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Prof. Dr. Michael Staab

21335 Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, C13.003b
Fon +49.4131.677-2903, michael.staab@leuphana.de
Junior Professor, Junior professor of Animal Ecology and Trophic Interaction

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Vita

  • since 2025: Professor for Animal Ecology and Trophic Interactions, Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg
  • 2020–2025: Postdoc, Ecological Networks, Technical University of Darmstadt
  • 2017–2018: Junior Fellow, Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg
  • 2014–2020: Lecturer/Postdoc, Department of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg
  • 2013–2014: Research assistant, Department of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg
  • 2011–2014: PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) studies in Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg
  • 2011–2013: Research assistant, Department of Ecosystem Functions, Leuphana University Lüneburg
  • 2010–2011: Research assistant, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg
  • 2005–2010: Diploma studies in Biology (major Tropical Biology), University of Würzburg
  • 2004–2005: Military Service

Projects

  1. Land-use intensity mediated effects of microclimate on insect diversity
    Michael Staab (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Research

  2. Arthropods and arthropod-related processes
    Michael Staab (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Research

  3. DFG Research Unit 5281: Multi-Trophic Interactions in a Forest Biodiversity Experiment in China - Subproject 6: Trophic interactions and ecological functions of ants under changing tree diversity
    Michael Staab (Project manager, academic)
    →

    Project: Research

View all projects

Publications

Journal contributions

  1. Moisture limits the diversity of nesting bees, wasps, and parasitoids in lying and standing deadwood
    Massimo Martini (Author) , Matteo Dadda (Author) , Felix Fornoff (Author) , Heike Feldhaar (Author) , Arong Luo (Author) , Finn Rehling (Author) , Joshua E. Spitz (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Simon Thorn (Author) , Chao Dong Zhu (Author) , Alexandra Maria Klein (Author) , 01.12.2026 , in: Basic and Applied Ecology, 97 , 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  2. Local habitat, not landscape diversity, drives richness and reproduction of cavity-nesting bees and wasps in agricultural landscapes
    Sara Tassoni (Author) , Marit Kinga Kasten (Author) , Thomas Hiller (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Frank M. Schurr (Author) , Ingo Grass (Author) , 10.11.2026 , in: Insect Conservation and Diversity, 19, 6 , p. 1587-1602 , 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  3. Drivers of insect decline: direct, indirect, and combined pressures
    Christopher A Halsch (Author) , Matthew L Forister (Author) , Grace L V Skinner (Author) , Charlotte L Outhwaite (Author) , Michael W Belitz (Author) , Gyanpriya Maharaj (Author) , Aimee Code (Author) , Laura Melissa Guzman (Author) , Braeden Van Deynze (Author) , Sebastian Steibl (Author) , Eric Stoll (Author) , Greet De Knijf (Author) , Clare M Dittemore (Author) , Leah Gath (Author) , Kasey D Fowler-Finn (Author) , Payal Bal (Author) , Jessica R Marsh (Author) , Adam Jadhav (Author) , Avalon C S Owens (Author) , Nadya D Muchoney (Author) , Anna R Tatarko (Author) , Juliana Dániel-Ferreira (Author) , Erik Öckinger (Author) , Thomas P Franzem (Author) , Meghan Barrett (Author) , Zachary G MacDonald (Author) , Tanya Latty (Author) , Heath A MacMillan (Author) , Greg R Pohl (Author) , Lora A Richards (Author) , James M W Ryalls (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Kaitlin Stack Whitney (Author) , Ben A. Woodcock (Author) , Christie A Bahlai (Author) , Eliza M Grames (Author) , Jessica L Ware (Author) , Chris S Elphick (Author) , David L Wagner (Author) , 29.09.2026 , in: Annals of the Entomological Society of America , 30 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  4. Contrasting responses of above- and belowground carbon stocks and arthropods in relation to forest management
    Melanie M Pollierer (Author) , Christian Ammer (Author) , Peter Schall (Author) , Stefan Scheu (Author) , Ingo Schöning (Author) , Marion Schrumpf (Author) , Sebastian Seibold (Author) , Wolfgang W Weisser (Author) , Stephan Wöllauer (Author) , Nadja K Simons (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Julian Lunow (Author) , 01.08.2026 , in: Forest Ecosystems, 16, 16 , 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

