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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

Table of contents for this page

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

Publications

Journal contributions

  1. Contrasting responses of above- and belowground carbon stocks and arthropods in relation to forest management
    Julian Lunow (Author) , 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) , 01.08.2026 , in: Forest Ecosystems, 16, 16 , 10 p.

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

  2. Biodiversity resilience in a tropical rainforest
    Timo Metz (Author) , Nina Farwig (Author) , Carsten F. Dormann (Author) , H. Martin Schaefer (Author) , Juan E. Guevara Andino (Author) , Gunnar Brehm (Author) , Santiago Burneo (Author) , Anne Chao (Author) , Robin L. Chazdon (Author) , Robert K. Colwell (Author) , Ugo M. Diniz (Author) , David A. Donoso (Author) , María José Endara (Author) , Santiago Erazo (Author) , Sebastián Escobar (Author) , Ana Falconí-López (Author) , Heike Feldhaar (Author) , Mishell Garcia Villamarin (Author) , Nina Grella (Author) , Katrin Heer (Author) , Michael Heethoff (Author) , Alexander Keller (Author) , Anna R. Landim (Author) , Sara D. Leonhardt (Author) , Eva Tamargo Lopez (Author) , Diego Marín-Armijos (Author) , Jörg Müller (Author) , Karla Neira-Salamea (Author) , Eike Lena Neuschulz (Author) , Karen M. Pedersen (Author) , Mark Oliver Rödel (Author) , Matthias Schleuning (Author) , Thomas Schmitt (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Arianna Tartara (Author) , Boris A. Tinoco (Author) , Constance J. Tremlett (Author) , Marco Tschapka (Author) , Sybille Unsicker (Author) , Edith Villa-Galaviz (Author) , Nico Blüthgen (Author) , 30.04.2026 , in: Nature, 652, 8112 , p. 1232-1239 , 8 p.

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

  3. Losers and winners: responses of grassland arthropods to land-use components
    Margarita Hartlieb (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Johanna L. Berger (Author) , Rafael Achury (Author) , Martin M. Gossner (Author) , Sebastian Seibold (Author) , Wolfgang W. Weisser (Author) , Nico Blüthgen (Author) , 04.02.2026 , in: Oikos, 2026, 2 , 13 p.

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

  4. Tree species richness drives multiple facets of bee diversity via understorey microenvironment
    Ting Ting Xie (Author) , Yi Li (Author) , Ming Qiang Wang (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , Jing Ting Chen (Author) , Xiu Wei Liu (Author) , Xiao Yu Shi (Author) , Qing Song Zhou (Author) , Ze Qing Niu (Author) , Ke Ping Ma (Author) , Helge Bruelheide (Author) , Arong Luo (Author) , Douglas Chesters (Author) , Jia Sheng Hao (Author) , Chao Dong Zhu (Author) , 04.02.2026 , in: Journal of Animal Ecology, 95, 2 , p. 270-281 , 12 p.

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

  5. Advancing the quantification of land-use intensity in forests: the ForMIX index combining tree species composition, tree removal, deadwood availability, and stand maturity
    Michael Staab (Author) , Nico Blüthgen (Author) , Katja Wehner (Author) , Peter Schall (Author) , Christian Ammer (Author) , 01.02.2026 , in: European Journal of Forest Research, 145, 1 , 13 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
    Maria Helena Pereira Peixoto (Author) , Gesine Pufal (Author) , Michael Staab (Author) , C. Martins (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) , Alexandra-Maria Klein (Author) , Nico Blüthgen (Author) , Sara Leonhardt (Author) , Michael Staab (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. Best Publication Prize in the category "Journal Publication Natural & Life Sciences“ (2022)
    Michael Staab (Recipient) ,

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

  2. Elite Program for Postdoctoral Researchers
    Michael Staab (Recipient) ,

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

  3. Göttinger Preis Waldökosystemforschung 2019
    Michael Staab (Recipient) ,

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

  4. Horst-Wiehe-Award (2017)
    Michael Staab (Recipient) ,

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

  5. Maria Sibylla Merian Award (2017)
    Michael Staab (Recipient) ,

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

View all prizes

Courses

Climate Change - Scientific Basis and the Spectrum of Changes
Markus Quante, Michael Staab
Lecture and seminar have the following contents:
- Components of the climate system
- Greenhouse effect and radiative forcing
- Observed changes in climate parameters
- The intensification of the water cycle
- Natural variability and anthropogenic signal
- The historical perspective
- Scenario-based projections into the future
- Climate change in the regions
- Shifting vegetation zones
- Effects of climate change on biotic communities and populations
- Effects of climate change on ecosystem functions and ecosystem services
- Consideration of selected systems particularly affected by climate change

Next appointment:
Thursday, 2026-06-11 at 15:50
Room: C 11.307 Seminarraum
Impact of Climate Change on Ecosystems
Markus Quante, Michael Staab
Lecture and seminar have the following contents:
* Components of the climate system
* Greenhouse effect and radiative forcing
* Observed changes in climate parameters
* Intensification of the water cycle
* Natural variability and anthropogenic signal
* The historical perspective
* Scenario-based projections into the future
* Climate change in the regions
* Shifting vegetation zones
* Impacts of climate change on communities and populations
* Impacts of climate change on ecosystem functions and ecosystem services
* Consideration of selected systems particularly affected by climate change

Next appointment:
Thursday, 2026-06-11 at 16:35
Room: C 11.307 Seminarraum
Laboratory exercise 1 - Introduction to Ecology (GESS)
Luzie Emilia Glock, Joice Klipel, N. N., Michael Staab, Sophia Carmel Turner, David Walmsley
Please note that all lab groups will have the same four exercises (soil ecology, molecular ecology, animal ecology, vegetation ecology), but the dates of the four exercises are different for each group. You cannot switch between groups during the semester.

