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Biodiversity in Agricultural Landscapes (Completed)

The diversity of animal and plant species in Germany has decreased dramatically in recent years. Most noticeable, even for non-specialists, is this development among birds. The population of the skylark for example, once a very common bird, has decreased by around 40 percent since 1990. The partridge has even suffered a decline of 84 percent. The agricultural landscape is particularly affected by the decline in species.

Currently, the focus of the discussion is on the development of insect populations. They have decreased locally by up to 75 percent over the past 30 years. The disappearance of diversity and mass of insects in the agricultural landscape is particularly alarming because it now also affects ordinary and formerly very common species. This not only affects birds, which depend on insects, but also the general characteristics and functioning of ecosystems and therefore ultimately humankind.

This working group pursues the following goals:

  • compilation of the very heterogeneous data situation on the decline of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape in Germany and Central Europe
  • comprehensible presentation of information on the causes of these losses
  • highlighting the importance of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape for society and the consequences of further loss
  • identification of possible knowledge gaps and emphasizing the importance of standardized biodiversity monitoring
  • drafting possible courses of action in the conflict area between biodiversity conservation and agricultural production

Institutions

  • German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (responsible)
  • Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities (responsible)
  • German National Academy of Science and Engineering acatech

Spokespersons of the Working Group

  • Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese ML, Senckenberg Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum, Frankfurt
  • Prof. Dr. Alexandra-Maria Klein, Professur für Naturschutz und Landschaftsökologie, Universität Freiburg
  • Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wägele, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander König, Bonn

Members of the Working Group

  • Prof. Dr. Helge Bruelheide, Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Lehrstuhl Geobotanik
  • Dr. Carsten Brühl, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Institut für Umweltwissenschaften
  • Prof. Dr. Olaf Christen, Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Professur Allgemeiner Pflanzenbau / Ökologischer Landbau
  • Prof. Dr. Jens Dauber, Thünen-Institut, Institut für Biodiversität, Braunschweig
  • Prof. Dr. Michaela Fenske, Universität Würzburg, Institut für Kulturanthropologie
  • Dr. Annette Freibauer, Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft - Institut für Agrarökologie, Freising
  • Prof. Dr. Bärbel Gerowitt, Universität Rostock, Professur Phytomedizin
  • Dr. Andreas Krüß, Bundesamt für Naturschutz, Abteilung Ökologie und Schutz von Fauna und Flora, Bonn
  • Prof. Dr. Sebastian Lakner, Universität Rostock, Professur für Agrarökonomie
  • Prof. Dr. Tobias Plieninger, Universität Göttingen, Department für Agrarökonomie und Rurale Entwicklung & Universität Kassel, Fachbereich Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften
  • Prof. Dr. Thomas Potthast, Universität Tübingen, Internationales Zentrum für Ethik in den Wissenschaften
  • Prof. Dr. Sabine Schlacke, Universität Münster, Institut für Umwelt- und Planungsrecht
  • Prof. Dr. Ralf Seppelt, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung, Leipzig, Department Landschaftsökologie
  • Pof. Dr. Hartmut Stützel, Universität Hannover, Institut für gartenbauliche Produktionssysteme
  • Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Weisser, TU München, Lehrstuhl für terrestrische Ökologie

ML = Member of the Leopoldina

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CONTACT

Leopoldina

Dr. Christian Anton

Scientific Officer, Department Science - Policy - Society

Phone 0345 47 239 - 861
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E-Mail christian.anton (at)leopoldina.org

CONTACT

Leopoldina

Dr. Henning Steinicke

Scientific officer, Deputy Head of Department Science – Policy – Society

Phone 0345 - 47 239 - 864
Fax
E-Mail henning.steinicke (at)leopoldina.org

Ansprechpartner

Dr. Annette Schaefgen

Union der deutschen Akademien der Wissenschaften
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Tel. 030 - 325 98 73 70
E-Mail schaefgen @akademienunion-berlin.de