GÜNTER FÖRSTERRA

 Postal Address
Universidad Austral de Chile
Instituto de Biología Marina
Dr. Elena Clasing c/o Günter Försterra
Avda. Inés de Haverbeck, casas 9, 11 y 13
Campus Isla Teja; Casilla 567
Valdivia, Chile

in Germany: 
Zoologische Staatssammlung München
Münchhausenstr. 21
81247 München, Germany

E-mail address:  gunter_forsterra(-at-)yahoo.com, g.forsterra(-at-)huinay.cl
Phone: 0056-63-249928 (Valdivia), 0056-2-1964127 (Huinay)
Fax:  0056-63-221 455 (Valdivia) or 0049-8102-748591 (Munich)
Present Position
PhD Thesis Project 
Education
Diploma Thesis Research
Professional Presentations
Publications
Scholarships
University Activities
Relevant Working experience
Expeditions
Special skills
Proficiency Tests
Professional Interests
Affiliations
Non-University activities
Hobbies
Further links

Present Position:  Managing scientists/Scientific Coordinator of Huinay Scientific Field Station (since October 2004)

Ph.D. student of Dr. Ralph Tollrian, Department of Ecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Germany
Cooperation partner in Chile: Dr. Elena Clasing, Department of Marine Biology, Universidad Austral de Chile (UACH)
Special subject advisors: Dr. Paul Dayton, Scripps Institution, USA; Dr. Wolf Arntz, Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research

PhD Thesis Project:  "A novel approach for structural analyses of benthic communities exemplified by Chilean fiords"

During a three-year cooperation project between the Ludwigs-Maximilians-University and the Universidad Austral de Chile, shallow water benthic communities in the fiord Comao are studied. The investigations will be carried out at the biological station of the Huinay Foundation.
 

In a first phase, a novel method for inventory and reproducible characterization of benthic communities will be developed and applied. The method combines tried and tested procedures from terrestrial plant sociology (Braun-Blanquet) with modern techniques for benthic research like SCUBA-diving and digital underwater photography. The method will be designed for application on a broad spectrum of benthic communities. It allows a rapid asessment procedure for large areas as well as a reproducible detailed analysis of benthic communities and a combination of both. The results will provide information about benthic biodiversity in the northern Chilean fiord region. This phase of the project is integrated in the Census of Marine Life and the NaGISA project. 

In a second phase, basic abiotic constants will be recorded at selected communities and variable factors will be monitored during an entire year cycle. Key factors molding these communities shall be detected, which allow conclusions on dynamics within these communities and the reasons for high diversity in the fiords.

Education:
Since Oct. 02:             PhD thesis project at the Huinay Scientific Field Station and the Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia

Aug. 00 – Sept. 02:     Teaching and Research Assistant at the Department of Ecology of the LMU (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München),      Munich; free-lance at the ZSM (Zoologische Staatssammlung München) 

Aug. 99 – July 00:        Graduate Studies in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas (KU)

Oct. 98:                       Diplom (Master) in Biology at the LMU, Munich, Germany: grade[1] 1.0 obtaining "first class honors" 

Diploma examinations:

-          ecology; main topic of examination: marine population dynamics and harvesting concepts

-          zoology (systematics); main topic of examination: marine zoology, Humboldt Current

-          botany (systematics); main topic of examination: marine algae

-          soil science

Oct. 97 – Oct. 98:       Diploma thesis: “Contributions to the Sea Anemone Fauna of Chile (Cnidaria, Anthozoa)”, advisor: Dr. Gerhard Haszprunar at Zoologische Staatssammlung München, LMU/ZSM (Zoological State Collection Munich); second advisor: Dr. Karin Riemann, Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven

Aug. 94 - Oct. 95:       One year of integrated graduate studies in marine biology at the Universidad de Concepción, Chile, with emphasis on marine invertebrates

Nov. 92 - Oct. 97:       Hauptstudium Biologie (graduate studies) in biology at the LMU, Munich

