Urban Ecology and Biodiversity

Institute of Geography » Urban Ecology and Biodiversity

Working Group Urban Ecology and Biodiversity

Welcome

Since August 2024, Valentin Klaus holds the professorship of Urban Ecology and Biodiversity at the Institute of Geography.

Grünfäche mit Hochhäusern im Hintergrund. Sie ist in Rasen auf der linken Seite und längere, blühende Wiese auf der rechten Seite aufgeteilt. Die Hochhäuser im Hintergrund sind bunt.

Diverse urban green space offers habitats for native species and at the same time numerous opportunities for use and recreation for the local population.

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Zwei Forscherinnen laufen durch ein hochgewachsenes Gras. Im Hintergrund sind bewaldete Hügel.

In complex landscapes, field work is often key to understanding ecosystem patterns and processes. The picture shows the assessment of ecosystem services in different grassland types in the Swiss Jura Mountains.

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Grünfläche mit vielen verschiedenen bunt blühenden Wiesenpflanzen.

Extensively managed urban green spaces sown with native grassland species provide important urban habitats and are visually attractive at the same time.

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Urbaner Vorgarten mit Totholzhaufen, einzelnen Steinen und vielfältigem Bewuchs.

Small structures to promote urban fauna such as piles of dead wood and stones can be created in public and private areas like gardens and in front of apartment buildings.

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The preservation of valuable habitats in mountain landscapes is not possible without grazing animals. Goats are particularly effective at pushing back scrub.

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Kleingärten mit Hochhäusern im Hintergrund.

Urban green space promotes the health of the population and offers various opportunities to people to actively engage with nature (Zurich, Switzerland).

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Research Focus

The working group is focused on vegetation and ecosystem ecology and analyses ecological patterns and processes in urban and rural landscapes. We aim to contribute to a better understanding of biodiversity loss and to finding solutions to counteract environmental degradation. Therefore, we assess and develop opportunities to promote and restore biodiversity considering the diverse requirements of human land use. Whether in agricultural or urban landscapes, ecological solutions must always be developed and implemented in cooperation with local stakeholders and interest groups.

Areal Photo of the RUB campus

Areal Photo of the RUB campus

Mission statement

The interdisciplinary research of the Urban Ecology and Biodiversity working group focuses on the functional and system-oriented understanding of urban and rural ecosystems and seeks new ways to promote biodiversity. We are concerned with both fundamental and applied research questions.

Considering humans and the way we use ecosystems is an integral part of our ecological work. In times of local to global change, it is essential to understand, protect and restore the natural and semi-natural resources in our landscapes. To this end, we use classical ecological methods, develop innovative approaches, conduct experiments, and analyze time series data.

Our research not only aims at increasing knowledge but also at contributing to the well-being of people through a healthy environment. Ecosystem services must therefore be promoted, particularly in densely populated areas such as the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region. Biodiversity can and must also find its place in such urban landscapes.

We are committed to teaching Bachelor's and Master's degree courses as well as to training postgraduates. We want to pass on our fascination for ecological patterns and processes to our students. Advice and mentoring play an important role in our teaching philosophy and in promoting talent, as does developing and implementing own ideas.

We contribute to the transfer of knowledge and engage in the dialog with society and relevant stakeholders. We are committed to networking and the internationalization of research and teaching activities.

Working in our group is based on openness and dialog as well as support and appreciation. Diversity is normality: We value the diversity of people. Fairness, scientific integrity, and creativity are cornerstones of our work.