Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese

Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese ML
Scientific Director

Permoserstraße 15
04318 Leipzig, Germany

Phone: +49 341 6025 1800
E-mail

Research interests

Relationships between people and ecosystems

Macroecology, modelling, community ecology and social-ecological system
Influence of global change on biodiversity and ecosystem functions
Relationship between biodiversity, nature's contributions to people and human well-being

Curriculum vitae

Education

1999

Habilitation in "Zoologie" at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. Research topic: "Mikro- und makroökologische Ansätze zum Verständnis von Artengemeinschaften";
03.12.1999 transferred to RWTH Aachen

1990 – 1993

PhD thesis: "Ursachen für langfristige Bestandsentwicklungen europäischer und nordamerikanischer Singvögel in kontinentalem Maßstab", University of Tübingen

1993

Dissertation Dr. rer. nat. magna cum laude

1984 – 1990

Study of Biology at University of Tübingen, Diplom. Diploma thesis: "Zur Nahrungsökologie des Weißstorchs (C. ciconia) in Oberschwaben"

Professional experience

01.09.2024 –

Scientific Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany

2017 – 2021

Vice-president of the Leibniz Association

2013 – 2022

Member of the directorate of Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

2010 – 2024

Director of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt/Main

2010 –

W3 professor Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

2001 – 2010

C3 professor for "Ecology" at Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

1999 – 2001

Research Associate at RWTH Aachen, Dept. Zoologie/Tierphysiologie, Heisenberg award by DFG

1996 – 1999

Research Associate at RWTH Aachen, Dept. Zoologie/Tierphysiologie, Habilitanden stipend awarded by DFG

1993 – 1996

Postdoctoral fellow at Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, Prof. Berthold

Awards

2024

Karl-Ritter-von-Frisch-Medaille der Deutschen Zoologischen Gesellschaft (DZG)

2023

Wissensbuch des Jahres 2023, Bild der Wissenschaft, ZÜNDSTOFF, Publikumspreis

2023

Science Communication Medaille, Göttinger Literatur Herbst

2022

Elected Honorary Fellow of the American Ornithological Society

2021

Deutscher Umweltpreis of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (250.000 Euro)

2015

Elected fellow of Leopoldina, German National Academy of Sciences (ML)

2015

Elected fellow of the Academy of Sciences and Literature | Mainz

1999

Heisenberg award of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

1992

PhD fellowship of Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes

Fellowships and grants (selection)

2020 – 2024

Speaker of the DFG Research Unit “The role of nature for human well-being in the Kilimanjaro Social-Ecological System (Kili-SES)”; “Coordination Project”

2020 – 2024

Project on “Biodiversity and supply of material and non-material NCP” within DFG Research Unit "Kili-SES”

2017 – 2020

iDiv Flexible Pool project on the role of nature and socio-economic factors for human well-being

2016 – 2018

Speaker of the DFG Research Unit "Kilimanjaro ecosystems under global change" (FOR 1246/3); "Coordination Project"

2016 – 2018

Project on mutualistic plant-animal interaction networks within DFG Research Unit "Kilimanjaro"

2015 – 2018

Project funded by DFG in the framework of the German Federation for Biological Data (GFBio)

Professional services for science, society and nature conservation (selection)

Member of the “German Council for Sustainable Development“ (since 2023)
Member of the Hochschulrat of the University of Kassel (since 2023)
Member of the Advisory Committee of the UN-Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (since 2022)
Speaker of “Fokusgruppe Biodiversität, Klima und Landnutzung” of Leopoldina (since 2022)
Member of international IPBES “Nature Futures” working group (2022)
Member of the Advisory Committee of the Leopoldina “Zentrum für Wissenschaftsforschung” (since 2022)
Member of the Advisory Committee of the Legacy Landscape Fund (since 2021)
Member of the board of Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt (since 2019)
Member of the DFG „Senatskommission für Grundsatzfragen der Biologischen Vielfalt“ (since 2018)
Member of the German National Committee for Global Change Research (2011 – 2013)
Elected spokesperson of the DFG Fachkollegium "Zoologie" (2012 – 2016)
Elected member oft he DFG Fachkollegium "Zoologie", (2008 – 2012)
Member of the "Senatskommission für Biodiversitätsforschung" of the DFG (2008 – 2016)
Member of the steering committee of the German Federation for Biological Data (GFBio) (2015 – 2018)
Member of the steering committee of Map of Life (MoL) (since 2012)
Member of the executive committee of sDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research – iDiv (2013 – 2017)
Chairperson of the special interest group "Macroecology" of the "Gesellschaft für Ökologie" (2006 – 2016)
Chairperson of the "Fachgruppe Ökologie" of the "Deutsche Zoologische Gesellschaft" (2003 – 2007)
Member of the Editorial Boards of Global Ecology and Biogeography (2007 – 2016), Oecologia (1999 – 2008), Basic and Applied Ecology (2007 – 2008), Ecotropica (1995 – 2010), Journal of Ornithology (2004 - 2009), and Avian Science (2001 – 2003)

