only open vegetation types, Klötzli et al. 2010). I was only partly successful in
continuing this monograph series, despite many attempts to convince possible
authors. Volumes 5 and 6 (East Asia, South Asia) are still lacking. The assembling
of the huge existing information into an integrated comprehensive book is a major
magisterial synthesis and a challenge to attempt. It requires long experience (Walter
1989).
The continuation of the aims of the AFW Schimper Foundation, founded by
H. and E. Walter in 1968 to promote ecological research outside of Europe, was
documented by the proceedings of the first symposium in October 1998 and a second
in October 2002. From 1968 till now, almost 100 fellowships have been given. The
fellows (the “Schimper Family”) have presented many interesting results of their
research, which quite often were a starting point for more detailed studies. The
proceedings volumes (Breckle et al. 2000, 2004) document a broad wealth of
worldwide ecological studies and, in part, up-to-date research data on specific
subjects.
9 Applied Biology and Ecology
On my return from Afghanistan at the end of 1969 to the Institute of Pharmacognosy
in Bonn (later the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology) it became clear that my
ecological interests should be combined with the chemistry of secondary compounds
and also studies on nutrients and trace elements. A heavy load of teaching on the
morphology and anatomy of plants, as well as on biochemical pathways of active
principles in medicinal plants, led to the edition of a textbook on Pharmazeutische
Biologie (Kating and Breckle 1978, 1981), with several subsequent new editions –
the third in 1988 and now, in collaboration with Eckhard Leistner, the 8th edition
(Leistner and Breckle 1988, 1992, 1997, 2000a, b, 2008, 2014) with new authors
(Drews et al.).
When I started in Bielefeld in 1979, botanical ecology was becoming a dominant
topic. There were also applied projects on nature conservation, mainly documentation of specific sites for future nature protection. They were the topic of many
diploma theses. Numerous phytosociological and floristic studies were carried out
around Bielefeld. Often, the documentation of the ecology of a distinct area led,
sometimes many years later, to the declaration of such an area as a nature reserve –
sometimes with unnecessary prohibitions on entering the area, since not all official
flora–fauna habitat (FFH) regions (as declared by the European Union [EU]) were
really worth nature protection. Many former diploma candidates are now working at
biological stations and in communal environmental administration, or have founded
private consulting agencies.
This scientific curiosity was not directed only towards purely ecological problems
but also towards other scientific topics. One interesting question has been how much
influence on – or damage to – nature has been caused by nature sports such as
orienteering, which is very common in Scandinavia.
48
S.-W. Breckle
continuing this monograph series, despite many attempts to convince possible
authors. Volumes 5 and 6 (East Asia, South Asia) are still lacking. The assembling
of the huge existing information into an integrated comprehensive book is a major
magisterial synthesis and a challenge to attempt. It requires long experience (Walter
1989).
The continuation of the aims of the AFW Schimper Foundation, founded by
H. and E. Walter in 1968 to promote ecological research outside of Europe, was
documented by the proceedings of the first symposium in October 1998 and a second
in October 2002. From 1968 till now, almost 100 fellowships have been given. The
fellows (the “Schimper Family”) have presented many interesting results of their
research, which quite often were a starting point for more detailed studies. The
proceedings volumes (Breckle et al. 2000, 2004) document a broad wealth of
worldwide ecological studies and, in part, up-to-date research data on specific
subjects.
9 Applied Biology and Ecology
On my return from Afghanistan at the end of 1969 to the Institute of Pharmacognosy
in Bonn (later the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology) it became clear that my
ecological interests should be combined with the chemistry of secondary compounds
and also studies on nutrients and trace elements. A heavy load of teaching on the
morphology and anatomy of plants, as well as on biochemical pathways of active
principles in medicinal plants, led to the edition of a textbook on Pharmazeutische
Biologie (Kating and Breckle 1978, 1981), with several subsequent new editions –
the third in 1988 and now, in collaboration with Eckhard Leistner, the 8th edition
(Leistner and Breckle 1988, 1992, 1997, 2000a, b, 2008, 2014) with new authors
(Drews et al.).
When I started in Bielefeld in 1979, botanical ecology was becoming a dominant
topic. There were also applied projects on nature conservation, mainly documentation of specific sites for future nature protection. They were the topic of many
diploma theses. Numerous phytosociological and floristic studies were carried out
around Bielefeld. Often, the documentation of the ecology of a distinct area led,
sometimes many years later, to the declaration of such an area as a nature reserve –
sometimes with unnecessary prohibitions on entering the area, since not all official
flora–fauna habitat (FFH) regions (as declared by the European Union [EU]) were
really worth nature protection. Many former diploma candidates are now working at
biological stations and in communal environmental administration, or have founded
private consulting agencies.
This scientific curiosity was not directed only towards purely ecological problems
but also towards other scientific topics. One interesting question has been how much
influence on – or damage to – nature has been caused by nature sports such as
orienteering, which is very common in Scandinavia.
48
S.-W. Breckle