TY - THES A1 - Nitsch, Ellen Sophie T1 - Opportunities and challenges of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) as a neophyte in temperate climate zones and potential approaches to management in the case of the urban area of Cleve, Germany. N2 - Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), a deciduous, nitrogen fixing tree of the family of the Fabaceae, can create opportunities as well as challenges in the areas it is found in. The gathering of information was done in three ways: 1) online research to gather basic information about the species, 2) communication with the Umweltbetriebe Kleve and the Niederrhein forestry office to obtain information about the situation in Cleve, Germany 3) visits to the different black locust stands to get an understanding of the situation. Black locust is a pioneer species with a short life span and is considered as an invasive neophyte in many European countries due to its strong suckering and ability to advance into habitats which then undergo an irreversible change in soil and species composition leading to biodiversity loss in especially threatened habitats such as dry grasslands. This is opposed by black locusts’ strong biomass production, making it well suited for plantation production, resulting in a strong, durable and fast growing multiuse wood as well as nutritious foliage which can be used as animal fodder or for the production of bioenergy. The 9 visited black locust stands situated in and around Cleve, Germany are well established middle-aged stands not used for the production of high value wood. These stands were considered as not threatening to their adjacent environments due to their being surrounded by streets, waterbodies and well maintained fields and parks making a spread unlikely. As the stands are quite old already letting them fade out by natural succession would be the recommended management method. Should the need for removal present itself, girdling would be the suggested technique as, even though it is quite time intensive, it is the least forceful method and thus minimises the possibility of a strong suckering reaction. In conclusion it can be said, that its usage and management system strongly depend on the location and closeness to threatened habitats, considering that, the environmental aspect should always be put before the economic benefits. KW - Robinia pseudoacacia KW - Black locust KW - Invasive neophyte KW - Cleve KW - Opportunities and challenges Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-8720 ER - TY - THES A1 - Martin, Alina T1 - Long-term effects after a short learning event: Evaluation of the effectivity of an ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) module on the importance of pollinating insects N2 - In order to design a fairer and more sustainable planet, the United Nations have agreed on the Agenda 2030 and the corresponding 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as well as the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) campaign. In order to assess the effectivity of this widely funded campaign, evaluation is in order. While usually larger projects and programs are evaluated, this thesis focuses on whether a short one-time education event can also create long-term learning effects. For a two-hour module on insect and pollinator diversity and their economic importance and conservation, evaluation was performed using empirical questionnaires with statistical analysis as well as participatory evaluation methodology. Statistical analysis shows that knowledge, skills and motivation increase strongly directly after the event, but for some part lower significantly after three weeks’ time. Participatory interviews reflect very different developments in the participants, with some only having an increased awareness of the topic but others having implemented conservation measures and networking in their daily lives. Overall, the evaluation shows that long-term effects of short events are only partly observable and different depending on the participating person. There is, however, a potential for further education and activism whose importance should not be underestimated. Accordingly, even though longer programs are surely more effective in creating long-term learning effects and activism, short events can be very efficient as a gateway into many sustainability topics and should be part of ESD. KW - ESD KW - BNE KW - Pollinators Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-18347 ER - TY - THES A1 - Zhao, Jingyi T1 - The Potential of Paulownia tomentosa in Agroforestry Systems - A Literature Review N2 - Since the late middle of the 20th century, scientists have studied the agroforestry system as a potential land-use management solution to the problem of meeting the needs of a growing global population without jeopardizing efforts to maintain the ecosystem’s biodiversity or accelerating the adverse effects of climate change. This thesis introduces insights into the agroforestry system with a foundational understanding of the Chinese native tree, Paulownia tomentosa, commonly known as the Empress tree. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential P. tomentosa that can bring attributes to agroforestry systems covering a literature finding earliest from 1961 to 2023. The observation of the fast-growing and large-shaped leaf has drawn attention to the potential use of biomass of P. tomentosa. Further research findings still need more effort to be considered on the focus of its nitrogen value, intercropping method, optimal yielding requirements, and expansion of cultivated in tropical or foreign habitats. KW - Paulownia tomentosa KW - Agroforestry systems Y1 - 2023 ER - TY - THES A1 - Mutai, Levi Kipchumba T1 - Utilisation of biomass waste as feed for edible insects and how it can be used to close the food economy cycle and contribute to food security in Sub Sahara Africa N2 - The world is facing a critical challenge in meeting the growing demand for food particularly in developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where population growth is outpacing food production. It presents a formidable challenge exacerbated by urbanization, shifting consumption patterns and global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, alternative food sources such as edible insects are gaining traction as sustainable solutions. Edible insects offer comparable nutrition to traditional protein sources while requiring minimal resources for farming. However, unsustainable harvesting practices endanger wild insect populations. To counter this, insect farming emerges as a promising strategy, leveraging efficient conversion rates and organic waste utilization. This paper explores how edible insects can integrate into circular food economies, converting organic waste into valuable resources, bolstering food and feed security, and mitigating waste. Specifically, it examines the potential of insects like black soldier fly larvae, yellow mealworms, houseflies, and house crickets in SSA for waste management and sustainable nutrition. The discussion encompasses insect abundance, waste utilization, economic cycles, and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it explores the quality and quantity of available urban organic waste streams, waste-to-insect combinations, and the socioeconomic implications of insect farming, including gender dynamics and consumer acceptance. The review highlights the need for regulatory frameworks to govern the edible insect industry in SSA and emphasizes the potential of insect farming to contribute to food security, environmental conservation, and economic development in the region. Y1 - 2024 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-19595 ER - TY - THES A1 - Rigotti, Roberta T1 - Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and climate change: Assessing the potential in German agriculture with insights from Italian practices N2 - Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is a crop loved in the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy, where it has a long tradition holding both cultural and economic value. It has many different uses, from fresh consumption to medicinal use and potential in the energy and cheese-making industry. In northern European countries, such as Germany, artichoke cultivation has not been largely present up until now, mostly due to climate limitations, like very cold winters. However, climate change may offer new opportunities for its introduction. This study wants to assess the viability and potential of artichoke cultivation in Germany under current and future climate conditions, with the support of climate reports and literature sources. Past German trials, together with insights from the Italian artichoke cultivation, are integrated into the analysis to offer a better understanding of potential practices and implications for a future cultivation of the crop in Germany. The study concludes that winter cultivation is unfeasible without proper winter protection practices or the development of reliable frost-resistant varieties. However, annual cultivation with harvest within the same season represents a promising option in most German states. Locally grown artichokes could translate into economic and environmental advantages by answering the increasing interest in fresh, healthy, and regionally sourced products. It would also presents an opportunity for diversifying agricultural production in response to climate change and shifting market demands while also filling a gap in the artichoke offer on the market. KW - Artichoke KW - Cynara scolymus KW - Climate change KW - Climate adaptation KW - Agriculture in Germany KW - Agriculture in Italy KW - Crop cultivation KW - Cultivation potential KW - Sustainable agriculture KW - Carciofo KW - RCP Y1 - 2025 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22178 ER - TY - THES A1 - Elsayed, Ehab T1 - Feasibility assessment of artificially LED lighted plant factories in Germany N2 - Theoretical literature review study going through the market and the industry status of artificially LED lighted plant factories in Germany. The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility, defining the challenges and opportunities of the industry while comparing it with the status of the industry in the countries that the PFAL industry status is advanced in. The study is trying to figure out the drivers behind this development in each country in addition to trying to find an answer why Germany doesn‟t have the same development and giving recommendations for the stallholders and decision makers. The study goes through, the market for status for the products, the current stallholders in the industry, the consumer behavior and the main cost components. It was found that the drivers of the industry in each country are variable. The market potential of the industry products do present in Germany. The comparison of some of the main cost components results showed that Germany have strength in warehousing and logistics costs components while Germany position in Energy and taxation costs were a weak points and the labor costs status were neutral, almost the same as the pioneer countries. The recommendations for the development requires more influence to be played from the Government, modification of the tax system and energy tariff, the establishment of educational institutes models and co operation with multinational German corporates. Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-12869 ER - TY - THES A1 - Adib, Lisa Marziyeh T1 - The Impact of Urban Green Infrastructure on the Heat Island Effect in the Urban Centre of Kleve N2 - This thesis discusses the impact of urban green infrastructure on the heat island effect in the urban centre of Kleve. Green spaces are pivotal points when it comes to reducing inner-city temperatures in times of the climate crisis. Temperature measurements were taken in three different locations (campus, woods, field) and statistical analysis revealed a significant temperature difference between all three groups. On the campus of Rhine-Waal University an urban heat island could be detected, as during the night the temperatures there were significantly higher than in the two other locations. A tree inventory was conducted in the small forest grove and on the campus. It revealed slightly higher species diversity as well as larger height and diameter at breast height diversity in the small woods compared to the campus. The vegetation on the campus is not sufficient in alleviating the urban heat island effect. However, the vegetation in the woods shows a significant cooling effect on the air temperature. The main limitation of this thesis is that - since an observational method was used in the practical part - other variables than green infrastructure, such as air flow and blue infrastructure, were not measured. Nonetheless, they also affect the air temperature. This means that more research is necessary to define the influencing factors and their exact impacts. Regardless, the results show that denser and larger vegetation can mitigate the UHI compared to faculty trees on pavement, or a grass field. Urban green infrastructure should play a central role in city planning, and, when implemented correctly, can be a huge asset in combatting the climate crisis. KW - Urban heat island effect KW - Green infrastructure Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-16748 ER - TY - THES A1 - Ziriko, Ponsiano T1 - Provenance influence on African Baobab (Adansonia digitata) mycorrhization potential. N2 - African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) tree parts are mostly harvested for nourishment and economic purposes. However, the products are only extracted from the wild and are threatened by depletion which necessitates research into the species domestication and cultivation. Mycorrhization involves promoting foreign and native mycorrhiza linkages to improve the roots’ efficiency in nutrients and moisture acquisition. While origin can impact the development of A. digitata, its impact on the species mycorrhization potential is not well understood, and was investigated in this thesis. A. digitata plants were grown from seeds of semi-arid, sub-humid and humid zone origins of Benin inside a controlled climate chamber. The seedlings from each origin received native soil, commercial mycorrhiza fungi (alternative) and control treatments. Growth parameters were determined before treatments application and at termination. Models combining the effects of treatment, zone origin, unique tree characteristics and block arrangement were used for statistics. Only seedlings of the humid zone origin had significantly higher initial leaf count than counterparts from other origins. Insignificant differences among origins and treatments were observed for all the other parameters. Inconsistent significant interaction of treatment and origins was observed for final leaf count, stem diameter, root collar diameter, fresh taproot and dry lateral root weights. The results indicated A. digitata seedlings’ ability to show morphological similarities when grown under uniform conditions irrespective of the genetic variations which might exist among seedlings. These growth trends were not 1 affected by the presence of commercial and native microbes. Inconsistent interaction effects warrant further investigation to ascertain specific individual tree seedlings which might have been significantly impacted by treatments. Y1 - 2025 ER -