My research explores how land use influences biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes. I combine spatial modeling with digital monitoring approaches – such as passive acoustic sensors, drones, and satellite remote sensing – to better understand agrobiodiversity patterns and their drivers. I am particularly interested in how digital technologies can support conservation and sustainable agriculture as well as the challenges and potential risks they bring. Through my research, I aim to contribute to policies and practices that balance agricultural production with biodiversity conservation. I value inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration and enjoy working at the intersection of science, policy, and practice. Outside of work, I like spending time (outdoors) with my family and playing underwater rugby.
Lab members
As the administrative assistant of Prof. Dr. Anna Cord, I enable the best possible research by minimizing the time and effort placed in administrative tasks, allowing the team to focus on their scientific work. I have decades of experience in this role, having previously supported other research labs at the University of Bonn. Beyond my professional work, I am actively engaged in social initiatives, including the care of elderly and sick people, and I work voluntarily as a sports trainer at the gymnastics club.
My research deals focuses on integrating biodiversity and agroecological models to guide the development of ecological farming systems through sustainable cropping systems and agroforestry. This involves the use of UAV-remote sensing to monitor vegetation and biodiversity, and in situ data on the occurrence, traits, and function of domesticated and wild species.
I work together with ecologists, economists, NGOs, farmers, and policy makers to find out how the agricultural land management be made both more farmer- and biodiversity-friendly. To an individual-based model of animal species in agricultural landscapes, which we will use to test the biodiversity impacts of different scenarios of future agricultural development. My areas of expertise include:
My research focuses on analyzing the temporal and spatial behavior of field anomalies in agricultural landscapes using remote sensing techniques and machine learning. By generating data-driven insights and predictive models, I aim to improve agricultural management and advance our understanding and use of metrics in biodiversity, economics, policy, and beyond.
Biologist by training, especially passionate about animal ecology, I use spatial analysis and modelling tools to investigate species distributions, population dynamics and their responses to environmental changes like land-use management and climate change. My research primarily focuses on mountain areas and agroecosystems.
My research interests include the study of animal behavior, human-wildlife interactions, and biodiversity change. In this process, I routinely integrate varied data streams (e.g., remote sensing, digital biodiversity monitoring), from local to planetary scales. I am particularly interested in the challenges and limitations of data synergies, and their impact on shaping our knowledge of biodiversity.
Student assistants
I am a biology student at the University of Bonn, currently working on my bachelor’s thesis about meadow birds. I’m investigating how farming practices affect their habitat use, specifically looking at the bird communities at the Wiesengut research farm.
Naomi Ivasca
I am a master's student in the Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology degree program. My research task is to conduct vegetation surveys to investigate the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of segetal flora in agricultural fields.
Juliana Radtke
I am a master student in the “Nature Conservantion an Landscape Ecology (NaLa)” programme with a background in Geography. My master thesis revolves around the relationship of passive acoustic monitoring and observer-based monitoring for farmland birds in the context of agroecosystems. I support the lab as a student assistant with teaching and fieldwork, and my primary taxa of interest are birds.
Malte Hennes
External PhD candidates
- Sophie Meier (University of Bonn, first supervisor) — Interaction of wild bees and landscapes.
- Based at the Leibniz Institute for Ecological Urban and Regional Development in Dresden
- Linda Rogge (Dresden University of Technology; second supervisor) — Rewarding pond farmers for their contribution to biodiversity conservation
- Levin Wiedenroth (University of Potsdam; second supervisor) — Modeling fine-scale habitat suitability of European farmland birds under varying land use practices
- Eric Kosczor (Dresden University of Technology; second supervisor) — Monitoring changes in biodiversity by using multi-scale remote sensing observations
- Caterina Barrasso (University of Bonn; first supervisor) – Monitoring farmland biodiversity using remote sensing: insights on segetal flora
- based at the Dresden University of Technology
- Tatjana Schulz (University of Bonn, second supervisor) – Effects of segetal flora on soil fauna
- Based at the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation in Bonn
former members
Ryo is an animal ecologist with a strong background in Bayesian statistics. As a member of our lab, he developed models to predict spatial distributions of farmland birds informed by passive acoustic monitoring data. His work has supported transdisciplinary projects linking ecology and socio-economics, including the development of decision-support tools to inform on the most effective agri-environmental measures to enhance agrobiodiversity.