Nov. 92:                      Vordiplom (graduation), grade1 1.6; subjects: biology, chemistry and physics

Oct. 90 - Nov. 92:       Grundstudium Biologie (undergraduate studies) at the LMU, Munich

June 88:                       Abitur (University entrance qualification): grade1 1.9

[1] German Grading System: 1.0 (best) – 6.0 (worst)

Diploma Thesis Research:
Oct. 97-Oct. 98: "Beiträge zur Aktinienfauna Chiles (Cnidaria: Anthozoa); Teil 2", "Contributions to the Sea Anemone Fauna of Chile (Cnidaria: Anthozoa); Part 2"

Overwiew over the 7 most common mesomyarian Actiniaria in shallow water - sampled during a 6 months expedition along the Chilean coast, together with Dr. Verena Häussermann 

Adviser: Dr. Gerhard Haszprunar, ZSM / LMU
Additional advisers: Dr. Karin Riemann, AWI Bremerhaven; Dr. Hajo Schmidt, Universität Heidelberg

 Professional Presentations:

Conference Posters:
Försterra, G. and Häussermann, V. (1995): "Actiniaria y Corallimorpharia en la área costera de Concepción"; XV Jornada de Ciencias de Mar in Coquimbo/Chile

Försterra, G. &  Häussermann, V. (2001): "Large assemblages of azooxanthellate Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) in shallow waters of South Chilean fjords"; Terra Nostra 01/6: 155; 4th Annual Meeting of the GfBS; abstract

Wehrmann, A. & Schmidt, A. & Försterra, G. (2004): The end of a tropical story: carbonate production by coral assemblages and related benthic communities in the shallow waters of South Chilean fjords. - In: Kukla, P. & Littke, R. & Stollhofen, H. & Schwarzer, D. [Eds.]: Sediment 2004: Kurzfassungen und Exkursionsführer. - Schriftenr. Dt. Geol. Ges., 33: 174; Hannover; abstract.

Gallardo, V.A., G. Försterra, V. Häussermann and J. Faundez (2005): Hallazgo de sistemas bacterianos sulfurosos someros asociados a la actividad hidrotermal del Fiordo Comau, Xa Región. Annual COLACMAR meeting, May16-20 2005, Viña del Mar, Chile; pdf poster; abstract.

 Bravo, Alejandro; G. Försterra. & V. Häussermann (2005): Fishing in Troubled Waters – Evidence for higher Diversity and high Abundance of Cold Water Corals along the Chilean Coast. 3rd International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals ISDSC 3, November 28-December 2; Miami, Florida, USA, p. 234; pdf poster, abstract.

McCulloch, M., P. Montagna, G. Försterra, G. Mortimer, V. Häussermann & C. Mazzoli (2005). Uranium-series dating and growth rates of the cool-water coral Desmophyllum dianthus from the Chilean fjords. 3rd International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals ISDSC 3, November 28-December 2; Miami, Florida, USA, p. 191; pdf poster.

Försterra, Günter and Vreni Häussermann (2006): Fjord regions as laboratories for understanding processes in marine ecosystems affected by climate changes. 41st European Marine Biology Symposium EMBS41, Cork, Ireland, September 4-8, 2006, abstract.

Lôbo-Hajdu, G., Desqueyroux-Faúndez, R., Carvalho, M., Willenz, P., Esteves, E. L., Häussermann, V., Försterra, G., Bravo, A. and Hajdu, E. (2006): New records of marine sponges for the southeastern Pacific (23 - 56ºS). 7th International Sponge Symposium, May 7-13, Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, p. 293; abstract.

Oral presentations:
Försterra, G. (2002): "Reconstructing a lost world - the urgent need for reproducible inventory methods in benthic science", 8.-12.11.02, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo. 

Försterra, G. (2003): "A novel approach to diversity assessments of marine benthic communities exemplified by a Chilean fjord", XXIII Congreso de Ciencias del Mar, 5.-8.5.2003, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, abstract.

