Download What is biodiversity? Research areas at iDiv iDiv consortium

‘The central problem in understanding and
measuring biological diversity is that we still have a
lot of work to do. And while we are taking inventory,
the shelves are already being cleared.’
Managing Director Prof Christian Wirth in the iDiv film
Watch the iDiv film:
www.idiv.de/idivfilmEN
© myfoto7 / Fotolia.com
Photo: TRICKLABOR
Research areas at iDiv
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)
Halle-Jena-Leipzig
iDiv is a DFG research centre with more than 250 employees and
members located in Halle, Jena and Leipzig. Here, researchers
from 30 nations establish the scientific basis for the
sustainable management of our planet’s biodiversity.
Biodiversity
Patterns
How great is biodiversity,
how is it distributed and
how is it changing?
www.idiv.de
What is biodiversity?
How does biodiversity
evolve and how is
it maintained?
How does biodiversity
affect the functioning
of ecosystems and
what happens when
species disappear?
Biodiversity
and Society
How can we protect
and make sustainable
use of biodiversity?
iDiv consortium
iDiv is a central facility of Leipzig
University. It is run together with
the Martin Luther University
Halle-Wittenberg and the Friedrich
Schiller University Jena, as well as in
cooperation with the Helmholtz Centre
for Environmental Research – UFZ.
Furthermore, seven non-university
research institutions belong to the iDiv
consortium.
© guentermanaus / Fotolia.com
Photo: pixabay.com
Biodiversity refers to the diversity of life – not only species diversity but also
genetic diversity, diversity of functions, interactions and ecosystems. We know
that our actions dramatically change this diversity: species become extinct, genetic
information and entire ecosystems are lost. At the same time, we know little
about the extent of these changes, the underlying processes and consequences
for humanity. The researchers at iDiv want to close these knowledge gaps.
Photo: pixabay.com
Biodiversity
Processes
Biodiversity
Functions
iDiv is a research centre of the
Integrating molecules, …
Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Bettina Ohse / UL
How much biodiversity are we losing? The
answer to this question depends on the size of
the segment of time or space that is concerned.
iDiv scientists are combining results from smallscale studies (short-term and local) to more
comprehensively understand the state and
development of biodiversity on large scales.
Photo: Sabine Both / BEF-China
Time and space
Integrating small, …
Photo: Volker Hahn / iDiv
Photo: Pixabay
Integrating biodiversity …
… and large scales.
… medium …
Transdisciplinarity
How can scientists collaborate with experts in
society to assess biodiversity trends? What is the
impact of biodiversity loss on society? How can
our biodiversity be managed sustainably? In order
to answer these questions, iDiv scientists are
working together across disciplines and exchange
knowledge at the science-policy interface.
… and ecosystems.
… species and interactions …
Photo by IISD/ENB (www.iisd.ca/ipbes/ipbes3/12jan.htm)
How do processes at the molecular level
affect the coexistence of species in an
ecosystem? What is the effect of interactions
(such as between plants and soil animals) on
the functioning of ecosystems? In order to
answer complex questions, iDiv scientists are
combining different methods and techniques.
Photo: Volker Hahn / iDiv
Complexity
Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Gerlinde de Deyn / Jena Experiment
iDiv’s challenges
… across disciplines, …
… society and policy.