Dr. Jana Wölfel

Research assistant/scientific coordinator

  Tel: +49 381-498 6075

jana.woelfel(at)uni-rostock.de

 

Research interest

  • Benthos ecology in coastal waters in general
  • Biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, silicate) in the Baltic Sea
  • Development and construction of benthic measuring chamber systems (e.g. WaBOb- Warnemuende Benthic Observation Chamber)
  • Primary production and ecophysiological adaptation of benthic microalgae (polar regions and Baltic Sea)
  • Taxonomy of benthic/pelagic marine microalgae (polar regions and Baltic Sea)

Current project

CONTRA - COnversion of a Nuisance to a Resource and Asset, EU-Interreg B Projekt 01.01.2019 - 30.06.2021

 


Scientific career

Since 04/2019: Scientific coordinator in the EU INTERREG Baltic Sea project "CONTRA - COnversion of a Nuisance to a Resource and Asset"

2013-2019:Research assistant in the BMBF-project "SECOS I & II - The service of sediments in German coastal seas (FONA)" "Gas fluxes in the sediment-water interface", Section Marine Chemistry, Dept. Biogeochemistry of environmentally relevant gases, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde

2013-2013: Research assistant in the BMBF project "USElab": "Taxonomic and quantitative assessment of phytoplankton biomass in the Southern Baltic Sea", Dept. Aquatic Ecology, University of Rostock

2012-2013: Research assistant: "Preparation of publications and project reports, supervision of algae strain collections, evaluation of methods for the determination of phosphorus content in environmental samples", Dept. Applied Ecology & Phycology, University of Rostock

2009-2012: Research assistant in the BMBF project "BIOACID": "Interaction of changes in CO2 concentration and temperature on the diversity and functionality of microphytobenthic communities in the Baltic Sea", Dept. Applied Ecology & Phycology, University of Rostock

2005-2009: Research assistant in the DFG project in the SPP "Antarctic Research" 1158 "Biomass, primary production and ecophysiology of the microphytobenthos in the Arctic Kongsfjord, Spitsbergen", Dept. Applied Ecology & Phycology, University of Rostock

2005-2012: PhD in Aquatic Ecology at the University of Rostock (Germany), Title “Primary production of benthic microalgae in an Arctic fjord (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard)”

2004-2005: Research assistant in the DFG project of Dr. Anja Eggert: "Biodiversity and Ecophysiology of the primitive Rhodophyta of the Baltic Sea", Dept. Applied Ecology, University of Rostock

2002-2004: Diploma thesis, Aquatic Ecology at the University of Rostock (Germany), Title “Succession and vitality in the photoautotrophic layer in microbial mats in a wind flat (Baltic Sea, Germany)”

2001-2002: Various activities as student assistant at the Institute for Biosciences of the University of Rostock, Dept. Applied Ecology: e.g. "Maintenance of algae cultures", "Sediment analysis", "Comparison of methods of phosphorus fractionation"

1996-2004: Diploma studies in Biology at the University of Rostock, major: Aquatic Ecology, minor: Botany, Zoology, Medical Parasitology


Publications

Publications

Fredriksen S, Karsten U, Bartsch I, Woelfel J, Koblofsky M, Schumann R, Røang Moy S, Steneck RS, Wiktor J, Hop H, Wiencke C (2019); Biodiversity of benthic macro- and microalgae from Svalbard with special focus on Kongsfjorden. Advances in Polar Ecology 2 (Eds: Hop, H. & Wiencke, C.), In: Advances in Polar Ecology 2 (Eds: Hop, H. & Wiencke, C.), Springer Nature Switzerland, 331-371. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46425-1_9

Karsten U, Schaub I, Woelfel J, Sevilgen DS, Schlie C, Becker B, Wulff A, Graeve M, Wagner H (2019); Living on cold substrata – new insights and approaches to study microphytobenthos ecophysiology and ecology in Kongsfjorden. In: Advances in Polar Ecology (Eds: Hop, H & Wiencke, C), Springer Nature Switzerland, 303-330. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46425-1_8

Radtke H, Lipka M, Bunke D, Morys C, Woelfel J, Rehder G, Cahill B, Böttcher ME, Forster S, Leipe T, Neumann T (2019); Ecological ReGional Ocean Model with vertically resolved sediments (ERGOM SED 1.0): Coupling benthic and pelagic biogeochemistry of the south-western Baltic Sea, Geoscientific Model Development 12(1):275-320. doi: 10.5194/gmd-12-275-2019

