Prof. Dr. Helge Walentowski | Forest Management | Best Research Article Award

Prof. Dr. Helge Walentowski | Forest Management | Best Research Article Award

Prof. Dr. Helge Walentowski | Forest Management – HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany

Prof. Dr. Helge Walentowski is a renowned forest ecologist and environmental scientist with over 30 years of experience in sustainable forest management, forest biodiversity, and climate change adaptation. He currently holds the position of Chair of Forest Geobotany, Pedology and Nature Conservation at a prominent German university and is globally recognized for his contributions to forest ecology in both temperate and montane forest ecosystems. His work spans Europe, Latin America, and Asia, focusing on interdisciplinary and applied ecological research. He has led major international research collaborations and has been deeply involved in education, editorial work, and conservation outreach.

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Education:

Prof. Walentowski completed his doctoral degree at the University of Freiburg, Germany, where he specialized in Silviculture and forest ecology. His academic foundation combines ecological theory with practical conservation strategies. Over the years, he has supervised multiple doctoral dissertations and currently advises eight PhD candidates in programs such as GAUSS and CIPDES. He is also involved in curriculum development and academic advisory roles within forest-related degree programs, especially in Forest Ecology and Forest Bioeconomy.

Experience:

His professional career spans academia, research institutions, and applied environmental science. From 1999 to 2015, he was a senior researcher and project manager at the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry, playing a key role in the Natura 2000 conservation initiative. Since 2015, he has served as the Chair of Forest Geobotany, leading research and education in the Faculty of Resource Management. He was also Dean of the faculty from 2019 to 2023. His extensive international work includes field research and workshops in South America, Southeastern Europe, and the Mediterranean.

Research Interest:

Prof. Walentowski’s main research interests lie in climate-resilient forest management, ecological restoration, forest biodiversity, and carbon dynamics. He focuses on how land use and climate change affect forest ecosystems and develops ecological strategies for sustainability. His research often combines field ecology, microclimate modeling, and soil science to address forest degradation and promote biodiversity. He has a strong interest in interdisciplinary science, working at the crossroads of ecology, geobotany, conservation policy, and forest soils.

Awards:

Prof. Walentowski has received several distinguished honors throughout his career. In 2023, he was awarded Docente Honorario and Personalidad Ilustre by the Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas (UNTRM), Peru, recognizing his contributions to forest research and education in Latin America. He also received a certificate from Elsevier for research linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Earlier in his career, he was awarded the Hanskarl Goettling Research Prize for achievements in applied forestry research. These honors reflect his global impact and academic leadership in forest sustainability.

Selected Publications:

🌳 “Climate vulnerability of Nothofagus pumilio, N. dombeyi and Austrocedrus chilensis in northern Patagonia” – Forest Ecology and Management, 2024 (Cited by 12)
🪵 “Unravelling the pedogenetic development of forest soils in Northern Patagonia” – Catena, 2025 (Cited by 5)
🌱 “Soil redistribution and seed availability after fire in Austrocedrus forests” – Fire Ecology, 2025 (Cited by 7)
🌎 “Microclimatic variation of temperate forests in Northern Patagonia” – International Journal of Biometeorology, 2024 (Cited by 9)
📉 “Assessing uncertainty in bioclimatic modelling in Patagonia” – Regional Environmental Change, 2024 (Cited by 4)
🌲 “Carbon density and sequestration in Patagonian temperate forests” – Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 2024 (Cited by 10)
🌾 “A 50-year perspective on conservation challenges in Patagonian forests” – Biological Conservation, 2025 (Cited by 3)

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Helge Walentowski exemplifies a rare combination of academic excellence, global collaboration, and applied environmental impact. With a solid foundation in ecological research and decades of practical experience, he has significantly contributed to our understanding of how forests respond to environmental change. His research has direct implications for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land use planning. He is not only a prolific scientist but also a mentor, leader, and international advocate for forest conservation. Based on his consistent and influential contributions, Prof. Walentowski is highly deserving of the Best Research Article Award.

 

 

 

Platon Tretyak | Forest ecology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Platon Tretyak | Forest ecology | Best Researcher Award 

Professor | State Natural History Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine | Ukraine

Based on the information provided, here is a detailed assessment of Platon Tretyak’s candidacy for the Research for Best Researcher Award, focusing on his strengths, areas for improvement, and a conclusion:

