Current projects

Dendrom

Biodem

Sustainable management of mixed oak-pine stands in the sub-continental North-East-German lowlands

Forest-technical management of the urban forest Treuenbritzen by the UoAS Eberswalde

Protected areas in Germany and Climate Change – Risks and management options

On the transmission of microbial antagonists of Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar L.)

The potential of various types of natural antagonists, mainly microsporidia, for the regulation of the population density of the Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) is evaluated. This insect is one of the major forest pests in Germany. Our study is part of an international research project and focuses on the modes of transmission of this group of pathogens. This particular project investigates in which ways and how effectively the microsporidia are transmitted between individuals of the Gypsy moth. Additional to the laboratory experiments, extensive outdoor test are necessary (in cages), as well as research about pathogenity of various isolates (in the laboratory).

Enlargement of certification and assessment systems in close-to-nature forestry by means of structural biodiversity

In the course of the project indicator structures for natural biodiversity in forest ecosystems are gathered and described. An analysis of the results is being conducted in different temperate forest (USA, Poland). The aim is the enlargement and implementation of assessment systems in national and international controlling systems.

Heterogenity and formation of patterns in forest soils as and indicator for biodiversity and closeness to nature

The project acts on the assumption that soil patterns develop over many generations of the stand as a product of self-organisation of forest ecosystems. This gives the possibility to interprete variation properties of the soil as a description of the self-organisation potential of an ecosystem. Considering vegetation-, fauna- and stand-data it is to be discussed which processes lead to a specific spatial variation and structure in forest soils, as well as the question which correlation can be detected between soil diversity, on the one hand, and phyto-, zoo- and stand-diversity, on the other. By applying geo-statistic systems spatial variation of soil features is detected to describe the processes of self-organisation in diverse forest ecosystems which lead to the formation of specific soil patterns. Indices for the quantification of soil heterogeneity shall be derived and verified in regard to their compatibility for a diversity assessment of ecosystems (diversity in stand structure, soil fauna, soil vegetation) and the assessment of closeness to nature from a pedogenic point of view.

Diversity, taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of the genus Fosterella (Bromeliaceae)

Fosterella species are mesophytic terrestrial herbs distributed across Central South America, with a centre of diversity in arid and semi-humid habitats of Bolivia. Thirteen Fosterella species have been recognized in the most recent monography of the whole bromeliad family by Smith and Downs (1974-1977) in the Flora Neotropica. Numerous new taxa have been discovered since then, raising the actual number of described Fosterella species to 30. Most species are rare and restricted to certain habitats, thus additional species may await their discovery.
Whereas the monophyly of the genus is generally accepted, essentially nothing is known about phylogenetic relationships within the genus. We have initiated a comprehensive systematic analysis of Fosterella, based on traditional as well as molecular characters. Our final aim is a full taxonomic revision of the genus. Molecular data sets comprise genetic fingerprint profiles (e.g., AFLP markers) and chloroplast DNA sequences. Our investigation shall contribute to a better understanding of (1) the systematics and phylogeny of Fosterella and its position within the Bromeliaceae, (2) the biogeography of Fosterella and the long_term dispersal of Bromeliaceae from the Guayana Shield to the Andes, and (3) speciation processes in the Andine valleys of Bolivia.

Ecological attendant investigations in big-scale application of herbicides

Development of decision fundamentals, based on the results of the partial performances of the project, supplemented by own investigations, especially in damage projections.

Red deer project

This project does research about the Room-Space-Behaviour of red deer in the north-east-German lowlands by means of satellite telemetry. In this area just few research results are available about how the red deer uses its habitat. To develop measures that contribute to the protection of coherent red deer populations knowledge about the habitat use are of decisive importance.

Wildlife information system

Development of a specialised wildlife information system to support current research projects of the UoAS Eberswalde in the fields of wildlife biology, wildlife management and hunting skills. The system integrates a dynamic database through an interface into a geographic information system which is specialized in wildlife research. The aim is to optimize the spatial visualisation, processing and analysis of wildlife data and relevant environmental data.

Application of lead-free hunting ammunition on hoofed game and its influence on hunting practice and socio-dynamics

The project is carried out under the umbrella of the Agricultural and Environmental Ministry of Brandenburg. It investigates the application and impacts of lead-free hunting ammunition by analysis of standardised shooting reports, as well as the opinion of hunters by standardised, anonymous and socio-dynamic questionnaires.

Development of a system to synchronize registration and analysis of activity data and GPS telemetry data of cloven hoofed animals

The aim of the investigation is the development of a combined systems to register the Room-Space-Behaviour of cloven hoofed animals. Currently animals are located more or less exactly by means of radio and satellite telemetry. Knowledge about the behaviour of the animal at that place and time is difficult to gain. This restricts the use of gained data for concrete management measures extremely. The registration of activity data with collar dispatchers has to be organized in a way which answers the questions what (behaviour) the animal did at which time (time) and where (space) by analysis of the registered activity and GPS data without direct monitoring of the animal.

Generating a monitoring concept for wildlife damage in the county of Brandenburg

Currently there is no monitoring or inventory system for the registration and assessment of wildlife damage in the forest areas and open landscape of Brandenburg available. Wildlife damage data collected in the course of the State Forest Inventory do not describe the actual situation significantly and are not representative for a regional approach. The aim of the research project is therefore to develop a monitoring concept for the assessment of wildlife damage in forest ecosystems in Brandenburg.

Diversity, taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of the genus Fosterella (Bromeliaceae)

Fosterella species are mesophytic terrestrial herbs distributed across Central South America, with a centre of diversity in arid and semi-humid habitats of Bolivia. Thirteen Fosterella species have been recognized in the most recent monography of the whole bromeliad family by Smith and Downs (1974-1977) in the Flora Neotropica. Numerous new taxa have been discovered since then, raising the actual number of described Fosterella species to 30. Most species are rare and restricted to certain habitats, thus additional species may await their discovery.
Whereas the monophyly of the genus is generally accepted, essentially nothing is known about phylogenetic relationships within the genus. We have initiated a comprehensive systematic analysis of Fosterella, based on traditional as well as molecular characters. Our final aim is a full taxonomic revision of the genus. Molecular data sets comprise genetic fingerprint profiles (e.g., AFLP markers) and chloroplast DNA sequences. Our investigation shall contribute to a better understanding of (1) the systematics and phylogeny of Fosterella and its position within the Bromeliaceae, (2) the biogeography of Fosterella and the long_term dispersal of Bromeliaceae from the Guayana Shield to the Andes, and (3) speciation processes in the Andine valleys of Bolivia.