Prof. Dr. Sylvia Haider

Professorin

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.

PD Dr. Andreas Fichtner

Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter

Andreas am Wasser
Andreas Fichtner
©Andreas Fichtner
Landschaft
Ecosystem
©Andreas Fichtner

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.

https://www.leuphana.de/institute/institut-fuer-oekologie/personen/andreas-fichtner.html

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Dr. Joice Klipel

Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

Joice Klipel
Joice Klipel
©Joice Klipel
Landscape China
experimental area
©Joice Klipel

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/institute/institut-fuer-oekologie/personen/joice-klipel.html

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Dr. Sophia Turner

Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

Sophia Turner
Sophia Turner
©Sophia Turner
Landscape Sophia
Landscape
©Sophia Turner

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. 

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David Walmsley

Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter

David in der Heide
David Walmsley
©David Walmsley
Schafe am Wulfsberg
Wulfsberg
©David Walmsley

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/institute/institut-fuer-oekologie/personen/david-walmsley.html

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Pia Bradler

Doktorandin

Pia im Wald
Pia Bradler
©Pia Bradler
Wald im Untersuchungsgebiet
BETA-FOR Wald
©Pia Bradler

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.

Link to Dresden website, no Leuphana website :(https://tu-dresden.de/bu/umwelt/forst/oekologie/landes/die-professur/m-sc-pia-bralder

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

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Meike Liv Buhaly

Doktorandin

Meike auf Teneriffa
Meike Buhaly
©Meike Buhaly
Landscape Teneriffa
Teneriffa
©Meike Buhaly

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 

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Luzie Glock

Doktorandin

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.

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Carolin Lidola

Doktorandin

Carolin beim Wandern
Carolin Lidola
©Carolin Lidola

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.

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Akhil Murali

Doktorand

Akhil Murali
Akhil Murali
©Akhil Murali
Landscape China
Experimental Area China
©Akhil Murali

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.

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Pablo Castro

Post-Doc

Pablo in China
Pablo Castro
©Pablo Castro
Landscape China
Experimental Area China
©Pablo Castro

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.

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Tanja Müller

Büromanagement

Susanne Wedi-Pumpe

Technische Mitarbeiterin

Susanne im Labor
Susanne Wedi-Pumpe
©Susanne Wedi-Pumpe
Versuchsflächen im Winter
NSG Lüneburger Heide
©Susanne Wedi-Pumpe

Als ausgebildete Biologisch-Technische Assistentin begleite ich Studierende und Mitarbeitende bei allen Analysen, die im Labor anfallen. Auch unterstütze ich draußen auf den Versuchsflächen, wenn es um Auf- und Abbau, Probennahme oder Analysen geht.

Kontakt

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