Dr. Benjamin Hafner
Research Interests
I am interested in forest trees’ below-ground processes and their potential facilitative effects on forest ecosystems. My research focus currently lies on quantification of hydraulic redistribution between species and assessing the role of fine root exudation on carbon budgets of forest systems. I am also interested in gaining mechanistic understanding behind belowground facilitation and how it is linked to plant internal characteristics and environmental conditions. I particularly use stable isotopes for my research and am experimenting with novel technologies such as microdialysis systems or laser ablation tomography.
Education
2015-2020 Ph.D. in Forest Science (Dr. rer. silv.), Ecophysiology of Plants, Technical University of Munich, Germany. Thesis: Hydraulic Redistribution - Quantification and mechanisms of the passive water reallocation in Central European tree species
2012-2015 M.S. in Forest and Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University of Munich, Germany. Thesis: Hydraulic Redistribution - Results from a Split-Root Experiment
2009-2013 B.S. in Forest Science and Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University of Munich, Germany. Thesis: Development of the soil organic layer in the Bavarian Alps in the last three decades evaluated from three soil monitoring sites
Work experience
2023-present Scientific assistant/ post doctoral researcher, Soil Biophysics and Environmental Systems, Technical University of Munich, Germany
2019-2023 Post doctoral researcher, Bauerle Lab, School of Intergrative Plant Science, Cornell University, NY, USA
2018-2019 Lecturer, Ecophysiology of Plants, Technical University of Munich, Germany