Botany-News-2026-c | Senckenberg Nature Research

… with a welcome reception at the Department of Botany in Frankfurt, including a guided tour of the herbarium.

On the second day, we start with an outlook on the prehistoric and early human impact on the environment. In contrast to the landscape in southern Chile, the Central European landscape has been drastically altered over thousands of years by agriculture and forestry, and more recently by industrialization and urbanization.

After two presentations, we head to the „MainÄppelHaus Lohrberg“ in the afternoon to explore the orchard meadows around Frankfurt.

The second day starts with a discussion on various aspects of biocultural diversity and nature conservation, led by Senckenberg’s general director.

A visit to the Botanical Garden Frankfurt provides insights into the ex situ conservation of rare and endangered plant species.

New to most participants (including the organizer!) is the fascinating connection between biodiversity and literature, which Prof. Dr. Borgard from the Frankfurt Humanities Research Center at the Goethe University explains to us.

In metropolitan areas such as the Rhine-Main region, near-natural habitats often need to be reconstructed rather than simply protected. A prominent example is the former Bonames Airfield, which is now part of Frankfurt’s green belt.

The actual excursion program begins on the third day. After additional lectures on the conservation of wild species and ancient crop plants, the group travels to Hofgeismar in northern Hesse.

Andreas Mölder und Louise Tielkes von der Nordwestdeutschen Forstlichen Versuchsanstalt in Hannoversch Münden erläutern die Geschichte des „Urwalds“ Sababurg.

At first glance, the massive old oak and beech trees give the impression of a primeval forest that has remained undisturbed for a long time.

In fact, the 300- to 400-year-old trees bear witness to a long tradition of forest grazing by cows and sheep, which was not completely discontinued until 1865. Today, efforts are being made in some experimental plots to reintroduce this traditional form of land use in order to preserve the character of the forest.

On the journey from Hofgeismar to Nordhorn: Where biodiversity is lacking, cultural entertainment must provide some variety.

Guided tour of the Emsland Moor Museum near Twist. The Bourtange moor, located on the Dutch-German border in the Emsland region, was once the largest contiguous moorland area in Western Europe. Today, only poor remnants

More than 95% of the former peatland area was lost after World War II to industrial peat extraction and the “Emsland Plan” for the agricultural development of the region. Using massive peat plows, the peat moss layer together with the underlying soil layers was converted into arable land. Concerns about nature conservation and species protection played virtually no role in this process.

From Lower Saxony back to Hesse. The well-preserved medieval town center of Fritzlar and its city walls give a sense of the long history of human influence on nature in Central Europe.

The narrow streets are perfect for a Sunday walk.

The third week of the Summer School begins with a strong contrast. River regulation and dam construction are among the most significant human interventions in natural ecosystems. The Eder Dam, built before the First World War, was intended to supply water to the Mittelland Canal and also served to generate hydroelectric power.

In the nearby Kellerwald, on the other hand, acidophilous beech forests are to be protected. The national park forms part of a European network of forest conservation areas and is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

A visit to our new colleagues in Jena. The collections of the Haussknecht Herbarium, one of Europe’s largest herbaria, bear witness to the decline of Central European vascular plants, mosses and lichens.

A guided tour of the nearby Ernst Haeckel House offers an insight into the life and work of one of the greatest naturalists of the 19th century, who straddled the boundary between science and art.

Natural History Museum Frankfurt

Natural History Museum Dresden

Natural History Museum Görlitz

Contrast

NEWS from the Dept. Botany and Molecular Evolution 2026

First Chilean-German Summer School 2026 – Part 2
Field trip report by Christian Printzen

NEWS from the Dept. Botany and Molecular Evolution 2026

First Chilean-German Summer School 2026 – Part 2 Field trip report by Christian Printzen

First Chilean-German Summer School 2026 – Part 2
Field trip report by Christian Printzen