Neophytes can affect local ecosystems, biodiversity, and construction infrastructure. Understanding their growth patterns and ecological impacts is key to conservation efforts and policy-making. 

This work aims to build on and expand upon the data and knowledge contained within a previous thesis that mapped the distribution of Impatiens glandulifera, Senecio inaequidens and Reynoutria japonica within the Oldenburg settlement area.  

The planned study aims to investigate the distribution and community composition of Impatiens glandulifera, Senecio inaequidens and Reynoutria japonica in the urban and rural area of the city of Oldenburg and its surrounding landscapes. 

This topic is either suitable for one Master thesis or can be split into two Bachelor's theses: one about the distribution patterns and one about the plant community data. 

This offer is part of the broader project "Neophytes of Oldenburg"

• Mapping of single species within and around Oldenburg

• Integration of citizen science data (e.g., iNaturalist) (BSc, MSc)

• GIS-based linkage with urban infrastructure, visualisation and analysis (BSc, MSc)

• records of plant community data in invaded (and non-invaded) habitats (BSc, MSc)

• Description and visualisation of distribution patterns (BSc) (GIS)

• Analysis of species occurrences in relation to specific urban structures (e.g., water ways, larger roads, GIS+statistics) (MSc)

• Analysis of plant community data (and differences between invasded and non-invaded habitats)

The topic can be addressed in a bachelor's thesis or explored in greater depth in a master's thesis.