Survey of Research Interests and Projects

This inventory is based on the data provided by the permanent staff members on their personal pages. Research by associated staff is incompletely covered.

Biodiversity informatics / Floristic projects / Taxonomic arrangement / Geographic arrangement / General subjects

A. Floristic research projects

• Med-Checklist. A critical inventory of vascular plants of the circum-mediterranean countries (BGBM & Conservatoire botanique de la Ville de Genève, Geneva [W. Greuter, T. Raus]
• Flora de la República de Cuba (with Institut für Spezielle Botanik der Universität Jena, Jardín Botánico Nacional, Universidad de La Habana and Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática de la Academia de Ciencias de Cuba [W. Greuter, C. Beurton]
• Flora of the Guianas (Consortium of 5 European and 2 North American institutions, the University of Guyana, Georgetown, and the National Herbarium, University of Suriname, Paramaribo [P. Hiepko, B. Leuenberger, H. Sipman] website
• Inventario Florístico del Parque Nacional "El Imposible" (Co-operation ["Convenio"] of: Servicio de Parques Nacionales, CENREN, MAG, El Salvador; Fundación Salvanatura; Jardín Botánico La Laguna; and BGBM [W. Berendsohn]
• Listado Básico de la Flora Salvadoriensis and Flora of El Salvador (long-term projects with Jardín Botánico La Laguna [W. Berendsohn]

B. Taxonomic arrangement

Algae:

• Algaterra Information System [R. Jahn, W.-H. Kusber]
• The diatomflora of Korea [R. Jahn]
• Morphology, taxonomy and nomenclature of Gomphocymbella species [R. Jahn]
• Typification of Otto Müller's taxa from East African material at B [R. Jahn]
• Historical diatom-diversity in Lake Malawi and tributary waters, East Africa [R. Jahn]
• Medium-term changes in the biodiversity of diatoms in Berlin waters: a comparison of old and new samples [R. Jahn, W.-H. Kusber]
• Nomenclature of algae [R. Jahn, W.-H. Kusber]
• Typification of Ehrenberg's taxa [R. Jahn, W.-H. Kusber]]
• Red List of Algae in Berlin [R. Jahn, W.-H. Kusber]
• Taxonomy of algae especially phytoflagellates [R. Jahn, W.-H. Kusber]

Fungi, incl. lichenized fungi:

• Higher fungi, especially Basidiomycetes (taxonomy, nomenclature, photography) and the genus Panaeolus world-wide [E. Gerhardt]
• Taxonomy of Graphidales of the Guianas and New Guinea [H. Sipman]
• Taxonomy of Cladonia in the Guianas, in co-operation with Prof. T. Ahti, Helsinki [H. Sipman]
• Key to the lichen genera of the Neotropics [H. Sipman]
• Guide to, and placement of keys on Internet [H. Sipman]
• Maintaining of pre-1949 lichen literature database in the Internet: Mattick's Literature Index [H. Sipman]
• Revision of the lichen genus Hypotrachyna in the Neotropics, in co-operation with J. Elix (Canberra, Australia) and T. Nash (Tempe, USA), supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft. [H. Sipman]
• The lichen flora of selected Aegean islands (Greece) and their phytogeographical and historical significance, supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft [H. Sipman, T. Raus]
• The lichen flora of Costa Rica. Participation in the Ticolichen programm managed by Robert Lücking, and the Inventario National de Biodiversidad of INBio [H. Sipman]

Bryophyta:

• Tropical mosses, Taxonomy of Calymperaceae, especially Mitthyridium. [H. Nowak-Krawietz]

Pteridophyta:

• Taxonomy of the fern genus Adiantum [B. Zimmer]

Flowering plant families:

Adoxaceae:

• Contribution to Flora Hellenica (Adoxa) [T. Raus]

Boraginaceae:

• Contribution to Flora Hellenica (Amsinckia, Asperugo, Borago, Cerinthe, Lappula, Rochelia) [T. Raus]
• Revision of Greek species of Alkanna (Boraginaceae) (PhD thesis, A. Vasiliou) [W. Greuter]

Cactaceae:

• Monographic studies, revisions, taxonomic history (Pereskia, Maihuenia, Denmoza, Opuntia ser. Armatae, south American Harrisia and other mainly South American genera) [B. Leuenberger]
• Contribution to Flora of the Guianas [B. Leuenberger]
• Contribution to Flora of Argentina [B. Leuenberger]
• Contribution to Flora of Chile [B. Leuenberger]