Försterra, G. (2003): “The south Chilean fjord region- methods and techniques for structural analysis of shallow water benthic communities”, IBMANT and ANDEEP meeting, 19.-24.10.2003, Ushuaia, Argentina, abstract.

Försterra, G. (2004): A novel approach to diversity assessments of macro-epi-benthic communities exemplified by Chilean fjords; Annual NABS meeting, Vancouver, Canada, 6.-11.6.2004, abstract.

Mariana de S. Carvalho; Ruth Desqueyroux-Faundez; Philippe Willenz; Günter Försterra; Verena Häussermann; Gisele Lôbo-Hajdu and Eduardo Hajdu (2005): Esponjas de los fiordos Comau y Quintupeu (X Región de los Lagos, Chile). Annual COLACMAR meeting, May16-20 2005, Viña del Mar, Chile, abstract.

Försterra. G. (2005): Optimizing sampling- and analysis patterns for digital-photographic macro-epibenthic community studies – a combined theoretical and practical approach exemplified by a Chilean fjord. Annual COLACMAR meeting, May16-20 2005, Vina del Mar, Chile, abstract.

Försterra. G. & V. Häussermann (2005): In Sight, Still Out of mind! — Coral Banks in Chilean Fjords: Characteristics, Distribution, Threats. 3rd International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals ISDSC 3, November 28-December 2; Miami, Florida, USA, p. 125, abstract.

Häussermann, Vreni & Günter Försterra (2006): Primera evidencia para arrecifes recientes de hidrocorales en aguas someras de la Patagonia chilena. Congreso de Ciencias del Mar, Iquique, Chile, May 22-26, 2006, abstract.

Häussermann, Vreni & Günter Försterra (2006): Quality versus speed – the Chilean fjord region as a case study for the dilemma of optimizing MPA patterns in a complex environment under growing economic pressure. 41st European Marine Biology Symposium EMBS41, Cork, Ireland, September 4-8, 2006, abstract.

Försterra, Günter (2006): Inadequacies of the NaGISA protocol for application in the Chilean fjord region and alternative procedures. 1st NaGISA World Coference, Kobe, Japan, October 15-18; p. 28; abstract.

Försterra, G. & Häussermann, V. (2007): Inventories and environmental baseline studies as fundament for coastal management and sustainable development in the Chilean fjord region. First International Workshop: Evolutionary Impact of Exotic Aquaculture on Native Aquatic Biodiversity; Puerto Montt (Chile), January 17-19, Darwin Initiative Project, abstract.

Unpublished reports:
G. Försterra, V. Häussermann, R. Fitzek y Yany G. (2004, version revisada 10.1.2006): Propuesta para el establecimiento de un parque marino en los fiordos Comau y Renihue (incluyendo Quintupeu, Cahuelmo y la isla Lilihuapi); pdf

V. Häussermann, G. Försterra, A. Wehrmann, M. Thiel, M. Schrödl y E. Clasing (2004): Primer workshop en la Estacion Cientifica Huinay: los fiordos chilenos; pdf: English, Spanish, German

Newsletter contributions:
Försterra, G. & Häussermann, V (2004): Chilean fjords – an endangered paradise. Global Marine Environment 1: 12-13

Häussermann, V. & Försterra, G. (2004): Chilean sea anemones – forgotten flowers of the sea. Global Marine Environment 1: 16-17

Försterra, G. & Häussermann, V (2004): Die chilenischen Fjorde - ein bedrohtes Paradies. GfBS newsletter 13: 24-26, 57

Häussermann, V. & Försterra, G. (2004): Die chilenischen Seeanemonen - vergessene Blumen des Meeres. GfBS newsletter 13: 31-33, 57

Försterra, G., Häussermann, V. & Gerard P. Foley Jr. (in press): Adding pieces to a complex puzzle – discovering the benthic life in the channels and fjords of Chilean Patagonia. Global Marine Environment 3.

