Prof. Dr. Alexandra Erfmeier is a full Professor and Director at the Institute for Ecosystem Research, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, where she leads the Department of Geobotany. She has been a faculty member since 2014 and holds a prominent role in research on plant invasions, evolutionary ecology, and biodiversity. Her research focuses on the mechanisms behind biological invasions, particularly the roles of genetic diversity, evolutionary processes, plant-soil interactions, and environmental stressors such as UV-B radiation and drought. She conducts experimental work in common gardens, reciprocal transplants, and large-scale biodiversity experiments, often in collaboration with international teams in subtropical China. Her recent publications reveal consistent themes in invasion biology, climate change impacts, and ecosystem functioning. Articles span high-impact journals like Science , Nature Communications , and Global Change Biology , highlighting trends in genetic adaptation, species interactions, and conservation implications. Her work increasingly integrates ecological, evolutionary, and anthropogenic drivers of vegetation change. She has supervised numerous doctoral researchers and contributes to interdisciplinary efforts in restoration and conservation. Her team includes PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on topics such as ash dieback, invasive plant physiology, and archaeobotanical approaches to invasion history.