Activities at the science-society and science-policy interface

Political and societal recommendations

Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) and Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) Workshop (2024): Final Statement of the Workshop on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and The Sciences: Combining traditional knowledge and sciences for resilience to address climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, health. K. Böhning-Gaese member of working group. https://www.pas.va/en/events/2024/indigenous_peoples/final_statement.html
Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung, Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Leopoldina (2021) Klimaneutralität – Optionen für eine ambitionierte Weichenstellung und Umsetzung. K. Böhning-Gaese member of working group.
Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Leopoldina (2021) Den offenen Zugang zu Digitalen Sequenzinformationen erhalten - Multilateraler Vorteilsausgleich und offene Wissenschaft. K. Böhning-Gaese member of working group.
G7-Science Academies Statement (2021): Reversing biodiversity loss – the case for urgent action. G7 Summit, Cornwell. K. Böhning-Gaese member of working group.
Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Leopoldina, acatech – Deutsche Akademie der Technikwissenschaften, Union der deutschen Akademien der Wissenschaften (2020): Biodiversität und Management von Agrarlandschaften – Umfassendes Handeln ist jetzt wichtig. Halle, Saale. K. Böhning-Gaese spokesperson of working group.
G7-Science Academies Statement (2020): Global Insect Declines and the Potential Erosion of Vital Ecosystem Services, G7 Summit, Washington. K. Böhning-Gaese member of working group.
German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering, Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities (2018): Species decline in the agricultural landscape: What do we know and what can we do? Halle, Saale. K. Böhning-Gaese spokesperson of working group.

Responsibility for museum exhibitions/galleries

“Bending the curve – Knowing, Acting, Caring for Biodiversity”, Frankfurter Kunstverein (2023), co-created with Franziska Nori, Director Frankfurter Kunstverein.

Public lectures and contribution to public debates (selection, past 5 years)

