
🌾Agrobiodiversity of home gardens at various altitudes in the sub-Himalayas of Pakistan: A study on the regions Kahuta and central Azad Kashmir
Agrobiodiversity of home gardens at various altitudes in the sub-Himalayas of Pakistan: A study on the regions Kahuta and central Azad Kashmir This research explores the agrobiodiversity of home gardens at various altitudes (ranging from 580m to 1700m above sea level) of the Punjab Subhimalayas in Pakistan. Data in the form of crop inventory, garden size and altitude measurements, and Interviews with the farmers/owners and local citizens were collected from over 30 gardens in the regions Kahuta and central Azad Kashmir. We can find similar studies in the Subhimalayas further east in India however there is a gap of ground-level data in the western Subhimalayas of

🌾Soil Health Check And Practices (SHAPE)🌻
🌾Soil Health Check And Practices (SHAPE)🌻 English version Agriculture in Europe is facing an enormous challenge, despite the consequences of climate change and constantly increasing production costs to provide the population with healthy and affordable food to remain economical. Healthy and highly functional soils have the potential to be a key to successful adaptation to climate consequences and a contribution to slowing down climate change by storing large amounts of CO2. To ensure soil quality and to maintain and promote soil health, an adaptation of current forms of management is needed, which requires extensive knowledge, novel analysis methods, and cultural recommendations.

✨ EcoSiPas at the Open Day of the German embassy in Brasilia🌿
✨ EcoSiPas at the Open Day of the German embassy in Brasilia 🎉🌿 We are thrilled to announce the successful presentation of the EcoSiPas project at the German Embassy’s Open Day in Brasília on the 25th of May, 2024. Overall, approx. 10,000 visitors attended this event, providing us with the opportunity to showcase our work to a broad audience and raise awareness for the Cerrado biome. Visitors to our booth had the opportunity to engage with the project team and explore and appreciate a variety of socio-biodiversity products, showcasing the rich diversity and the potential these products can have to contribute

🌿 A Thriving Agroforestry Experience for Students! 🌿
🌿 A Thriving Agroforestry Experience for Students! 🌿 ✨ A successful student field trip on Thursday, with 35 participants visiting the agroforestry farms Berkhöfel (Bioland) and Schanzenhof (Demeter). 🍏 The students, and professors including Florian Wichern, Matthias Kleinke, Steffi Wiedemann and Conor Watson, explored the integration of trees with crops and livestock at these leading farms in Uedem and Alpen. 🌱 A representative of Berkhöfel explained one of their fields in Uedem with an approach of combining Pear-, Apple- and Plum trees with arable land and animal husbandry. The Schanzenhof farm in Alpen made their agroforestry systems, animal husbandry and agricultural

🌱🎉 Rhein-Waal University Celebrates 15 Years at the Campusfest! 🎉🌱
🎉 Rhein-Waal University Celebrates 15 Years at the Campusfest! 🎉 The Research Center was thrilled to be a part of the recent Campusfest, commemorating Rhein-Waal University’s impressive 15th anniversary. The event buzzed with lively music, delicious food, and most importantly, a chance to connect with the vibrant university community. 🌿 Our booth became a hub for meaningful conversations and new connections. We welcomed visitors, including students and professors, eager to learn about the exciting research initiatives undertaken at the Center. We are very happy to be part of this thriving community and look forward to celebrating many more milestones together

🌍 Enhancing Environmental Education and Research through a Global North-South-South Partnership 🤝
Enhancing Environmental Education and Research through a Global North-South-South Partnership The DAAD-funded program at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) in collaboration with Makerere University (MAK) in Uganda and the Central University of Technology (CUT) in South Africa offers an immersive learning experience through shared knowledge and a comprehensive Field Course. The primary objective of this initiative is to equip students with practical skills in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. By participating in this field course, students cultivate essential competencies needed to tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainable development, showcasing Rhine-Waal’s commitment to impactful environmental research and education. This project

