The section Landscape Dynamics and Spatial Development no longer exists — WSL has been reorganized.
You can find the new research units here.

WSL new (from 01.07.06) Research Units People Dendroecology Habitat Modeling

Section Landscape Dynamics and Spatial Development Transparent and intelligible scenario studies are an emerging technique for ecological sensitivity assessments, modern landscape planning and nature conservation on the global, regional and local scale. These scenarios support decision-making processes by integrating ecological and socio-economic factors. In order to generate scientifically sound scenarios we develop hypothesis-driven and exploratory models. These spatio-temporal models are only credible if they incorporate knowledge and corresponding data-sets about past and present landscape shaping processes. Thus our research aims at (a) evaluating past ecological conditions, landscape patterns and processes by using various proxy data (e.g., tree rings), (b) analyzing present land-use, biodiversity, vegetation and habitat data by using modern spatial analysis techniques (GIS, large-scale surveys), and, (c) incorporating these empirical findings into spatio-temporal models designed for assessing potential future landscape development. Our findings are disseminated in the open literature and among practitioners. We encourage public involvement through information, consultation and participation. For this reason we employ among others, Web-based information exchange (Extension Outreach). Our areas of expertise include: Wood anatomy, Climate-vegetation studies, Databases, Dendroecology, Web-based Extension Outreach, Geographic Information System (GIS), Process/pattern oriented simulation modeling, Radiodensitometry, Statistics, Time-series analyses, Vegetation Science