How does biodiversity within cultural landscapes affect people? Researchers from the Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences (DCPS) at Freie Universität studied the influence of biodiversity on “ecosystem services” as part of an international team of researchers. Among the team’s other findings, it became apparent how important diversity really is among plant-eating insects and microorganisms that had previously been disregarded.

It is the most important research prize awarded in Germany: the Leibniz Prize. Arabic Studies scholar Beatrice Gründler is one of the ten recipients of the award for 2017. She has been teaching and doing research as a professor at the Seminar for Semitic and Arabic Studies at Freie Universität Berlin since 2014.

The zebra herd moves unhurriedly across the savanna. One animal lifts its tail. Several pairs of binoculars are now trained on the animal’s striped rear end. The researchers note the location and leave the zebras to move on in peace. Not until they are sure they are not disturbing the herd does the off-road vehicle roll up to where they believe the zebra left its droppings in the tall grass.