CURRICULUM VITAE

Since 05/2018	Research Assistant, Chair of Restoration Ecology
02/2018 – 04/2018	Research Assistant, Chair of Restoration Ecology
10/2014 – 12/2017	Master of Science Biology, TU München
08/2016 – 01/2017	Exchange Semester Linköping University (Sweden)
10/2011 – 11/2014	Bachelor of Science Biology, TU München
07/2011	Academic high school diploma (Abitur), Bertolt-Brecht-Gymnasium München

REGULATORY MANAGEMENT OF MARSH RAGWORT IN CONSERVATION GRASSLANDS

Supervisors: PD Dr. Harald Albrecht & Prof. Dr. Johannes Kollmann

Grassland restoration often requires changes in management intensity that may cause establishment of unwanted species. Examples are alien plants as goldenrods and lupines or poisonous species as autumn crocus or ragworts that need adequate control measures. Modification of the grassland sward could be a suitable method for organic farms or conservation grassland where mineral fertiliser and herbicides are prohibited. This project is addressing the knowledge gap of this restoration challenge.

In the pre-alpine regions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland marsh ragwort (Senecio aquaticus) is a native Asteraceae, with main distribution in moist to wet meadows. Over the past years it significantly increased and frequently became dominant in such habitats. The development causes problems, because all parts of the plant contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are poisonous to livestock. Although studies already investigated possibilities to control the species, consolidated findings of management strategies for grassland relevant for nature conservation are missing.

The aim of this project is to develop efficient methods to reduce marsh ragwort on extensively used grassland corresponding to nature conservation sites. Following subprojects are implemented:

1) field experiments to control marsh ragwort on extensively managed grasslands,

2) scientific investigation of physical parameters to control the species, as well as

3) investigation of population dynamics in the greenhouse.

This thesis is based on a cooperation with the Bayerischen Landesamt für Umwelt (LfU), the Landesanstalt für Umwelt Baden-Württemberg (LUBW), the Landschaftserhaltungsverbands (LEV) Ravensburg, the Landwirtschaftlichen Zentrums Baden-Württemberg (LAZBW) and the “Allgäuer Moorallianz“. The project is also closely collaborating with the complementary work of Julia Ditton.