Denise Rupprecht

Dr. Denise Rupprecht is a Research Associate at the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research Group within the Institute of Landscape Ecology at the University of Münster, where she has worked since completing her PhD in 2021. Her research focuses on grassland restoration and sustainable management practices, particularly examining grazing effects on vegetation dynamics in dry grasslands, heaths, and forest ecosystems.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Landscape Ecology (2021), Master of Science in Landscape Ecology (2014), and Bachelor of Science in Landscape Ecology (2011), all from the University of Münster. Her doctoral thesis was titled "Contributions to the Restoration of grasslands in Central Europe," while her Master's thesis examined "Vegetation and structure-diversity of year-round grazed nutrient-poor sites" and her Bachelor's thesis focused on "Year-round grazing in wetlands - Overview of German grazing projects in nature conservation."

Dr. Rupprecht's research interests center on grassland restoration ecology, particularly examining how different grazing regimes impact vegetation composition and biodiversity. She investigates extensive year-round pastures in nature conservation contexts, sheep grazing on nutrient-poor grasslands, and the influence of wildlife (particularly fallow deer) on vegetation dynamics in calcareous grasslands. Her work also extends to Central European forest ecosystems, studying vegetation succession and restoration processes. Her research combines long-term field monitoring with experimental approaches to understand ecological dynamics and develop evidence-based conservation strategies.

Her publication record shows a strong focus on grazing effects across multiple ecosystems, with particular attention to calcareous grasslands and nutrient-poor habitats. Her work demonstrates how different grazing regimes (sheep versus deer, year-round versus seasonal) affect vegetation composition, biodiversity, and restoration outcomes. She frequently employs long-term monitoring approaches, with several studies spanning multiple years to capture ecological dynamics that might be missed in shorter-term research.

• Student Poster Prize Overall Runners-up at the EAB2017

Dr. Rupprecht actively supervises numerous Bachelor's and Master's theses, typically serving as first or second supervisor for projects related to grassland ecology, restoration, and conservation. Her supervisory role extends across various research topics including vegetation dynamics under different grazing regimes, effects of urbanization on biodiversity, forest ecology in the context of climate change, and restoration techniques for endangered habitats. She teaches several courses including botanical identification exercises, vegetation ecology field exercises, woody plant identification, and Mediterranean ecology seminars. Her professional activities include membership in several ecological organizations including the Floristic-sociological working group (FlorSoz), Academy for Ecological Regional Research (AföL), Society for Ecology (GfÖ), and Renaturation Network.

Dr. Rupprecht works within the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research Group at the University of Münster, collaborating closely with Prof. Dr. Norbert Hölzel and other researchers in the Institute of Landscape Ecology. Her research often involves field sites across Germany, particularly in the Teutoburg Forest region, and frequently examines the interface between scientific research and practical conservation management.