Capparaceae:

• Phylogeny of Old-World Capparoideae (PhD thesis, K. Rabe; co-supervisor Dr N. Kilian) [W. Greuter]

Caryophyllaceae:

• Taxonomy and biogeography of Silene [W. Greuter]
• Caryophyllaceae treatment for the Flora de la República de Cuba [W. Greuter]

Cistaceae:

• Taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of vascular plants in the Mediterranean, in particular Cisteae. [T. Raus]
• Contribution to Flora Hellenica (Cistus, Fumana, Halimium, Helianthemum, Tuberaria) [T. Raus]

Combretaceae:

• Revision and phylogenetic analysis of the genus Anogeissus (Combretaceae,
  Myrtales, Rosidae) by means of morphological-anatomical and under consideration of
  molecular data (diploma thesis Gesche Hohlstein; cosupervisors N. Kilian) [W. Greuter]

Compositae:

• Treatment for Med-Checklist [W. Greuter]
• Contribution to Flora Iberica (Leucantheminae) [R. Vogt]
• Contributions to the checklist of vascular plants of northern Morocco [R. Vogt]
• Studies in the Compositae of the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra [N. Kilian]
• Systematics of the Lactucinae (Prenanthes in Africa and SW Asia) [N. Kilian]
• The Lactuceae of China (Coordinating co-authorships Lactuceae for 'Flora of China') [N. Kilian]
• Molecular systematics of the Lactuceae substribes Sonchinae and Lactucinae [N. Kilian]
• Molecular systematics of the genus Launaea (Lactuceae, Sonchinae) [N. Kilian]
• Taxonomy and biogeography of vascular plants in the Mediterranean, particularly Anthemideae [R. Vogt]
• Taxonomy of Lactuceae, Hypochoeridinae; Inuleae, Phagnalon [H.W. Lack]
• Revision of Carduus, Alfredia and Olgaea (in co-operation with Dr M. Aghababian, Erevan) [W. Greuter]
• Taxonomy, floristics, morphology and anatomy of Achillea [C. Beurton]
• Contribution to W. Rothmaler's "Exkursionsflora von Deutschland, Kritischer Band" (Achillea) [C. Beurton]
• Database "Natural Substances in the Compositae: The Bohlmann Files" (Dr. J. Jakupovic, TU Berlin & C. Zdero) [W. Berendsohn]
• Contributor to Kubitzki, K. (ed.), The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (Compositae-Anthemideae) [R. Vogt]
• Compositae of Europe, a synonymic checklist. Part of the EU research project Euro+Med Plant Base (Electronic
  online database, University of Reading) [W. Greuter]
• Taxonomic monograph of Saussurea subg. Amphilaena (Compositae) (PhD thesis, E. von Raab-Straube) [W. Greuter]
• Taxonomy and biogeography of Cynareae (Compositae) [W. Greuter]
• Lactuceae - a review [H.W. Lack]
• Reconstruction of the molecular phylogeny of the Lactuceae/Asteraceae with special emphasis on the tribal delimitation, the subtribe Hieraciinae and the genera Crepis and Scorzonera [B. Gemeinhölzer]
• Phylogeny of the Lactuceae inferred from molecular markers with special emphasis on
  sub tribal delimitation [N. Kilian & B. Gemeinholzer] 

Dipsacaceae:

• Pterocephalus [H.W. Lack]

Gramineae:

• Taxonomy and geography of grasses of Europe, the Mediterranean Region and Tropical Africa [H. Scholz]

Labiatae:

• Contribution to Flora Hellenica (Galeopsis, Glechoma, Leonurus, Phlomis, Prunella) [T. Raus]

Menispermaceae:

• Menispermaceae of the Guianas [P. Hiepko]

Menyanthaceae:

• Contribution to Flora Hellenica (Menyanthes, Nymphoides) [T. Raus]

Olacaceae:

• Contribution to Flora of the Greater Antilles [P. Hiepko]

Opiliaceae:

• Neotropical Opiliaceae [P. Hiepko]

Portulacaceae:

• Phylogeny of Portulaca sect. Neossia (Portulacaceae) (diploma thesis Simone Kipka; cosupervisor N. Kilian [W. Greuter]

Potamogetonaceae:

• Revision of Potamogeton in Australia (PhD thesis, S. Papassotiriou; co-supervisor Dr S. Jacobs, Sydney) [W. Greuter]

