Marc Cotter

Marc Cotter is a senior scientist at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in the Department of International Cooperation and holds the title of Privatdozent for Agroecology at the University of Hohenheim. He is affiliated with the Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute) and collaborates with workgroups within the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. His research focuses on agroforestry, ecosystem services, sustainable crop production systems, and climate change adaptation in tropical regions. He coordinates the SysCom long-term trials in Bolivia, Kenya, and India, and leads projects on sustainable oil palm and coconut production in Ivory Coast. Marc co-supervises Master’s and PhD students from the University of Hohenheim in these projects.

His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to address agricultural challenges, including land use dynamics, biodiversity conservation, and socio-ecological resilience. Recent publications highlight his contributions to agroecology, cocoa production systems, and climate-smart agriculture. Marc’s research emphasizes practical applications, such as adapting decision support tools like the RiceAdvice App to diverse climatic and management conditions.

Key research interests include the ecological and socioeconomic sustainability of organic farming, long-term crop yield comparisons, and the role of agroforestry in promoting biodiversity and carbon sequestration. He actively bridges academic research with practical implementation through collaborations in South China and Southeast Asia, focusing on sustainable land use strategies and rubber plantation management.