Who we are
Martina Schlaipfer (Mag.) 🇦🇹
Position: Scientific project coordinator (Université de Québec à Montréal – GEOTOP, Canada)
Research Interests: Anything soil, but particularly biogeochemical cycling of nutrientsin organic soils and the effects of land-use on greenhouse gas fluxes in peatlands
What got me interested in peatlands? My passion for peatlands came about by chance, when I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to do after finishing my Geography degree. The first job ad that I thought sounded really interesting was for a PhD in Patagonian peatlands. I didn’t end up getting that position but my love for peatlands had been awakened and I’ve stuck with the topic ever since.
What I want out of the ECR network: When I started out in my PhD, often times I felt really alone with my research and it took me a long time (and a 6-month research stay in Canada) to build connections outside of our lab. Collaboration – be it within one’s own research group or internationally – is something that I find essential to advance research in any given field. Therefore, I hope that we can help foster positive change within the peatland community, especially when it comes to including more ECR from places outside Europe and North America.
Meike Lemmer (PhD) 🇩🇪
Position: Moormanager (Practitioner for peatland restoration and conservation, Germany)
Research Interests: Peatland vegetation and ecology, Sphagnum, ecological restoration and conservation of peatlands
What got me interested in peatlands? The beauty of Sphagnum and the magical miniature fairy-worlds they create.
What I want out of the ECR network: To connect to other peatland-enthusiasts and to maintain a great peer network. Help to improve the awareness of the urgency and need to conserve, protect, and restore peatlands, their biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Hanna Martens (MSc) 🇨🇦
Position: PhD student (University of Greifswald, Germany)
Research Interests: peatland biodiversity
What got me interested in peatlands? I took a few classes on wetland ecology and there I learned about peatlands. I was instantly in love. They are so extreme and the species that live there have fascinating adaptations for life in the waterlogged soil. And they hold so much potential for nature-based solutions to climate change.
What I want out of the ECR network: Connection with peatland folks around the world – it has been amazing the opportunities, resources and support I have received from this group!
Talal Asif (PhD) 🇵🇰
Position: Research associate (NAIT Centre for Boreal Research, Canada)
Research Interests: I am interested in understanding how rewetting, enhanced rewetting or even phenolic supplements can influence carbon emissions, hydrolase enzymes, phenol oxidase enzymes (under enzymic latch mechanism) and related biogeochemistry at degraded peatlands and Sphagnum farming sites.
What got me interested in peatlands? During my master’s degree I visited peatlands for the first time in China and its bouncing capacity (I jumped on it like I was a kid) and spectacular Sphagnum carpets made me study this ecosystem
What I want out of the ECR network: To get connected with all the amazing people involved in peatland research. A platform, where I can put my ideas for enhancing peatland research.
Rahel Leila Bauerdick (MSc) 🇩🇪🇳🇿
Position: PhD student (University of Waikato, Aotearoa – New Zealand)
Research Interests: Peatlands and wetlands/wetscapes, particularly their restoration. The legacies of drainage, fertilisation, and extraction of peatlands require reflexive consideration of ecohydrological dynamics, encompassing biophysical and social contexts and narratives.
What got me interested in peatlands? I’ve always been curious about the ways certain landscapes are steeped in mysticism, and it was only a matter of time before I fell into the bog – through an environmental justice course during my Masters degree, where I wrote about ecofeminism, bogs, and notions of wetness.
What I want out of the ECR network: Connection, support, a safe space to share ideas, research findings, and all the highs and lows of working in and around peatlands.
Pamela Baur (PhD) 🇩🇪
Position: PostDoc researcher (University of Vienna, Austria)
Research Interests: Ecology, restoration, biogeochemistry, and greenhouse gas exchange in peatlands and other wetlands.
What got me interested in peatlands? The unique plant species found in peatlands and how they adapt to extreme conditions.
What I want out of the ECR network: Connecting with other peatland enthusiasts and maintaining a great peer network.
Want to get active and be involved in the Peatland ECR Action Team?
Contact us and tell us a little bit about yourself. Introduce yourself by letting us know your motivation to be part of the Peatland ECR Action Team.
Peatland ECR Action Team 