Rita Adrian
Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin
Profile
I am interested in the long-term development of lake ecosystems; particularly in the temporal scale (minutes to decades) which govern the dynamics of the thermal- and nutrient regime, plankton communities and lake metabolism. We combine statistical modelling with ecological theory to identify mechanisms driving the nature of long-term change (linear versus non-linear), to quantify critical thresholds causing abrupt changes and to understand the emergence and maintenance of plankton biodiversity. We base our research on decadal data from our prime case study site Lake Müggelsee, located in the suburban area of Berlin, and lakes around the world. We run an automatic lake station anchored 300-m off shore where meteorological, physical and biological variables are measured continuously. The Müggelsee station is part of an international (Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network; Gleon) and European (Networking Lake Observatories in Europe; NetLake) network of lake observatories. Overall, my research contributes to the understanding as to how lake ecosystems will be affected by global climate change.
Professorship
for Limnology at Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology
Address: Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301; 12587 Berlin, email: Adrian@igb-berlin.de: Phone: ++49 – (0) 30 641 81 680
Education:
- University: Diploma in Biology, Free University Berlin (1976 – 1984)
- Dissertation: Free University Berlin, Institute of Zoology (1985 - 1988)
- Thesis: Omnivory in cyclopoid copepods: The role of algal versus invertebrate prey for Cyclops kolensis und C. vicinus (Crustacea, Copepoda).
- Habilitation: Free University Berlin, 2000: Thesis: Functioning of Plankton Communities: The Role of trophic interactions and climatic variables.
Appointments:
- 1981 - 1984: Tutor at the Department of Biology, Free University Berlin
- 1985 - 1986: NaföG; Scholarship for a pre- doctoral trainee of the Berlin Government
- 1986 - 1990: Staff Scientist at the Institute of Zoology, Free University Berlin
- 1990 - 1992: Post- Doctoral position at the Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
- 1993 - 2011: Staff Scientist at the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
- 2011- 2012: Acting head of Department: Shallow Lakes and Lowland Rivers; IGB Berlin
- 2012-ongoing: Head of Department of Ecosystem Research, IGB Berlin
- 2012- ongoing: Professor at Free University Berlin
- 2015: Sabbatical at UC Davis; California, USA
Membership in Professional Societies
- International Society of Limnology – Societas Internationalis Limnologiae (SIL)
- American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie (DGL)