Keynote talk, Parlamentarischer Abend, UFZ, iDiv, „Deutschland’s Führung in Biodiversitätsforschung stärken“, Berlin (2024)
Plenary talk, Jahrestagung RENN.mitte (2024)
Panel discussion on “Forschung wirkt!”, Woche der Umwelt, Berlin (2024)
Keynote talk, Forum Wiederherstellung der Natur, BMUV (2024)
Keynote talk, Parlamentarischer Abend, Verband der Zoologischen Gärten, „Zoos und die Nationale Biodiversitätsstrategie“, Berlin (2024)
Podcast “Biodiversität gestalten”, DDCAST, Deutscher Design Club (2024)
Keynote talk, Umweltkonferenz Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, Berlin (2024)
Plenary talk, Johanna Quandt Stiftung, Bad Homburg (2024)
Leopoldina Zukunftswerkstatt „Landwende: Wie wollen wir leben?“ Leopoldina, Halle (2024)
Plenary discussion, “Vom Verschwinden der Arten“, Frankfurter Zoo (2024)
Panel discussion, „Sustainable Finance & Biodiversity” Sustainable Finance Beirat, Berlin (2024)
Scientific reading, „Vom Verschwinden der Arten“, Forschungskolleg Bad Homburg (2024)
Keynote talk, 10 Jahre Wissenschaftlicher Beirat für Waldpolitik, BMEL, Berlin (2023)
Plenary talk, Wissenschaft beim Göttinger Literaturherbst (2023)
Keynote talk and Panel discussion „Biodiversitätskrise in den Medien“, Wissenswerte, Freiburg
Keynote talk, Parlamentarisches Frühstück, Berlin, “Landwende: Wege und Zielkonflikte einer Transformation in der Agrarlandschaft“ (2023)
Scientific reading, “Vom Verschwinden der Arten”, Universität Heidelberg (2023)
Scientific reading, „Vom Verschwinden der Arten“, Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart (2023)
Scientific reading, „Vom Verschwinden der Arten“, IHK Karlsruhe (2023)
Plenary talk, Frauenwerk der Nordkirche (2023)
Keynote talk, „Natur der Zukunft“, 22. Jahreskonferenz des RNE, Berlin (2023)
Plenary talk on "Natürlicher Klimaschutz" at Opening Event of Kompetenzzentrum Natürlicher Klimaschutz, Berlin (2023)
Panel discussion on “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services” at STS Forum, Kyoto, Japan (2023)
Panel discussion, „Zukunft des Naturschutzes“, 30. Jubiläum BfN, Bonn (2023)
Panel discussion on “Klimajournalismus”, Frankfurter Presseclub (2023)
Keynote talk on “Valuing and protecting biodiversity”, Digisustain Conference, Frankfurt (2023)
Keynote tak and panel discussion “Raubbau an Gottes Garten”, Kirchentag Nürnberg (2023)
Plenary talk at Landfrauentag, Hessentag, Pfungstadt (2023)
Panel dicussion, Nachhaltigkeitsdialog 2023, Leopoldina (2023)
Plenary talk, Wissenschaft im Sauriersaal, Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin (2023)
Keynote talk, BfN Gartengespräch, Zoologischer Garten Leipzig (2023)
Movie night „Heimat Natur“, FEdA, Senckenberg Frankfurt (2023)
Keynote talk, “Food for Biodiversity”, Biodiversität im Lebensmittelsektor, Frankfurt (2023)
Scientific reading, “Vom Verschwinden der Arten”, Urania Berlin (2023)
Scientific reading, „Vom Verschwinden der Arten“, Senckenberg Museum (2023)
Panel discussion, „Vom Verschwinden der Arten“, Leipzig Book Fair (2023)
Panel discussion on “Biodiversity”, Klimabuchmesse, Leipzig Book Fair (2023)
Keynote talk at “Bio ist die Antwort – Kongress 40 Jahre Naturland“, Naturland, Berlin (2022)
Keynote talk in reflection week “Biodiversity – the other ecological crisis”, Taizé (2022)
Keynote talk at panel discussion on monitoring of environmental dependencies, risks and impact, 1st Sustainability Standards Watchers Conference, Frankfurt (2022)
Keynote talk at panel discussion on “Biodiversität – Vom Wert der Vielfalt“, Katholikentag, Stuttgart (2022)
Member of panel discussion on „Planetares Denken“, Salon Sophie Charlotte, Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften (2022)
Member of panel discussion on „Naturbasierte Lösungen für den Schutz von Klima und Artenvielfalt“, MfN Berlin (2022)
Keynote talk, Parlamentarischer Abend, MfN Berlin, on “Auf dem Weg zur Weltnaturkonferenz - Wo stehen wir aus Sicht der Wissenschaft“ (2022)
Plenary talk at Königsteiner Forum (2022)
Member of panel discussion on “Wie retten wir die Artenvielfalt?“ Leopoldina (2021)
Member of panel discussion, organized by Goethe University students, on “Klimawandel und Landnutzung” (2021)
Member of panel discussion on “Biodiversität in der Krise?“ Leopoldina (2021)
Member of a panel discussion, organized by Goethe University students, on “Klimawandel – Sind wir noch zu retten?” (2020)
Member of panel discussion on “Making Crises Visible - Krise der Demokratie, Goethe Bürgeruniversität (2020)
Keynote talk at final public debate of the „Semesterfrage: Wie schützen wir die Artenvielfalt?" University of Vienna (2020)

Publications

h Factor 65 (Web of ScienceTM Core Collection), 14,505 citations,
h Factor 86 (Google Scholar), 22,780 citations, both 17.08.2024
ORCID identifier: 0000-0003-0477-5586; ResearcherID W-2601-2019

Books:
K. Böhning-Gaese und F. Bauer (2023): Vom Verschwinden der Arten. Der Kampf um die Zukunft der Menschheit. Klett-Cotta Verlag, Stuttgart.

Most important publications:

20.

Voskamp, A., S. A. Fritz, V. Köcke, M. F. Biber, T. Nogueira Brockmeyer, B. Bertzky, M. Forrest, A. Goldstein, S. Henderson, T. Hickler, C. Hof, T. Kastner, S. Lang, P. Manning, M. B. Mascia, I. R. McFadden, A. Niamir, M. Noon, B. O’Donnell, M. Opel, G. Schwede, P. West, C. Schenck, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2023): Utilizing multi-objective decision support tools for protected area selection. One Earth 6: 1143-1156.

