Transformation of tropical rainforests: Social and ecological consequences and perspectives (CRC 990)

Countries in tropical regions are undergoing rapid ecological and socio-economic change. Tropical forests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth, play an important role in the global climate system and store enormous amounts of carbon. Similarly, large areas of tropical forests are being converted for the expansion of agricultural land to meet the growing global needs of humanity and to satisfy economic interests. These developments are integrated in complex ways into local, regional and global economic, political and ecological contexts. What are the ecological and socio-economic impacts of this transformation? Who benefits and who is among the losers? How big is the ecological footprint we leave behind in tropical countries? How can negative effects be offset and unwanted trends reversed? How can research in tropical countries be participatory and collaborative?

Interdisciplinary land use research in tropical countries is a proven strength of the University of Göttingen in research and teaching. Biodiversity researchers, forestry and agricultural scientists and geographers from the four Green Faculties work together with economists and other disciplines to develop a comprehensive understanding of tropical land use change and holistic perspectives for more sustainable development. In this context, Collaborative Research Centre 990 EFForTS is a beacon of Göttingen land use research with international appeal and has been working on the scientific basis for the ecological and socio-economic impacts of this change in the model region of Jambi on the Indonesian island of Sumatra since 2012.
Based on the research results in EFForTS and related Göttingen research projects as well as selected guest lectures, the lecture series "Conversion of tropical rainforests: Social and Ecological Consequences and Perspectives" is dedicated to the contents and results of modern land use research in the tropics. The lectures illuminate the socio-ecological transformation process from different professional perspectives and using various case studies from different tropical regions such as Indonesia, Madagascar, Brazil and Africa. Reflective lectures will shed light on how the responsibility of social-ecological research can be shaped in a post-colonialist world.
In addition to students and researchers at the University of Göttingen, the target audience of the lecture series is anyone outside the University of Göttingen who is interested in the current social issues of climate change and biodiversity, rainforest transformation and sustainability, as well as in approaches to solutions from the CRC 990 research.


Here you can find a playlist on the YouTube channel of the University of Göttingen with the recordings of the lectures: