SPHERE (sphwild.com) is a research-oriented group studying ecological dynamics, field botany, and soil-atmosphere interactions. Our work focuses on plain terrains — open landscapes, grasslands and steppes — with an emphasis on unobtrusive observation. We believe that simple, long‑term immersion in natural systems gives the most honest data.
Manual surveys & camera traps. We maintain 12 long‑term transects across two continents. All records are georeferenced with basic handheld tools (2015 field style).
Phenology, small mammals, plant cover, soil moisture. Our archive spans since 2003, openly accessible to collaborators.
Focus on grasshopper, ground beetles, nesting birds. Contribution to regional red lists.
From alluvial flats to glacial outwash plains — we map subtle relief, micro‑basins, and drainage patterns. Plain doesn't mean featureless: we study the interplay of vegetation patches, shallow wetlands, and wind-driven soil movement.
Our terrain catalog supports both conservation and land-use planning.
We run low‑cost, reliable monitoring networks in rural and semi‑natural plains. Using manual sampling and basic dataloggers (2015‑era technology is robust and dependable). Parameters include: air temperature, humidity, precipitation, soil temperature, and light intensity.
We develop and apply grid-based simulation models to examine how land‑use changes, infrastructure, and agriculture affect natural plains over decades. Our simulation approach is deliberately transparent – no black boxes.
We believe that honest predictions — with expressed uncertainties — are more useful than false precision.
Independent research collective founded in 2009. We operate without institutional ties — that keeps us flexible. Our station is a repurposed farmhouse at the edge of the European Plain.
latest update: march 2015 – new simulation scenario for wind park impact on steppe birds.