News
This page contains automatically translated content.
The report "Monitoring the German bioeconomy" has now been published
12.12.2024
As a result of two research projects - SYMOBIO 2.0 and MoBi II - a new bioeconomy monitoring report has been published. It presents new and updated indicators on the status, performance and potential of the German bioeconomy. Over 40 scientists from more than 10 institutions and 2 projects have worked on the development of a systematic and comprehensive monitoring of the German bioeconomy. GNR contributed to the report by evaluating the applicability of remote sensing methods to assess the impact of biogas demand on the long-term change of agricultural land cover in the Weser-Ems region in Germany. In addition, the report and the results of the case studies were presented and discussed at the Bioeconomy Monitoring Conference in Berlin on December 3-4, 2024.
All links to download the report and the detailed summary can be found here.
GNR at the Witzenhausen MINT Fair
29.09.2024
At the 11th ‘Technik zum Anfassen’ fair on 29 Sept. 2024, the GNR presented itself with a demonstration of technologies and processes of a future-oriented bioeconomy in the city of Witzenhausen.
Film about the work of the junior research group Bio4Act
September 2024
A film showcasing the work of our junior research group Bio4Act was produced with the support of the BMBF and bioökonomie.de.
Outdoor service meeting
14.05.2024
The GNR department welcomes the summer weather with the first outdoor service meeting of the year.
GNR participates in the new research project "TRIO", funded by the state of Hesse in the LOEWE program
19.12.2023
Back in the summer, the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art announced the funding of the new "TRIO" research project as part of the LOEWE program - State Offensive for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence. TRIO stands for "Trformative Micultural systems for One Health" and is being funded with 4.8 million euros.
As announced in the University of Kassel's press release, scientists under the leadership of the University of Kassel are researching the possibility of integrating deep-rooted crops into crop rotations, specifically: growing caraway, fennel and coriander on the same fields as wheat. GNR is involved in two sub-projects:
- A01 - WP3: Remote sensing of agronomically relevant properties
- A02 - WP1: Drone-based assessment of water status at crop level
The project will start in January 2024 and run for four years. As part of the project, the GNR department has a PhD position to fill, which will be advertised soon. Preliminary interested candidates are requested to contact Dr. Jayan Wijesingha.
New publication with a summary of GNR activities in agroforestry research
30.11.2023
Since 2009, research on agroforestry systems has been conducted at the Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Resources (GNR) at the University of Kassel. Agroforestry systems are considered a sustainable strategy for the development of efficient and yield-stable cultivation systems that also have the potential for high environmental compatibility and adaptation to climate change.
The publication "Development of resilient and sustainable crop production systems - agroforestry research at the Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Resources, University of Kassel" documents the research projects and publications associated with this research at the department.
New research group investigates innovative utilisation processes for residual biomasses
04.08.2023
The research group headed by Dr.-Ing. Korbinian Kaetzl focuses on the development of technology concepts for the utilisation of unused residual biomasses from grassland and nature conservation areas to produce biogenic activated carbons and platform chemicals. The research group is called Bio4Act and stands for "Biogenic activated carbons and platform chemicals from residual biomass for the implementation of a sustainable circular bioeconomy". The project is funded by the BMBF funding line "Creative young researchers for the bioeconomy" with a total of three million euros and is scheduled to run for five years. The Bio4Act junior research group works closely with the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in Potsdam.
Insights into the work of GNR
09.11.2022
A report by the Hessian Broadcasting Company provides insight into our department's work on the topic of biochar generation from (agricultural) residual biomasses.
In a brief interview, Dr. Ing. Korbinian Katzl discusses the existing technical possibilities and constraints, as well as the diverse application potentials of activated carbons.
Professor Willis Gwenzi from the University of Zimbabwe is guest at GNR
15.08.2022
Professor Willis Gwenzi from the Biosystems & Environmental Engineering group at the University of Zimbabwe is guest at our department. The scientist has received a Georg Forster Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Prof. Gwenzi will stay at our University for 9 months, followed by a 9-month research stay at The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy e.V. (ATB) in Potsdam. During his research stay, he will work on i.a. life cycle analysis of biogas and biochar-based energy systems, application of biochar in grain-based agroecosystems, and biochar-based water/wastewater treatment systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
The research work in the SYMOBIO project will be continued
21.02.2022
Systemic monitoring and modelling of the bioeconomy (SYMOBIO) is a research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project develops scientific foundation for systemic monitoring and modelling of bioeconomy in Germany, considering sustainability aspects on national and international level.
In the first phase of the project (from March 2017 until August 2021) a framework of indicators has been developed to enable the monitoring the progress towards sustainable bioeconomy. GNR contributes to the project by testing remote sensing techniques and methods that could be useful for the monitoring of land use and land cover change, as well as the impacts on biodiversity.
The work carried out in the first phase of the project showed that remote sensing optical satellite data can be used to assess the land use and land cover change in Northern Hesse between years 2000 and 2018. In the second phase of the SYMOBIO project the monitoring framework will be extended. The developed satellite data-based models will be improved and validated in further regions to confirm the feasibility of remote sensing as a tool for the monitoring of bioeconomy activity induced land use and land cover change.
Further information about the project start can be found in the following press release (only in German) and on the project website – symobio.de.
Silage maize field day - reduced tillage/direct seeding in maize cultivation
23.08.2021
On Tuesday 31.08.2021 practical trials in silage maize cultivation under reduced soil management will be demonstrated. The event is part of the UNSIFRAN project and is organised by GNR in cooperation with Bioland e.V. Further information about participation and registration can be found in the invitation flyer (available only in German).
Prof. Michael Wachendorf is elected Vice President for Research at the Universität Kassel
15.07.2021
On 14.07.2021, the extended Senate of the Universität Kassel elected Prof. Michael Wachendorf the Vice President for Research. He will start this position in October 2021.
> to the press release (available only in German)
GNR will start a new research project ‘GreenDairy’ funded by State of Hesse in LOEWE Programm
08.07.2021
On 02.07.2021 the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art announced the funding of a new research project ‘GreenDairy’ under the LOEWE Programme - State Offensive for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence.
The project investigates the functioning and sustainability of so-called "high-input" and "low-input" dairy production systems in organic farming. The project is coordinated by Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen. GNR is involved with the application and research on remote sensing methods to investigate the effects of site conditions on forage stands. The project will start on 01.01.2022. More information can be found in the press release (available only in German).
EGF2021 Symposium successfully implemented
20.05.2021
A three day scientific symposium of the European Grassland Federation hosted by Universität Kassel, GNR has been successfully finalized. 180 participants from 26 countries presented and discussed the latest developments and scientific progress in application of remote sensing tools and methods in grassland research.
More information can be found on the EGF2021 website.