Hajdu, E., Willenz, P., Lôbo-Hajdu, G., Desqueyroux-Faundez, R., Carvalho, M., Häussermann, V., Försterra, G. and M. Scuteri (2005): Marine sponges biodiversity. Project AMBARC-diving and wading in South America. Global Marine Environment 4: 28-29.

Willenz, P., Häussermann, V., Försterra, G., Schrödl, M., Melzer, R., Atwood, L. and Jorda, C. (in press): Finding more pieces of the Chilean puzzle. Global Marine Environment 5 (proof).

Contributions to other media:
Underwater photo author for the book about the planned marine reserve in Bahía Tic Toc, South Chile; Ed.: Pumalin Foundation; 2002

Contribution of underwater pictures/scientific pictures to:

-  “Underwater Field guide to Ross Island and McMurdo Sound, Antarctica – Cnidaria”, 2001; http://scilib.ucsd.edu/sio/nsf/fguide/  

- the chapter „Cnidaria“ in the book „Das Mittelmeer -  Fauna, Flora, Ökologie, Band II/1, Bestimmungsführer“, Editor: Robert Hofrichter, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, 2003

- TV documentation “La Ley de la Selva: Huinay”, Megavisión, March 2004

- Exposition for the „Month of the Sea“, Hornopirén, Chile, May 2004

- the ARD Scientific Quiz “Kopfball” (cnidae picture), 2005

- the Netwatch section of the Science Magazin 2004, Science 309: 2009; and a report on the BIOPAT programm in the Science and Development Network of the Journal "Science" (March 2004)

- the reports about the Chilean fjords and the series "Especies endémicas de Chile" in the Chilean newspapers "El Mercurio" and "La Tercera" (2004, 2005)

Invited Talks:
"Landbased diving expeditions along the Chilean coast – experiences and results; part 1" (Alfred-Wegener-Institut Bremerhaven, 12/2000).

"Meeresbiologische Expeditionen entlang der chilenischen Küste; Erfahrungen - Eindrücke - Ergebnisse"; Zoologische Staatssammlung München, 4/2001.

"Chile: von der Atacamawüste bis Patagonien - über und unter Wasser". Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universität München, 7/2002.
"Scientific expeditions along the Chilean coast: benthos research with emphasis on Anthozoa". Monterey Bay Aquarium, 8/2002.

"Belleza escondida: la vida submarina de los fiordos chilenis – imagenes de Huinay". Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, 4/2003.

"La diversidad marina de los fiordos chilenos". Class for "Master of Business" students, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, 8/2003, 8/2004.

"Belleza escondida – la vida marina en los fiordos chilenos". Centro de Investigaciones Australes CADIC, Ushuaia, Argentina (photo presentation during the evening program of the IMANT/ANDEEP-symposium), 10/2003.

"The Chilean fjords-an endangered paradise." Biodiversity Research Centre/Vancouver, University of Victoria, Bamfield Marine Science Center (all Canada); Friday Harbor Marine Laboratories, University of Southern California, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (all USA), June/July 2004

"The need for inventory research and marine protected areas in the Chilean fjord region", WWF Valdivia, September 2004.

"La importancia de la investigación en los fiordos chilenos"; workshop of the Cimar Fiordos 9 meeting, 25./26.10.2004, Valparaíso, Chile.

"La biodiversidad bentónica en los fiordos chilenos"; workshop WWF Valdivia, Chilean gouvernment, Centro Ballena Azul (organisation): Caracterización e importancia biológica de la Provincia biogeográfica Chiloense: Primeros pasos hacia una conservación ecoregional planificada, 11./12.11.2004, Valdivia, Chile.

"La biodiversidad bentónica de los fiordos chilenos y su investigación en Huinay"; Centro EULA, Concepción; annual CONA meeting, Valdivia; Universidad Austral de Chile; Marine Field Station of Dichato/University of Concepción; all Chile, all December 2004.

"La biodiversidad bentonicas de los fiordos chilenos; Navimag ferry “Puerto Eden”, 22.3.2005.

