Long-term biodiversity research has gained significant attention in science, politics and society (e.g., 2017 Hallmann study on insect biomass decline, 2019 IPBES global assessment report), however, it often lacks a systemic approach.
Research Activity 2.1 Long-term Ecosystem Dynamics is pursuing the mission of generating and analyzing systemic long-term (approx. 10 – 100 years) biodiversity and environmental data and trends. By in situ measuring both biodiversity and environmental variables, we not only assess changes in biodiversity and the environment in the recent past, but deepen our understanding of its underlying drivers. Our results are relevant for quantifying losses in biodiversity and for the development of appropriate conservation measures. We provide a direct contribution to Senckenberg’s quest for a systemic understanding of nature. Our research is based on three pillars: 1) generating and analyzing systemic long-term biodiversity and environmental data in four flagship observatories (LTER Rhine-Main-Observatory, LTER North Sea Benthos Observatory, LTER Frankfurt City Biotope Observatory, LTER DFG-Biodiversity Exploratories) that are embedded in the global network “International Long-Term Ecological Research” (ILTER), 2) using our competences in time-series analyses beyond the four observatories by analyzing biodiversity and environmental data at different spatial scales across the globe, and 3) guiding long-term ecological research at the national, European and international level by developing conceptual frameworks, state of the art monitoring methods (e.g. environmental DNA as part of LOEWE TBG) and establishing leading roles in respective scientific organizations (e.g., eLTER, ILTER).