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‘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.