Introduction

Our research projects range from fundamental science to strategic, policy oriented or applied studies and advice. Our expertise and know-how is developed for application in decision support, assessment studies, expert systems, and evaluation methods. We optimize scientific research to support environmental and conservation management and spatial planning, as well as policy development in nature conservation and agriculture. One of our main interests is to enhance applicability of science for management issues within socio-economical constraints.

Our expertise covers vertebrate and invertebrate ecology, as well as plant genetics, with emphasis on soil fauna, insects, mammals and birds. Our scientific methods range from expert judgment, in situ or ex situ experimentation, to sophisticated statistical analyses and ecological modeling. Research topics include conservation, reintroduction of threatened species, management of large herbivores, geese, meadow birds, as well as functional biodiversity of soil fauna for agriculture and nature, forensic and molecular genetics, exotic and invasive species and monitoring. We develop molecular tools for detecting and quantifying genetic variation, and apply these in mechanistic studies to unravel the factors controlling populations in the wild. We perform site-specific ecological risk assessment of environmental contaminants, including hormonal disruptors, veterinary medicines, nano-particles and the more traditional chemicals of concern. Our assessments deal with spatial and temporal variation, and provide exposure scenarios in view of complex community and food web ecology.

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