Christian Hergarten

Biography

• 2004: MSc from the University of Bern, Switzerland, where Christian Hergarten studied Geography, Earth Sciences and Economics • Since 2011: PhD candidate at the University of Bern, focusing on multi-scale assessments of land degradation and soil health in Tajikistan and Ethiopia

Research Interest

Christian Hergarten leads the development of a spatial analysis unit at UCA's Mountain Societies Research Institute and is overseeing the development of a “Mountain Environmental Observatory” (Mountain EVO-ESPA project) as well as the long-term programme “Learning Landscapes”, which is initiating socio-ecological systems research in the Naryn watershed. Christian has a strong background in spatial analysis and natural resource monitoring using remote and proximal sensing methods (spectroscopy). Parts of this also re-emerges his recreational activities – when and wherever possible, he likes to climb mountains and enjoys ‘sensing’ the environment. Christian’s academic interest and work mostly focuses on integrated analysis of ecosystem services and sustainable land management, but extends also to participatory monitoring approaches and questions of adaptive and inclusive governance. He has been working before in various contexts and settings – soil and vegetation analysis in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Mozambique, natural resource modeling in Tajikistan and North Korea. He strongly believes in integrated teaching approaches, combining trans-disciplinary research with capacity development and training activities. He is also an affiliate research scientist at the University of Bern, Centre for Development and Environment.