Experiments on autecology, population ecology and synecology. The students will carry out the experiments under supervision.
Ziel
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-06-15 at 08:15
Room: C 13.120 Labor
Laboratory exercise 2 - Introduction to Ecology (GESS)
Luzie Emilia Glock, Joice Klipel, N. N., Michael Staab, Sophia Carmel Turner, David Walmsley
Please note that all lab groups will have the same four exercises (soil ecology, molecular ecology, animal ecology, vegetation ecology), but the dates of the four exercises are different for each group. You cannot switch between groups during the semester.

Experiments on autecology, population ecology and synecology. The students will carry out the experiments under supervision.
Ziel
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-06-08 at 08:15
Room: C 11.319 Seminarraum
Laboratory exercise 3 - Introduction to Ecology (GESS)
Luzie Emilia Glock, Joice Klipel, N. N., Michael Staab, Sophia Carmel Turner, David Walmsley
Please note that all lab groups will have the same four exercises (soil ecology, molecular ecology, animal ecology, vegetation ecology), but the dates of the four exercises are different for each group. You cannot switch between groups during the semester.

Experiments on autecology, population ecology and synecology. The students will carry out the experiments under supervision.
Ziel
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-06-15 at 08:15
Room: C 11.319 Seminarraum
Laboratory exercise 4 - Introduction to Ecology (GESS)
Luzie Emilia Glock, Joice Klipel, N. N., Michael Staab, Sophia Carmel Turner, David Walmsley
Please note that all lab groups will have the same four exercises (soil ecology, molecular ecology, animal ecology, vegetation ecology), but the dates of the four exercises are different for each group. You cannot switch between groups during the semester.

Experiments on autecology, population ecology and synecology. The students will carry out the experiments under supervision.
Ziel
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-06-08 at 08:15
Room: C 13.107 Labor
Laboratory exercise 5 - Introduction to Ecology
Luzie Emilia Glock, Joice Klipel, N. N., Michael Staab, Sophia Carmel Turner, David Walmsley
Bitte beachten Sie, dass in allen Laborgruppen die gleichen vier Übungen (Bodenökologie, Molekulare Ökologie, Tierökologie, Vegetationsökologie) stattfinden, die Termine der vier Übungen jedoch bei jeder Gruppe unterschiedlich sind. Ein Wechsel zwischen den Gruppen während des Semesters ist nicht möglich.

Tierökologische Versuche zur Biodiversität. Die Versuche sind von den Studierenden unter Anleitung durchzuführen.
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-06-15 at 08:15
Room: C 13.107 Labor
Laboratory exercise 6 - Introduction to Ecology
Luzie Emilia Glock, Joice Klipel, N. N., Michael Staab, Sophia Carmel Turner, David Walmsley
Bitte beachten Sie, dass in allen Laborgruppen die gleichen vier Übungen (Bodenökologie, Molekulare Ökologie, Tierökologie, Vegetationsökologie) stattfinden, die Termine der vier Übungen jedoch bei jeder Gruppe unterschiedlich sind. Ein Wechsel zwischen den Gruppen während des Semesters ist nicht möglich.

Tierökologische Versuche zur Biodiversität. Die Versuche sind von den Studierenden unter Anleitung durchzuführen.
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-06-08 at 08:15
Room: C 13.109 Labor
Laboratory exercise 7 - Introduction to Ecology
Luzie Emilia Glock, Joice Klipel, N. N., Michael Staab, Sophia Carmel Turner, David Walmsley
Bitte beachten Sie, dass in allen Laborgruppen die gleichen vier Übungen (Bodenökologie, Molekulare Ökologie, Tierökologie, Vegetationsökologie) stattfinden, die Termine der vier Übungen jedoch bei jeder Gruppe unterschiedlich sind. Ein Wechsel zwischen den Gruppen während des Semesters ist nicht möglich.

Tierökologische Versuche zur Biodiversität. Die Versuche sind von den Studierenden unter Anleitung durchzuführen.
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-06-15 at 08:15
Room: C 13.109 Labor
Laboratory exercise 8 - Introduction to Ecology
Luzie Emilia Glock, Joice Klipel, N. N., Michael Staab, Sophia Carmel Turner, David Walmsley
Bitte beachten Sie, dass in allen Laborgruppen die gleichen vier Übungen (Bodenökologie, Molekulare Ökologie, Tierökologie, Vegetationsökologie) stattfinden, die Termine der vier Übungen jedoch bei jeder Gruppe unterschiedlich sind. Ein Wechsel zwischen den Gruppen während des Semesters ist nicht möglich.

Tierökologische Versuche zur Biodiversität. Die Versuche sind von den Studierenden unter Anleitung durchzuführen.
Next appointment:
Monday, 2026-06-08 at 08:15
Room: C 13.120 Labor