"Interdisciplinary research opportunities in two new scientific facilities in the fjords Comau (42°S) and Iceberg (48°S)"; congreso CEQUA, Pto. Natales, 6.4.2005.

"Distribution patterns of Chilean sea anemones (Cnidaria: Anthozoa)"; congreso CEQUA, Pto. Natales, 7.4.2005.

"The biodiversity of the Chilean fjords and its study on the Huinay Scientific Field Station"; congreso CEQUA, Pto. Natales, 7.4.2005.

"La biodiversidad de los fiordos chilenos"; noche de videos at the COLACMAR meeting, 17.5.2005.

"The biodiversity of the Chilean fjords and its study on the Huinay Scientific Field Station"; Census of Marine Life/COREOCEAN, Heinz Center, World Bank, Smithsonian Institution, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy (TNC); USA, all July 2005.

"Estudios científicos en los fiordos y canales chilenos"; CONAMA, Santiago, 22.7.2005; Comision Borde Costero, Puerto Montt, 10.8.2005; both Chile.

"The biodiversity of the Chilean fjords and its study on the Huinay Scientific Field Station"; NIWA Wellington, Victoria University of Wellington, Department of Conservation Wellington, University of Christchurch, University of Dunedin, Leigh Marine Lab//University of Auckland, all New Zealand; University of Tasmania (Hobart) and University of Sydney, Australia; all October and November 2005.

Satellite event: "Saving the Chilean fjords? – a lost battle?" 1st international meeting on marine protected areas (IMPAC1), October 23-27, Geelong, Australia.

"Estudios Científicos en los Fiordos y Canales Chilenos"; Subsecretaria de Pesca, Valparaíso, Chile; 22.11.2005

"Áreas marinas de alta protegidas en fiordos de la Xa región – necesidades, contextos, caminos"; meeting with Subsecretaria de Pesca, DOC Nueva Zelanda, NOAA; Santiago, Chile, 31.1.2006.

Photo-presentation of the marine biodiversity of the Chilean fjords at the scientific workshop "Investigación ambiental en la salmonicultura chilena - Gasto o Inversión?", Puerto Montt, March 23 and 24, 2006.

"La biodiversidad bentónica de los fiordos chilenos y su investigación en Huinay", Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Patagónicas (CIEP), Coyhaique, 14.8.2006.

"The marine diversity of the Patagonian fjords and its study at the Huinay Scientific Field Station", University of Bergen, University of Trondheim, NIVA Oslo, all Norway, University of Göteborg, Kristineberg Marine Research Station, both Sweden, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, University of Bochum, Geo-Bio-Center Munich, both Germany, September 2006.

"The state of the art of marine conservation in Chile", marine protected areas workshop, organized by V. Häussermann, G. Försterra and Bill Ballantine, European Marine Biology Symposium (EMBS 41), Cork, Ireland, 6.9.2006.

La biodiversidad bentónica del fiordo Comau y la propuesta de un área marina protegida; presentation to fishermen, Huinay, 4.12.2006

"The marine diversity of the Patagonian fjords and its study at the Huinay Scientific Field Station"; First International Workshop: Evolutionary Impact of Exotic Aquaculture on Native Aquatic Biodiversity; Puerto Montt (Chile), 18.1.2007.

"The marine diversity of the Patagonian fjords and its study at the Huinay Scientific Field Station"; Galathea 3, Valparaiso, 9.2.2007

"La biodiversidad bentónica del fiordo Comau y la propuesta de un área marina protegida"; presentation to fishermen, Quiaca, 16.2.2007

"Impactos de una carretera a lo largo del fiordo Comau", presentation to the MOP, Huinay, 11./12.1.2007 and Santiago, 27.3.2007


In the fjords Comau and Reñihue, large assemblages of azooxanthelate corals can be found on vertical and overhanging walls; 25 m.


King crabs can regularly be observed while SCUBA diving in the fjords.


