biogeography. 43, 11, p. 2223-2236 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Non-native populations of an invasive tree outperform their native conspecifics

    Hirsch, H., Hensen, I., Wesche, K., Renison, D., Wypior, C., Hartmann, M. & von Wehrden, H., 13.10.2016, In: AoB PLANTS. 8, 11 p., plw071.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. A novel bioenergy feedstock in Latin America? Cultivation potential of Acrocomia aculeata under current and future climate conditions

    Plath, M., Moser, C., Bailis, R., Brandt, P., Hirsch, H., Klein, A. M., Walmsley, D. & von Wehrden, H., 01.08.2016, In: Biomass and Bioenergy. 91, p. 186-195 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Testing alien plant distribution and habitat invasibility in mountain ecosystems: growth form matters

    Giorgis, M. A., Cingolani, A. M., Tecco, P. A., Cabido, M., Poca, M. & von Wehrden, H., 01.07.2016, In: Biological Invasions. 18, 7, p. 2017-2028 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Systematic student-driven literature reviews in sustainability science: An effective way to merge research and teaching

    Abson, D. J., Gralla, F., Lang, D. J., Rau, A. L., von Wehrden, H., Lüderitz, C. & Meyer, M., 15.04.2016, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 119, p. 229-235 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Reviving wood-pastures for biodiversity and people: A case study from western Estonia

    Roellig, M., Sutcliffe, L. M. E., Sammul, M., von Wehrden, H., Newig, J. & Fischer, J., 01.03.2016, In: Ambio. 45, 2, p. 185-195 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Cascades of green: A review of ecosystem-based adaptation in urban areas

    Brink, E., Aalders, T., Ádám, D., Feller, R., Henselek, Y., Hoffmann, A., Ibe, K., Matthey-Doret, A., Meyer, M., Negrut, N. L., Rau, A. L., Riewerts, B., von Schuckmann, L., Törnros, S., von Wehrden, H., Abson, D. J. & Wamsler, C., 01.01.2016, In: Global Environmental Change : Human and Policy Dimensions. 36, p. 111-123 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Sustainability and Ecosystems

    Wehrden, H., von Oheimb, G., Abson, D. & Härdtle, W., 2016, Sustainability Science : An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 61-70 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  27. 2015
  28. Functional diversity and trait composition of butterfly and bird communities in Farmlands of Central Romania

    Hanspach, J., Loos, J., Dorresteijn, I., Wehrden, H., Moga, C. I. & David, A., 01.12.2015, In: Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. 1, 10, p. 1-8 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Pollution exposure on marine protected areas: A global assessment

    Partelow, S., von Wehrden, H. & Horn, O., 15.11.2015, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 100, 1, p. 352-358 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  30. Plant diversity and composition compensate for negative effects of urbanization on foraging bumble bees

    Hülsmann, M., von Wehrden, H., Klein, A. M. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.11.2015, In: Apidologie. 46, 6, p. 760-770 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Impact of land cover homogenization on the Corncrake (Crex crex) in traditional farmland

    Dorresteijn, I., Teixeira, L., von Wehrden, H., Loos, J., Hanspach, J., Stein, J. A. R. & Fischer, J., 04.10.2015, In: Landscape Ecology. 30, 8, p. 1483-1495 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. A review of urban ecosystem services: six key challenges for future research

    Lüderitz, C., Brink, E., Gralla, F., Hermelingmeier, V., Rau, A.-L., Abson, D., Lang, D. J., von Wehrden, H., Wamsler, C., Sasaki, R., Partelow, S., Meyer, M., Lisa, N. & Panzer, L., 01.08.2015, In: Ecosystem Services. 14, p. 98-112 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  33. A call for statistical editors in ecology

    Von Wehrden, H., Schultner, J. & Abson, D. J., 01.06.2015, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 30, 6, p. 293 - 294 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Natural habitat does not mediate vertebrate seed predation as an ecosystem dis-service to agriculture

    Schäckermann, J., Mandelik, Y., Weiss, N., von Wehrden, H. & Klein, A. M., 04.2015, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 52, 2, p. 291-299 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Correlation of trends in cashmere production and declines of large wild mammals: Response to Berger et al. 2013

    von Wehrden, H., Wesche, K., Chuluunkhuyag, O. & Fust, P., 02.2015, In: Conservation Biology. 29, 1, p. 286-289 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Aliens in Transylvania: risk maps of invasive alien plant species in Central Romania

    Zimmermann, H., Loos, J., von Wehrden, H. & Fischer, J., 16.01.2015, In: NeoBiota. 24, p. 55-65 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Performance of methods to select landscape metrics for modelling species richness

    Schindler, S., von Wehrden, H., Poirazidis, K., Hochachka, W. M., Wrbka, T. & Kati, V., 10.01.2015, In: Ecological Modelling. 295, p. 107-112 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Developing robust field survey protocols in landscape ecology: a case study on birds, plants and butterflies

