Thünen: Current Press Releases

With the professor from Braunschweig, a forest scientist with proven expertise in Earth observation is taking over the leadership of the Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forests and Fisheries.

In a recent study by the EU's Horizon Europe project MarinePlan, which is coordinated by the Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries, the scientists emphasise that systematic conservation planning (SCP) in particular can stop the loss of biodiversity.

A seal lies on the beach and looks into the camera.

The long-standing President of the Thünen Institute, Prof. Dr Folkhard Isermeyer, passed away on 14 January 2025 at the age of 67. With his passing, the Thünen Institute has not only lost its ‘architect’, an excellent scientist and clever strategist, but also a personality who led with trust, an…

The German and European food systems are neither healthy nor sustainable. Too many animal-based and too few plant-based products are consumed. A corresponding adjustment of value-added taxes would benefit human health, the environment and the economy.

The chart shows for Europe: 23 kg less animal products, 10 kg more plant products, 63 million tonnes less CO₂ equivalents, 167,408 fewer deaths and 83 million US dollars less costs.

Limestone quarries are important habitats, especially for endangered wild bee species. This was discovered by researchers from the Thünen Institute, the University of Göttingen and NABU in the Göttingen region.

In a barren quarry, a yellow flower is blooming.

An interdisciplinary research team demonstrated in their new study that harmful phthalates and endocrine disruptors are released from common soft plastic baits

Various rubbery fishing lures that look like fish lie on the palm of one hand.

The eastern Baltic cod stock is in crisis since years. Despite historically low fishing pressure, it is not recovering. A conclusive explanation for this is still lacking. Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde and the Thünen Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries now…