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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Local people's relational & intrinsic values matter for the conservation & restoration of urban waterscapes in Indian megacities. Our recent study of the lakes, ponds & riverfronts of Bengaluru, Hyderabat, Kolkata & Mumbai, led by K. Chowdhury, in @esandpeople.bsky.social. 🔗 doi.org/10.1080/2639...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

After 17 toolkits on participatory research methods published, what is our conclusion of their impact? Their contribution may not be immediate transformation itself, but the creation of relationships, trust & collective learning as basis of future transformation.🔗https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.35.3.8

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Forest patches in farming landscapes are islands of old-growth structures & key reservoirs of forest biodiversity. Our paper shows how landscape context shapes old-growth habitats & predicts their abundance. Led by P. Hansen, with @andreasmoelder.bsky.social & M. Tiebel. 🔗 doi.org/10.1186/s135...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

#Relationality has become central to social-ecological research - but what does relational thinking actually mean? In our recent Editorial of People & Nature, we offer practical suggestions for recognizing & implementing deeper relationality in research. 🔗 doi.org/10.1002/pan3...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Mediterranean grassroots initiatives are building wildfire-resilient landscapes through grazing, agroforestry, prescribed burning & more. They now need investment & long-term support to scale. Our new review: doi.org/10.1016/j.is...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

To catalyse #TransformativeChange, landscape planning needs to: ➡️ Include diverse actors & knowledge systems ➡️ Better link planning with action for restoration & sustainable use ➡️ Be embedded in broader governance change Our paper in @esandpeople.bsky.social, Albert et al: 🔗 doi.org/10.1080/2639...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Traditionally farmed landscapes produce food while protecting nature & keeping cultural traditions alive. Our study of how Globally Important Agric.l Heritage Systems integrate natural & cultural heritage. Paper: ecologyandsociety.org/vol31/iss2/art3/ Summary: uni-goettingen.de/en/3240.html?id=8206

The Ghout oasis system near El Oued in Algeria: the ground here has been excavated down to the level of the ground water. The date palms are planted at a depth of around one metre and their roots manage to reach the water without the need for additional irrigation. Photo: GIAHS Algeria – Ghout System

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

🌿🐺Sharing landscapes with wildlife: Our editorial in People & Nature. Livestock depredation is only one among many pressures on pastoralism. Coexistence with large carnivores requires not only compensation or fencing, but broader systemic societal-policy changes. 🔗https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.70366

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

We are looking for an inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability scientist for our research project "A social-ecological analysis of co-production of Mediterranean terrace landscapes". This is a 3-year postdoc position (100%). Application deadline: 30.06.26. drive.google.com/file/d/1l1e_...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

From A (like 🎨Arts-based methods) to V (like 🎥Video development): Our Participatory Research Methods for Sustainability toolkits are now complete🎉. Check out toolkit #17 on #Storytelling by M. Jay et al. 🔗 Storytelling toolkit: doi.org/10.14512/gai... 🔗 All 17 toolkits: gaia.oekom.de/index.php/ga...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

“Urban foraging is one of the things that keeps people connected to their local ecosystems, it gives you a sense of place and cohesion with your neighbourhood” (S. Dhyani). Great report on food gathering from blue spaces in India's megacities. @mongabay.com. india.mongabay.com/2026/05/the-...

A woman shows her collection of Indian apple snails from near Vembanad lake in Kochi, Kerala. It is a common edible freshwater snail native to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, and a high-protein, low-fat food.

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

To establish agroforestry in degraded, tree-less agricultural landscapes is a challenge. Can farmers' voices, expressed in poets, help? Find out in Claudia Heindorf's beautifully visualised field report from Türkiye, Morocco & Tunisia. #PeopleNatureLandscapesBlog. medium.com/people-natur...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

#TransformativeChange toward sustainability takes place in the personal, political & practical spheres. In this new study, we use such lens to identify complex legal barriers & enabling factors for the scaling of #Agroforestry in Germany. 3rd PhD paper of Marina Klimke. doi.org/10.1007/s104....

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I'm happy to join the Editorial Board of @esandpeople.bsky.social. E&P has developed into a central journal of the social-ecological community. I appreciate its author-friendly approach & its coverage of unconventional topics & regions. If you attend the ESP Prague conference, visit the E&P booth!

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Motivations, practices & perceived benefits & barriers shape farmers'. Our study on a mental modeling workshop series with pioneer farmers in the Mediterranean. We find that soil health & other on-farm benefits are key motivators for transitioning to #ConservationAgriculture. doi.org/10.1007/s116...

