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.
My projects bridge fundamental science with practical application to promote sustainable land-use development across diverse countries and contexts. I currently lead three international research projects as Principal Investigator: (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 55 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.
My projects bridge fundamental science with practical application to promote sustainable land-use development across diverse countries and contexts. I currently lead three international research projects as Principal Investigator: (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 55 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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🦇🐦🌿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 [download PDF here], 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.
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 PDF is free to all, and we thank you for your support.
📥 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 [download PDF here], 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.
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 PDF is free to all, and we thank you for your support.
📥 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 https://soundswild.eu/
🍫 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 https://soundswild.eu/
🍫 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!
🌿 Take part in our European Olive Survey!
Help us better understand biodiversity in olive groves – your input matters!
As part of the ECO-OLIVES project, we are conducting an international survey on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainability in olive production systems. The survey is part of PhD research in our project and targets stakeholders across the olive sector – including farmers, advisors, researchers, cooperatives, NGOs, and policy professionals.
We kindly ask for 10–15 minutes of your time to share your insights and experiences. Your contribution is extremely valuable, because it will help generate science-based recommendations for more sustainable and resilient olive farming systems.
👉 Take the survey in your preferred language:
🇬🇧 English | https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/PWS9HGP
🇮🇹 Italian | https://it.surveymonkey.com/r/TC5BGB5
🇪🇸 Spanish | https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/2Y23XBL
🇵🇹 Portuguese | https://pt.surveymonkey.com/r/JRRTYRZ
🇬🇷 Greek | https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/Q3F5L83
Please also help us by sharing the link with others in your network who work in olive production or land management.
Every response counts – thank you for supporting this research!
Help us better understand biodiversity in olive groves – your input matters!
As part of the ECO-OLIVES project, we are conducting an international survey on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainability in olive production systems. The survey is part of PhD research in our project and targets stakeholders across the olive sector – including farmers, advisors, researchers, cooperatives, NGOs, and policy professionals.
We kindly ask for 10–15 minutes of your time to share your insights and experiences. Your contribution is extremely valuable, because it will help generate science-based recommendations for more sustainable and resilient olive farming systems.
👉 Take the survey in your preferred language:
🇬🇧 English | https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/PWS9HGP
🇮🇹 Italian | https://it.surveymonkey.com/r/TC5BGB5
🇪🇸 Spanish | https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/2Y23XBL
🇵🇹 Portuguese | https://pt.surveymonkey.com/r/JRRTYRZ
🇬🇷 Greek | https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/Q3F5L83
Please also help us by sharing the link with others in your network who work in olive production or land management.
Every response counts – thank you for supporting this research!
🎓📚🌱 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/
🏅 NEW: Student Paper Award – Basic and Applied Ecology. Starting in 2025, the journal Basic and Applied Ecology (BBAE) 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/
🏅 NEW: Student Paper Award – Basic and Applied Ecology. Starting in 2025, the journal Basic and Applied Ecology (BBAE) 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]