Elina Takola

Dr. Elina Takola is a Greek ecologist and meta-analyst leading the BIOECOS group at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany. Her research focuses on cross-scale data syntheses to explore organism-environment relationships, with a strong commitment to open science principles. She holds a PhD from Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena (2022) and has conducted research at institutions including the University of Glasgow and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her work bridges theoretical ecology and applied conservation, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to biodiversity and sustainable land use.

• Affiliations: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ), Department of Computational Landscape Ecology
• Education: PhD in Ecology (FSU Jena, 2022), MSc/BS in Forestry & Natural Environment (Aristotle U, 2016/2010)

Her research interests include meta-analyses, ecological niche theory, landscape heterogeneity, and conservation strategies. She co-leads the Open CLE Forum, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue at UFZ. Notable awards include a 2021 GfÖ poster prize and commendations for academic excellence in Greece.

Recent projects include global meta-analyses of sustainable agriculture impacts and software development (e.g., decimatoR). Teaching roles span universities in Germany and Greece, with courses on ecological concepts and evidence synthesis methods.