University of Hohenheim: Innovative research on climate adaptation started!

University of Hohenheim: Innovative research on climate adaptation started!

The University of Hohenheim is actively involved in the research landscape with its participation in two excellence clusters: “GreenRobust” and “TERRA”. These initiatives aim to help find solutions to urgent climate change and biodiversity challenges. “GreenRobust” is carried out in collaboration with the universities of Tübingen and Heidelberg and has the goal of researching the ability of plants to adapt to environmental stress in order to maintain agricultural productivity even under the conditions of climate change and the threat of pests. How uni-hohenheim.de reports, these approaches are of great importance in view of the increasing challenges posed by climate change.

The “TERRA” cluster, on the other hand, is dedicated to the interaction between different soil types and biological diversity. Rector of the University of Tübingen, Dr. Karla Pollmann, highlights the strengths of these research institutions and the expertise of the plant researchers involved. At the same time, the rector of Heidelberg University, Prof. Dr. Frauke Melchior, how important this research is for the future food supply of our society. Prof. Dr. Julia Fritz-Steuber, Vice Rector of the University of Hohenheim, emphasizes the importance of increased cooperation within both clusters in order to sustainably promote ecosystems.

Research infrastructure and new professorships

A unique research infrastructure is being set up at the University of Hohenheim for “GreenRobust”. This includes, among other things, the so-called “Diversitorium”, an open-air facility with different soil variations for observing different plant species, as well as the “Xerodrome”, a mobile experimental facility for simulating drought and drought stress. To support these ambitions, three new professorships will be created: the “Eco-Evolutionary Theory” (W1), the “Biodiversity Theory” (W3) and the area “Remote Sensing of the Biosphere” (W3).

The clusters rely on innovative methods that combine field experiments, laboratory work and data analyzes with network theory and artificial intelligence. In addition, the University of Hohenheim is launching a new cross-faculty doctoral program in agricultural and natural sciences in order to strengthen scientific training in this context.

Climate change as a challenge for biodiversity

Climate change has far-reaching effects on plants, animals and ecosystems and is one of the decisive factors influencing biological diversity. This is reflected in the shifting of areas, changing productivity of ecosystems and the change in species communities. According to information from the UFZ (Environmental Research Center), climate change not only directly affects ecosystems, but also affects biodiversity, following land use change and biological invasions. International agreements, such as the CBD and UNFCCC, oblige states to mitigate these negative effects.

Various projects are being implemented at the UFZ that deal with the consequences of climate change. This includes large-scale risk analyzes of biodiversity and modeling the effects of climate change on animal and plant species. This research is essential to develop management and protection concepts to promote biological diversity at European and federal levels.

Climate change represents a serious threat to traditional agriculture. Studies such as those by Beillouin et al. (2020), shed light on the influence of extreme weather conditions on European agriculture. A comprehensive analysis shows that climate change is significantly changing the climatic conditions under which agriculture operates. Therefore, sustainable adaptation strategies and close collaboration between research and practice are required to strengthen agricultural resilience and ensure security of supply in the long term.

The developments and research approaches of the University of Hohenheim as well as the concerns of the projects in collaboration with the UFZ and other institutes are crucial to actively addressing the challenges of climate change and securing a sustainable future for agriculture and biological diversity. The researchers, including the cluster speakers, Prof. Dr. Rosa Lozano-Durán and Prof. Dr. Michaela Dippold, are committed to this important mission.