Sheep are probably the most underestimated animal in the world. Without them, mankind would not be where it is today. Food, clothing – the unpretentious ram has been providing man with all this for eleven thousand years. The animals have made societies grow, they prepared people for culture and to this day they guarantee life and prosperity in many parts of the world. ‘Planet of the Sheep’ goes on a search for traces and clues among shepherds and breeders all over the world.

In Europe, the traditional shepherding profession is on the verge of extinction. In the Lüneburg Heath, only a few shepherds are still on the road with their herds of Heidschnucken to preserve the cultural landscape. Though some old shepherding cultures are still alive, in Sardinia as well as in northern Macedonia living the tradition of transhumance of many thousands of animals. In Scotland, a young, female generation is breaking new ground to save the ancient culture of sheep farming into the 21st century. And in Spain, too, new forms of sheep farming are becoming established: shepherd schools are training a new generation of shepherds.

China is going its own way: here, sheep are kept intensively by the hundreds of thousands to satisfy the population’s hunger. But on a smaller scale, quality of life and often human survival are directly linked to the existence of the sheep – as in Ethiopia, where farmers can finance their children’s schooling thanks to just a few animals. The undemanding sheep is a master of adaptation to almost any environmental condition – and thus probably also a helper in climate change.

Part 1:   Out into the World

Part 2:   Out into the furture

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Roots account for more than half of a plant’s mass, yet they are mostly invisible. Their special powers help to overcome problems of climate change and environmental protection.

It is precisely the invisible part of plants that has the potential to help with the challenges facing humanity: securing food for a growing world population, stopping climate change, and extracting resources such as rare earths in an environmentally friendly way.

To do this, however, plants must be able to withstand periods of drought and heat and survive floods. Roots are crucial to this. And they actively search for nutrients in the soil and ward off dangers such as pathogens and toxins.

Scientists at Forschungszentrum Jülich are studying root growth using high-tech methods. The goal: to breed stress-resistant seeds for plants with robust roots. In Sweden, Prof. Linda Maria Mårtensson is conducting research on a perennial wheat variety that will ensure higher yields while protecting the soil. And on the coasts, roots are saviors in times of need. Coastal ecologist Prof. Tjeerd Bouma has discovered that if special grasses are planted in front of the dikes, a salt marsh can be created that acts as a natural breakwater. Geochemist Dr. Oliver Wiche from the Technical University of Freiberg, on the other hand, is researching what is known as phytomining. He wants to know which plants are best suited for mining metals such as germanium or rare earths from the soil. Could this give rise to a new, environmentally friendly branch of industry?