  5. Site-specific climate responses of soil decomposer biodiversity in forests
    Katja Wehner (Author) , Julian Lunow (Author) , Matteo Trevisan (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Alena Rupprecht (Author) , Nadine Stief (Author) , Christian Storm (Author) , Nico Blüthgen (Author) , Michael Heethoff (Author) , 01.08.2026 , in: Ecosphere, 17, 8 , 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

View all publications

Contributions to collected editions/anthologies

  1. Der Rückgang von Insekten in deutschen Wäldern – neue Ergebnisse aus den Biodiversitäts-Exploratorien
    Michael Staab (Author) , 07.02.2024 Halberstadt , p. 281-297 , 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research

  2. Insektensterben: Ein Einblick in Muster und mögliche Ursachen aus den Biodiversitäts-Explorationen
    Michael Staab (Author) , Rafael Achury (Author) , Wolfgang W. Weisser (Author) , Nico Blüthgen (Author) , 01.01.2024 Bonn , p. 119-136 , 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review

  3. Diversity and specialization of host parasitoid interactions in an urban rural interface
    Michael Staab (Author) , C. Martins (Author) , Maria Helena Pereira Peixoto (Author) , Gesine Pufal (Author) , Alexandra-Maria Klein (Author) , 01.01.2013 Potsdam , p. 410 , 1 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Published abstract in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review

  4. Different responses of ant species to sugars and amino acids in a subtropical forest of China 
    Joel Methorst (Author) , Nico Blüthgen (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Alexandra-Maria Klein (Author) , Sara Leonhardt (Author) , 01.09.2012 Berlin , p. 56-57 , 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Published abstract in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review

View all publications

Activities

Press / Media

Prizes

  1. Leuphana Early Career Researcher Award
    (Recipient) ,

    Prize: Leuphana internal Prize, Scholaships, distinctions, appointments › Research

  2. Best Publication Prize in the category "Journal Publication Natural & Life Sciences“ (2022)
    (Recipient) ,

    Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research

  3. Elite Program for Postdoctoral Researchers
    (Recipient) ,

    Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research

  4. Göttinger Preis Waldökosystemforschung 2019
    (Recipient) ,

    Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research

  5. Horst-Wiehe-Award (2017)
    (Recipient) ,

    Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research

View all prizes

Courses

Animal Conservation: Theory, Concepts, Examples
Michael Staab
An increasing proportion of animal species, both within Germany or at a global scale, are threatened with local or even total extinction. This is not only the case for well-known “charismatic” species (think on elephants or tigers) but especially for the countless inconspicuous species such as frogs or insects. Reasons for endangerment are as manifold as the protection measures applied. This module addresses the various theories and concepts in nature/species conservation. Students will learn about the reasons behind endangerment, the conflicts between land use and conservation, and the relevance of abiotic and biotic interactions in nature and species conservation. The module is a combination of lecture and seminar. In students will give presentations to showcase the various facets in animal conservation with examples from local to global and from small insects to large mammals.
Next appointment:
Friday, 2026-11-20 at 10:15
Room: C 12.112 Seminarraum
Biodiversitytrends
Michael Staab
Die biologische Vielfalt („Biodiversität“) spielt eine zentrale Rolle für die Funktion sämtlicher Ökosysteme der Erde. In den letzten Jahrzehnten wurde es offensichtlich, dass sich die Vielfalt der meisten Artengruppen über die Zeit verringert hat. In diesem Seminar werden die Trends verschiedener Artengruppen und die Hintergründe der zeitlichen Veränderungen vorgestellt. Die Teilnehmenden erlernen anhand von Beispielen aus der Biodiversitätsforschung Methoden und Forschungsdesigns zur Erfassung der Biodiversität. Jede Kleingruppe wird eine selbst gewählte Art oder Artengruppe vorstellen, und die methodischen Herausforderungen einer validen Erfassung langfristiger Veränderungen auf Basis der wissenschaftlichen Literatur referieren. Damit erhalten die Studierenden Einblicke in wissenschaftliches Publizieren, erlernen strukturierte Literatursuche und erwerben ein Verständnis für die Bedeutung der Biodiversität und die Risiken der gegenwärtigen Verluste.
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-11-16 at 16:15
Room: C 12.112 Seminarraum