Agricultural Ecosystems

Agricultural ecosystems comprise 30 % of the Earth’s surface. They provide ecosystem services including food and non-food biomass production, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. Agricultural ecosystems serve as important habitats for many wild plant and animal species. Management practices used in agricultural ecosystems determine the state of the global environment.

The aim of the research area Agricultural Ecosystems is to advance our understanding of biomass formation, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and other key processes. This fundamental research helps to develop strategies for sustainable management of agricultural systems in a changing environment including innovative farming techniques in organic agriculture, sustainable intensification, and digital farming technologies.