The real-world laboratory kicked off with an initial field trip and a drone flight. It is particularly noteworthy that the initiative for this project came from the students. The idea was developed as part of a course specifically designed for this purpose by Professor Dr. Werner Rolf’s section of Landscape Planning, Landscape Ecology, and Nature Conservation, and is being carried out in collaboration with the section of GIS and Digitalization, led by Professor Dr. Christian Jolk.
Since 2020, students have established various experimental plots covering approximately ten hectares on land managed by the Höxter Municipal Forestry Department to develop climate-resilient forests. With the establishment of the real-world laboratory, the next step is now beginning: The sites will be scientifically monitored over the long term. This creates a learning and research space where students can develop their own research questions, test monitoring methods, and generate scientific findings.
The monitoring program integrates diverse disciplinary perspectives and takes into account ecological, physical, technological, and societal aspects. Planned studies include, among others, investigations into …
- ecological vitality and biodiversity, such as tree health and species diversity,
- physical parameters and the microclimate, such as temperature, soil and air humidity, and soil properties,
- bioacoustics and AI-supported methods, such as automated recording of animal calls and vegetation conditions,
- participatory approaches to public perception and acceptance of the climate forest.
The project is already benefiting from an intensive exchange of expertise with the Forest Environmental Monitoring program at LANUK NRW, the Northwest German Forest Research Institute, Wald und Holz NRW, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen, and the Höxter Municipal Forestry Department, which is providing the land for the project.
“In the future, the real-world laboratory is to be further developed as an interface between research, teaching, and practice, and in the long term, it will provide valuable insights for climate-resilient forests as well as innovative forms of research-based learning,” says Professor Rolf.
Cooperation partners and supporters are being sought for the further implementation and establishment of the real-world laboratory. Interested institutions and companies are invited to participate in the further development of this forward-looking project.
Contact Professor Rolf’s section at: https://www.th-owl.de/landschaft/lploen/