New dissertation within One Health: We congratulate Svenja Horstmann!

Last changed: 13 March 2025
A smiling woman with blond hair. Photo.

Recently, Svenja Horstmann successfully defended her thesis. We took the opportunity to ask some questions about her research and future plans.

Who are you? Could you give a short presentation of yourself and your research area?

"My name is Svenja Horstmann, and I am an ecologist with a special interest in pollinators. In my thesis, I worked with road verges and their role as habitats for wild bees and butterflies. I examined how factors like traffic intensity, vegetation management, and even historical landscape context influence pollinator and plant diversity in these linear habitats. By identifying ways to optimize road verge management, I aim to contribute to biodiversity conservation in human-modified landscapes".

How does your research align with the One Health concept, and in what ways can it contribute to a more sustainable and socially impactful world?

"My research aligns with the One Health concept by exploring the connections between infrastructure (roads), ecosystem health (pollinator and plant diversity), and potential benefits to human well-being through pollination services. Pollinators play an essential role in maintaining wild plant diversity and supporting food production, and my findings show how flower-rich road verges can serve as valuable habitats for these insects".

What are your plans now after your PhD?

"After a long and much deserved holiday, I am excited to soon continue working with pollinators as a postdoc at Agroscope in Zürich (Switzerland). Within the new AGRI4POL project, I will contribute to understanding how we can manage and restore wild pollinator diversity in agricultural landscapes, which creates benefits to both ecosystems and people".

We wish Svenja the best of luck in your future career!