News
More milk, less methane in mixed pastures?
Allowing dairy cows to graze on fresh grass in open pastures for a significant proportion of the year seems more natural and sustainable. And there are proven advantages for the environment: stable grasslands promote biodiversity, protect the soil, and support carbon storage. However, farms face challenges as they are heavily dependent on the weather and the time of the year. A research team carried out a meta-analysis of a number of studies to help find out what the benefits could be. more…
Diversity in forest management promotes biodiversity
Uniform and intensive forest management approaches threaten European forest biodiversity. There are many different ways to manage forests, but the effects of different combinations of approaches are not well understood. An international investigated how the Triad forest management framework can support biodiversity conservation in European beech forests. The researchers collected data from these three management categories and developed “virtual forest landscapes” for analysis. more…
Wolves return: How to keep livestock safe?
Wolves had long been extinct in parts of Central Europe. Thanks to strict regulations to protect species, in recent decades they have become more widespread again. This brings new challenges: in many areas, protecting farm livestock is essential to prevent animals such as sheep, goats and cattle from being killed by hungry wolves. Researchers investigated to find out how farmers feel about measures such as wolf-repelling electric fences or guard dogs, and whether subsidies can influence this. more…
Biodiversity needs more than just flower strips
Strips of land planted with flowers between fields are the most popular environmental measure in agriculture. They attract pollinators such as butterflies and wild bees, look beautiful and can be achieved quickly. But this is not enough! Researchers have described how agricultural landscapes need to be designed to accommodate many species and to ensure other social and ecological functions such as providing nature for human recreation and climate protection. more…
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Further news
Bright Future for Solar System School
The Solar System School, the joint graduate school of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, the University of Göttingen, and the Technical University of Braunschweig, is now a permanent fixture in doctoral training in Göttingen and Braunschweig. The Max Planck Society will continue the School for an indefinite period. The doctoral program offers students from all over the world the opportunity to obtain a doctorate in the field of solar system research as part of a structured graduate program. more…
Göttingen University subjects get good grades!
Good results for the University of Göttingen: in the latest "QS World University Rankings by Subject", Agricultural and Forestry sciences are first in Germany, and 21st worldwide. Development Studies is listed among the top 100 worldwide, and was placed among the top four in Germany. Biology is ranked sixth in Germany, and Theology, Religion & Religious Studies is among the top 13 in Germany. Ancient Studies and Prehistory is among the top twelve in Germany and ranks 51-150 worldwide. more…