The topic of integrative energy crop cultivation is being worked on as sub-project 2 in cooperation with the University of Göttingen within the framework of the project "Biomass in the field of tension". The overall project is headed by Prof. Dr. Hans Ruppert (Georg-August-University of Göttingen) and is funded by the Ministry for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK). (Duration: 2009 - 2014, after evaluation possibly extension of the duration for another 2 years). Head of subproject 2: Prof. Dr. Christina von Haaren, Prof. Dr. Michael Rode (IUP), working on subproject 2.3: Dipl.-Ing. Wiebke Saathoff (IUP).

Subproject 2 focuses on the question of the nature and interaction of biomass cultivation objectives and control options at different spatial scales and decision-making levels. In particular, it is a question of how biomass cultivation that integrates use and protection of the environment can be implemented at the farm level, which goals and measures can be developed there, and which information, goals, and framework conditions must be created or provided at higher levels (regional or supraregional level). As a result,

• the gap between the existing (mainly theoretical) knowledge on sustainable biomass cultivation and the implementation in practice on the management levels farm as well as region shall be closed (LUH, University of Göttingen),
   
• a contribution to sustainability criteria for the evaluation of biomass cultivation at regional and farm level (certification) is to be made and operable criteria for a decision support system (subproject 6) are to be provided; this includes criteria for site suitability (potentials, University of Göttingen), environmental impacts (LUH) and costs (University of Göttingen) of environmentally oriented cultivation,
   
• model integrative cultivation concepts as well as contracts with buyers are to be developed in dialogue with stakeholders to improve acceptance and chances of implementation (Prof. Spiller, Göttingen).

The various sub-aspects of these research goals are being worked on in four sub-projects by research groups at the LUH and at the University of Göttingen and tested in various model regions in Lower Saxony.

The objectives of the overall project "Biomass in the field of tension" can be found at http://www.bioenergie.uni-goettingen.de.