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Research interests

Research interests

The beauty of plants and their phenomenal adaptations to the environment have fascinated me since my youth. In my academic work, I combine field work with laboratory analyses in the context of ecology and nature conservation. The causes for the development of diversity - from landscapes to habitats, populations, and individuals - are at the centre of my research and teaching activities. I focus in particular on genetic variation, which is the basis for the emergence and conservation of plant biodiversity.

Curriculum Vitae

2012Appointment as Adjunct Professor (außerplanmäßiger Professor)
2012Appointment as Associate Professor (Akademischer Oberrat)
2008Appointment as Assistant Professor (Akademischer Rat)
2007Habilitation in botany: "Genotypic and phenotypic variation of plant populations - variation at different spatial scales"
2001-2006Research assistant at the Department of Botany at the University of Regensburg
2001Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.)
1997-2001Doctoral thesis with Prof. Dr Poschlod, University of Regensburg and Prof. Dr Schumacher, University of Bonn: "Climatic oscillations and the fragmentation of plant populations - genetic diversity within and among populations of the glacial relict plants Saxifraga paniculata (Saxifragaceae) and Sesleria albicans (Poaceae)"
1997Graduate biologist
1996-1997Diploma thesis with Prof. Dr Sauer, University of Tübingen: "The calcareous grasslands of the upper Große Lautertal"
1996Diploma examination in the subjects botany, zoology, geology and public law (environmental law)
1990-1997Study of biology at the University of Tübingen

Selected publications

Forgiarini, C., Parzefall, F. & Reisch, C. (2023) The impact of ex situ cultivation on the genetic variation of endangered plant species - Implications for restoration. Biological Conservation, 284, 110221. doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110221.

Gradl, E., Lehmair, T.A., Poschlod, P. & Reisch, C. (2022) Building up a network of genetic conservation areas - A comprehensive approach to select target sites for the preservation of genetic variation in wild plant species. Biological Conservation, 274, 109748. doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109748.

Kaulfuß, F., Rosbakh, S. & Reisch, C. (2022) Grassland restoration by local seed mixtures: New evidence from a practical 15-year restoration study. Applied Vegetation Science, 25(2). doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12652.

Reisch, C., Lehmair, T.A., Pagel, E. & Poschlod, P. (2021) Drivers of genetic diversity in plant populations differ between semi-natural grassland types. Biodiversity and Conservation, 30(12), 3549-3561. doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02260-1.

Reisch, C. & Rosbakh, S. (2021) Patterns of genetic variation in European plant species depend on altitude. Diversity and Distributions, 27(1), 157-163. doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13177.

Reisch, C. & Hartig, F. (2021) Species and genetic diversity patterns show different responses to land use intensity in central European grasslands. Diversity and Distributions, 27(3), 392-401. doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13199.

Pagel, E., Poschlod, P. & Reisch, C. (2020) Habitat matters - Strong genetic and epigenetic differentiation in Linum catharticum from dry and wet grasslands. Ecology and Evolution, 10(18), 10271-10280. doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6689.

Betz, C., Scheuerer, M. & Reisch, C. (2013) Population reinforcement - A glimmer of hope for the conservation of the highly endangered Spring Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vernalis). Biological Conservation, 168, 161-167. doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.10.004.

Vogler, F. & Reisch, C. (2011) Genetic variation on the rocks - the impact of climbing on the population ecology of a typical cliff plant. Journal of Applied Ecology, 48(4), 899-905. doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.01992.x.

Reisch, C. (2008) Glacial history of Saxifraga paniculata (Saxifragaceae): molecular biogeography of a disjunct arctic-alpine species from Europe and North America. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 93(2), 385-398. doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.2007.00933.x.


Photo: Stefan Buchhauser

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