Mark Gessner

Prof. Dr. Mark Gessner is a Professor of Experimental Limnology at the Technical University of Berlin, Faculty VI Planning, Building and Environment, Institute of Ecology. He also serves as Head of Department (Department 3: Plankton and Microbial Ecology) at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin, Germany. From 2016-2020, he was Acting Director of IGB Berlin.

His primary research interests focus on Limnology, Aquatic Ecology, Microbial Ecology, Ecosystems, and Global Environmental Change. His work examines fundamental processes in freshwater ecosystems, particularly microbial decomposition, nutrient cycling, and the impacts of global change on aquatic systems. Gessner has contributed significantly to understanding how climate change, nutrient pollution, and other stressors affect stream and lake ecosystems worldwide.

Gessner's recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a strong focus on microbial processes in freshwater systems, climate change impacts on decomposition, light pollution effects on lakes, and large-scale biodiversity patterns in rivers. His research often involves international collaborations and large-scale experiments examining ecosystem functioning across multiple spatial scales.

His work demonstrates consistent leadership in freshwater ecology, with publications appearing in top journals including Global Change Biology, Freshwater Biology, and Nature Communications. His research has important implications for freshwater management and conservation in the face of global environmental change.

Gessner has supervised numerous research projects and has been involved in developing methodologies for studying aquatic ecosystems. His work bridges basic ecological research with practical applications for freshwater management.