Strengthening the impact of biodiversity conservation.
Hi! I’m a conservation biologist and ecologist with over 15 years of international experience in Conservation Science. My work integrates inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to address urgent challenges in biodiversity conservation and sustainable land-use management.
I am currently preparing and coordinating EU-OLIVES (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in EU Olive Farming) a new international research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) that will run from February 2027 to January 2030. EU-OLIVES integrates biodiversity, ecosystem-service, management, land-use, climate and stakeholder data across Mediterranean olive-farming systems in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. It builds on the expertise, datasets and international research networks developed through my previous projects, particularly ECO-OLIVES, and expands this work into a pan-European framework linking biodiversity conservation, agroecology, ecological modelling and sustainable land-use management.
From 2022 to 2025, I led three FWF-funded research and science-communication projects as Principal Investigator (02/2022-10/2025): (1) ECO-CACAO – advancing the ecological intensification of tropical cacao agroforestry in Peru; (2) ECO-OLIVES – investigating biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in Mediterranean olive landscapes; (3) SOUNDS WILD – a science communication initiative for schools that raises awareness about biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Through my research, teaching, and editorial roles in leading scientific journals, I aim to advance ecological understanding, real-world application, and inclusive perspectives in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. In 2025, I completed my Habilitation (venia docendi) in Ecology, titled: "Linking biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services for sustainable land use." For details, see "CV & Projects".
The results of my work have contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed publications and an extensive press portfolio, with a focus on agroecology, ecosystem services, functional diversity, and socio-ecological systems. You can explore these under "Publications & Press".
My work has also been presented at more than 65 scientific conferences and various international stakeholder events, supporting dialogue between science, policy, and society. An overview is available under "Talks & Events".
If you are interested in collaboration or have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Thank you for visiting!
My research in keywords (alphabetic order): Agroecology, Biodiversity Conservation, Conservation Science, Cross-disciplinary approaches, Ecological Modelling, Ecosystem Service Management, Environmental Education, Functional Diversity Analyses, Landscape Ecology, Multitrophic Interactions, Science Communication, Socio-Ecology
Short CV | Publications | Projects | Talks | ORCID | Elise Richter Network (short bio) | Contact
Hi! I’m a conservation biologist and ecologist with over 15 years of international experience in Conservation Science. My work integrates inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to address urgent challenges in biodiversity conservation and sustainable land-use management.
I am currently preparing and coordinating EU-OLIVES (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in EU Olive Farming) a new international research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) that will run from February 2027 to January 2030. EU-OLIVES integrates biodiversity, ecosystem-service, management, land-use, climate and stakeholder data across Mediterranean olive-farming systems in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. It builds on the expertise, datasets and international research networks developed through my previous projects, particularly ECO-OLIVES, and expands this work into a pan-European framework linking biodiversity conservation, agroecology, ecological modelling and sustainable land-use management.
From 2022 to 2025, I led three FWF-funded research and science-communication projects as Principal Investigator (02/2022-10/2025): (1) ECO-CACAO – advancing the ecological intensification of tropical cacao agroforestry in Peru; (2) ECO-OLIVES – investigating biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in Mediterranean olive landscapes; (3) SOUNDS WILD – a science communication initiative for schools that raises awareness about biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Through my research, teaching, and editorial roles in leading scientific journals, I aim to advance ecological understanding, real-world application, and inclusive perspectives in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. In 2025, I completed my Habilitation (venia docendi) in Ecology, titled: "Linking biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services for sustainable land use." For details, see "CV & Projects".
The results of my work have contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed publications and an extensive press portfolio, with a focus on agroecology, ecosystem services, functional diversity, and socio-ecological systems. You can explore these under "Publications & Press".
My work has also been presented at more than 65 scientific conferences and various international stakeholder events, supporting dialogue between science, policy, and society. An overview is available under "Talks & Events".
If you are interested in collaboration or have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Thank you for visiting!