Publications:
A. Zahn, M. Steiger, B. Petri, G. Försterra (1991); “Beiträge zum Artenschutz Nr. 17, Amphibienkartierung im Landkreis Altötting”, S. 113 – 117, Schriftenreihe des Bayerischen Landesamts für Umweltschutz.

Häussermann, V. and Försterra, G. (2001): "A new species of sea anemone from Chile, Anemonia alicemartinae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa). An invader or an indicator for environmental change in shallow water?" (Organisms Diversity & Evolution 1(3): 211-224); abstract and colour pictures, pdf (Copyright Urban & Fischer Verlag 2001)

Försterra, G. (2003): "Scleractinia" in "Das Mittelmeer", Ed.: Dr. Robert Hofrichter, Spektrum Verlag

Opresko, D. and Försterra, G. (2003): "Antipatharia" in "Das Mittelmeer", Ed.: Dr. Robert Hofrichter, Spektrum Verlag

Försterra, G. & Häussermann, V. (2003): "First report on large scleractinian (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) accumulations in cold-temperate shallow water of south Chilean fjords" (Zoologische Mededelingen Leiden 345: 117-128); pdf (copyright Museum Naturalis, 2003)

Häussermann, V. & Försterra, G. (2003): "First evidence for coloniality in sea anemones"; Marine Ecology Progress Series 257: 291-294; pdf (copyright Inter-Research 2003)

Försterra, G., Beuck, L., Häussermann, V. & Freiwald, A. (2005): Shallow water Desmophyllum dianthus (Scleractinia) from Chile: characteristics of the biocenoses, the bioeroding community, heterotrophic interactions and (palaeo)-bathymetrical implications. In: Freiwald, A., Roberts, J. M. (eds.): Cold-water corals and ecosystems. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 937-977; pdf (copyright Springer Verlag).

Cairns, S., V. Häussermann and G. Försterra (2005). A review of the Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) of Chile, with the description of two new species; Zootaxa 1018: 14-46; pdf (copyright Magnolia Press)

Häussermann, V. and Försterra, G.(2005): Distribution patterns of Chilean shallow-water sea anemones (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria, Corallimorpharia); with a discussion of the taxonomic and zoogeographic relationships between the actinofauna of the South East Pacific, the South West Atlantic and Antarctica; Pages 91-102 in W. E. Arntz, G. A. Lovrich and S. Thatje, eds. The Magellan-Antarctic connection: links and frontiers at high southern latitudes. Scientia Marina 69 (Suppl. 2); pdf (copyright).

Michael Schrödl, María-Angélica Alarcón, Luis R. Bedriñana, Francisco J. Bravo, Carlos M. Bustamante, Rosana Carvalho, Günther Försterra, Carlos Gallardo, Verena Häussermann, Andrea Salmen (2005): Nudipleura (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) from the southern Chilean Comau Fjord, with redescription of Polycera priva Marcus, 1959; Vita Malacologica 3: 23-33.; pdf (copyright).

van Ofwegen, L., Häussermann, V. and Försterra, G. (2006): A new genus of soft coral (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Clavulariidae) from Chile. Zootaxa 1219: 47-57; pdf (copyright Magnolia press).

Schwabe, E., Försterra, G., Häussermann, V., Alarcón, M.-A. and Schrödl, M. (2006): Chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) from the southern Chilean Comau Fjord, with reinstatement of Tonicia calbucensis Plate, 1897. Zootaxa 1341: 1-27; pdf (copyright Magnolia Press).

Melzer, Roland R., Schrödl, Michael, Häussermann, Verena, Försterra, Günter, and Montoya Bravo, Maria Fernanda (2006): Pycnogonids on cnidarians at Comau fjord, Southern Chile: a report on 2005 SCUBA collections. Spixiana 29: 237-242; pdf.

Häussermann, Verena & Günter Försterra (2007). Extraordinary abundance of hydrocorals (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Stylasteridae) in shallow water of the Patagonian fjord region. Polar Biology 30 (4): 487-492; pdf (copyright Springer) (online first: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0207-5).