Causal loop diagram to depict a simplified mental model of pioneer farmers’ implementation of conservation agriculture

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

How do mental models shape the way people understand food systems? Maria Chiara Camporese, Chaima Mobarak & Roxane Bradaczek report on their experiences from the Malmö Agroecology Forum in our #PeopleNatureLandscapesBlog. medium.com/people-natur...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Traditional irrigation systems have shaped Mediterranean mountains, plains & oases - supporting agricultural production, biodiversity & cultural heritage. We're happy to share our review of community-based stewardship of traditional irrigation systems. doi.org/10.1016/j.co...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Using the opportunity to highlight our study on peatlands & people. Claudia Heindorf et al. elicited societal values of a peat landscape under transformation in the form of participant-voiced poems. Top cited in @britishecologicalsociety.org's "People & Nature". doi.org/10.1002/pan3...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

🧑‍🌾🐃🌾🐸 FAO-Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems introduce a cultural heritage perspective to #IntegratedLandscapeManagement. In this study, we identify 4 #GIAHS types, varying in how they balance food production & nature conservation. 1st PhD paper by MC Camporese. doi.org/10.5751/ES-1...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

🥀 #Natura2000 protects the crown jewels of Europe's nature. How can this protected area network be future-proofed against environmental backlash? Here are some ideas how a biocultural perspective may help. 👉 Press release: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/3240.html... 🔗 Full paper: doi.org/10.1111/con4...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Reciprocity (the mutal care between humans & ecosystems) is a core value of a nature-positive society. Here, we disentangle the multiple dimensions of reciprocity between farmers in Myanmar & farm trees. @khant-htet.bsky.social @laurakmoch.bsky.social @esandpeople.bsky.social doi.org/10.1080/2639...

Native farms trees of Myanmar’s Central Dry Zone: (a) Toddy palm, (b) Jujube and (c) thanakha

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Repeat photography is a simple but effective method for visualising changes & assessing long-term developments of landscapes. Participatory research methods for sustainability Toolkit #16, now out in GAIA. By Matthias Bürgi, Elena Siegrist, Susan Lock & Tamara Estermann. doi.org/10.14512/gai...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

🫎 🐸🌳Happy to share a Perspective on how a biocultural approach can strengthen the Natura 2000 network. It may help future-proof protected areas in times of populism, environm. backsliding & land-use conflicts. With M. Jay & @thartel.bsky.social. @consletters.bsky.social. 🔗doi.org/10.1111/con4.70038

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

🫎 🐸🌳Happy to share our Perspective on how a biocultural approach can strengthen the European Natura 2000 network. Such approach may help future-proof protected areas in times of populism, environmental backsliding & land-use conflicts. With M. Jay & @thartel.bsky.social. 🔗doi.org/10.1111/conl.12958

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

What motivates actors to collaborate in #IntegratedLandscapeManagement? The work group “Navigating trade-offs & synergies between biodiversity & society in protected multifunctional landscapes” is happy to present its first output. With F. Turkelboom, M. Torralba et al. doi.org/10.5751/ES-1...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Protected areas are boundary objects that facilitate multiple connections between people and nature. Marion Jay showcases narratives of nature experiences by visitors & users of Natura 2000 reserves in Germany in our #PeopleNatureLandscapesBlog. medium.com/people-natur...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

🌿@ipbes.net defined archetypes of human-relationships, the "Life Frames" (living in, as, from & with nature). How do life frames define the perception of nature's values by residents around protected areas? Our new study, out now in "Biological Conservation", led by M. Jay. 🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Congrats to Abul Polas for defending his PhD on "A people-centered approach to counter ecosystem degradation & support restoration" at @unikassel.bsky.social: 📍Sense of place: doi.org/10.1080/2639... 🌱Degradation/restoration: doi.org/10.1016/j.fo... 🌿Human-nature-connections: doi.org/10.1111/rec....

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Degraded nature is increasing Europe's exposure to risks. The EU #NatureRestorationRegulation is thus not an environmental luxury, but provides basic risk management, says this interesting position paper from @easac.bsky.social. easac.eu/publications...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Interested in learning about #TransformativeChange of agriculture toward sustainability? At @unikassel.bsky.social we have an exciting interdisciplinary Master programme "Agriculture, Ecology & Societies". Application deadline for international candidates: 01.03.26

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

3 days to go to the International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists! Some work from our group: 🌱🐄Biocultural diversity & livestock: doi.org/10.1016/j.an... 🌿🌍High nature value farming: doi.org/10.1002/pan3... 🏷️🐑Geographic Indication: doi.org/10.1080/1747... 🏜️🤝Pastoral values: doi.org/10.1016/j.la...

International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Many Indigenous philosophies acknowledge respect & reciprocity between people & nature. Affective ties to land & home are also at the heart of Tamazirt thinking of Amazigh communities in Morocco. Tamazirt could serve as an Indigenous anchor point for rural revitalisation. 🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s132...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

How do multiple & interconnected social-ecological crises (water scarcity, economic crisis, sociocultural value crisis) affect traditional rural lifeways & drive land abandonment and migration decisions in Morocco's High Atlas? Our new paper, led by @laurakmoch.bsky.social. 🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s132...

Conceptual representation of how residents’ mobility and land abandonment decisions are shaped by proximate and underlying causes

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

The EU #NatureRestorationRegulation may sound dry, but it can inspire ideas for reconnecting people with nature. Our policy article outlines how to foster active learning, cultural values, caring attitudes, land-use synergies & collaboration. doi.org/10.1111/rec.... www.uni-kassel.de/uni/aktuelle...

