Since being a student of Geoecology at the University of Bayreuth (Germany) I've been intrigued by islands, their astonishing diversity of living things and the often peculiar life forms that inhabit them. Although my research focus is broad, I have a special relationship with the beautiful and incredibly steep island of La Palma of the Canary Islands. It is often referred to as la isla bonita because of its natural beauty, dramatic scenery and impressive set of endemic species. Currently, I'm a Professor of Biogeography and Biodiversity at the Goethe-University Frankfurt (Germany).

Endemism diversity plants island ecology island biogeography functional ecology invasion biology alpine ecology habitat islands climate change