    Loos, J., Hanspach, J., von Wehrden, H., Beldean, M., Moga, C. I. & Fischer, J., 01.2015, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 24, 1, p. 33-46 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Nuclear accidents call for transdisciplinary nuclear energy research

    Gralla, F., Abson, D., Møller, A. P., Lang, D. J., Vilsmaier, U., Sovacool, B. K. & von Wehrden, H., 01.2015, In: Sustainability Science. 10, 1, p. 179-183 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  40. Plant diversity in a changing agricultural landscape mosaic in Southern Transylvania (Romania)

    Loos, J., Turtureanu, P. D., Wehrden, H. V., Hanspach, J., Dorresteijn, I., Frink, J. P. & Fischer, J., 01.2015, In: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 199, p. 350-357 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. 2014
  42. Conserving the World's Finest Grassland Amidst Ambitious National Development

    Batsaikhan, N., Buuveibaatar, B., Chimed, B., Enkhtuya, O., Galbrakh, D., Ganbaatar, O., Lkhagvasuren, B., Nandintsetseg, D., Berger, J., Calabrese, J. M., Edwards, A. E., Fagan, W. F., Fuller, T. K., Heiner, M., Ito, T. Y., Kaczensky, P., Leimgruber, P., Lushchekina, A., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Mueller, T., Murray, M. G., Olson, K. A., Reading, R., Schaller, G. B., Stubbe, A., Stubbe, M., Walzer, C., Von Wehrden, H. & Whitten, T., 01.12.2014, In: Conservation Biology. 28, 6, p. 1736-1739 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. A holistic approach to studying social-ecological systems and its application to Southern Transylvania

    Hanspach, J., Hartel, T., Milcu, A. I., Mikulcak, F., Dorresteijn, I., Loos, J., von Wehrden, H., Kuemmerle, T., Abson, D., Kovács-Hostyánszki, A., Báldi, A. & Fischer, J., 18.11.2014, In: Ecology and Society. 19, 4, 27 p., 32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Site and neighborhood effects on growth of tree saplings in subtropical plantations (China).

    Li, Y., Härdtle, W., Bruehlheide, H., Nadrowski, K., Scholten, T., von Wehrden, H. & Oheimb, G., 01.09.2014, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 327, p. 118-127 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Human-carnivore coexistence in a traditional rural landscape

    Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Kecskés, A., Latková, H., Mezey, Z., Sugár, S., von Wehrden, H. & Fischer, J., 08.2014, In: Landscape Ecology. 29, 7, p. 1145-1155 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. High trees increase sunflower seed predation by birds in an agricultural landscape of Israel

    Schäckermann, J., Weiss, N., von Wehrden, H. & Klein, A. M., 16.07.2014, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 2, 9 p., 35.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Ecosystem services as a boundary object for sustainability

    Abson, D., von Wehrden, H., Baumgärtner, S., Fischer, J., Hanspach, J., Härdtle, W., Heinrichs, H., Klein, A.-M., Lang, D. J., Martens, P. & Walmsley, D., 07.2014, In: Ecological Economics. 103, 7, p. 29-37 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Realigning the land-sharing/land-sparing debate to match conservation needs: considering diversity scales and land-use history

    von Wehrden, H., Abson, D. J., Beckmann, M., Cord, A. F., Klotz, S. & Seppelt, R., 07.2014, In: Landscape Ecology. 29, 6, p. 941-948 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Assessing tree dendrometrics in young regenerating plantations using terrestrial laser scanning

    Li, Y., Hess, C., von Wehrden, H., Härdtle, W. & Oheimb, G., 06.2014, In: Annals of Forest Science. 71, 4, p. 453-462 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Brown bear activity in traditional wood-pastures in Southern Transylvania, Romania

    Röllig, M., Dorresteijn, I., von Wehrden, H., Hartel, T. & Fischer, J., 01.05.2014, In: Ursus. 25, 1, p. 44-52 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Habitat suitability models in conservation planning – a short introduction

    Dieker, P., Taboada Palomares, A. & von Wehrden, H., 05.2014, Jewels in the Mist: A synopsis on the highly endangered butterfly species the Violet Copper, Lycaena helle. Habel, J. C., Meyer, M. & Schmitt, T. (eds.). Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd., p. 57-65 9 p.

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

  52. glUV: A global UV-B radiation data set for macroecological studies

    Beckmann, M., Václavík, T., Manceur, A. M., Šprtová, L., von Wehrden, H., Welk, E. & Cord, A. F., 04.2014, In: Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 5, 4, p. 372-383 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  53. Methoden und Methodologie in den Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften

    Lang, D. J., Rode, H. & von Wehrden, H., 03.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Michelsen, G. & Heinrichs, H. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 115-144 30 p.

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