• ecological relevance of tree related microhabitats
• accumulation and decomposition of arboreal soil
• accidental epiphytes in an ecological and evolutionary context
• plant ecophysiology and functional processes in forest ecosystems
• effects of global change on biodiversity and intra- and interspecific interactions

During my PhD I investigated vascular epiphytes in temperate climates regarding the following questions:

• Which functional traits support epiphytic occurrence of particular individuals of a species and particular species within a community?
• How do biotic and abiotic factors influence accidental epiphytes?

Hoeber V & Zotz G. 2022. Accidental epiphytes: Ecological insights and evolutionary implications. Ecological Monographs, e1527.

Hoeber V & Zotz G. 2021. Not so stressful after all: Epiphytic individuals of accidental epiphytes experience more favourable abiotic conditions than terrestrial conspecifics. Forest Ecology and Management, 479: 118529.

Hoeber V, Klinghardt M, Zotz G. 2020. Drought resistance does not explain epiphytic abundance of accidental epiphytes. Plant Ecology & Diversity, 13: 175-187.

Hoeber V, Weichgrebe T & Zotz G. 2019. Accidental epiphytism in the Harz Mountains, Central Europe. Journal of Vegetation Science, 4: 765-775.