Scientific Topics
Our scientific interests involve the numerical simulation of trophic interactions between marine organisms and the modeling of biogeochemical fluxes, as described by mass exchange rates between the sediments, the water column and the atmosphere.
To achieve our objective, we investigate conceptually new approaches for ecosystem modeling, such as identifying effective variables that can describe a complex ecosystem with a minimum number of unknown parameters. Furthermore, we perform data assimilation experiments with observations, primarily provided by the IfK/Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht and the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), in order to assess model performance and to provide maximum likelihood estimations of uncertain or unknown model parameter values.
The field of application of our research also comprises the determination of the anthropogenic impact on the marine biological environment, the identification of changes in ecosystem structure that are induced by climate change, and the analyses of how marine ecosystems respond to environmental changes in general. In this context, our model investigations are also aimed to significantly contribute to decision support systems.
To achieve our objective, we investigate conceptually new approaches for ecosystem modeling, such as identifying effective variables that can describe a complex ecosystem with a minimum number of unknown parameters. Furthermore, we perform data assimilation experiments with observations, primarily provided by the IfK/Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht and the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), in order to assess model performance and to provide maximum likelihood estimations of uncertain or unknown model parameter values.
The field of application of our research also comprises the determination of the anthropogenic impact on the marine biological environment, the identification of changes in ecosystem structure that are induced by climate change, and the analyses of how marine ecosystems respond to environmental changes in general. In this context, our model investigations are also aimed to significantly contribute to decision support systems.
Scientific Aims
Model for Adaptive Ecosystems in Coastal Seas (MAECS)
Human-nature interaction
Current PhD Topics
Model assessment of annual C, N, P budgets for the Baltic Proper
Responsible Doctoral Student: Markus Kreus
Responsible Doctoral Student: Carole Lebreton
Responsible Doctoral Student: Aurangzeb Khan
The effect of DOM on ocean-atmosphere interface processes (a model study)
Responsible Doctoral Student: Suran Nikzad
