News
July 2017 - Finally, back with some news! The last two months passed so quickly with the intensive REGRASS field work and our wedding in June (!) ... and with our project plans and applications for Peru and Costa Rica. >>> The application for Costa Rica has been submitted again (please press thumbs!) and Peru will hopefully submitted soon for review. >>> And then, to my great joy, the BIOC special issue on "Small Natural Features" which I have edited was published - together with a very nice article in the Washington Post. >>> Between 09 and 14 July, I attended the ATBC Meeting in Mexico - which was just great (great talks and debates and such a great country!) ... and also quite successful. So I am already looking forward to the ATBC 2018 in Kuching, Malaysia ... I plan two symposia for this meeting. And in a few weeks I will probably report from London and Budweis, from the guest lectures I was invited to give there. Still a few more great things have evolved ... but everything in its time. See you soon again;) Greetings!
March/April 2017 - very busy and happy with the progress of the fieldwork of the REGRASS project in Lower Austria, my teaching activities at the University of Vienna (CVL group), as well as the publication of the first issue of PECON (please consider this new journal for publication of your research) and a publication in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. The year starts very promising! More news to come very soon (hopefully) - please stay tuned.
January 2017 - a happy New Year to all of you! Besides a few relaxing holidays there was a lot of writing work during Christmas and I hope I'm able to share the results quite soon. I want to get even more involved in the socio-ecological and socio-political sphere - already excited to get started!
AND last but not least: I joined the editorial board of Perspectives in Ecology (PECON) - so I have much to look forward to... stay tuned ;)
December 2016 - New Affiliation! I started my postdoc in the project "Re-establishing grasslands to promote farmland biodiversity and key ecosystem services", funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and carried out in cooperation between the Division of Conservation Biology, Vegetation Ecology and Landscape Ecology (CVL, University of Vienna) and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU). I'm looking forward to at least four exciting years in this project and on our experimental fields in Lower Austria!
October 2016 - We published an editorial in Biological Conservation on "Field work ethics in biological research" - reflecting our thoughts on responsible research, conservation and field work.
September 2016 - Final day of an exciting Tropentag conference in my hometown Vienna! This year's motto was "Solidarity in a competing world - fair use of resources" and I heard many exciting talks and discussions on these topics. From here it goes with fresh inspiration to the autumnal desk work. Back to writing publications and research proposals to keep pushing research and actions on ecosystem service management and sustainable, fair resource use.
August 2016 - We had ten inspiring and exciting days in Peru at the first international cocoa workshop, where more than 250 participants from German and Peruvian Universities, cacao farmers and stakeholders and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture in Peru disussed possibilities to improve the productivity and sustainability of cocoa. In addition to the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services, genetics, heavy metals and value chains were in the focus of our intensive workshop. All this is now being implemented in applications for upcoming research projects and I hope for a successful, long-term cooperation!
July 2016 - After inspiring and productive three weeks in Montpellier (ATBC conference and workshops), I start the preparatory work for our long-term project on ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes in Austria (see CV), write papers and project proposals, and continue my work on ecosystem services in tropical agroforestry - looking forward to an exciting cacao workshop in Peru! Stay tuned :)
June 2016 - Looking forward to the ATBC conference in Montpellier, France! I will spend almost three weeks in Montpellier, attending two statististical workshops and the conference, with a talk on "Pest predation services of birds and bats in tropical forests and agroforestry landscapes"
May 2016 - Our paper on the endemic Grosbeak Starlings in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is now published in Forktail. We provide first findings on the habitat requirements of this highly interesting bird species and found a dramatic loss of 92% of recorded nesting sites in only two years. The full text is available via Research Gate or upon personal request.
April 2016 - In a few months, I will start a new post-doc position at the Unviversity of Vienna - in the FWF project on “Re-establishing grasslands to promote farmland biodiversity and key ecosystem services”. The project will be conducted as a cooperation of the University of Vienna (Division of Conservation Biology, Vegetation Ecology and Landscape Ecology) and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences of Vienna (BOKU).
