Landscape Dynamics

Dr. Niklaus Zimmermann

The Research Unit seeks to understand the mechanisms and dynamics of land use and land-use change on a range of spatial scales and evaluates the environmental consequences of these changes at the landscape scale. Historical and contemporary uses of natural and anthropogenic land-cover types (e.g. forests, grasslands, agricultural land or settlements) are analysed, and the forces driving these changes are evaluated, based upon an understanding of ecological and socioeconomic processes. A range of well-established explorative, predictive and dynamic models will be used to assess and forecast the larger scale ecological and societal consequences of land use change. Scenario building and decision support tools are developed and applied to derive and evaluate new management options. The Unit thus contributes to growing efforts worldwide to survey global change effects at a range of spatial scales more precisely (e.g. in- and extensification of land use and its consequences on land cover, water balance, net primary production or carbon balance along the gradient from built-up to natural areas). Processes are considered at the local, national, European, and global level.

Partners and stakeholders of this Unit include researchers within WSL and in the international scientific community, land users and public administrations.

Landscape Research Center WSL In spring 2012 WSL established the Landscape Research Center which has the following aims: disseminate knowledge to stakeholders working in landscape management, act as a link between researchers at WSL and other scientists, promote research and teaching in Landscape Research. Available languages: German  English  French  Italian

Subunits

• Landscape Ecology
  Dr. Anna Hersperger, PD Dr. Matthias Bürgi
• Dynamic Macroecology
  Dr. Heike Lischke
• Dendroclimatology
  Dr. David Frank
• Dendroecology
  Dr. Paolo Cherubini
• Remote Sensing
  Christian Ginzler