# Götz Eichhorn - PhD, Senior Biologist & Conservation Ecologist
Source: https://hello.cv/gotzeichhorn
Husum

## Links
- Email
- Phone
- LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/g%C3%B6tz-eichhorn-62704014/

## About
A highly curious and driven professional biologist with over two decades of experience in animal ecology, physiology, and behaviour research, focusing on free-ranging animals. Expert in integrative research methodologies, animal migration, and conservation, with a proven track record of leading complex field expeditions, securing significant research grants, and mentoring over 20 students. Committed to advancing ecological understanding and applying scientific insights to global conservation challenges through cross-cultural collaboration.

## Work
### Scientific Committee Member / Chair | Various Scientific Organizations
Provided leadership and strategic direction to international scientific committees, shaping conference programs and organizational initiatives for leading ornithological groups.
- Chaired the Scientific Programme Committee for the 19th Meeting of the Goose Specialist Group of Wetlands International (2020), overseeing program development.
- Served as Secretary of the European Ornithologists' Union (2009-2013), contributing to governance and strategic planning for a major professional body.
- Contributed to Scientific Programme Committees for multiple European Ornithologists' Union Conferences (2011, 2013), ensuring high-quality scientific discourse.
### researcher | Michael-Otto-Institute at Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union
Working in a Bewick's Swan species conservation project of NABU
- Investigating threats to Bewick's Swans such as from (illegal) hunting, lead contamination, avian flu
- Studying migration ecology and habitat use of Bewick's Swans
### Researcher, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation | Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
Conducted focused research in wildlife ecology and conservation at a top-tier Dutch university, contributing to scientific publications.
- Contributed to cutting-edge research in wildlife ecology and conservation, leveraging expertise in animal behaviour and physiology.
- Collaborated effectively with interdisciplinary teams to advance understanding of complex ecological processes.
### Senior Researcher, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography & Dept. Animal Ecology | Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)
Led significant research initiatives on avian migration and animal ecology, contributing to the understanding of ecological dynamics and mentoring students.
- Spearheaded research on avian migration and demography, leading to multiple peer-reviewed publications and advancing global ecological understanding.
- Managed complex research projects within the Department of Animal Ecology, ensuring high-quality data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Mentored and co-supervised 2 PhD students and 10+ MSc/BSc students, fostering the next generation of ecologists and biologists.
- Secured significant research grants, including a €575,750 NWO grant, for projects on arctic migratory birds, demonstrating strong grant writing skills.
### Marie Curie Fellow | Lund University (CAnMove)
Conducted advanced research on animal movement and migration as a prestigious Marie Curie Fellow, leading to high-impact publications.
- Secured and managed a Marie Curie Fellowship valued at €174,000, leading independent research on animal movement ecology.
- Published high-impact research findings on migratory patterns and behavioural adaptations in leading scientific journals.
- Collaborated internationally with researchers at CAnMove, advancing interdisciplinary approaches to animal migration studies.
### Postdoctoral Researcher | CNRS-IPHC & Université de Strasbourg
Conducted postdoctoral research focusing on animal physiology and behaviour within an international scientific framework, contributing to seminal publications.
- Performed advanced research on animal physiology and behaviour, contributing to understanding energetics and thermoregulation in king penguins.
- Utilized sophisticated laboratory techniques, including animal sensing and gas exchange measurements, to gather critical data.
- Published findings in high-impact journals like Nature Communications, advancing knowledge in evolutionary biology.

## Education
### Groningen University | Animal Ecology
https://www.rug.nl/
- PhD Thesis: Travels in a changing world: flexibility and constraints in migration and breeding of the barnacle goose
### Frankfurt University | Biology (Zoology, Animal Physiology, Botany, Physical Geography)
Excellent | https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/
- Diploma Thesis: On the importance of steppe lakes in Central Kazakhstan for migrating waders; with special regard to the stopover ecology of Little Stint and Red-necked Phalarope
### St. Petersburg State University | Biology
https://english.spbu.ru/
### Freiburg University | Biology
https://uni-freiburg.de/

