Maintaining Biodiversity in the Forests of Central Europe
German Research Foundation approves new research training group at University of Freiburg
Researchers will study 135 testing areas in the Black Forest to identify means of maintaining biodiversity in multi-functional forests. Photo: Thomas Kunz
How effectively do deadwood and so-called habitat trees, which provide animals, plants, and microorganisms with specialized living spaces, contribute to maintaining biodiversity in the forests of Central Europe? Young researchers from the University of Freiburg will use the Black Forest as a model system to investigate this question in the coming years. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has agreed to provide the new research training group (GRK) “Conservation of Forest Biodiversity in Multiple-Use Landscapes of Central Europe – ConFoBi” just under 4.5 million euros in funding for this purpose. The project will be launched on 1 July 2016 and is scheduled to run for four and a half years. The spokesperson is Ilse Storch, professor of wildlife ecology and management at the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources.
The GRK will combine ecological studies on forest biodiversity with social and economic studies on maintaining biodiversity. In addition, it will promote knowledge transfer between research and practice in forestry management and nature conservation. The scientists plan to apply this approach to 135 testing areas in the Black Forest over a total of 25 square kilometers to identify means of maintaining biodiversity in multi-functional forests. The institutions involved in the project at the University of Freiburg are the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources and the Faculty of Biology. The Forest Research Institute of Baden-Württemberg is participating as a project partner.
The goal of the GRK is to promote the scientific independence of the doctoral candidates and qualify them for leadership positions within and outside of academia. Members will receive interdisciplinary training and supervision. The core elements of the curriculum include courses, symposia, trips abroad, and participation in conferences.
German Research Foundation press release
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Ilse Storch
Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management
Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources
University of Freiburg
Phone: +49 (0)761/203-3797
E-Mail: ilse.storch@wildlife.uni-freiburg.de
Printable version (pdf) of the press release.