 

In review / in preparation:
Verena Häussermann and Günter Försterra (in press): Large assemblages of cold-water corals in Chile – a summary of recent findings and their implications. Bulletin of Marine Science.

Günter Försterra, Verena Häussermann and Carsten Lüter (to be submitted): Mass occurrences of the recent brachiopod Magellania venosa (Terebratellidae) in the fjords Comau and Renihue, Chile.

JL Iriarte, M. Sobarzo, G. Försterra, V. Häeussermann, H. E.. González, R. Torres, N. Sanchez, J. Mardones (to be submitted in April): Oceanographic studies and ecological interactions in Southern Chilean fjords: the Comau fjord example. Journal of Marine Systems.

van Ofwegen, Leen, Häussermann, Verena & Günter Försterra (in review): The genus Alcyonium (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Alcyoniidae) in Chile. Zootaxa.

Försterra, Günter & Verena Häussermann (in press): The balance between standardization, quality, and practicability in benthic inventories – experiences with the NaGISA protocol in the Chilean fjord region. Seto Marine Biological Laboratory Publications (Kyoto); not peer-reviewed

Hajdu, E. et al. (in preparation): An inventory of the Porifera of the fjord Huinay, South Chile

Schrödl, M.; Häussermann, V. and Försterra, G. (to be submitted to Veliger): "A new species of aeolid nudibranch species from Chile"


Steep slopes, luxuriant terrestrial vegetation and high precipitation
cause a high influx of organic matter in south Chilean fjords.


Recently discovered shallow-water hydrocoral "reefs"
in southern Chilean fjords. Madre de Dios Arquipielago; 25 m.


Scholarships, awards and grants:

A) Scholarships

- Travel stipend for Marine Biology Congress in Coquimbo / Chile by Universidad de Concepción; 1995

- One year DAAD (German Academic Exchange service) scholarship for integrated studies in a foreign country (IAS) at the Universidad de Concepción (1994/1995)

- Travel stipend by the Alfred-Wegener-Institut Bremerhaven for a presentation; 2000

- PEET (Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy) fellowship at the University of Kansas, Aug. 1999 – Jan. 2000

- scholarship for research activities on the marine biological station of the Huinay Foundation in the Comao Fiord, South Chile , since January 2003

- 2 year DAAD scholarship for Ph.D. studies (HSP III)  at the Universidad Austral de Chile; Valdivia, Chile; Oct. 2002 – Sept. 2004

- Travel award for the 3rd International Symposium on Cold-Water Corals, Miami, USA, Nov. 28-Dec.2, 2005; GIBS

- Travel stipend for the 1st NaGISA World Congress, Kobe, Japan, by NaGISA (2006)

- Travel stipend for the MARXAN Best Practises workshop in Vancouver, BC, Canada, April 2-5, 2007, by PacMARA (1000 US$) (2007)

- Travel stipend for the PICES/ICES Meeting “New frontiers in Marine Science”, Baltimore, June 26-29, 2007, by PICES (1000 US$) (2007)

B)Awards

- Award "VI Premios Europeos de Medio Ambiente a la Empresa" to Endesa for the success of the Huinay Foundation; Spain, April 2004


C) Grants

- 9860 US$ grant of the PADI Foundation for the project "Geographical and bathymetrical distribution of the azooxanthellate coral banks in the northern Patagonian fjord region and implications for their conservation"; May 2005

- Approx. 2400US$ grant of the Brasilean gouvernment (PROSUL; project leader Eduardo Hajdu) for the Brasilean-Chilean-Argentinean project "Biogeography of South American sponges and anthozoans"; March 2005

5145 US$ grant of the PADI Foundation for work on the inventory of Chilean gorgonians (2006)


D) Logistic support, invitations

Logistic support of the project "Fiordo Tempano" for a first biodiversity inventory of the South Chilean fjords Tempano and Bernardo, 48°S; March 2005

Invitation to the CEQUA meeting, Puerto Natales; 4.-9.4.2005

Logistic support of NAVIMAG and CONAF for the project "Bioregionalisación de la región de los fiordos chilenos"; March 2005 and March 2006.

