Heinke Jäger
Principal Investigator - Restoration of Scalesia Forests and Terrestrial Invasive Species
Heinke is the principal investigator for several projects focused on invasive plant and animal species, including blackberry (Rubus niveus), quinine (Cinchona pubescens), and tree frog (Scinax quinquefasciatus). Her research encompasses the assessment of the distribution of these species, their ecological impacts, and the effects of control actions on native species, soil, and microclimate. She also leads the monitoring of invertebrates and the mapping of endemic and invasive plant species on different islands. One of the central focuses of her work is assessing the conservation status of threatened Scalesia (giant daisy) forests and developing strategies for their restoration. Heinke has eight years of experience in agricultural research at the University of Kiel (Germany) and joined the Charles Darwin Foundation in 1998. She holds a master's degree from the University of Oldenburg (Germany), a doctorate from the Technical University of Berlin (Germany), and conducted her postdoctoral research at Brown University (United States).
Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=rYLafN4AAAAJ&hl=en
ResearchGate
Heinke's stories
Heinke's programs
Land
Scalesia forest restorationScalesia forests once thrived on the Galapagos Islands, forming a unique humid ecosystem for plants, insects, giant tortoises and birds. Today, only 1% of the forests’ original distribution remains, with several endemic species, including the Scalesia themselves, struggling to survive. We are working to restore this important habitat and given the rapid rate of forest loss, it is a race against time.