KIT - CLEAR - Topics

Ecosystems

Topic 4

Istock-Romolo Tavani

"We study forests in different compartments (soil, tree, air) and aim to assess their response under various climatic as well as socio-economic conditions, such as land-use changes and management decisions."

Prof. Dr. Nadine Rühr

Ecosystems are both an expression and a condition of life on Earth. Acting as an interface between the atmosphere and the soil, terrestiral ecosystems shape the quality of food, air, and water, while regulating climate and water cycles from local to global scales. Through the goods and services they provide, both natural and managed ecosystems form an indispensable foundation for human societies.

The complexity of the Earth system and the multifaceted feedback loops between soil, vegetation, the atmosphere, and the climate raise many unresolved questions. In the face of population growth, urbanization, biodiversity loss, agricultural intensification, and climate change, there is an increasing need to better understand these mechanisms and develop effective conservation strategies.

To this end, we combine field measurements and experiments with modeling and scenario development. Socio-economic perspectives are also incorporated, as societal decisions shape how ecosystems are managed and determine who is most affected by the changes they undergo.

more info: https://www.ifgg.kit.edu/english/index.php