Rutaceae:

• Contribution to Flora de la Republica de Cuba [C. Beurton]
• Taxonomy, floristics, morphology and anatomy of Rutaceae, especially Zanthoxylum [C. Beurton]
• Contribution to Flora of the Greater Antilles [C. Beurton]

Scrophulariaceae:

• Taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of vascular plants in the Mediterranean, in particular Verbasceae, Rhinantheae [T. Raus]
• Contribution to Flora Hellenica (Lindernia, Bacopa, Limosella, Mimulus, Digitalis, Sibthorpia, Melampyrum, Tozzia, Parentucellia, Bellardia, Pedicularis, Rhynchocorys, Lesquereuxia, Lathraea) [T. Raus]

Solanaceae:

• Contribution to Flora Hellenica (Atropa, Hyoscyamus, Physalis) [T. Raus]

Turneraceae:

• Turneraceae. Treatments for the Flora de la República de Cuba [W. Greuter]

Zygophyllaceae:

• Contribution to Flora of the Guianas [B. Leuenberger]

C. Geographical arrangement

Africa (excl. Mediterranean)

• Taxonomy and geography of grasses of Tropical Africa [H. Scholz]
• Historical diatom-diversity in Lake Malawi and tributary waters, East Africa [R. Jahn]
• Typification of Otto Müller's diatom taxa from East African material at B [R. Jahn]

America

general:

• Opiliaceae [P. Hiepko]
• Cactaceae, monographic studies, taxonomic history (Pereskia, Maihuenia, Denmoza, and other mainly South American genera) [B. Leuenberger]
• Neotropical flora and vegetation, succulents in general [B. Leuenberger]

Argentina:

• Flora of Argentina, contribution, Cactaceae. [B. Leuenberger]

Chile:

• Flora of Chile, contribution, Cactaceae. [B. Leuenberger]

Colombia:

• Lichen checklist [H. Sipman]

Costa Rica:

• The lichen flora of Costa Rica. Participation in the Ticolichen project, leader Robert Lücking, and the Inventario National de Biodiversidad of INBio [H. Sipman]

Cuba:

• Flora de la Republica de Cuba, contributions, Olacaceae [P. Hiepko], Rutaceae [C. Beurton]
• Caryophyllaceae and Turneraceae. Treatments for the Flora de la República de Cuba [W. Greuter]

El Salvador:

• Lichens of El Salvador, in collaboration with W. Berendsohn [H. Sipman]
• Inventario de los árboles de El Salvador [W. Berendsohn]

Greater Antilles:

• Flora of the Greater Antilles, contributions, Olacaceae [P. Hiepko], Rutaceae [C. Beurton]

Guianas:

• Flora of the Guianas, contributions, Cactaceae [B. Leuenberger], Lichens [H. Sipman], Menispermaceae [P. Hiepko], Zygophyllaceae [B. Leuenberger] (products available on Internet: key to lichen genera, key to Cladoniaceae and lichen checklist)

Asia

• The Lactuceae of China (Coordinating co-authorships Lactuceae for 'Flora of China') [N. Kilian]
• Phytodiversity and vegetation of representative palaeo-African refugia in the southern coastal mountains of the Yemeni mainland and on Socotra (A partial project of the BIOTA-Ost project group "Biodiversity and ecology of palaeo-African refugia in S Arabia and on Socotra" sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research) [N. Kilian]
• Vascular plant flora and phytogeography of the southern governorates of Yemen, (Al-Mahra, Hadhramout, Shabwa, Abyan, Lahj, Aden) [N. Kilian]
• Lichens of New Guinea (in co-operation with Dr A. Aptroot (Baarn, The Netherlands), Dr E. Sérusiaux (Liège, Belgium) and others) [H. Sipman]
• Lichen flora of Iran in cooperation with Iranian scientists [H. Sipman]
• The diatom flora of Korea [R. Jahn]

Australia

• Revision of Potamogeton in Australia (PhD thesis, S. Papassotiriou; co-supervisor Dr S. Jacobs, Sydney) [W. Greuter]

Europe (excl. Mediterranean)

• W. Rothmaler's "Exkursionsflora von Deutschland, Kritischer Band", contribution, Achillea [C. Beurton]
• Taxonomy and geography of grasses of Europe [H. Scholz]
• Medium-term changes in the biodiversity of diatoms in Berlin waters: a comparison of old and new samples [R. Jahn]
• Red List of Algae in Berlin (in cooperation with Regine Jahn and Ursula Geissler) [W.-H. Kusber]

