The mission of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre is study the complex interactions between biodiversity and climate as well as their changes. Using a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art methods from satellite-supported remote sensing of climate, area and ecosystem reactions to advanced genomics and mass spectrometry, we analyse and document past and present patterns and processes with the goal of providing reliable predictions of future developments. We look into genes, species and ecosystems and study processes spanning several years up up to millions of years. In particular we investigate:
Geobiodiversity and climate: The impacts of climate and landscape change on biodiversity and ecosystem functions
Evolution and climate: The impacts of climate on genetic and genomic diversity
Ecosystem services and climate: The impacts of climate-driven biodiversitychange on social-ecological systems
Our research centre integrates the multi-faceted expertise required for the in-depth investigation and management of climate-related biodiversity changes at local, national, European and global levels, including those that are relevant to the environment and health. It thereby contributes to the goals of international agreements at the regional, European and global levels, e.g. the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Fauna-Flora-Habitat (EU-FFH) or the Water Framework Policies of the European Union (EU-WRRL).
