"We are committed to the sustainable use of soil as a resource and to the long-term preservation of soil fertility. We deal with the ecology of soils and their protection against pollution. Our research group is well-networked and works on practical projects with various external partners." Beatrice Kulli, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Soil organisms and their reaction to disturbances
• Protection of the soil against contamination and compaction
• Raising awareness of the soil resource in public and spatial planning

"We are address issues relating to the sustainable development of urban ecosystems. We pursue a broad-based research strategy that integrates ecological, social and economic aspects; from planning, through construction to long-term development." Florian Brack, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Promotion of biodiversity in settlement areas
• Life cycle costs of open spaces
• Innovations for an inclusive use of open spaces

"80% of all information has a spatial reference, which is particularly relevant in the environmental sciences. We research geoinformatics solutions for the digital future of environmental sciences. Together with our partners from other research groups, we develop tailor-made geoinformatics and data science solutions for the collection, storage and analysis of spatiotemporal information - with practical applications ranging from site searches for wind turbines to floodplain monitoring and agriculture 4.0." Patrick Laube, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Geodata collection and ecological monitoring with drones / remote sensing
• Location analyses with geographical information systems and geodatabases
• Data science and application development for the processing of spatio-temporal information

"We deal with urban green spaces from a socio-spatial perspective and with their contribution to the promotion of health, quality of life and social integration. In particular, we deal with socially sustainable outdoor living spaces, urban gardening, care farming, social agriculture and garden therapy. In doing so, we use a broad spectrum of mainly qualitative research methods such as participant observations, qualitative interviews, local, spatial and social analyses, as well as participatory processes." Petra Hagen Hodgson, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Potential of green spaces and the use of green spaces for social, mental and physical health
• Urban gardening, social agriculture (care farming)
• Garden therapy

"The state of biodiversity and ecosystem services depends on human activity. We analyse what motivates people to take action and how this can be changed in a sustainable direction. In order to find effective solutions, we combine techniques of behavioural psychology, education, communication and art." Urs Müller, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Methods and techniques of behavioural change
• Effect-oriented communication, storytelling
• Environmental education and education for sustainable development
   

"The protection and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems requires the integration of various interests such as biodiversity, land use, hydropower production and flood prevention. With this goal in mind, we research and develop foundations and solutions at the interface of science and practice - together with internal and external research partners, companies and authorities." Michael Döring, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Structural and functional relationships in aquatic ecosystems
• Spatial analysis, modelling and monitoring of rivers and floodplain landscapes
• Renaturation and sustainable use of water bodies

"We develop new strategies and methods for biological crop protection and seek application-oriented solutions for practical use.  We work with beneficial and harmful organisms in the micro- and macrocosm, and focus on agricultural crops and horticulture." Jürg Grunder, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Development of new biological pesticides and control strategies against diseases and pests
• Optimised use of pesticides through monitoring and new consulting concepts 
• Monitoring and regulation of harmful organisms using traps and fragrances

"We deal with the climate adaptation of cities to climate change and biodiversity in settlement areas, with impact controls, concept development and various biomonitoring procedures with case-specific animal groups. We investigate, for example, the functionality of amphibian control systems and tunnels, and how buildings can be systematically given near-natural planted surfaces - to promote biodiversity, but also in the context of urban adaptation to climate change." Stephan Brenneisen, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Biodiversity in settlement areas
• Biomonitoring and ecological potential of green roof areas in Switzerland and worldwide
• Climate adaptation of cities

"Modern techniques have made conservation genetics an integral part of research today. Together with other research groups, we investigate the biodiversity of wild animals, plants, fungi and bacteria so that we can draw conclusions about their distribution or to prove ecological relationships." Theo Smits, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Population genetics of wild animals, plants, fungi or bacteria
• Molecular ecology using metagenomics and eDNA-based methods
• Identification of plants or wild animals using barcoding methods

"The expansion of our settlement and infrastructure areas, new technologies, the increase in leisure activities in nature, the 24-hour society, etc. raise the pressure on nature and the environment. Partly in cooperation with other research groups, we explore socio-ecological systems where there are conflicting interests between construction, nature and leisure/tourism, and seek sustainable solutions for the protection and use of our habitats." Reto Rupf, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Entomological monitoring as a basis for habitat management
• Use of new technologies in environmental planning (e.g. drones, augmented reality)
• Behavioural analyses in outdoor sports as a basis for the development of environmentally and socially compatible management concepts

"We deal with ecological design for resilient, environmentally-friendly and sustainable (comprehensive) urban green and blue infrastructures and corridors. The overall aim of our research is to bring ecological knowledge into the design process (planning) to support and implement urban biodiversity within the context of climate change." Nathalie Baumann, Group Leader

Research areas:

• Developing ecosystem design and ‘nature based solutions’ for urban spaces
• Researching the ecology of novel urban ecosystems 
• Interaction of urban flora and fauna

"We deal with the analysis of vegetation, condition and changes in botanical diversity, as well as efficient measures for species protection, nature conservation management and renaturation. In doing so, we use a wide range of methods of vegetation surveys and other observational data, experiments, large databases (ecoinformatics) and statistical modelling, and work regionally, nationally and internationally." Jürgen Dengler, Head of Research Group

Research areas:

• Evidence-based nature conservation
• Plant diversity and its change
• Ecoinformatics and vegetation database

"Wildlife and humans live in close proximity in Central Europe. This means there are differing demands, often leading to resource conflicts for the same space. We analyse underlying ecological processes and develop practical solutions." Roland Graf, Research Group Leader

Research areas:

• Roaming and activity patterns, as well as habitat selection, of wild hooved animals as a basis for resolving conflicts of use
• Monitoring of mammals and birds - method development and application
• Promotion of endangered vertebrate species