Barbara Niehoff

PD Dr. Barbara Niehoff is a Senior Scientist and Deputy Head of the Section Polar Biological Oceanography at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). Her research focuses on zooplankton ecology, particularly the response of key Arctic species to climate change. She leads the Arctic Zooplankton working group and has contributed extensively to the MOSAiC expedition, studying zooplankton dynamics in the central Arctic Ocean. Her work integrates field observations, long-term data analysis, and experimental studies to understand life cycles, adaptive capacities, and trophic interactions of Arctic organisms.

Key projects include investigations into Calanus spp. population structures, lipid dynamics, and the impact of sea ice decline on zooplankton distribution. Niehoff collaborates on initiatives like the Fram Ocean Observing System (FRAM) and uses advanced technologies like optical plankton recorders and machine learning for ecological analysis. Her findings highlight the vulnerability of Arctic ecosystems to warming and reduced sea ice, emphasizing the need for integrated monitoring and predictive modeling.