My research in keywords (alphabetic order): Agroecology, Biodiversity Conservation, Conservation Science, Cross-disciplinary approaches, Ecological Modelling, Ecosystem Service Management, Environmental Education, Functional Diversity Analyses, Landscape Ecology, Multitrophic Interactions, Science Communication, Socio-Ecology
Short CV | Publications | Projects | Talks | ORCID | Elise Richter Network (short bio) | Contact
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News & Updates
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🌿 OPEN CALL: PhD Position in Quantitative Agroecology & Biodiversity Modelling
We are looking for a highly motivated Predoctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate to join the new FWF-funded project EU-OLIVES – Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in EU Olive Farming at the University of Vienna.
The PhD will focus on quantitative agroecology, biodiversity data integration and ecological modelling across Mediterranean olive-farming systems in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. The project combines large international biodiversity and environmental datasets, advanced quantitative and spatial approaches, targeted field activities and close collaboration within a European research network.
Position: Predoctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate
Host: University of Vienna, Austria
Duration: 36 months, 30 hours/week project employment
Start date: 1 February 2027
Application deadline: 15 October 2026, 23:59 CEST
The successful candidate will be integrated into the Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution and will have access to doctoral training and professional-development opportunities in addition to the contracted project work.
[Download the full PhD call and application details – PDF]
Project information: https://doi.org/10.55776/PAT1944325
Scientific contact: See Contact Page
We are looking for a highly motivated Predoctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate to join the new FWF-funded project EU-OLIVES – Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in EU Olive Farming at the University of Vienna.
The PhD will focus on quantitative agroecology, biodiversity data integration and ecological modelling across Mediterranean olive-farming systems in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. The project combines large international biodiversity and environmental datasets, advanced quantitative and spatial approaches, targeted field activities and close collaboration within a European research network.
Position: Predoctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate
Host: University of Vienna, Austria
Duration: 36 months, 30 hours/week project employment
Start date: 1 February 2027
Application deadline: 15 October 2026, 23:59 CEST
The successful candidate will be integrated into the Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution and will have access to doctoral training and professional-development opportunities in addition to the contracted project work.
[Download the full PhD call and application details – PDF]
Project information: https://doi.org/10.55776/PAT1944325
Scientific contact: See Contact Page
🌿📘 NEW IUCN REPORT: Biodiversity and Agriculture in the Mediterranean Region
How can biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture be better reconciled across the Mediterranean?
The new IUCN report Biodiversity and agriculture in the Mediterranean region: A species conservation perspective synthesizes evidence on the pressures affecting Mediterranean biodiversity while highlighting opportunities to integrate species conservation into agricultural landscapes and sustainable farming.
Our ECO-OLIVES research and its Mediterranean partner network contributed substantially to this work, particularly to the synthesis of agroecological approaches, case studies and recommendations linking biodiversity conservation with sustainable agricultural management.
🌱 Access and download for free here: https://doi.org/10.2305/PRZS6317
📥 Also See “Publications & Press” on this website to download and cite the report
How can biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture be better reconciled across the Mediterranean?
The new IUCN report Biodiversity and agriculture in the Mediterranean region: A species conservation perspective synthesizes evidence on the pressures affecting Mediterranean biodiversity while highlighting opportunities to integrate species conservation into agricultural landscapes and sustainable farming.
Our ECO-OLIVES research and its Mediterranean partner network contributed substantially to this work, particularly to the synthesis of agroecological approaches, case studies and recommendations linking biodiversity conservation with sustainable agricultural management.
🌱 Access and download for free here: https://doi.org/10.2305/PRZS6317
📥 Also See “Publications & Press” on this website to download and cite the report
🦇🐦🌿NEW: Technical Guide for Bird & Bat Conservation in Olive Groves and Vineyards
We need to strengthen biodiversity conservation in agriculture to secure both ecological resilience and sustainable production. Our new guide, with seven chapters and rich illustrations, shows why and how bird and bat management can be successfully linked with sustainable farming in olive groves and vineyards. Access and download for free here: http://hdl.handle.net/10498/37534
Key insights include: (1) Birds and bats are crucial allies in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal – boosting both biodiversity and yields; (2) Designing sustainable production landscapes requires diverse habitats for foraging, nesting to strengthen conservation and farm resilience; (3) Practical measures - from ground cover and hedgerows to ponds, stone walls, and nest boxes – benefit both wildlife and farmers. The guide also highlights the ecological and economic value of conservation, relevant EU policies, and examples of practices ready to be applied in farming systems.
