Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle GmbH

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ was established in 1991.They study the complex interactions between humans and the environment in cultivated and damaged landscapes. The scientists develop concepts and processes to help secure the natural foundations of human life for future generations. As an international competence centre for systemic, interdisciplinary environmental research the UFZ investigates the complex interactions between nature and human beings under the influence of global change. The aim of UFZ research is to work out solutions for the management of complex environmental systems and for the handling of environmental problems. In this way, the UFZ contributes to the long-term preservation of the natural basis of human life. Application-oriented environmental research has to follow practical needs. For this reason, there is an increasing necessity to link natural sciences with human and social sciences and environmental law. This requires a permanent exchange of knowledge among the scientists and an integration of a large spectrum of scientific competences and profiles. Last, but not least, it is indispensable to involve the people concerned and the decision makers from economy, politics and the public into the research process.