Dr. Christian Schürings
I am a freshwater ecologist fascinated by the complex interactions between environmental change and biodiversity. My research explores how human activities shape freshwater ecosystems, with a particular focus on disentangling large-scale patterns of degradation and recovery. Over the years, I have worked across disciplines—integrating ecology, environmental chemistry, and spatial modeling—to understand how riverine communities respond to anthropogenic pressures.
My PhD research at the University of Duisburg-Essen explored the impacts of agricultural land use on river biota, combining meta-analyses, pan-European studies, and national-scale assessments linking cultivation intensity to freshwater ecological status. Building on this, I investigated how multiple stressors interact during phases of ecosystem degradation and recovery, shaping both community composition and ecological functions.
Now, at the University of Washington, I am expanding my work to the intercontinental scale, with a growing focus on aquatic-terrestrial linkages. My research examines how river and floodplain restoration can enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health. By integrating large-scale datasets from Europe and North America, I aim to quantify the co-benefits of freshwater habitat restoration for both aquatic and terrestrial communities, particularly the interactions between aquatic insects and bird populations.
I thrive on synthesizing large datasets, contributing to science-policy discussions, and occasionally disappearing into statistical models for days on end. Outside of research, I love spending time with my daughter and experiencing the world through her eyes. I also enjoy biking, hiking, cooking, and attempting to keep up with my ever-growing reading list. With new projects on the horizon, I’m excited to continue exploring how we can better protect and restore freshwater ecosystems in a changing world.