Core Project 2 - The Local Management Teams

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Christian Ammer; Professor Dr. Nico Blüthgen; Professor Dr. Wolfgang W. Weisser
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: since 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 193990583

Within the framework of the Core Projects, Core Project 2 - Local Management Teams (LMT) provide the basis for the experimental work of all projects in the Biodiversity Exploratories programme. The LMT maintain the infrastructure of the plots and support the research of the individual projects. The main tasks of the three LMTs (one per exploratory) are: (1) to maintain the 300 Experimental Plots (EPs) in forests and grasslands, as well as the plots of the additional joint multi-site experiments in forests and grasslands and, since 2024, the additional arable field plots, (2) to run field stations with project vehicles, (3) to maintain good relations with stakeholders, land users, and landowners and procure all necessary permits for researchers, (3) to coordinate the work of Core and Contributing Projects on the plots and support the fieldwork of the research projects, (4) to provide annual land use information and meteorological data for the plots, and (5) to cooperate with BEO in disseminating the work of the BE and organize and participate in dedicated information workshops and excursions for local stakeholders and the general public. The LMTs are the interface of the Biodiversity Exploratories project in the three regions and act as liason body to land users, local and regional government offices and other stakeholders. As such, the LMTs together with the BEO form the administrative and operational backbone of the Biodiversity Exploratory Programme. Given the high number of participants, the particular setting of the research plots in a landscape with large numbers of different landowners and land-users as well as different land-use intensities, and the high workload associated with plot maintenance, research permits and overall coordination, the LMTs are indispensable for the short and long-term continuation of the project as an interdisciplinary research platform for biodiversity.

• DFG Programme: Infrastructure Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1374: Biodiversity Exploratories