We investigate, how environmental changes influence organisms and ecosystem functions. We are especially interesting on effects of agricultural management measures (e.g. tillage, crop rotation, mowing, fertilising, pesticide applications) and impacts of global changes (e.g. elevated atmospheric CO2, ultraviolet-B radiation, rainfall and temperature variations, invasive species). We use mainly comparative-experimental approaches and conduct our studies at different complexity levels in the laboratory, green house and in the field. In field studies we often also assess to what extent the surrounding landscape influences organismic reaction at the field level. We use a broad array of methods from hands-on traditional to more sophisticated methods: measuring abundances and activities of organisms, tracing with stable isotopes, nutrient analyses, DNA-sequencing, next generation sequencing, citizen science.
Research group
Sharjeel Ashfaq
Sharjeel Ashfaq
Doctoral studies of Natural Resouces and Life Sciences
Co-Supervisors: Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern, Rajasekaran Murugan
Annabel Baumgartner
Annabel Baumgartner
Master programme Plant Sciences
Thesis title: Effects of cover crops on earthworm populations and subsequent maize crop
Co-Supervisor: Pia Eutenauer (BOKU)
Barbara Ecker
Barbara Ecker
Master programme Organic Agricultural Systems and Agro-Ecology
Thesis title: A worldwide comparison of the development of managed honey bee colonies with other animal livestock and human population
Co-Supervisors: Robert Brodschneider
Chiara Fedrigotti
Chiara Fedrigotti
Doctoral studies of Natural Resouces and Life Sciences
Thesis title: Explore the potential of Citizen Science data for the monitoring and conservation of NATURA 2000 species
Co-supervisors: Florian Heigl (BOKU), Daniel Dörler (BOKU), Paolo Pedrini (Conservation Biology Unit, MUSE-Science Museum of Trento), Andrea Sforzi (Maremma Natural History Museum)
Lena Goritschnig
Lena Goritschnig
Master programme Phytomedicine
Thesis title: Non-target effects of pesticides on honeybees, earthworms and birds in organic and conventional farming
Edith Gruber
Edith Gruber
Technical assistant
Christine Judt
Christine Judt
Doctoral studies of Natural Resouces and Life Sciences
Thesis title: Ecological interactions between pest insects and their natural antagonists in perennial agro-ecosystems
Co-supervisors: Thomas Frank (BOKU), Péter Bátary (Hungarian Academy of Sciences)
Sophie Kampel
Sophie Kampel
Master programme Environment and Bio-Resources Management
Thesis title: Permaculture as a holistic concept for biodiversity-increasing and sustainable farming
Zenia Helena Kavassilas
Zenia Helena Kavassilas
Master programme Environment and Bio-Resources Management
Thesis title: Effect of light pollution on earthworm behaviour and the establishment of Phacelia
Bastian Kneißl
Bastian Kneißl
Master programme Environment and Bio-Resources Management
Thesis title: A comparison between organic and conventional vineyard management in terms of earthworm density and functional diversity in selected European countries
Marianne März
Marianne März
Master programme Organic Agricultural Systems and Agroecology
Thesis title: Auswirkungen von Zwischenfrüchten auf Regenwurmpopulationen und die nachfolgende Hauptfrucht Mais
Co-supervisor: Pia Eutenauer (BOKU)
Marion Mittmannsgruber
Marion Mittmannsgruber
Master programme Masterstudium Organic Agricultural Systems and Agroecology
Thesis title: The effect of light pollution on earthworm activity and germination of an invasive weed
Raul Mühlgassner
Raul Mühlgassner
Master programme Environment and Bio-Resources Management
Thesis title: Die Veränderung der Spritzmittelaustragung des österreichischen Erdäpfelanbaus in den Jahren 2009 bis 2017 sowie dessen Treibhausgasemissionen und Auswirkungen auf Regenwürmer
Yoko Muraoka
Yoko Muraoka
Technical assistant
Marion Schitzenhofer
Marion Schitzenhofer
Master programme Agricultural and Food Economy
Thesis title: Non-target effects of the fungicide fluopyram on cover crops (Cornflower, Italian clover) and soil organisms
