Benjamin Burkhard

Prof. Dr. Benjamin Burkhard is a Professor at the Institute of Earth System Sciences within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Leibniz University Hannover. He serves as Deputy Head of the Examining Board for Landscape Sciences (MSc) and holds management responsibilities in the Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology Section. Additionally, he represents professors on the Faculty Council and the Examination Board for Geography (BSc), demonstrating his significant institutional involvement.

His research spans three primary domains: physical geography and landscape ecology (focusing on mapping and analysis of landscape structures, processes and functions across different spatio-temporal scales), ecosystem services (with emphasis on modeling, quantification and mapping), and human-environmental relations (particularly indication, modeling and land use assessments). This interdisciplinary approach positions him at the forefront of environmental systems research.

Prof. Burkhard's scholarly output reveals a strong focus on ecosystem services assessment methodologies, with recent publications addressing standardized ecosystem condition assessments, cultural ecosystem services valuation, and marine ecosystem services mapping. His work demonstrates a clear progression from theoretical frameworks toward practical applications for environmental management and policy-making, with increasing emphasis on participatory approaches and standardized assessment protocols.

He leads numerous significant research projects including 'SMILES: Enhancing Small-Medium Islands resilience by securing the sustainability of Ecosystem Services' (2022-2026), 'SELINA: Science for Evidence-based and sustainable decisions about natural capital' (2022-2027), and long-term erosion monitoring projects in Lower Saxony. These projects reflect his commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges through rigorous scientific investigation.

Prof. Burkhard actively contributes to developing methodological frameworks for ecosystem services assessment, participating in European research networks and initiatives that bridge the gap between scientific research and practical environmental management applications. His work has established him as a key contributor to the evolving field of ecosystem services science and its application in policy contexts.