GRK 780: Perspectives on Urban Ecology - the Example of the European Metropolis of Berlin

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The research program will focus on interrelations between non-biotic (soil, water, atmosphere) and biotic (vegetation, mammals, birds, invertebrates) components of the ecosystem. These interactions need to be indicated, explained and quantified. A special intent in this matter is to comprehend the mechanisms of maintaining biodiversity in urban areas and to unfold its ecological significance in the urban environment. The program will be carried out by comparing the urban area with surrounding rural areas through gradient transects from the city to suburbs as well as at special locations or in representative functional areas. Furthermore it is intended to assess the role of human impact on ecosystems and the resulting stress on natural resources and biodiversity, to evaluate the apparent ecological changes, to advance methods of monitoring and planning, and to predict future stages of development through scenarios. Additionally, and taking the interests of the habitants concerned into consideration, this should lead to proposals and guidelines for an improved ecological structure of urban functional units (such as in residential, commercial, mixed areas and transportation zones,) in terms of sustainable development.