In the area of anthropogeography, the Department of Geography researches global human-environment interactions such as social transformational processes, migration movements caused by climate change, and globalization processes. Paleo-environmental research studies the influence of humans on process dynamics and agricultural history, with a focus on the management of water resources and water economics. Paleo-environmental studies look at ancient and present-day cultures, with the goal of predicting the future availability of natural resources. Soil ecology and cycles of matter are another research focus. The regional utilization of biomass through the production of biochar and vegetable coal is examined with the aim of closing material cycles.