🌱 Understand the solution to fresh laundry: Insights from latest studies 🍃
🍃 Understand the solution to fresh laundry: Insights from latest studies 🌱 Understanding the microbial composition in washing machines and on used textiles is crucial for preventing unpleasant odors. To delve deeper into this topic, Dr. Marc-Kevin Zinn conducted a comprehensive study involving 359 households, examining their washing habits, detergent choices, and experiences with laundry malodors. Key highlights of the study include: Sampling from detergent drawers and rubber seals of 48 washing machines. Analyzing towels used in different household areas for bacterial counts and metagenomic composition. Discovering that washing machines harbor soil bacteria like rhizobia in households without malodor issues. The

🍃An insightful discussion with Prof. Dr. IR. Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo🌱
🍃 An insightful discussion with Prof. Dr. IR. Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo 🌱 In this episode delve into an insightful discussion with Prof. Dr. IR. Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo as he shares his expertise on non-timber forest products, conservation, genetics, forest ecology, and ethnobotany. Originating from the Université d´Abomey-Calavi in Benin, he has achieved remarkable strides in his research domain, receiving over 11 esteemed international awards, such as the George Foster Research Award from the Alexandra von Humboldt Foundation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng2cKiPSRSI

🍃 Sustainable Agri-Food Value Chains in the Western Balkans (SUSAVAL) 🌱
🍃 Sustainable Agri-Food Value Chains in the Western Balkans (SUSAVAL) 🌱 SUSAVAL, funded by BMBF under the Bridge2ERA2021 program, aims to strengthen partnerships between Germany, the EU, and Western Balkan (WB) countries like Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. It focuses on developing competitive research proposals for Horizon Europe centered on innovative products and services within agricultural value chains. This seed funding project aims to enhance understanding of WB farmers’ perspectives and farming systems, with a special focus on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Addressing challenges related to market integration, food safety, and climate change adaptation/resilience, and

🍃 Agroforestry takes root on the Lower Rhine 🌱
🍃 Agroforestry takes root on the Lower Rhine 🌱 At the Agroforestry Living Lab at Rhine-Waal University, the team has been actively involved in promoting sustainable food systems through various initiatives since 2023. What is happening: Agroforestry Systems: The focus lies on agroforestry systems, providing numerous benefits such as increased biodiversity, erosion control, and carbon sequestration. Collaborative Approach: Through a participatory methodology, the team brings together farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders to develop innovative solutions tailored to regional needs. Research Focus: Their research addresses a wide range of topics including agronomy, animal science, socio-economics, and ecological considerations. Key Activities: Establishing Networks: Networks have been

Initiative for more sustainable agriculture in the border region
Fruit Picture from Harvest: Food Forest Ketelbroek, Groesbeek NL Initiative for more sustainable agriculture in the border region Climate change is making conventional agriculture increasingly difficult. Alternative approaches are needed which withstand extreme weather conditions. So-called food forests, a marginal phenomenon so far, offer potential here. Over the past six months, the Institute of Geography at Osnabrück University has been working with the Huize Aarde Foundation in Enschede, the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Kleve and the Voedselbosbouw Nederland Foundation in Lelystad to investigate the potential for food forests in the German-Dutch border region. The “Regenerative Agriculture” research project was

Initiative für eine nachhaltigere Landwirtschaft in der Grenzregion
Der Klimawandel macht die konventionelle Landwirtschaft immer schwieriger. Es werden alternative Ansätze benötigt, die extremen Witterungsbedingungen besser standhalten. Sogenannte Nahrungswälder bieten hier Potenziale, sind bislang aber nur eine Randerscheinung. In den vergangenen sechs Monaten hat das Institut für Geographie der Universität Osnabrück zusammen mit der Stiftung Huize Aarde aus Enschede, der Hochschule Rhein-Waal aus Kleve und der Stiftung Voedselbosbouw Nederland aus Lelystad untersucht, welche Potentiale es für Nahrungswälder in der Deutsch-Niederländischen Grenzregion gibt. Das Forschungsprojekt “Regenerative Landwirtschaft” wurde vom Europäischen Fonds für regionale Entwicklung (EFRE) im Rahmen des Interreg-VIA-Programms Deutschland-Nederland kofinanziert. Um den Nahrungswaldansatz aus der Nische zu holen, sollen Konzepte