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In focus
Using water wisely
09 January 2026
The availability of water is one of the key challenges of the future. In our thematic focus, we bring together knowledge and proposed solutions relating to water.
The new Climate Council is starting its work in Lower Saxony: 15 experts from science and practice are developing recommendations for climate protection in the state. Thünen scientist Bernhard Osterburg contributes his expertise.
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Society and science are debating whether the weathering of rock powder can sequester atmospheric carbon in the long term. However, a team of researchers has now shown that there are still too many unknowns involved. A perspective paper on this topic has now been published.
New, practical solutions are needed to ensure that agricultural and food systems can withstand current and future crises. That is why researchers from 15 institutions are working on the joint project agri:change to transform the sector in a sustainable way. The Thünen Institute is also involved.
The Thünen Institute.
Research and policy advice on rural areas, agriculture, forests and fisheries.
As a research institute in the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH), we work at the interface of science, politics and society.
- 1 180
Employees, 651 of them scientists
- 15
Institutes conduct research in the fields of rural areas, agriculture, forestry and fisheries
- 1 178
Lectures in 2024
- 1 046
Publications in 2024
KnowledgeSnack
Water by a roundabout route. Groundwater is Germany's most important source of drinking water. Researchers at Thünen Institute show that significantly more groundwater is formed under beech forests than under pine forests. One reason for this is that beech trees lose their leaves in autumn.
To Wissenschaft erleben (only in German)
New publications
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Pufahl A (2026) Beitrag des EPLR Hessen zur Erhöhung der Beschäftigungsquote, zur Reduzierung von Armut und zu einer ausgewogenen räumlichen Entwicklung einschließlich der Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen : Entwicklungsplan für den ländlichen Raum Hessen 2014 bis 2020, verlängert bis 2022. Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 101 p, 5 Länder Eval 2026/04, DOI:10.3220/253-2026-30
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Rorig F (2026) Beitrag der forstlichen Förderung zu Kohlenstoffbindung, Klimaanpassung und Umweltzielen : Evaluierung des Landesprogramms ländlicher Raum des Landes Schleswig-Holstein (LPLR) 2014–2022. Braunschweig: Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, 60 p, 5 Länder Eval 2026/03, DOI:10.3220/253-2026-28
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Sander A (2026) Beitrag des Programms zur biologischen Vielfalt : NRW-Programm Ländlicher Raum 2014 bis 2022. Hannover: entera Umweltplanung & IT, 194 p, 5 Länder Eval 2026/02, DOI:10.3220/253-2026-20
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Klärner A, Beinvogl F, Ferch M, Deppisch L (2026) Geography of discontent : where social cohesion is under pressure. Braunschweig: Thünen Institute of Rural Studies, 2 p, Project Brief Thünen Inst 2026/10a, DOI:10.3220/253-2026-32
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Klärner A, Beinvogl F, Ferch M, Deppisch L (2026) Geographie der Unzufriedenheit : wo gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhalt unter Druck gerät. Braunschweig: Thünen-Institut für Lebensverhältnisse in ländlichen Räumen, 2 p, Project Brief Thünen Inst 2026/10, DOI:10.3220/253-2026-31
