Jasmin Mantilla-Contreras

Prof. Dr. Jasmin Mantilla-Contreras is an Adjunct Professor in Ecology and Environmental Education at the University of Hildesheim, Department of Biology, within the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Economics and Computer Science. She leads the 'Biologische Station Siegen-Wittgenstein' and previously held a Junior-Professorship for Ecology and Environmental Education at the same institution (2011-2018). Her academic background includes a PhD from the University of Göttingen (2007) and a German diploma in Biology (2003), focusing on forest ecology and tropical flora comparisons.

• Current Role: Leader of the Biological Station Siegen-Wittgenstein
• Past Roles: Junior Professor, Research Group Leader (Baltic coastal habitats), Postdoctoral Research Associate (University of Koblenz-Landau, Göttingen)

Research interests center on global change impacts on ecosystems, forest-wetland interactions, biodiversity management in open landscapes, and applied environmental education. Key projects include conservation efforts at Lake Alaotra (Madagascar) and biodiversity studies in Mediterranean islands like Asinara. She actively leads over 30 peer-reviewed publications since 2003, focusing on seed dispersal mechanisms, invasive species management, and community ecology.

Publications highlight innovative work such as dung-based seed dispersal analysis in Mediterranean ecosystems and socio-ecological solutions for water hyacinth management in Madagascar. Her work bridges ecology with conservation policy, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to ecosystem resilience.

Grants and collaborations include projects on coastal land management (COMTESS) and wetland restoration (AMBio Madagascar). She supervises international research networks and engages in environmental education outreach programs targeting local communities in biodiversity hotspots.