Institut für Evolution und Ökologie

Dr. Said M. Hassen

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation post-doctoral researcher (2023 – 2025) based at University of Tübingen

In my research, I aim to investigate the effects of climate change on the interactions between crop and weed species. I am particularly interested in understanding how climate change may benefit invasive species compared to native plants, due to their broader environmental tolerance. I also focus on the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors on plant species performance and their inclusion in species distribution models.

Additionally, I emphasize the significance of early life stages in the interactions between weeds and crops. Since crops are usually short-lived, even a slight advantage in germination can have a major impact (priority effect). Therefore, I prioritize the comparative characterization of germination and dormancy cycling between invasive seed populations and crops under future climate change conditions, as this knowledge is crucial for effective weed management strategies.