19.

Mupepele, A. C., …, W. Wägele*, K. Böhning-Gaese*, and A. M. Klein* (2021): Biodiversity in European agricultural landscapes: transformative societal changes needed. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 36: 1067-1070. *Shared last authorship of the three spokespersons of the working group.

18.

Methorst, J., K. Rehdanz, T. Müller, B. Hansjürgens, A. Bonn, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2021): The importance of species diversity for human well-being in Europe. Ecological Economics ‏ 181: 106917.

17.

Schleuning, M., E.-L. Neuschulz, J. Albrecht, I. M. A. Bender, D. E. Bowler, D. M. Dehling, S. A. Fritz, C. Hof, T. Müller, L. Nowak, M. C. Sorensen, K. Böhning-Gaese, and W. D. Kissling (2020): Trait-based assessments of climate-change impacts on interacting species. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 35: 319-328.

16.

Bowler, D. E., H. Heldbjerg, A. D. de Jong, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2019): Long-term declines of European insectivorous bird populations and potential causes. Conservation Biology 33: 1120-1130.

15.

Peters, M. K., …, K. Böhning-Gaese, …, I. Steffan-Dewenter (2019): Climate-land use interactions shape tropical mountain biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Nature 568: 88-92.

14.

Hof, C., A. Voskamp, M. F. Biber, K. Böhning-Gaese, E. K. Engelhardt, A. Niamir, S. G. Willis, and T. Hickler (2018): Bioenergy cropland expansion may offset positive effects of climate change mitigation for global vertebrate diversity. PNAS 115: 13294-13299.

13.

Albrecht, J., …, K. Böhning-Gaese, and M. Schleuning (2018): Plant and animal functional diversity drive mutualistic network assembly across an elevational gradient. Nature Communications 9: 3177.

12.

Tucker, M. A., K. Böhning-Gaese, …, T. Mueller (2018): Moving in the Anthropocene: Global reductions in terrestrial mammalian movements. Science 359: 466-469.

11.

Bowler, D. E., …, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2017): Cross-realm assessment of climate change impacts on species’ abundance trends. Nature Ecology & Evolution 1: 0067.

10.

Peters, M. K., …, K. Böhning-Gaese, …, I. Steffan-Dewenter (2016): Predictors of elevational biodiversity gradients change from single taxa to the multi-taxa community level. Nature Communications 7: 13736.

Fritz, S. A., J. T. Eronen, J. Schnitzler, C. Hof, C. M. Janis, A. Mulch, K. Böhning-Gaese, and C. H. Graham (2016): Twenty-million-year relationship between mammalian diversity and primary productivity. PNAS 113: 10908-10913.

Neuschulz, E. L., T. Mueller, M. Schleuning, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2016): Pollination and seed dispersal are the most threatened processes of plant regeneration. Nature Scientific Reports: 29839.

Khaliq, I.*, C. Hof*, R. Prinzinger, K. Böhning-Gaese, and M. Pfenninger (2014): Global variation in thermal tolerances and vulnerability of endotherms to climate change. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 281: 20141097. *joint first authorship.

Ferger, S., M. Schleuning, A. Hemp, K. M. Howell, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2014): Food resources and vegetation structure mediate climatic effects on species richness of birds. Global Ecology and Biogeography 23: 541-549.

Fritz, S. A., J. Schnitzler, J. T. Eronen, C. Hof, K. Böhning-Gaese, and C. H. Graham (2013): Diversity in time and space: wanted dead and alive. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 28: 509-516.

Markl, J. S.*, M. Schleuning*, P. M. Forget, P. Jordano, J. E. Lambert, A. Traveset, S. J. Wright, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2012): Meta-analysis of the effects of human disturbance on seed dispersal by animals. Conservation Biology 26: 1072-1081. * joint first authorship.

Lenz, J., W. Fiedler, T. Caprano, W. Friedrichs, B. H. Gaese, M. Wikelski, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2011): Seed dispersal distributions by trumpeter hornbills in fragmented landscapes. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 278: 2257-2264.

Jetz, W., C. H. Sekercioglu, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2008): The worldwide variation in avian clutch size across species and space. PLOS Biology e303, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0060303.

Kissling, W. D., C. Rahbek, and K. Böhning-Gaese (2007): Food plant diversity as broad-scale determinant of avian frugivore richness. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 274: 799-808.