Following his degree in geography/landscape ecology at the University of Münster, he obtained his doctorate in geography there in 1992 with a dissertation on ‘Pollen analytical studies on vegetation and settlement development in the western Weserbergland region’.

His first post-doctoral position took him to Wilhelmshaven, where he worked at the Lower Saxony Institute for Historical Coastal Research until 1994.

After several positions in Hanover, where he habilitated in biology in 2001 and as substitute for the chair of Landscape Ecology at the University of Rostock, he returned to Wilhelmshaven in 2004 to take over the management of ICBM marine station. Following the integration of Terramare into the University of Oldenburg under the umbrella of the ICBM, he took over as head of the Geoecology Research Group in 2008. Until his retirement he remained with the ICBM and his Research Group.

Holgers research focused on the geology, botany, climate and management of the coastal zone. His wooden drifter project caused a major media stir. His teaching was characterised by his approachability and his talent for conveying complex content with clarity and ease. This made him an extremely popular lecturer. His commitment was remarkable. So was his creativity in developing ideas and finding solutions. With Holger departing, we lose an all-rounder who will be greatly missed by many for his down-to-earth and engaging manner and his humour.

Elke Ahrensfeld

Even after his retirement, Holger Freund will be teaching at the ICBM. In the summer term 2026, he will take on a teaching assignment on “Morphological Knowledge; Flora” and co-leads the field trip “Terrestrial and Marine Ecology of the Mediterranean” to Giglio.