Mediterranean

General:

• Med-Checklist: a critical inventory of vascular plants of the circum-mediterranean countries (edited by Prof. W. Greuter, et al.) (with the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève; sponsored by OPTIMA. Current: evaluation and incorporation of supplementary literature for vol. 2 in prep. [W. Greuter]; co-editing the series Med-Checklist notulae [W. Greuter, T. Raus]; WWW publication of the database in preparation [W. Berendsohn, P. Hein]
• Taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of vascular plants in the Mediterranean, in particular Cisteae (Cistaceae), Verbasceae, Rhinantheae (Scrophulariaceae) [T. Raus]
• Taxonomy and biogeography of vascular plants in the Mediterranean, particularly Anthemideae (Compositae) [R. Vogt]
• Taxonomy and geography of grasses of the Mediterranean Region [H. Scholz]

Greece:

• Taxonomy and biogeography of vascular plants of Mediterranean areas, especially Greece [W. Greuter]
• Flora Hellenica (ed. D. Phitos & al., based at botanical institutions in Patras/Greece, Copenhagen/Denmark, Lund/Sweden and Berlin-Dahlem). Vol. 1 published. Accounts in preparation: Adoxaceae, Boraginaceae p.pte., Cistaceae, Labiatae p.pte., Menyanthaceae, Scrophulariaceae p.pte., Solanaceae p.pte. (for genera see Systematic Arrangement) [T. Raus]
• Plant biodiversity of Greece and the Aegean. Current: regional floras/annotated checklists of Santorini island group, Eastern Thessaly, and Western Thrace; miscellaneous additions to the flora of Greece [T. Raus]
• The lichen flora of selected Aegean islands and their phytogeographical and historical significance (inventories of Evvia, Ikaria, Kalimnos, Kos, Nisiros, Telendos, Paros & Antiparos, and Santorini island group, supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft [H. Sipman, T. Raus]

N African countries:

• Plant biodiversity of Morocco. Current: Contributions to the checklist of vascular plants of northern Morocco (Compositae); Checklist of the Beni-Snassen area [R. Vogt]
• Cytological investigations in phanerogams, particularly NW Africa [R. Vogt]

Iberian peninsula:

• Flora Iberica, contribution, Compositae-Leucantheminae [R. Vogt]

Slovenia:

• Lactuceae (excl. Hieracium and Taraxacum) for 'Flora von Istrien' [N. Kilian]

D. General subjects, arranged according to keywords

• Assembling, processing and networking of botanical information [W. Greuter]
• Inventorying and monitoring of plant biodiversity [W. Greuter]
• Franz Bauer - biography [H. W. Lack]
• Diatoms as bioindicators [R. Jahn]
• Changes in the biodiversity of freshwater diatoms [R. Jahn]
• Management of live and preserved botanical collections [W. Greuter]
• DNA based plant identification (DNA barcoding) [B. Gemeinholzer]
• Embryology of the Centrospermae and Tubiflorae [M. Hakki]
• History of herbarium collections [R. Vogt]
• History of diatom research [R. Jahn]
• History of plant taxonomy [H. W. Lack]
• Botanical illustration [H. W. Lack]
• Information modelling in biology, biological and environmental informatics in general [W. Berendsohn]
• Journal botanique of A. Bonpland & A. v. Humboldt [H. W. Lack]
• Medicinal plants of temperate regions [C. Beurton]
• Scanning electron microscopy [B. Zimmer]
• Molecular Systematics (Taxonomy, Phylogeny, Molecular Clock Reconstructions) [B. Gemeinholzer]
• Database Natural Substances in the Compositae: The Bohlmann Files (Dr. J. Jakupovic, TU Berlin & C. Zdero) [W. Berendsohn]
• Nomenclature, see separate page [W. Greuter et al.]
• Phylogeographical and population genetic studies [B. Gemeinholzer]
• Pollination ecology, seed dispersal, and seedling establishment [A.-D. Stevens]
• Succession and floristic composition of (secondary) vegetation [A.-D. Stevens]
• Women in paleobotany (in cooperation with Dr. Barbara Mohr, Museum für Naturkunde Humboldt Universität zu Berlin) [R. Jahn]
• Studies on the woody flora of El Salvador [W. Berendsohn]