For more than 25 years the IfAÖ Institut für Angewandte Ökosystemforschung GmbH (IfAÖ) has been researching and evaluating terrestrial and aquatic habitats and ecosystems. The focus areas of this private research facility established in 1993 include the description of natural ecosystems as well as the assessment, evaluation and documentation of changes caused both naturally and by human activities. IfAÖ provides research and consulting for commercial clients as well as state and federal authorities, utilizing the broad expertise of more than 90 employees, extensive technical equipment and in-house laboratories. The IfAÖ is part of the GICON® Group, a group of companies of independently operating engineering service providers. Together, the companies employ approximately 500 people and draw on the expertise of several thousand projects in Germany and abroad.