Scientist

Faculty of Biology
Aquatic Ecology
Universitätsstrasse 5
D-45141 Essen
Germany

Room S05T03B08
Tel: +49.201.18.33046
Fax: +49.201.18.32179
martin.palt@uni-due.de

 Google Scholar

Profil

My research focuses on identifying the conditions under which river restoration can be most successful, in order to better understand and improve measures for the protection of nature and biodiversity.

During my PhD at the University of Duisburg-Essen, I analysed the influence of riparian woody vegetation on stream ecosystems. Despite having detailed data on riparian vegetation derived from aerial imagery, I found that catchment-level influences often override those from the immediate stream surroundings. However, when comparing catchments with different land-use characteristics – for example, agricultural or urbanized landscapes – distinct positive effects of riparian buffers become apparent. In some cases, these can improve the ecological status of streams by up to two classes, which represents an important insight for river management.

Currently, as a research associate, I focus on synthesising knowledge gained through multiple-stressor research. After more than two decades of intensive river restoration efforts, this synthesis is crucial for understanding why restoration outcomes sometimes remain below expectations, and how future planning can better account for the simultaneous effects of multiple stressors.