Feb 2016 - New publication from the Sulawesi exclosure experiment that I established in 2010 and that has been extended by ant exclusions only one year later... Cool paper in JAPPL! Congratulations to the first author, Pierre Gras: "How ants, birds and bats affect crop yield along shade gradients in cacao tropical agroforestry"
Feb 2016 - I had an amazing workshop on scientific journalism in Heidelberg (invited/funded by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung) and I am looking forward to the gtö conference in Göttingen (23-26 Feb), where I will talk about 'Birds, bats and wildlife-friendly farming landscapes in the tropics – global patterns and remaining challenges'
Jan 2016 - Started working as Associate Editor for Biological Conservation
--- for previous research activities, please check "CV & Publications" ---
##################################################################################################################
Research Interests
My main interests as ecologist focus on the investigation of biodiversity patterns, species communities and associated functions in relation to their environment and the respective landscape design. In my research projects, I combine approaches from the scientific fields of Community Ecology, Landscape Ecology, Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecology. In particular, I focus on ecosystem services, community-level responses to habitat transformation and innovative approaches for sustainable resource use and biodiversity conservation.
During my studies of biology at the University of Vienna (Austria), I had the opportunity to learn and participate in a variety of ecological research projects with both botanical and zoological focus - reaching from the Austrian Alps and various other nature reserves to the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica. For my diploma (Department of Population Ecology, University of Vienna), I investigated the effects of long-term habitat modification on avian communities and their functional diversity in Indonesian forest margin areas. I continued my research activities in Indonesia as PhD of the Agroecology Group (University of Goettingen, Germany), using large-scale exclosure experiments of birds and bats to study ecosystem services, multitrophic interactions and agricultural productivity, in relation to species diversity, ecological functions and human well-being.
I am interested (1) to understand how faunal communities and associated ecosystem services are related to different landscape design, management regimes and environmental features; (2) to identify optimal conditions for the applied management of these services - ideally both for the benefit of human well-being and with respect to species conservation; and (3) to unravel how local management and landscape design affect the diversity of species, functionally important taxonomic groups, and ultimately, their trophic interactions and/or plant productivity.
In this context, I am committed to both the in-depth scientific study of these questions, as well as to their translation to the public, being involved in several projects dedicated to public awareness, the conservation of (endangered) biodiversity and agricultural sustainability.
Other Activities
Associate Editor of Biological Conservation
Peer review for the following journals: Acta Chiropterologica; Agroforestry Systems; Biological Conservation; Biotropica; Bat Conservation International (BCI small grants); Community Ecology; Journal of Applied Ecology; Journal of Pest Science; PloS One; Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences; Scientific Reports (Nature); Tropical Conservation Science
Volunteering: Cooperation with smallholder cacao farmers in Central Sulawesi (2010 - today) to communicate research results of my PhD and the benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem services to the local farmer community and cacao stakeholders. I conducted several cacao farmer workshops between 2010 and 2014, translated a book for famers into Bahasa Indonesia (local language) and cooperate with the Tadulako University in Palu (lectures and student courses). Beyond that, I organized interdisciplinary lectures in Germany and give talks at different institutions in Europe and Indonesia to increase the awareness towards biodiversity-friendly landscape management, taking into account ecosystem services and feedback from local communities.
Further voluntary activities (selection):
Monitoring and banding of birds for WWF Austria, IFV Helgoland, BirdLife International and Auring e.V.
Translation work for nature conservation NGO's (e.g., The Orang-Utan Project in Sumatra; Ecotourism Bureau Malia Tours Sulawesi)
Volunteer at 'Lebenshilfe e.V.' (home for the handicapped; Austria)
Volunteer at ABNÖ (Niederösterreichische Berg,- und Naturwacht; training of rescue dogs)
Memberships: BirdLife; OBC (Oriental Bird Club); ATBC (Association for Tropical Biology
and Conservation); gtö (Society for Tropical Ecology); DO-G (Deutsche Ornithologen-Gesellschaft); IEP (International Elephant Project); ProRing e.V.; ÖAV (Österreichischer Alpenverein e.V.) and DAV (Deutscher Alpenverein e.V.); ABA (Austrian Biologist Association)
Last but not least, I like to think outside the box and to discover new challenges.
Besides the science, I am passionate about all mountain activities (hiking, climbing, slacklining),
dog training, journalistic and creative writing, photography, art, culture and creativity
from all over the world!
Let's enjoy and commit ourselves to a wonderful world.
