Lichenology and Bryology Bryophytes and especially lichens are studied as components of plant communities and landscapes. Thus we study floristics and ecology of lichen and bryophyte vegetation including structure, texture, species richness, biodiversity, life strategies, dynamics and biotic and abiotic aspects. Special attention is paid to chemical variation of lichens. Projects include lichens and terricolous lichen vegetation of Greenland and other northern areas, terricolous lichen vegetation of temperate coastal and inland dunes, epilithic lichen and bryophyte vegetation of Nordrhein Westfalen and epiphytes of montane regions. They primarily concern nature management issues and include plantsociological research in different landscapes.
Special attention is paid to the effect of grazing on the vegetation.
During 1998-2001 we participated in the EU project Volgamap dealing with vegetation mapping of the northern Caspian Lowlands.