Gogina M, Lipka M, Woelfel J, Liu B, Morys C, Böttcher ME, Zettler ML (2018); In search of a field-based relationship between benthic macrofauna and biogeochemistry in a modern brackish coastal sea. Front. Mar. Sci. 5:489. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00489

Lipka M, Woelfel J, Gogina M, Kallmeyer J, Liu B, Morys C, Forster S, Böttcher ME (2018); Solute reservoirs reflect variability of early diagenetic processes in temperate brackish surface sediments. Front. Mar. Sci. 5:413. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00413

Woelfel J, Schoknecht A, Schumann R, Karsten U (2014); Growth and photosynthesis characteristics of three benthic diatoms from the brackish Southern Baltic Sea in relation to varying environmental conditions, Phycologia 53 (6), 639–651

Woelfel J, Eggert A, Karsten U (2014); Marginal impacts of rising temperature on Arctic benthic microalgae production based on in situ measurements and modelled estimates. Marine Ecology Progress Series 501: 25-40

Karsten U, Schlie C, Woelfel J, Becker B (2012); Benthic diatoms in Arctic waters – ecological functions and adaptations. Polarforschung 81, 77-84

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Leopold P, Wiencke C, Karsten U (2011); Microphytobenthos standing stock along gradients of physical conditions in Arctic Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. In: Biology of Polar Benthic Algae (Ed.: Wiencke, C), Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 163-179

Schlie C, Woelfel J, Rüdiger F, Schumann R, Karsten U (2011); Ecophysiological performance of benthic diatoms from Arctic waters. In: COLE - Cellular Origins, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology (Eds.: Seckbach J, Kociolek P), The Diatom World: 425-436

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Kruss A, Peine F, Flohr A, Wiencke C, Karsten U. (2010); Microphytobenthos of Arctic Kongsfjorden (Svalbard, Norway) – Biomass and potential primary production along the shore line. Polar Biology 33: 1239-1253

Woelfel J, Sørensen K, Warkentin M, Forster S, Oren A, Schumann R (2009); Oxygen evolution in a hypersaline crust: photosynthesis quantification by in situ microelectrode profiling and planar optode spots in incubation chambers. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 56: 263-273

Glud R, Woelfel J, Karsten U, Kühl M, Rysgaard S (2009); Review - Benthic microalgal production in the Arctic: Status of the current database. Botanica Marina 52:559-571

Heyl K, Woelfel J, Schumann R, Karsten U (2009); Microbial mats from wind flats of the Southern Baltic Sea. In: “Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology -Microbial mats” (Ed.: Seckbach, J.), COLE Series Vol. 14, 301-319

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Leopold P, Wiencke C, Karsten U (2009); Microphytobenthic biomass along gradients of physical conditions in Arctic Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. Botanica Marina 52: 573-583

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Adler S, Hübener T, Karsten U (2007); Diatoms inhabiting a wind flat of the Baltic Sea - species diversity and seasonal succession. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 75: 296-307

Conference contributions

Conference contributions

Woelfel J (2018); WaBOb- Warnemuende Benthic Observation Chamber - Lander of opportunity. IOW Forum “Innovative Instrumentation”, 5.03.2018, Warnemünde (Germany) (talk)

Woelfel J, Rehder G (2017); Spatiotemporal variability of O2 consumption and nutrient release in sediment water interfaces, Southern Baltic Sea. Status seminar SECOS Synthesis, 11.7.2017, Warnemünde (Germany) (talk)

Woelfel J, Lipka M, Rehder G (2016); Benthic gas dynamics in different sediment water interfaces. Status seminar SECOS, 19.02.2016, Warnemünde (Germany) (poster)

Woelfel J, Lipka M, Rehder G (2015); Seasonal benthic gas and nutrient dynamics at different sediment water interfaces, Western Baltic Sea; 10. Baltic Sea Congress, 15.06.-19.06.2015, Riga (Lithuania) (talk)

Woelfel J (2012); Primary production of the Arctic microphytobenthos; invited by Prof. Dr. M. Schagerl, at Dept. of Limnology at the University of Vienna, 13.5.2012, Vienna (Austria) (talk)

Woelfel J, Karsten U (2012); Arctic microphytobenthos primary production in Kongsfjorden (Svalbard) could gain from global warming - in situ measurements and modelled changes; conference of the German phycologists section, 26.02.-29.02.2012, Wuppertal (Germany) (talk)

