Chair of Modelling of Social-Ecological Systems

Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources

Chair of Modelling of Social-Ecological Systems

Abkürzung der Fakultät für Umwelt und Natürliche Ressourcen "unr" in der Farbe sand auf grünem, kreisförmigen Hintergrund

The Chair of Modelling of Social-Ecological Systems uses and develops various modelling approaches to understand interactions between people and nature, especially in the context of forest and mountain landscapes. We are interested in understanding the dynamics of complex social-ecological systems and in developing practical tools that can support stakeholders in sustainable ecosystem management. We use a variety of tools, including empirical spatial models, Bayesian Networks, agent-based models and social-ecological networks to address current challenges, such as forest adaptation to global change, risk reduction, and coexistence.

News

New publication

“Closer-to-nature” forest management

“Closer-to-nature” forest management has been proposed as a way to reconcile biodiversity and ecosystem services, especially under a changing climate. But how strong is the evidence?

In a new paper in Current Forestry Reports, we synthesized knowledge from Central Europe, a region with a history of diverse forest management practices that has recently experienced severe impacts of climate change.

Team outing

Getting to know the Black Forest

In our first team outing at the end of November, we enjoyed a snowy hike in the Mathislewald. Together with colleagues from the Chair of Forestry Economics and Forest Planning, the Chair of Silviculture, and visiting researchers from TUM and Berchtesgaden National Park, we got to know the university forest and its management.

Cluster of Excellence

Future Forests

The DFG has approved the funding of a new Cluster of Excellence at the University of Freiburg on Future Forests, which will start in 2026. Within Future Forests, we aim to make novel contributions to understanding and analyzing transformation pathways of forests as adaptive social-ecological systems.

New publication

What is the role of scientists in conservation advocacy?

We addressed this question with participants of the Neretva Science Week, a conservation advocacy event in the Balkans. In a new publication in Environmental Science and Policy, we explored scientists’ perspectives on advocacy, ecological grief, perceived political empowerment, and public engagement.

Research

Our research focus and current projects.

Teaching

Information about our courses and available thesis topics.

Publications

Overview of our publications and conference contributions.

Team

Get to know our team.