🌱 Stay tuned: Translated versions will be available in the coming months.
🤝 Please share this guide widely – the guide is free to all, and we thank you for your support.
📥 Also See “Publications & Press” on this website to download and cite the guide
We need to strengthen biodiversity conservation in agriculture to secure both ecological resilience and sustainable production. Our new guide, with seven chapters and rich illustrations, shows why and how bird and bat management can be successfully linked with sustainable farming in olive groves and vineyards. Access and download for free here: http://hdl.handle.net/10498/37534
Key insights include: (1) Birds and bats are crucial allies in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal – boosting both biodiversity and yields; (2) Designing sustainable production landscapes requires diverse habitats for foraging, nesting to strengthen conservation and farm resilience; (3) Practical measures - from ground cover and hedgerows to ponds, stone walls, and nest boxes – benefit both wildlife and farmers. The guide also highlights the ecological and economic value of conservation, relevant EU policies, and examples of practices ready to be applied in farming systems.
🌱 Stay tuned: Translated versions will be available in the coming months.
🤝 Please share this guide widely – the guide is free to all, and we thank you for your support.
📥 Also See “Publications & Press” on this website to download and cite the guide
Project Updates: ECO-OLIVES · SOUNDS WILD · ECO-CACAO
🌿 ECO-OLIVES – We study how to link biodiversity with sustainable olive production in the Mediterranean. Download our [most recent project presentation] and stakeholder brochure here:
🇬🇧 Brochure ECO-OLIVES (English version)
🇮🇹 Brochure ECO-OLIVES (versione italiana)
🎶SOUNDS WILD – Our science communication project is focused on birds, bats, conservation, and sustainable agriculture in Austria. See more on our FWF project page
🍫 ECO-CACAO – We investigate how taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity contribute to sustainable cacao production in the Peruvian Amazon - [see our most recent presentation here]!
For more details on these projects, visit my project overview site, check out most recent "Publications & Press" articles, or get in touch!
🌿 ECO-OLIVES – We study how to link biodiversity with sustainable olive production in the Mediterranean. Download our [most recent project presentation] and stakeholder brochure here:
🇬🇧 Brochure ECO-OLIVES (English version)
🇮🇹 Brochure ECO-OLIVES (versione italiana)
🎶SOUNDS WILD – Our science communication project is focused on birds, bats, conservation, and sustainable agriculture in Austria. See more on our FWF project page
🍫 ECO-CACAO – We investigate how taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity contribute to sustainable cacao production in the Peruvian Amazon - [see our most recent presentation here]!
For more details on these projects, visit my project overview site, check out most recent "Publications & Press" articles, or get in touch!
🎓📚🌱 INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
At the moment, there are no open capacities for theses in our projects, but there are several great opportunities for students to explore:
💡 Check out general funding options for student research and mobility online – many schemes exist to support your ideas! For example, [here]
🌴 Tropical Research Station La Gamba (Costa Rica)
The station regularly offers scholarships for MSc, PhD, and postdoc research. See more here: https://www.lagamba.at/en/study/grants/
🏅 Student Paper Award – Basic and Applied Ecology. Since 2025, the GfÖ Society journal Basic and Applied Ecology (BAAE) presents an annual award (endowed with 500 EUR) for the best paper published by a MSc or PhD student in each calendar year. See all info on the [GfÖ Award Website]
At the moment, there are no open capacities for theses in our projects, but there are several great opportunities for students to explore:
💡 Check out general funding options for student research and mobility online – many schemes exist to support your ideas! For example, [here]
🌴 Tropical Research Station La Gamba (Costa Rica)
The station regularly offers scholarships for MSc, PhD, and postdoc research. See more here: https://www.lagamba.at/en/study/grants/
🏅 Student Paper Award – Basic and Applied Ecology. Since 2025, the GfÖ Society journal Basic and Applied Ecology (BAAE) presents an annual award (endowed with 500 EUR) for the best paper published by a MSc or PhD student in each calendar year. See all info on the [GfÖ Award Website]