Researching for Resilient Ecosystems   [22.12.21]

The environment is changing, and this is not only due to climate change. Plants respond to these changes. Jun.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Schweiger is researching how to better predict these reactions of plants in the ecosystem - and how to use them as a basis for adaptation strategies for more sustainable land use.

 

The researcher has headed the department of Plant Ecology since 1 June 2020. He not only wants to promote knowledge and skills among his students, but above all to arouse curiosity and enthusiasm for ecological cause-effect relationships.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Media & Marketing has not had the time to conduct the traditional welcome interviews with new professors. Now this is being made up for in the form of a series with written questionnaires.

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Mr. Schweiger, your department was renamed from "Plant Ecology and Ecotoxicology" to "Plant Ecology" when you started. What do you do differently than your predecessor Andreas Fangmeier?

In our group, we explore the many facets of complex ecological responses of plants in a rapidly changing world. We do this with the aim of improving predictions of future changes in ecosystems and, based on this, developing adaptation strategies for more sustainable land use.

From this point of view, we are dealing with questions that also interested Mr. Fangmeier. However, we focus more on the ecophysiological response of plants and how this response is reflected in the occurrence of plants in space and time.

What was your personal path to Hohenheim like?

After graduating with a degree in environmental engineering, I completed my Master's degree in biodiversity and ecology at the University of Bayreuth, followed by a doctorate in ecology at the same university. I then spent a year as a postdoc at Aarhus University in Denmark and returned to Bayreuth as an academic advisor, and from there I eventually moved to Hohenheim.

What is the most important question that drives you in your research?

In my eyes, the biggest challenge is to understand how plants, as key players in our ecosystems, respond to environmental changes. We need this understanding to be able to assess and predict the resilience and therefore the performance of our ecosystems.

If you had unlimited resources and opportunities at your disposal: What project would you tackle?

Large-scale experiments in which research focuses on the response of entire ecosystems to environmental change.

What research topics are you working on at the moment?

Currently, I am interested in the relationship between the ecophysiological response of plants and the environmental conditions at the site of growth and origin. I am also interested in the non-linearity and disequilibrium in the response of individual plants, plant communities and whole agroecosystems to environmental changes. Non-linearity and disequilibrium, in my view, have a significant impact on the resilience of ecological systems.

Can students participate in research projects?

They are always welcome! We have numerous projects in the areas of basic ecological research and research on the consequences of climate change in which students can participate in various forms.

What are the main elements of your teaching concept?

With my teaching, I want to create an ideal learning environment for students to consolidate their scientific understanding of how ecosystems function - with a special focus on plants and their ecosystem and societal importance. The goal is to use this understanding in a collaborative and interdisciplinary manner to independently develop sustainable land use concepts.

This helps to ensure that students can make an important contribution to solving current policy, economic, and societal challenges related to ecosystem functionality and food security after their education.

What does good teaching mean to you?

The elemental curiosity of humans is the driving force of research and advancement in our society. I consider it a central goal of my teaching to awaken this curiosity and enthusiasm for ecological interrelationships and to promote students' knowledge and competencies in the department of Plant Ecology and its scientific and practice-relevant topics.

Explicit teaching goals are scientific and independent thinking and working and thus strengthening the students' ability to judge as well as promoting the students' competencies that are relevant for society and the job market.

I do not see myself as the "all-knowing teacher" but as a competent, always supporting and advising companion who helps students to discover and pursue their interests and to open their view beyond the horizons they already know.

Where do your graduates work later?

Wherever a sound knowledge and understanding of the ecological mechanisms of action around plants is required. This can be in research or in government institutions in the field of nature conservation and land use management, but also in the private sector in the field of food production or landscape planning.

What good advice do you have for students?

Stay curious!

How do you like it here in Hohenheim?

The committed and curious students, the very good research and teaching environment and the friendly and helpful colleagues in the University Administration, technical and scientific operations make me feel very comfortable here.

And how do you spend your free time?

With my little daughter, my wife, and plants - especially succulents.

 

Thank you very much for the interview, Mr. Schweiger!