July 2017 - Finally, back with some news! The last two months passed so quickly with the intensive REGRASS field work and our wedding in June (!) ... and with our project plans and applications for Peru and Costa Rica. >>> The application for Costa Rica has been submitted again (please press thumbs!) and Peru will hopefully submitted soon for review. >>> And then, to my great joy, the BIOC special issue on "Small Natural Features" which I have edited was published - together with a very nice article in the Washington Post. >>> Between 09 and 14 July, I attended the ATBC Meeting in Mexico - which was just great (great talks and debates and such a great country!) ... and also quite successful. So I am already looking forward to the ATBC 2018 in Kuching, Malaysia ... I plan two symposia for this meeting. And in a few weeks I will probably report from London and Budweis, from the guest lectures I was invited to give there. Still a few more great things have evolved ... but everything in its time. See you soon again;) Greetings!
March/April 2017 - very busy and happy with the progress of the fieldwork of the REGRASS project in Lower Austria, my teaching activities at the University of Vienna (CVL group), as well as the publication of the first issue of PECON (please consider this new journal for publication of your research) and a publication in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. The year starts very promising! More news to come very soon (hopefully) - please stay tuned.
January 2017 - a happy New Year to all of you! Besides a few relaxing holidays there was a lot of writing work during Christmas and I hope I'm able to share the results quite soon. I want to get even more involved in the socio-ecological and socio-political sphere - already excited to get started!
AND last but not least: I joined the editorial board of Perspectives in Ecology (PECON) - so I have much to look forward to... stay tuned ;)
December 2016 - New Affiliation! I started my postdoc in the project "Re-establishing grasslands to promote farmland biodiversity and key ecosystem services", funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and carried out in cooperation between the Division of Conservation Biology, Vegetation Ecology and Landscape Ecology (CVL, University of Vienna) and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU). I'm looking forward to at least four exciting years in this project and on our experimental fields in Lower Austria!
October 2016 - We published an editorial in Biological Conservation on "Field work ethics in biological research" - reflecting our thoughts on responsible research, conservation and field work.
September 2016 - Final day of an exciting Tropentag conference in my hometown Vienna! This year's motto was "Solidarity in a competing world - fair use of resources" and I heard many exciting talks and discussions on these topics. From here it goes with fresh inspiration to the autumnal desk work. Back to writing publications and research proposals to keep pushing research and actions on ecosystem service management and sustainable, fair resource use.
August 2016 - We had ten inspiring and exciting days in Peru at the first international cocoa workshop, where more than 250 participants from German and Peruvian Universities, cacao farmers and stakeholders and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture in Peru disussed possibilities to improve the productivity and sustainability of cocoa. In addition to the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services, genetics, heavy metals and value chains were in the focus of our intensive workshop. All this is now being implemented in applications for upcoming research projects and I hope for a successful, long-term cooperation!
July 2016 - After inspiring and productive three weeks in Montpellier (ATBC conference and workshops), I start the preparatory work for our long-term project on ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes in Austria (see CV), write papers and project proposals, and continue my work on ecosystem services in tropical agroforestry - looking forward to an exciting cacao workshop in Peru! Stay tuned :)
June 2016 - Looking forward to the ATBC conference in Montpellier, France! I will spend almost three weeks in Montpellier, attending two statististical workshops and the conference, with a talk on "Pest predation services of birds and bats in tropical forests and agroforestry landscapes"
May 2016 - Our paper on the endemic Grosbeak Starlings in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is now published in Forktail. We provide first findings on the habitat requirements of this highly interesting bird species and found a dramatic loss of 92% of recorded nesting sites in only two years. The full text is available via Research Gate or upon personal request.
April 2016 - In a few months, I will start a new post-doc position at the Unviversity of Vienna - in the FWF project on “Re-establishing grasslands to promote farmland biodiversity and key ecosystem services”. The project will be conducted as a cooperation of the University of Vienna (Division of Conservation Biology, Vegetation Ecology and Landscape Ecology) and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences of Vienna (BOKU).
