Agroecology

The diversity of plants is one of the most formative elements in our agricultural landscapes. In this research area we focus on the analysis of agricultural plant diversity and the threats posed by climate change to biodiversity. The interactions of species, cultivars and plant communities with climate change factors are investigated in process-oriented sophisticated field experiments [Link] FACE. Results are used to assess the importance of agricultural plant diversity for the stability and productivity of agroecosystems and their sensitivity to climate change. The results are also the basis to validate and improve plant growth and ecosystem models.