ECONICS INSTITUTE

For sustainable ecosystems and socioecological management with and in nature

Founded in 2025, ECONICS INSTITUTE e.V. is a think tank for ecosystems. It emerged from the Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development and brings together applied scientific and practical expertise on dealing with ecosystems in the climate crisis. 

The ECONICS INSTITUTE e.V. stands for the >>econic>> approach, i.e., learning from nature’s economy for sustainable human economic activity. Our conceptual foundation is a holistic view of the landscape as a complex socio-ecological system. We want to contribute to the functioning of specific ecosystems.

The headquarters of the non-profit association is located in Chorin in the UNESCO Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve.

Projects

Green-Moist-Cool Index

It is not only Germany’s major cities that are heat hotspots; there are also extensive heat landscapes. Land use is responsible for almost a fifth of the temperature differences, and where it is greener and cooler, there is even more precipitation. The Green-Wet-Cool Index (GMCI) shows the future potential and performance of Germany’s ecosystems.

Socialecological forest management

Wir Menschen, heute und in der Zukunft, brauchen den Wald für ein gutes Leben. Deshalb ist sein Überleben unabdingbar. Wald ist eine knappe Ressource.  Also muss er bewirtschaftet werden. Dabei gilt der Dreiklang, dass die Waldbewirtschaftung ökosystembasiert sein soll, ethisch zu reflektieren ist und einen Beitrag zum kurz- und langfristigen Wohlergehen der Menschen leisten muss. 

Schöneberg Wild Forest

The Schöneberg Wild Forest is a forest area covering around 400 hectares in northeastern Brandenburg (Uckermark district). Forests planted decades ago have been dying for several years as a result of extremely hot and dry summers. But the forest is already growing again. With the support of the Umweltstiftung Michael Otto, we are investigating spontaneous regeneration in order to gain insights for sustainable forest management in times of climate crisi

Monitoring of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Beech Forests

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and in collaboration with the transdisciplinary company agrathaer, we are evaluating the monitoring data for the UNESCO World Natural Heritage beech forests in Germany. Grumsin, Hainich, Jasmund, Kellerwald, and Serrahn are part of a European World Heritage Site. What can we learn from them?

News and Events

Winterlandschaft

New beginnings

The forms and paths of growth of the “green” are sometimes inexplicable, sometimes downright improbable, but always inspiring. Nature never follows straight lines. Detours and setbacks can even lead to strengthening.
At a time when we may doubt ourselves and despair, it is worth taking a look at the power of ecosystems. ECONICS is the logical approach to understanding this power a little better, learning from it, and thinking about and shaping human actions and economic activity in a truly ecosystemic way. Even more than our environment, we should probably pronature ourselves.

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Jane Goodall in Eberswalde, 30.09.2024

Goodbye, dear Jane

We are deeply saddened that Jane Goodall has left this earth. In gratitude for her perseverance in fighting for the habitat we all share, we will always remember our encounter with her.

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Retezat Nationalpark, Rumänin, 2025

Why we urgently need forests

Old deciduous forests have come through the last few extreme summers relatively healthy and cool. At the same time, warming is rapidly increasing. What strategies are there to preserve our landscape as a vital resource?

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