Markus Weitere

Prof. Dr. Markus Weitere is Head of the Department of River Ecology at the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and Professor for Applied River Ecology at the Technical University of Dresden. His research focuses on process-oriented river ecology, ecosystem functioning in running waters, and the structure and function of multi-trophic biofilms. He leads the integrated project 'Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems' and is actively involved in large-scale research initiatives funded by DFG and BMBF.

Research Interests: His work spans stressor effects on aquatic ecosystems, biofilm dynamics, nutrient cycling, stream restoration, and food web interactions in lowland rivers. He investigates how hydrodynamics, nutrient pulses, and human impacts alter ecosystem processes and biodiversity, with a strong emphasis on experimental and field-based approaches.

Publication Trends: Recent articles highlight his focus on phosphorus and nitrogen dynamics in biofilms, groundwater-stream interactions, restoration outcomes, and the interplay between bottom-up and top-down controls in stream ecosystems. His research integrates biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and ecosystem modeling to understand freshwater resilience.

• Editorial Role: Editor-in-Chief of International Review of Hydrobiology
• Leadership: Spokesman of the POF III Integrated Project 'Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems'
• Selection Committees: Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), DFG Review Board 'Water Research'

Advising and Grants: He supervises research teams and PhD students, though specific advisees are not listed. He leads multiple externally funded projects including DFG’s DynaTrait program and BMBF initiatives on freshwater mussel conservation and river revitalization (e.g., Wilde Mulde).

Laboratories and Teams: He leads the River Ecology department at UFZ, which operates research infrastructure such as MOBICOS (mobile mesocosms), the research vessel ALBIS, and stable isotope and water analytics labs. His team includes researchers in experimental aquatic ecology, food web ecology, and water chemometrics.