Multifunctional agricultural landscape in Lower Saxony / Germany

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

@ipbes.net flags conserving & regenerating places of value to nature & people as key for #TransformativeChange. Our India study shows urban lakes, ponds & canals act as such places, supporting livelihoods while shaping #BioculturalDiversity & urban #FoodSystemSustainability. doi.org/10.1038/s442...

A woman selling freshly foraged greens on a Bengaluru street, connecting urban consumers with wild local foods.

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

The #NatureRestorationRegulation is a landmark for EU policy. How can National Restoration Plans boost human–nature relations? Some ideas in our article: ✨Positive restoration stories 🎨Cultural values 🏺Heritage sites/products 🌾Multifunctional landscapes 💡Shared ideas platform doi.org/10.1111/rec....

Restoration through multifunctional agroforestry

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

🌍 New study: Foraging in India’s urban blue spaces is widespread yet overlooked. Surveying 1,200 people in 4 cities, we found that lakes & wetlands provide food, income, culture & social ties. 👉 Recognizing foraging can support more equitable, resilient urban food systems. 🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s442...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Working on #ParticipatoryMapping or #CitizenScience approaches to advance #EcosystemServices? Please submit an abstract to our session at the Ecosystem Services Partnership Europe Conference (Prague, 18.-22.05.26). Submission deadline: 31.12.25. www.espconference.org/europe2026/h...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Reconnecting people to nature is key for biodiversity action. Our new study identifies 5 ways people relate to #Natura2000: 🐾 Learning 🏞️ Heritage 🪴 Care 🧑‍🌾 Multifunctionality 👭 Collaboration Revealing such narratives can build new alliances & place PAs at the heart of society. doi.org/10.1002/pan3...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Which innovations around #ForestEcosystemServices are being developed in Europe? And where do we find them? A continent-wide mapping exercise led by Marko Lovric, an output of the SINCERE (sincereforests.eu) & InnoforEst (innoforest.eu) projects. #OpenAccess. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Woodland coppicing is a UNESCO-recognised immaterial cultural heritage & a key driver of forest biodiversity. In parts of Germany, centuries-old forestry cooperatives maintain this traditional practice that has become rare elsewhere. Great visit to the Haubergs-cooperatives of Lahn-Dill region.

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

New study: Local peoples’ values & disvalues around #Bannerghatta NP, India. Residents value biodiversity, land & clean air—but experience human–wildlife conflicts. Our study emphasises that inclusive conservation needs consideration of both values & disvalues. 🔗 doi.org/10.1017/S037...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

New toolkit of our 'Participatory research methods for sustainability' series is out: Q method, a structured approach to account for diverse & conflicting human perspectives. By T. S. Jiren, M. Kernecker & A. Moroder. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science & Society. 🔗 doi.org/10.14512/gai...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

🎉 Our paper just came out! We used #PPGIS to map local values in restoration landscapes in Western #Rwanda — highlighting the vital role of landscapes for farming, resource access & resilience. Big congrats to Gaelle Ndayizeye on her 1st PhD paper! 👉 doi.org/10.1111/rec....

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Are you a student at @unikassel.bsky.social or @agrarunigoe.bsky.social & interested in learning participatory scenario planning for sustainable agriculture? If yes, please enroll (e.g. by sending me a message) to our course, taking place from 22.10.25 onwards. (The course will be held in German.)

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

While agroforestry is increasingly mainstreamed, it becomes important to promote diversified & regionally adapted systems. In this review, led by T.H. Le, we point to the history of traditional agroforestry in Europe & to the need for integrating traditional & novel systems. doi.org/10.1007/s104...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

#Hutewälder: Naturschutz durch #Waldweide ist im Kommen. Unsere Interviews mit Tierhalter*innen zeigen, was benötigt wird zur Stärkung der Hutewaldwirtschaft: 🌳Bessere Wirtschaftlichkeit 🌳Modellprojekte & Praxisleitfäden 🌳Vernetzung 🌳Einbindung der Tierhalter*innen ➡️ doi.org/10.1399/NuL....

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

#IntegratedLandscapeApproaches are powerful in dealing with complex social-ecological challenges, but often lack attention to #LandscapeJustice. In this synthesis, we identify dimension of landscape injustices, provide a methods overview & reflect on our own experiences. doi.org/10.5751/ES-1...

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Ziquejie rice terraces in Hunnan province (China) - a globally important agricultural heritage system, recognized by FAO. Forest-covered mountains provide the water for this centuries-old irrigation system based on natural gravity - Chinese version of Japan's #Satoyama landscapes.

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Tobias Plieninger @plieningerlab.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Co-production of rich agrobiodiversity by people & nature in the Shexian dry stone terrace landscape (Hebei, China). Key components of this agricultural heritage system are: Farmers, Chinese red pepper, donkeys/mules, traditional crops & a lot of stones. Paper: doi.org/10.1080/2639...

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