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Research Experience: Platon Tretyak has a robust research background, spanning several decades, which is reflected in his various roles across multiple institutions. His long tenure at notable institutions such as the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Lviv State Agrarian University demonstrates his deep involvement in the field of botany and forestry.
  2. Diverse and Impactful Publications: Tretyak has an extensive list of publications covering various aspects of forestry, plant taxonomy, and environmental impact. His work on topics like the dynamics of tree growth, forest typology, and the effects of vegetation on air quality showcases his broad expertise and significant contributions to environmental science.
  3. Development of Valuable Resources: Tretyak has been instrumental in developing valuable databases and informational resources, such as the “Directory names of plants of Ukraine” and “Geoinformation System of Plant Areas in Ukraine.” These resources are crucial for researchers and practitioners in the field of botany and forestry.
  4. Educational Contributions: His role as a professor and former deputy director of the Botanical Garden highlights his commitment to education and mentoring the next generation of scientists. His academic contributions are complemented by his significant involvement in research and practical applications.
  5. International Recognition: Tretyak’s work is well-recognized internationally, as evidenced by his involvement in international conferences and collaborations. His research has been published in various journals, including those outside Ukraine, indicating global acknowledgment of his work.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Modernization of Research Focus: While Tretyak’s work has been substantial, there might be room to modernize his research focus to address current and emerging environmental challenges. This includes incorporating new technologies and methodologies, such as advanced remote sensing and genetic studies.
  2. Broader Collaboration: Expanding collaboration with researchers and institutions outside of his primary field could enhance the interdisciplinary impact of his work. For instance, partnerships with experts in climate science or urban ecology could broaden the scope and applicability of his research.
  3. Increased Visibility of Recent Work: Some of Tretyak’s most recent work, such as his 2024 article on tree and shrub vegetation’s impact on air quality, could benefit from enhanced visibility. More aggressive dissemination through conferences, social media, and collaboration with mainstream scientific communication platforms might increase its impact.
  4. Enhanced Focus on Sustainable Practices: As environmental sustainability becomes increasingly critical, focusing on sustainable forestry practices and climate change adaptation strategies could further enhance the relevance and impact of Tretyak’s research.

Short Biography

Platon Tretyak is a distinguished Ukrainian botanist and forestry expert with over four decades of dedicated research and teaching experience. Currently serving as a professor at Lviv State Agrarian University, Tretyak has made significant contributions to the fields of botany and environmental science. His work focuses on plant taxonomy, forest ecology, and the environmental impacts of vegetation. Tretyak’s expertise is well-recognized both nationally and internationally, reflected in his extensive publications and development of key botanical databases.

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Education

Platon Tretyak’s academic journey began with his undergraduate studies in forestry at the National Forestry University of Ukraine (1965-1969). He furthered his education with a Candidate of Sciences degree from Herzen University, Saint Petersburg (1981), and a Doctor of Biological Sciences degree from the Russian State Agricultural University, Moscow (1992). His academic qualifications underscore his deep understanding and expertise in the botanical and environmental sciences.

Experience

Tretyak has held several prestigious positions throughout his career. He served as the Head of the Department at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine’s State Museum of Natural History from 2003 to 2014. Prior to that, he was Deputy Director at the National Forestry University of Ukraine’s Botanical Garden and Head of the Department of Dendrology at Lviv National University. His long-term commitment to academia and research is evident from his various roles, culminating in his current professorship at Lviv State Agrarian University.

Research Interests

Tretyak’s research interests are primarily centered on plant taxonomy, forest dynamics, and the environmental impact of vegetation. His work includes studying the growth dynamics of forest trees, forest typology, and the ecological role of vegetation in improving air quality. Tretyak has also focused on developing databases and informational systems related to plant species and forest management in Ukraine.

Awards

Tretyak has been recognized for his significant contributions to botany and environmental science. He has received awards from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, including a salary award for his notable research achievements. His work has also been acknowledged internationally, enhancing his reputation as a leading researcher in his field.

Publications

Environmental Forming Health Improving Effect of Tree and Shrub Vegetation as a Sanogenic Factor on Air – Lviv Clinical Bulletin, 2024.

Матеріально-енергетичний вплив лісової рослинності на довкілля – Наукові праці Лісівничої академії наук України, 2020.

Dynamika przyrostu świerka Picea abies (L.) H. Karst i limby Pinus cembra L. w pobliżu górnej granicy lasu w Gorganach (Ukraina) – Roczniki bieszczadzkie, 2019.

Aktualny stan i naturalne procesy rozwoju lasów mieszanych w Gorganach (Karpaty Wschodnie, Ukraina) – Roczniki Bieszczadzkie, 2018.

Комп’ютерна програма “Геоінформаційна система “Ареали рослин України” – Registered Copyright, 2016.

Modeli pryrodnoi’ geterogennosty lisiv shidnyh Beskydiv – Praci Naukovogo tovarystva im. Shevchenka, 2016.

База даних “Довідник назв рослин України” – Registered Copyright, 2015.

Osoblyvosti lisovoi’ typologii’ v krai’nah al’pijs’ko-karpats’kogo makroregionu – Naukovi praci Lisivnychoi’ akademii’ nauk Ukrai’ny, 2015.

Przyrost drzew starszego wieku w lasach karpackiej części zlewni Dniestru – Roczniki bieszczadzkie, 2013.

Increase of forest stands and forest ecosystem ecological potential – Natural human environment: dangers, protection, education, 2012.

Conclusion

Platon Tretyak’s extensive experience, significant contributions to environmental science, and development of valuable resources make him a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His deep expertise and commitment to the field are evident through his long career, impactful publications, and educational roles. Addressing areas for improvement, such as modernizing his research focus and expanding collaboration, could further enhance his contributions and visibility in the global research community. Overall, Tretyak’s achievements and ongoing efforts highlight his deserving candidacy for this prestigious award.