A bigger picture
We research the sea and its function for humans and the environment

The Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) is a research institute located in Oldenburg. It researches marine biodiversity and its importance for the function of marine ecosystems. In doing so, it develops the scientific basis for marine nature conservation and ecosystem management.

Marine Social Science Lecture

Understanding the relationship between people and the management of our seas and oceans has grown into a significant area of research at the HIFMB. Are you interested in learning more about our marine governance work, and listening to a leading international scholar talk about key issues shaping the field today? Please register and join our inaugural Marine Social Science Lecture.

Date: November 20 + 21, 2024

Place: HIFMB and online

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Oceans are not only the richest in species but also the largest habitat – due to their depth, oceans make up more than 90 percent of the total habitat on earth.

They regulate the climate, bind CO2 and are an important food source for humans. Every second breath we take contains oxygen from the ocean.

In order for the sea to continue to fulfil these functions, which are also important for humans, intact habitats are needed. And these in turn depend on marine biodiversity, i.e. the diversity of species, genetic variants of each species and ecosystems.

How strongly and in what form this biological diversity reacts to global warming and human-induced influences is still largely unclear today.

Marine ecosystems are changing – also and especially through human influence. According to a recent study, for example, only 13 percent of the oceans can still be described as wilderness.

What do the changes in marine ecosystems mean for us and what measures do we take to counter them?

Our approach is interdisciplinary: At HIFMB, scientific research goes hand in hand with social science expertise in the analysis of social and political processes.

Biodiversity Change

Quantifying & predicting biodiversity change

Ecosystem Functions

Understanding functional consequences of change

Conservation & Management

Maintaining biodiversity & functions and enabling socio-ecological management

NEWS

From tooth fish to food webs, from molecular genetic tools to underwater acoustics: dive into our current research

Did you know?

Reef-building corals enhance the light available for their algal symbionts by 3 to 8 times relative to ambient light conditions.

MEET THE TEAM

Our staff are the heart and driving force of our research.

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