Sascha Hellmann Hansen

Sascha Hellmann Hansen serves as an Academic Research Officer within the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science. Hansen's research focuses on ecosystem ecology with specialization in forest and landscape systems, contributing significantly to Denmark's long-term ecological research infrastructure through LTER-DK and SITES Denmark initiatives.

Hansen's research interests span ecosystem ecology, forest ecology, soil ecology, urban ecology, restoration ecology, and long-term ecological research. Specific investigations include moss colonization on historical cemetery structures, soil microbiome applications for establishing resilient forests on abandoned agricultural lands, and interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable landscape management. This work bridges ecological theory with practical conservation solutions in both natural and human-modified environments.

Recent publications demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory addressing contemporary environmental challenges through infrastructure development, urban biodiversity studies, and innovative restoration techniques. Hansen's work on cemetery ecology reveals unexpected biodiversity hotspots, while soil microbiome research offers novel pathways for ecosystem rehabilitation. These studies collectively emphasize the integration of ecological monitoring, microbial ecology, and landscape-scale restoration to enhance ecosystem resilience in changing environments.

Hansen actively disseminates research through academic channels and public engagement, including a notable lecture on cemetery ecology and significant media coverage that reached diverse social media platforms. The 2025 Global Change Biology publication has already generated academic attention with 5 Scopus citations and 23 reader captures, indicating growing scholarly impact in restoration ecology and soil science communities.