Team

Professor: Prof. Dr. Sylvia Haider

Research Assistants: PD Dr. Andreas Fichtner,  Dr. Joice Klipel, Dr. Sophia Turner, Dr. David Walmsley

Associated Postdoctoral Researcher: Pablo Castro Sánchez-Bermejo

Doctoral Researchers: Pia Bradler, Meike Liv Buhaly, Luzie Glock, Carolin Lidola,  Akhil Murali

Technical and Administrative Staff: Tanja Müller, Susanne Wedi-Pumpe

I’m a vegetation ecologist with a broad range of research interests, including the fields of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships, trait-based ecology, biogeography, global change ecology and biological invasions. Current research projects include forests as well as grasslands, and I’m particularly keen to work along elevation gradients. My teaching addresses all these topics and ecosystems, and I love to combine research and teaching.

www.leuphana.de/en/institutes/institute-of-ecology/team/sylvia-haider.html

I am a vegetation ecologist fascinated by the beauty and diversity of plants. My research explores the ecological significance of biodiversity in driving ecosystem processes, with a particular focus on forests. Additionally, I am interested in understanding how plants and plant communities respond to global change drivers and how these responses are affected by land-use and management legacies. This work aims to develop conservation and management strategies that counteract biodiversity loss and prevent the overexploitation of natural resources.

www.leuphana.de/en/institutes/institute-of-ecology/team/andreas-fichtner.html

back to the top of page

I am a biologist with a PhD in Ecology, deeply interested in vegetation ecology, biodiversity, and plant functional traits. My research focuses on the complexity of tropical and subtropical forests, aiming to bridge scientific knowledge into conservation efforts. I have experience working with functional traits, plant communities, and permanent vegetation plots, and my current investigations explore tree growth, productivity, and carbon dynamics across diverse forest ecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions.

https://www.leuphana.de/en/institute/institut-fuer-oekologie/personen/joice-klipel.html

back to the top of page

I am a community ecologist, primarily interested in above-and belowground interactions, and plant invasions. My research is currently focused on using large-scale gradients (latitude and elevation), coupled with fine-scale plant functional trait and microbial data to better understand plant-environment and plant-microbial interactions in the face of global change. It is not unusual to find me in the mountains, attempting to identify Solidago plants, or riding a bicycle. 

www.leuphana.de/en/institutes/institute-of-ecology/team/sophia-turner.html

back to the top of page

I am a biologist with a PhD in ecophysiology and biogeochemistry from University College Dublin. Before that, I worked in the malting industry after completing my Biology Diploma at the J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main. I have been at Leuphana since 2011 and worked on various research projects within the Institute of Ecology, the most recent being a project aimed at securing the ecosystem services and biodiversity of the Lüneburger Heath (“ÖkoKult”) as an example of an extensively managed cultural landscape. Such landscapes, and particularly heathlands, remain the centre of my scientific attention. However, as I am now employed as a full time lecturer (“Lehrkraft für besondere Aufgaben”) teaching is my current focus. I love all aspects of life and am most passionate about the simple pleasures (and often underrated treasures) it has to offer. During term time I offer regular consultation hours (“offene Sprechstunden”), the times of which can be found on the Leuphana myStudy platform.

https://www.leuphana.de/en/institute/institut-fuer-oekologie/personen/david-walmsley.html

back to the top of page

I am a PhD student in the BETA-FOR research unit, investigating how increased structural complexity in temperate forests affects understory plant diversity and ecosystem functioning. I am moreover interested in how different global change drivers impact plant community composition and ecosystem functioning. Outside of my research, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, where any activity usually also involves looking at plants or other taxonomic groups and expanding my species knowledge.

https://tu-dresden.de/bu/umwelt/forst/oekologie/landes/die-professur/m-sc-pia-bralder

BETA-FOR website of our subproject: https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/beta-for/subprojects/plant-communities-in-the-herbaceous-layer-and-primary-production/

back to the top of page

My current work focuses on the impacts of non-native plant species on the composition of mountain communities at both the local (Tenerife) and global scale. I’m also studying whether we can predict the rate of spread of species using biogeographic and functional traits. Aside from my PhD work, I’m interested in forest management for conservation as well as implementing climate mitigation strategies. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, travelling, baking, and crafting.  

https://www.leuphana.de/en/institutes/institute-of-ecology/team/meike-liv-buhaly.html 

back to the top of page

I am a PhD student in the DIVERSA project, where we are investigating the drivers of forest adaptability and resilience to climate change-induced stresses such as drought in Lower Saxony. I have long been interested in the functionality of ecosystems and the functional traits of plants, whose plasticity amazes me. Contributing to practical recommendations in the face of climate change is very motivating. Outside work, I spend a lot of time in the woods and enjoy cycling and sailing.

www.leuphana.de/en/institute/institut-fuer-oekologie/personen/luzie-glock.html

back to the top of page

As a PhD student, I investigate forest drought resilience using functional traits, microclimate and soil properties. My research is part of the interdisciplinary project DIVERSA, whose aim is to enhance forest adaptability in Lower Saxony, Germany. Closely related to my work, I'm very interested in the interface of climate and plants in the field of microclimatology as well as the use of new measurement techniques. Outside of work, my personal interests include hiking and cycling, as well as attending music concerts.

www.leuphana.de/en/institute/institut-fuer-oekologie/personen/carolin-lidola.html

back to the top of page

As a plant ecologist, I like to work with the fundamental ecological theories of plant diversity and interactions. I am a PhD student in TreeDi graduate school. For my doctoral research, I am looking at how plant functional traits mediate the tree-shrub interactions in a biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiment in a subtropical forest in China. I am also interested in ecosystem dynamics and the ecological restoration of the forest. The motivation for my research has always been my intellectual curiosity and the urge to contribute to conservation efforts. Beyond work, tree walks, bird watching, and cooking some Indian foods give me sheer joy.

www.leuphana.de/en/institute/institut-fuer-oekologie/personen/akhil-murali.html

back to the top of page

I am a biologist with great interest in plant and vegetation ecology, as well as passion for understanding the patterns of diversity in response to environmental factors and biotic interactions. Specifically, in my PhD I am studying the phenotypic diversity occurring within tree species in response to forest diversity. You can also find me out of the office, often with a pencil in my hand for drawing or with boots on my feet for hiking.

back to the top of page

As a trained biological-technical assistant, I support students and staff with all analyses carried out in the laboratory. I also help out in the field when it comes to setting up and dismantling equipment, taking samples or carrying out analyses.

back to the top of page