Discover the Colourful Biodiversity of the Oceans

Maren Ziegler

My name is Maren Ziegler, I work as a marine biologist with tropical stony corals in Giessen. Because Giessen is far from the ocean and coral reefs, I use a seawater aquarium system as a simulator of global change, called ‘Ocean2100’. In the aquarium, I generate hypothesis on the mechanisms by which corals adapt to a rapidly changing ocean, which I then test in the reef. During this fieldwork, I am sometimes lucky enough to encounter amazing underwater creatures like dugongs.

Ingo Miller

I am a marine scientist, scientific diver and hobby underwater photographer. In the past my research focused on coral reef ecology and ecotoxicology. I am now pursuing my PhD in Australia, studying the movement ecology of sharks and other marine megafauna with a special focus on future impacts of climate change and other anthropogenic stressors such as plastic and chemical pollution.

Michael Sswat

I am a PhD marine biologist, project coordinator and research diver. I study the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and methods to mitigate it with the help of the ocean. My studies, as well as private endeavours, lead me to special underwater worlds, which I explore by diving and portraying the creatures I encounter.

Nikolas Vogel

The underwater world fascinates me anew every time I dive into it. With my photos I want to capture this unique habitat and share it with all those who carry this enthusiasm within them.

Nils Rädecker

I am a marine ecologist conducting research on the nutrient cycles of coral reefs. With my work I try to understand how highly productive and species-rich coral reefs can develop in the nutrient-poor tropical oceans. This paradox also makes coral reefs attractive for divers: incredible biodiversity in crystal clear water.

Peter Schupp

I have been conducting research on coral reefs, primarily in the Indo-Pacific, for over 30 years. As faculty head and later director of the University of Guam Marine Laboratory, I have taken part in numerous expeditions to Micronesia, studying in particular the chemical interactions between marine invertebrates (e.g. sponges, corals). Since 2010, I and my research group at the Institute of Marine Chemistry and Biology, at the University of Oldenburg, have also been studying the impact of anthropogenic factors (e.g. overfishing, input of nutrients and chemicals such as UV filters and their ecotoxicological effects) on the reef ecosystem, and how such changes lead to phase shifts from hard coral dominated reefs to algae, sponge and/or soft coral dominated reefs.

Sebastian Ferse

I am a coral reef researcher and fascinated by the diversity in species, forms and functions in reefs and the people who live with them. With my work, I also want to awaken the interest of people in this country for reefs as well as for their condition and possible future.

Till Röthig

Through my work as a marine biologist, I had the opportunity to get to know the underwater life in many parts of the world. I have been most fascinated by both the smallest creatures and the intelligent ones that curiously come into contact with humans.

Claudia Pogoreutz

I am a marine microbiologist and works primarily on the host-symbiont relationship of tropical reef-building corals. In my free time, I engages in the photographic documentation of biodiversity in different environments, in particular that of fungi, lichens, and alpine flowers. By contributing the picture ‘Going with the flow – schooling ot avoid a predator’, I hope to make the unique aesthetics and elegance of black-tip reef sharks accessible to everyone.

Raphael Koll

My research focuses on molecular stress responses in animals, with a particular focus on local adaptations of wild fish populations in the Elbe and the effects of climate change. I am fascinated by the underwater world and try to dive into this habitat as often as possible in order to grasp connections from the smallest to the largest.

Lisanne Küppers

The fascinating underwater world on our planet has always amazed and intrigued me. In order to better understand the complexity and interconnections of our world, I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, where my training as a scientific diver opened up a new dimension of research for me. I am currently pursuing an international master’s degree in marine biology, focusing on the conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems. In my free time as well as during my studies, I try to dive into this world as often as I can and create more awareness about its vulnerability, by bringing these remote worlds closer to people.

Alex Bartholomä

I have always been fascinated by the sea, sailing by boat or underwater. How beaches are formed why coast lines and seafloors change are question which brought me into marine research. And today more than ever, it is important to show the value of ocean life and underwater worlds and thus make clear our responsibility as humans in dealing with marine habitats.

Benjamin Müller

My name is Benjamin Müller and I am a marine biologist at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. I am especially fascinated by the fact that highly complex and productive ecosystems such as coral reefs can exist in tropical nutrient depleted waters. I try to capture the underwater wonderland as well as my and my colleague’s work through photography.

Sven Rhode

Miriam Reverter