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CEN - Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability
Centerfor Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN)

Photo: R. Reshoeft

Earth System Dynamics

Earth System Dynamics

This research area creates and extends the scientific foundation for the study of earth sytem changes and its effects. Four research themes quantify the natural variability of the diverse components of the Earth system, at the same time trying to eliminate anthropogenic influences also apparent in the research data. In this process the interaction between different climate components - basically attributed to the exchange of momentum, energy, water and other substances, such as greenhous gases or nutrients - are being examined. Scales range from global to regional to local.

Boot während einer Dürre

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Causes and impacts of climate changes in the Earth system

Land and vegetation, ocean and atmosphere are linked in our climate system, and the water, energy and carbon cycles are closely intertwined. With the help of computational models, observations and data analyses, CEN teams monitor ...

Wellenkamm

Photo: UHH/CEN/T. Wasilewski

Energy flux as a communicator of Earth system changes

Flows in the atmosphere and the ocean transport not only energy and momentum, but also water vapor as well as dissolved gases and carbon. And often very small-scale phenomena down to mere centimeters can shape the dynamics of ...

Moor von oben

Photo: UHH/CEN/P. Schreiber

Element cycling at boundary layers of the Earth System

On Earth, biologically relevant elements like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon are in a state of constant circulation. As the relative levels of their availability shape global biological productivity, these elements also interact with...

Insel im Ozean

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Impacts of sea level changes on costal regions

Changes in sea level are one of the central problems caused by climate change, as they hold far-reaching consequences for the safety of the population groups affected. At the same time, here we see a number of interconnected factors – the global, regional and ...