The importance of collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and transdisciplinarity in grassland research

Abstract

Grasslands are among the most biodiverse and ecologically important ecosystems, and yet, they are increasingly threatened by land-use intensification and biodiversity loss. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that integrates knowledge across disciplines and actively engages stakeholders beyond academia. This article explores the role of collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and transdisciplinarity in grassland research, with a focus on two German key projects. The Biodiversity Exploratories are one of the largest long-term research projects investigating biodiversity and ecosystem function across land-use gradients. The BioDivKultur project examines the effects of mowing on grassland arthropods by bridging various academic and practical perspectives. Both projects highlight how integrated research approaches can generate scientifically rigorous and socially relevant solutions for biodiversity conservation while also revealing the practical and conceptual challenges of such cooperation. This article emphasizes the need for sustained cooperation, mutual learning, and effective knowledge transfer to bridge science and practice in addressing the complex, multifaceted issues of grassland ecosystems.

Keywords

biodiversity / conservation / ecosystem functions / knowledge transfer / land-use intensification / mowing / social science / stakeholder engagement

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2025 The Author(s). Grassland Research published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Chinese Grassland Society and Lanzhou University.