## Awards
### Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) Grant
NWO | 2021-12-31
Wrote and secured a €575,750 grant for research on behavioural and physiological adjustments in arctic migratory birds, demonstrating significant grant acquisition ability.
### Marie Curie Fellowship
European Commission | 2014-03-31
Awarded a prestigious fellowship valued at €174,000 for advanced research in animal movement ecology at Lund University, Sweden.
### Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund Grant
Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund | 2012-12-31
Awarded SEK 73,130 for research on resilience to global change in long-lived species, supporting ecological studies.
### Martina de Beukelaar Stichting & J.C. van der Hucht Fonds Grant
Martina de Beukelaar Stichting & J.C. van der Hucht Fonds | 2006-12-31
Received €5,000 for studying migration routes of Sociable Lapwing and Northern Lapwing, supporting conservation-focused research.
### Ubbo Emmius Programme Grant
Groningen University | 2006-12-31
Received a grant for supporting PhD work at Groningen University, Netherlands, contributing to doctoral research.
### Schure-Beijerinck-Popping Fonds of KNAW Grant
KNAW | 2005-12-31
Received €8,940 for PhD work, contributing to the financial support of doctoral research.
### Marianne und Dr. Fritz Walter Fischer-Stiftung Grant
Marianne und Dr. Fritz Walter Fischer-Stiftung | 2004-12-31
Secured research funding for PhD work in Germany, supporting early career scientific endeavors.
### European Science Foundation BIRD programme Travel Grant
European Science Foundation | 2004-12-31
Awarded €4,720 for PhD work travel, enabling international research collaboration and data collection.
### Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME) Grant
OSME | 2001-12-31
Secured funding for a bird survey in Kazakhstan, facilitating critical fieldwork in a key region.
### InWEnt, Programme ASA Grant
InWEnt, Programme ASA | 1999-12-31
Awarded funding to study bird migration at Lake Tengiz, Kazakhstan, supporting early research on avian ecology.
### AIESEC Germany Grant
AIESEC Germany | 1999-12-31
Received support for a visiting research period in Kazakhstan, facilitating international fieldwork experience.
### German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship
DAAD | 1997-12-31
Awarded a scholarship for studies abroad in Russia, enhancing cross-cultural academic experience.

## Publications - most recent examples
### Year-round activity levels reveal diurnal foraging constraints in the annual cycle of migratory and non-migratory barnacle geese.
Oecologia | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-023-05386-x
Boom MP, Lameris TK, Schreven KHT, Buitendijk NH, Moonen S, de Vries PP, Zaynagutdinova EM, Nolet BA, van der Jeugd HP & Eichhorn G (2023) Year-round activity levels reveal diurnal foraging constraints in the annual cycle of migratory and non-migratory barnacle geese. Oecologia 202: 287-298.
### Steigende Rastbestände trotz rückläufiger Population: Zwergschwäne in Deutschland. Increasing wintering numbers despite declining population: Bewick's swans in Germany.
Der Falke
Urban S, Eichhorn G & Hunke P (2024) Steigende Rastbestände trotz rückläufiger Population: Zwergschwäne in Deutschland. Increasing wintering numbers despite declining population: Bewick's swans in Germany. Der Falke 71/9: 30-34. In German.
### Scope for waterfowl to speed up migration to a warming Arctic.
Nature Climate Change | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02419-6
Linssen H, Lameris TK, Boom MP, Nuijten RJM, Buitendijk NH, Dokter AM, Ebbinge BS, Eichhorn G, ... & Nolet BA (2025) Scope for waterfowl to speed up migration to a warming Arctic. Nature Climate Change 15: 1107-1114.
### Migratory birds advance spring arrival and egg-laying in the Arctic, mostly by travelling faster.
Global Change Biology | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02419-6
Lameris TK, Boom MP, Nuijten RJM, Buitendijk NH, Eichhorn G, Ens BJ, ... & van Bemmelen RSA (2025) Migratory birds advance spring arrival and egg-laying in the Arctic, mostly by travelling faster. Global Change Biology 31: e70158.
### Individual variation in migration and wintering patterns of long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis from a population in decline.
Ecology and Evolution | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71187
Karwinkel T, Pollet IL, Vardeh S, Loshchagina JA, Glazov PM, Kondratyev AV, Sokolov AA, Sokolov VA, Morkūnas J, Tritscher DJ, Masello JF, Eichhorn G, Kruckenberg H, Quillfeldt P & Bellebaum J (2025) Individual variation in migration and wintering patterns of long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis from a population in decline. Ecology and Evolution 15: e71187.
### Earlier springs increase goose breeding propensity and nesting success at Arctic but not at temperature latitudes.
Journal of Animal Ecology | https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.14020
Boom MP, Schreven KHT, Buitendijk NH, Moonen S, Nolet BA, Eichhorn G, van der Jeugd HP & Lameris TK (2023). Earlier springs increase goose breeding propensity and nesting success at Arctic but not at temperature latitudes. Journal of Animal Ecology 92: 2399-2411.
### Full list of publications
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Goetz-Eichhorn | https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Goetz-Eichhorn
For a full list of my publications, visit my profile on ResearchGate

