The research conducted at the institutes within the section “Environmental Sciences” is geared towards a better understanding of the Earth system, in each of three domains hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere. The focus is on the interfaces at which these spheres most closely intertwine with human activities, which is in the troposphere, coastal waters and shelf seas, inland waters, agricultural systems and landscapes. As a cross-sectional task research on climate impacts and climate change plays an important role within the section.
Gaining an in-depth understanding of the Earth system requires integrated observation of its subsystems. This is why the section also studies the interactions between the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere.
The key areas of research are:
In the hydrosphere: Coastal waters and shelf seas, inland waters and groundwater
In the atmosphere (particularly troposphere)
In the lithosphere: Agricultural systems and geotechnically exploitable subsurface
As a cross-sectional task: Research on climate change and climate impacts
The institutes conduct research on the basis of laboratory and field experiments, some of them on large scales. Long-term observations of living and inanimate matter along all spatio-temporal scales identify fundamental patterns and record global change. A multidisciplinary approach is taken that also draws on expertise in the social sciences and economics. In doing so, solutions are sought to ensure a sustainable use of the natural resources and manage competing uses. Models and scenarios developed by the section serve as a basis to recommend actions and innovative solution strategies to policy makers and society.
