Z02 - Central Scientific Support Unit

The success of the international and interdisciplinary research of the proposed Collaborative Research Centre (EFForTS) depends to a significant degree on efficient project support. There is an unusually high demand for support from scientific projects with respect to the organization and collection of background data on biota, land cover and climate, and this is met by the Central Scientific Service Project.

The project focuses on four major topics:

• (WP1) Collection of essential climate data at each of the core plots including temperature and moisture at different levels in and above the ground.
• (WP2) Processing of remote sensing data, generation of data products from the airborne laser scanning campaign and auxiliary satellite based data.
• (WP3) Organizing the identification of species and implementing the sampling, identification and monitoring of tree arthropod communities.
• (WP4) Functioning as focal point and interface for collaboration with collections in Indonesia, in particular the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), and museums all over the world;

support will be provided on issues related to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ensuring that EFForTS scientists are familiar with the principles of the CBD including the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) system, and conduct their research accordingly. In a program focusing on investigating the full diversity of a tropical rainforest region, support in biodiversity issues proved mandatory to ensure that the hyper-diverse animals, plants and microorganisms receive adequate attention, are stored and archived properly, and are handled in compliance with Indonesian and international regulations. Z02 Scheu/Knohl/Erasmi forms a long-term focus on biodiversity monitoring of tropical regions and ensures that collections and results of EFForTS are saved for future use using a novel developed database (Ecotaxonomy database).