## Languages
- German | Native
- Russian | Conversational
- English | Fluent
- Dutch | Fluent
- French | Basic

## Certificates
### License for Animal Experimentation (FELASA Cat. C)
FELASA
### Driving Licenses (Car, Tractor, Motorbike)

## Skills
### Scientific Research & Analysis
- Animal Ecology
- Physiology
- Behavioural Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Conservation Biology
- Animal Migration
- Behavioural Plasticity
- Foraging
- Energetics
- Thermoregulation
- Chronobiology
- Reproduction
- Disease Ecology
- Conservation
- Integrative Research
- Statistical Analysis
- Data Collection
- Experimental Design
- Grant Writing
- Scientific Writing
- Peer Review
### Technical & Laboratory Skills
- Animal Sensing (ECG, Heart Rate, Body Temperature, Accelerometry)
- Animal Tracking (GLS, ARGOS-PTT, GPS)
- Animal Gas Exchange (Respirometry)
- Bird Trapping & Ringing
- Blood Sampling
- Immunological Assays (ELISA, HAHL, Haptoglobin, Lysozyme, Ovo-transferrin)
- DNA Extraction & PCR Protocols (DNA Sexing, Blood Parasite Screening)
- Foodstuff & Faecal Analysis (Kjeldahl Digestion, Bomb Calorimetry, Fibre Analysis, NIRS)
- Stable Isotopes Analysis
- Body Composition Analysis
### Fieldwork & Expedition Management
- Expedition Leadership
- Field Research
- Wildlife Survey
- Bird Conservation
- Long-term Monitoring
- Cross-cultural Fieldwork
- Remote Area Operations
- Logistics Management
### Teaching & Mentorship
- PhD Co-supervision
- MSc & BSc Thesis Supervision
- Internship Supervision
- Undergraduate Teaching
- Curriculum Development
- Practical Course Instruction
- Science Communication
- Nature & Wildlife Guidance
### Project Management & Leadership
- Project Management
- Time Management
- Strategic Planning
- Scientific Committee Leadership
- Stakeholder Engagement
- International Collaboration
- Supervision

## Interests
### Ornithology
- DO-G member
- European Ornithologists' Union
- Bird Watching
- Bird Ringing
### Wildlife Photography
- Nature Photography
- Contributor to 'Nature in Stock'
### Sport
- Scuba Diving (CMAS** silver)
- Capoeira

## Projects
### Arctic Barnacle Goose Research Expeditions, Nenetsky AO
Conducted and co-led multiple complex research expeditions to the Russian Arctic, focusing on barnacle goose ecology and migration.
### Field Assistant, Seychelles Warbler Rewilding & Conservation Project
Contributed as a field assistant to the 'Seychelles Warbler Project' under Prof. Komdeur, focusing on rewilding and conservation of island populations.
### Lead Bird Conservation Surveys, Kazakhstan
Led independent surveys focused on bird conservation in Kazakhstan, contributing to ecological assessments outside academic institutions.
### Lake Tengis Waterbird Monitoring & UNESCO Nomination
Initiated and conducted comprehensive data collection for a long-term waterbird monitoring program at Lake Tengis, Central Kazakhstan.

## Source
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