Claudio Richter

Claudio Richter is Professor for Marine Animal Ecology at the University of Bremen and Head of Section Benthic Ecology at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany. His academic career bridges polar research through AWI and marine biology through the University of Bremen, creating a unique interdisciplinary approach to studying marine ecosystems from polar regions to tropical coral reefs.

Research Interests

• Marine benthic and pelagic ecology
• Cold-water and tropical coral reef systems
• Sponge bed ecosystems
• Plankton aggregations and benthic-pelagic coupling
• Responses of marine organisms to climate change factors

His recent publications (2022-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on cold-water corals, particularly examining their physiological responses to ocean acidification, warming, and changing environmental conditions. Richter's work reveals significant phenotypic plasticity in species like Desmophyllum dianthus and Caryophyllia huinayensis, showing how these organisms adapt to naturally acidified environments in Chilean fjords. His research integrates biomechanics (ciliary flows in corals), biochemistry (lipid biomarkers), and community ecology to understand marine animal forest resilience in changing oceans.

Scientific Recognition

• Active member of the International Coral Reef Society (ICRS)
• Member of ReefCheck Europe since 2001
• ORCID identifier: 0000-0002-8182-6896

Academic Leadership Richter supervises numerous graduate students across diverse research topics in marine biology, from coral physiology to acoustic monitoring and Antarctic marine ecosystems. His research has been supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, including a major project on pelagic-benthic coupling around coral reef springs in the Andaman Sea (2006-2010). At the University of Bremen, he teaches courses including Tropical Coastal Ecosystems, Marine Lebensräume (Marine Habitats), and Grant Proposal and Defense.

Research Infrastructure Richter leverages the extensive resources of the Alfred Wegener Institute, including research vessels like Polarstern, Arctic and Antarctic research stations, and specialized laboratories for benthic ecology research. His work often involves international collaborations across diverse marine environments from the Arctic to the Antarctic and tropical regions.