Invitation to the scientific workshop "Investigación ambiental en la salmonicultura chilena - Gasto o Inversión?", Puerto Montt, March 23 and 24, 2006.

Logistic support of Naviera Austral, Raul Marin Balmaceda, Fiordo Palvita, Fundacion Otway for a biodiversity study of the Northern Patagonian Zone, March 2007.

University Activities:
- Teaching Assistant for "Vegetation Societies" at the Department of Phytogeography (summer 1996)
- Teaching assistant and dive guide for "Biology and Ecology of Coral Reefs" (winter 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2001)
- Research assistant / curatorial assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Daphne Fautin at KU (Aug.’99 - Jan. ‘00)
- Teaching assistant and underwater photographer for “Biology and Ecology of Norwegian Fjords” (summer 2001)
- Master of Business Class "Biodiversity of Chilean fjords", 08/2003, 08/2004 and 8/2005  

Relevant Working experience:

 


Field laboratory in the Atacama Desert, North Chile.


Diving in Caleta Gonzalo, Renihue fjord, South Chile.

 
Expeditions :

1) Expeditions of G. Försterra and V. Häussermann to collect anthozoans between 1997 ans 2002:

2) Expeditions organised as directors of the Huinay Scientific Field Station (since 2002):

Special Skills :

Languages:                   German (native language) 

                                    English, Spanish, French (all fluently)
Diving:                          Rescue Diver (PADI) and CMAS Gold/*** (license for and experience in leading divegroups), Chilean diving license
Computer applications: Windows (9x, Millenium, NT, 2000, XP), MS Office, Word Perfect, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, Silver Fast, Endnote,  

                                    EASy, Internet (basic HTML skills)

Proficiency Tests :  

Professional Interests:
General:     Marine ecology/taxonomy, natural resources management, marine conservation
Specific:     Ecology of benthic communities of South Chile, fjord ecosystems, marine protected areas, deep-water corals

Professional Affiliations:
Founder of "Fjord Research Network" (2004)
Verein deutscher Biologen (VdBiol, since 2000)

Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik (GfBS, since 2001)

Vice director of PERLAS (Partnership for ecosysem research in Latin American seas, since 2002)

Census Of Marine Life (COML, since 2002)

WWF (since 1997)
Society for Nature Conservation in Germany (BUND, since 1980)

Non-University Activities:
Involvement for the establishment of marine protected areas in Chile (since 2003)

Free-lance at the Zoologische Staatssammlung München (since 1997)

Voluntary support of several actions for environmental preservation (students in the Olympic Center, student body of the department of biology, BUND, Pro Regenwald

During 4 years elected into various positions (including direction) of  the Association of Students in the Olympic Center (1991-1994)

Hobbies:
Nature and underwater photography, sea kayaking, mountaineering, trekking, triathlon, sailing
 

Further links:  
If you want to see more underwater pictures of the South Chilean fjord, look here...
Pictures, travel reports and platform for discussions and comments of Vreni and Fossi
Census Of Marine Life (COML)
Underwater Field guide to Ross Island and McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Huinay Foundation, Chile
Mundo Azul, Lima, Peru
Webpage of Vreni Häussermann
Webpage of Uli Häussermann

under construction: 
Webpage of PERLAS (Partnership for Ecosystem Research in Latin American Seas)
Webpage of purchasable professional nature pictures (underwater and terrestrial)
Tree Tigers Webpage

 Some more pictures of South Chilean benthic communities...

  Large assemblages of the azooxanthellate coral Desmophyllum dianthus.

D. dianthus reaches densities up to 1500 individuals / m².

A large, slightly overhanging wall.

Within dense populations specimens of D. dianthus may show extreme length growth. 

 

Most recent update 1st of April 2007