Research
Our research is focusing on the patterns and drivers of biodiversity and the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem processes. We are interested in natural ecosystem dynamics, such as forest disturbances, as well as anthropogenic effects, especially of land use and climate change. To gain a better understanding how biodiversity change affects ecosystems, we study how biodiversity and ecosystem processes are linked. Here, we focus mainly on the decomposition of necromass which is a key process for carbon and nutrient cycling.
We have a zoological background but often pursue multi-trophic approaches including a broad range of taxonomic groups including bacteria, fungi, plants, insects and vertebrates, to gain a broad coverage of biodiversity and to be able to study biotic interactions. Our research often uses field experiments, but also surveys along natural gradients or more controlled conditions in the lab or in climate chambers.
Our main research fields are:
Natural and anthropogenic drivers of biodiversity
- Mechanisms driving diversity patterns from local to global scale
- Relationships between management, forest structure and biodiversity
- Effects of natural forest disturbances and development on biodiversity
- Effects of climate – from micro- to macro-scale – on biodiversity and potential responses to climate change
Biotic interactions between microbes, plants and animals
- Interactions between insects, bacteria and fungi in different types of decomposing necromass, such as deadwood, leaf litter or carrion
- Role of plant traits for herbivores and decomposers
- Biodiversity associations across trophic levels
- Predator-prey relationships
Decomposition processes and the role of biodiversity
- Generality and differences in patterns and drivers of decomposition across necromass types including deadwood, leaf litter and carrion
- Role of climate, necromass traits and decomposers for decomposition
- Contribution of different decomposer groups (i.e., insects, microbes, vertebrates) to decomposition
- Biodiversity-Ecosystem-Functioning relationships
Wildlife ecology
- Trophic interactions and cascading effects in human-dominated landscapes, including interactions between humans, large carnivores, their prey and the food landscape
- Movement ecology and spatial-temporal dynamics of wildlife
- Assessment of wildlife impacts and the effectiveness of management and conservation measures
