liveSciences³ Summer Campus 2022 − Impressions

During several field trips, students from all life science disciplines (agriculture / forestry / biology) learned about examples of future landscape management. Within a project work, they explored opportunities for sustainable production and effects on biodiversity. The project results were prepared as videos, and the students were trained and supported in creating those during the Summer Campus.

The online pre-campus was a valuable component for the successful onboarding of all participants: Getting to know each other, learning how to use the learning management platform, and getting a taste of the upcoming programme was on the agenda.

Forest ecosystems play a crucial role for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. They provide multiple ecosystem services and functions (timber, climate regulation, space for recreation, etc.). Therefore, modern, multi-functional forest management follows the principles of continuous cover forestry (no clear felling, sustainable harvesting, promotion of “close-to-nature” forest structures).

The Project Tasks...

• measuring the 3D forest structure of managed and unmanaged forests using terrestrial laser scanning;
• processing and analyzing the 3D data;
• presenting and visualizing how forests develop over time.

Our Scientific Support: Martin Ehbrecht & Dominik Seidel (University of Göttingen)

‘Eat less beef’. The press and academic literature voice it. Cattle are seen as terrible for the environment due to their high climate and resource intensity. They fart and burp methane, use large tracts of land, much water, and erode soils. From the cows’ perspective, it does not sound better, suffering physically and emotionally, and being kept in confined living spaces. Awareness is rising worldwide. Yet it is unlikely we all become vegans in the short-mid run. Is there a realistic intermediate step? More sustainable farm practices and reduced beef consumption might be the answer.

The Project Tasks...

• evaluating, comparing & discussing certain aspects in extensive grassland-beef production systems: Environment, animal health & welfare, farm economics;
• discussing current sustainability challenges for farmers & supporting policies;
• conducting field interviews & field evaluation protocols.

Our Scientific Support: Karen Arcia (University of Göttingen)

Calcareous dry grasslands − their high species richness is a result of vegetation history, variation of extreme habitat conditions, and management. Extensive grazing promoted open conditions for light-demanding species and reduced nutrient levels and competition by grasses, shrubs, and trees. Changes in the economy, policy, and land use strongly affected these ecosystems: They were considered less valuable for agricultural productivity, were used as tree plantations or gradually became forests. In the last decades, though, nature conservation authorities and local initiatives have tried to protect specific sites by selective management (e.g., manual removal of invasive plants).

The Project Tasks...

• supporting the scientific evaluation of site conditions & the success of management actions;
• assessing vegetation structures & identifying target species, such as rare snails;
• performing ecological measurements to describe microclimate conditions.

Our Scientific Support: Dr. Florian Goedecke (University of Göttingen), Walter Wimmer (NLWKN, BS)