Employees

Research:

• Biodiversity promotion in grassland ecosystems
• Extensive grazing of forest edge ecotones.
• Ecological assessment of vegetation and habitat types
• Invasive alien plants (risk assessment)

Expert Activities:

• Scientific Committee, Info Flora
• Working Group on Invasive Alien Plants, Switzerland
• Cercle Exotique – Working Group on Implementation in the Green Sector
• EPPO Panel on Invasive Alien Plants

Biodiversity Promotion in Grassland Systems
My research focuses on promoting biodiversity in grassland ecosystems and protecting target and indicator species defined in Switzerland’s environmental objectives for agriculture. My work centers on developing strategies and methodological approaches to enhance habitat quality and connectivity for these species, thereby strengthening biodiversity within agricultural landscapes.

One example is the promotion of biodiversity through extensive grazing of structurally diverse forest-edge ecotones. Such graded forest edges create ecologically valuable transition zones between woodland and open land. These ecotones are characterized by diverse microclimatic conditions shaped by solar radiation, temperature, water and nutrient availability, as well as wind exposure. The federal government and the cantons financially support the establishment of graded forest edges as a measure to enhance biodiversity.

Through selective browsing, extensive grazing contributes to structural heterogeneity by suppressing competitive plant species and facilitating the emergence of thorny shrubs. These shrubs provide shelter and foraging resources for numerous small vertebrates and insects. Grazing also increases light availability, thereby promoting thermophilic species. Additionally, dung deposition and seed dispersal by grazing animals further enhance habitat heterogeneity.

An innovative project investigates whether extensive grazing of forest-edge ecotones can replace or reduce mechanical interventions by maintaining open forest edges and preventing shrub encroachment. This form of land use integrates traditional management practices with modern conservation approaches and promotes biodiversity as well as ecological connectivity. We analyze biodiversity development, the behavior and welfare of grazing animals, the impacts on forest functions, and the economic viability of this management system.

In addition to promoting biodiversity, improving the efficiency of managing biodiversity-enhancing areas (Biodiversitätsförderflächen, BFF) in both practical and administrative contexts is a legitimate concern for practitioners and authorities. We address this issue in several small-scale projects.

Invasive Alien Plants
Invasive alien plants are one of the major drivers of global biodiversity loss, as they displace native species, alter ecosystem processes, and have contributed significantly to approximately 60% of documented species extinctions. For many years, my work has focused on the risk assessment of invasive alien plants in Switzerland and within the EPPO region. This includes the development of pest risk assessment schemes as well as the scientific evaluation of potentially invasive plant species. The results serve as a basis for generating species lists that inform recommendations and regulatory measures, such as voluntary sales restrictions or legally binding sales bans.

Expert Activities

• Scientific Committee, Info Flora
• Swiss Working Group on Invasive Alien Plants
• Cercle Exotique – Working Group on Implementation in the Green Sector
• EPPO Panel on Invasive Alien Plants