Employees

My Research Interests
My research focuses on the relationship between biodiversity and agriculture. This area presents complex ecological and societal challenges that shape my work and raise key questions: How can the promotion of biodiversity be aligned with productive and sustainable agricultural systems? How can changes in biodiversity be reliably assessed? And how can we collaborate to generate knowledge and develop sustainable agricultural practices?
Based on these questions, my work in biodiversity, agroecology, and monitoring concentrates on engaging people in their various roles and responsibilities. Together, we develop methods and measures to assess and enhance biodiversity. A particular focus is placed on farmer–citizen science, which fosters exchange and strengthens mutual understanding of the importance of a sustainable and healthy environment.

Research Priorities of the Group Agricultural Landscape and Biodiversity
Multifunctional landscapes for biodiversity and sustainable agricultural production
Our research focuses on how agricultural landscapes can be designed so that the preservation and promotion of biodiversity can be reconciled with productive agriculture. To achieve this, we develop integrated concepts that address the needs of diverse stakeholders and, in doing so, contribute to the transition toward sustainable, agroecologically oriented agricultural systems.
To address this overarching question, our work focuses on three interconnected research topics:

1. Recording and understanding biodiversity patterns
We investigate how biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is changing and which land‑use, climatic, and socio‑economic factors — and their interactions — drive these developments. By recording biodiversity patterns and identifying the drivers of change, we provide a scientific basis for evaluating biodiversity‑promotion measures and for designing effective agricultural and environmental policies.
Selected projects: ALL‑EMA, INSECT

2. Promoting biodiversity through sustainable agricultural systems
We investigate how agricultural production systems can be designed to effectively promote biodiversity. Our research develops and assesses economically viable alternative crops and production systems that enhance biodiversity and, ideally, also improve soil fertility and contribute to climate mitigation.
Selected projects: Paddy Rice  

3. Using biodiversity for sustainable agricultural systems
We investigate how biodiversity — focusing on pollinators, natural antagonists, and other functional groups — enhances the productivity, stability, and resilience of agricultural systems. Our aim is to understand how ecosystem services can be harnessed as a resource for agroecological production and to provide scientific support for the transition toward more sustainable farming systems.
Selected projects: AGRI4POL, PestiRed