Feb 2016 - New publication from the Sulawesi exclosure experiment that I established in 2010 and that has been extended by ant exclusions only one year later... Cool paper in JAPPL! Congratulations to the first author, Pierre Gras: "How ants, birds and bats affect crop yield along shade gradients in cacao tropical agroforestry"
Feb 2016 - I had an amazing workshop on scientific journalism in Heidelberg (invited/funded by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung) and I am looking forward to the gtö conference in Göttingen (23-26 Feb), where I will talk about 'Birds, bats and wildlife-friendly farming landscapes in the tropics – global patterns and remaining challenges'
Jan 2016 - Started working as Associate Editor for Biological Conservation
--- for previous research activities, please check "CV & Publications" ---
##################################################################################################################
Research Interests
My main interests as ecologist focus on the investigation of biodiversity patterns, species communities and associated functions in relation to their environment and the respective landscape design. In my research projects, I combine approaches from the scientific fields of Community Ecology, Landscape Ecology, Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecology. In particular, I focus on ecosystem services, community-level responses to habitat transformation and innovative approaches for sustainable resource use and biodiversity conservation.
During my studies of biology at the University of Vienna (Austria), I had the opportunity to learn and participate in a variety of ecological research projects with both botanical and zoological focus - reaching from the Austrian Alps and various other nature reserves to the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica. For my diploma (Department of Population Ecology, University of Vienna), I investigated the effects of long-term habitat modification on avian communities and their functional diversity in Indonesian forest margin areas. I continued my research activities in Indonesia as PhD of the Agroecology Group (University of Goettingen, Germany), using large-scale exclosure experiments of birds and bats to study ecosystem services, multitrophic interactions and agricultural productivity, in relation to species diversity, ecological functions and human well-being.
I am interested (1) to understand how faunal communities and associated ecosystem services are related to different landscape design, management regimes and environmental features; (2) to identify optimal conditions for the applied management of these services - ideally both for the benefit of human well-being and with respect to species conservation; and (3) to unravel how local management and landscape design affect the diversity of species, functionally important taxonomic groups, and ultimately, their trophic interactions and/or plant productivity.
In this context, I am committed to both the in-depth scientific study of these questions, as well as to their translation to the public, being involved in several projects dedicated to public awareness, the conservation of (endangered) biodiversity and agricultural sustainability.
Other Activities
Associate Editor of Biological Conservation
Peer review for the following journals: Acta Chiropterologica; Agroforestry Systems; Biological Conservation; Biotropica; Bat Conservation International (BCI small grants); Community Ecology; Journal of Applied Ecology; Journal of Pest Science; PloS One; Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences; Scientific Reports (Nature); Tropical Conservation Science
Volunteering: Cooperation with smallholder cacao farmers in Central Sulawesi (2010 - today) to communicate research results of my PhD and the benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem services to the local farmer community and cacao stakeholders. I conducted several cacao farmer workshops between 2010 and 2014, translated a book for famers into Bahasa Indonesia (local language) and cooperate with the Tadulako University in Palu (lectures and student courses). Beyond that, I organized interdisciplinary lectures in Germany and give talks at different institutions in Europe and Indonesia to increase the awareness towards biodiversity-friendly landscape management, taking into account ecosystem services and feedback from local communities.
Further voluntary activities (selection):
Monitoring and banding of birds for WWF Austria, IFV Helgoland, BirdLife International and Auring e.V.
Translation work for nature conservation NGO's (e.g., The Orang-Utan Project in Sumatra; Ecotourism Bureau Malia Tours Sulawesi)
Volunteer at 'Lebenshilfe e.V.' (home for the handicapped; Austria)
Volunteer at ABNÖ (Niederösterreichische Berg,- und Naturwacht; training of rescue dogs)
Memberships: BirdLife; OBC (Oriental Bird Club); ATBC (Association for Tropical Biology
and Conservation); gtö (Society for Tropical Ecology); DO-G (Deutsche Ornithologen-Gesellschaft); IEP (International Elephant Project); ProRing e.V.; ÖAV (Österreichischer Alpenverein e.V.) and DAV (Deutscher Alpenverein e.V.); ABA (Austrian Biologist Association)
Last but not least, I like to think outside the box and to discover new challenges.
Besides the science, I am passionate about all mountain activities (hiking, climbing, slacklining),
dog training, journalistic and creative writing, photography, art, culture and creativity
from all over the world!
Let's enjoy and commit ourselves to a wonderful world.