Woelfel J, Wannicke N, Thomas Hübener, Karsten U (2011); Growth and primary production of a non-axenic benthic diatom from the Baltic Sea under different CO2 concentrations; BIOACIDmeeting III, 26.09.-18.09.2011, Bremen (Germany) (talk)

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Wiencke C, Karsten U (2011); Primary production of benthic microalgae in an Arctic fjord (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard); ASLO-American Society of Limnology and Oceanography Meeting 13.02.-18.02.2011, Puerto Rico (USA) (talk)

Woelfel J, Wannicke N, Hübener T, Karsten U (2011); Effects of different CO2 concentrations on microphytobenthic function (Southern Baltic Sea). International Symposium “Trophic significance of microbial biofilms in tidal flats”, 6.06.-10.06.11, La Rochelle (France) (poster)

Woelfel J, Karsten U (2010); Tiny cells but high ecological potential - Productivity of benthic diatoms in Arctic waters. NSF-supported international graduate training course in Antarctic biology, 5.01.-1.02.10, Mc Murdo Sound (Antarktis) (talk)

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Wiencke C, Karsten U (2009); Tiny cells but high ecological potential - productivity of benthic microalgae in the Arctic Kongsfjorden (Svalbard). Young scientist PhD workshop and Arctic Frontiers Conference, 18.01.-28.01.09, Tromsø (Norway) (poster)

Woelfel J, Karsten U (2008); Busy as a bee: Productivity of diatoms in Arctic waters. Seminar of the scientists, 24.06.08, Ny Ålesund (Svalbard-Norway) (talk)

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Wiencke C, Karsten U (2008); Microphytobenthos of the Arctic Kongsfjorden (Svalbard, Norway): Ecophysiology and in situ net photosynthesis quantification by benthic chambers. 8. GAP-workshop (Group for Aquatic Primary Productivity) "Gross and net primary production: Closing the gap between concepts and measurements", 30.03.-8.04.08, Eilat (Israel) (poster)

Woelfel J, Görs S, Schumann R, Rickler M, Leopold P, Wiencke C, Karsten U (2007); Biomass and ecophysiology of benthic diatoms in the Arctic Kongsfjord, Spitsbergen. 1st Central European Diatom Meeting, 23.03.-25.03.07, Berlin (Germany) (talk)

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Adler S, Karsten U (2007); Benthic diatoms in microbial mats of the wind flat at Darss-Zingst-peninsula. Baltic Sea. Baltic Sea Science Congress, 19.03.-22.03.07, Rostock (Germany) (poster)

Woelfel J, Schumann R, Wiencke C, Karsten U (2007); Microphytobenthos of the Arctic Kongsfjord (Svalbard): Ecophysiology and net photosynthesis in situ quantification by benthic chambers. Conference of the German Botanical Society, 3.09.-7.09.07, Hamburg (Germany) (poster)

Wölfel J, Rickler M, Schumann R, Wiencke C, Karsten U (2006); Biomasse und Ökophysiologie des Mikrophytobenthos im arktischen Kongsfjord, Spitzbergen. 11. Scientific conference of the Phycology Section of the German Botanical Society, 28.08.-31.08.06, Helgoland (Germany) (talk)

Wölfel J, Adler S, Karsten U (2005); Benthische Diatomeen in mikrobiellen Matten des Windwattökosystems des Nationalparks „Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft“. 19. German diatomologist conference with international participation, 10.03.-13.03.2005, Dierhagen (Germany) (talk)

Wölfel J, Adler S, Karsten U (2005); Benthic diatoms in microbial mats of the wind flat ecosystem at Darss-Zingst-peninsula, south-western Baltic Sea. Fourth BIOFLOW- Workshop, 5.09.-9.09.05, List/Sylt (Germany) (poster)

Wölfel J, Adler S, Karsten U (2005); Benthic diatoms in microbial mats of the wind flat ecosystem at Darss-Zingst-peninsula, south-western Baltic Sea. Fourth BIOFLOW- Workshop, 5.09.-9.09.05, List/Sylt (Poster)

Research reports

Research reports

Wölfel J, Hofmann J, Schubert H (2019); Probleme und Perspektiven der Treibselnutzung in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern und im ganzen Ostseeraum: das EU-Projekt CONTRA. IN: Seegras und Treibsel – altbekannte Strandressource neu entdeckt (Eds: Sterr H, Tschirpig V & Hofmann J) Coastline Reports 26 (2019), 95 - 101. ISSN 0928-2734 ISBN 978-3-939206-21-7  LINK: https://eucc-d-inline.databases.eucc-d.de/files/documents/00001240_Coastline%20Reports%2026.pdf

Lipka M, Woelfel J, Gogina M, Liu B, Böttcher ME (2018); Spatiotemporal dynamics in solute reservoirs of temperate brackish surface sediments. In: Jahresbericht 2017, Leibniz Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde (IOW) Publisher: Leibniz IOW, 31-33

Woelfel J & Karsten U (2008) „Eiskalt erwischt – Leben und Lebensleistung von Mikroalgen in der Arktis“, Traditio et Innovatio- Forschungsmagazin der Universität Rostock Thema „Maritime Systeme“ Heft 2: 4-6

Woelfel J & Karsten U (2004); Seasonal succession in the photoautotrophic layer in microbial mats of a wind flat of the Southern Baltic Sea. Rostocker Meeresbiologische Beiträge (RMB) 13: 269-275

Witte K, Wölfel J, Karsten U (2004); The occurrence of microbial mats along the coast of the German Baltic Sea and seasonal succession in microbial mats at the wind flat „Großer Werder”. RMB 12: 61-70

Research activities abroad & cruises

Research activities abroad & cruises

Research activities:

  • Antarctica 04.01.-01.02.10:PhD-workshop "International graduate training course in Antarctic biology", Mc Murdo Sound; funding through a travel scholarship of the "National Science Foundation”, raised by myself
  • Norway 18.01.-29.01.09: International political and scientific congress (Arctic Frontiers) with workshop on the topic "Arctic marine ecosystems in an era of rapid climate change", Tromsø; funding through a travel scholarship of the "Young Scientist Forum", raised by myself
  • Arctic 01.06.-04.07.08: Organisation and participation in a 3rd Spitsbergen expedition to Ny Ålesund (Spitsbergen, Norway); funding through a travel scholarship of the "ARCFAC V - European Center for Arctic Environmental Research", raised by myself
  • Israel 30.03.-08.04.08: 8th Workshop of the Group for Aquatic Primary Productivity "Gross and net primary production: Closing the gap between concepts and measurements", Eilat; Financed by a travel scholarship of the FAZIT Foundation, raised by myself
  • Sweden 08.10.-18.10.07: Experiment planning with project cooperation partner Angela Wulff (University of Gothenburg); financing via DAAD
  • Arctic 04.06.-31.08.07: Organisation and participation in a 2nd Spitsbergen expedition to Ny Ålesund (Spitsbergen, Norway); financing via project funds
  • Arctic 19.06.-10.08.06: Organisation of the 1st Spitsbergen expedition to Ny Ålesund (Spitsbergen, Norway); financing via project funds

 

Research cruises during SECOS I & II (“The service of sediments in German coastal seas”):

2018 - 1 cruise:  EMB 180: 06.04-14.04.18

2015 - 5 cruises: EMB 093: 12.01.-22.01.15 (chief scientist), EMB 100: 9.04.-23.04.15, EMB 105: 24.06.-28.06.15, POS 487: 31.07.-13.08.15, EMB 111: 25.08.-07.09.15

2014 - 3 cruises: AL 434: 27.03.-9.04.14 (FS „Alkor“), EMB 076: 20.06.-1.07.14 (FS „Elisabeth Mann Borgese“, half of the cruise chief scientist), POS 475: 26.09.-12.10.14 (FS „Poseidon“)

Scholarships, Awards and Memberships

Scholarships, Awards and Memberships

 

01/10-02/10: Workshop scholarship in Antarctica of the National Science Foundation (USA)

01/09: Workshop scholarship Arctic Frontiers of the Young Scientist Forum (Norway)

06/08-07/08: Expedition Fellowship of the ARCVAC V - European Center for Arctic Environmental Research (Norway)

04/09: Workshop scholarship in Israel of the FAZIT Foundation (Germany)

04/09: Special Science Award of the "Rostocker Kreis" for the Diploma Thesis

since 2020  Member of the Coastal Union Germany (EUCC-D e.V.)

Since 2005: member of the section Phycology in the German Botanical Society

Since 1992: member of BUND e.V., Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany