Lisa Biber-Freudenberger
© Bukhari/ZEF

Jun.-Prof. Lisa Biber-Freudenberger

Professional experience

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Lisa Biber-Freudenberger is an interdisciplinary human–environment systems researcher with a doctorate in Biodiversity Research from the University of Potsdam, Germany. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in International Nature Conservation. Since 2020, she is a Junior Professor and leads the research group Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (LAND) at the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, where her work focuses on the complex interactions between human development, land use, biodiversity, and sustainable transformation processes. Her research addresses the interrelations between biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, agriculture, forestry, and climate change, with a particular emphasis on governance and the science–policy interface. She contributes to international assessments, including those of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and is a member of the methods expert group of the European Science Policy Interface Eklipse. Biber-Freudenberger has authored and co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and leads multiple interdisciplinary research projects linking ecological and social sciences. Her methodological expertise spans spatial analysis, decision-analytic frameworks, and participatory approaches to sustainable land-use governance.
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Jun.-Prof. Lisa Biber-Freudenberger

+49-228-73-1726

Genscherallee 3

53113 Bonn

© ZEF

Division/Group:
Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (LAND)

Further Information

  • Science Policy
  • Governance
  • Knowledge
  • New Technologies
  • Macroeconomic Issues
  • Innovation and science policy
  • Governance and conflict
  • Germany
  • Brazil
  • Ethiopia
  • Kenya
  • Philippines
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Cameroon
  • The consequences of biodiversity loss and land use change on infectious disease emergence. Funded by DFG
  • LANUSYNCON
  • STRIVE
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Greening Environmental Impact Assessments in Bolivia
  • WABES

Publications 2025

  • Ali, F. S. M., Sommer, J. H., Borgemeister, C., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2025. Participatory and non-participatory forest ecosystem services valuation in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic literature review. Discover Sustainability, 6: 199. (Open Access)
  • Becker, M., Börner, J., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Heckelei, T. 2025. Land System Transitions in Rural Africa: Developing Embedded Middle-Range Theories of Change. SSRN: 5197012.
  • Biber-Freudenberger, L., Bogner, C., Bareth, G., Bollig, M., Dannenberg, P., Revilla Diez, J., Greiner, C., Mtweve, P. J., Klagge, B., Kramm, T., Müller-Mahn, D., Moseti, V., Nyamari, N., Ochuodho, D. O., Kuntashula, E. Theodory, T., Thorn, J.P.R., Börner. 2025. Impacts of road development in sub-Saharan Africa: A call for holistic perspectives in research and policy.  iScience, 2(28): 111913. (Open Access)
  • Dingha, C.B., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Mbanga, L. A. Kometa, S. S. 2025. Community-based valuation of wetland ecosystem services: insights from Bamenda, Cameroon. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 33: 1-22. (Open Access)
  • Mtweve, P., Moseti, V., Mahmood, N., Kramm, T., Bogner, C., Ibisch, P., & Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2025. Exploring socioeconomic and environmental impacts of road infrastructure development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review.  Environmental Development, 54: 101177. (Open Access)
  • Oddone Souza P., Callo-Concha P., Kamau H., Cordeiro de Souza L., Zabini C., L. Biber-Freudenberger. 2025. Are Stakeholders Aware of the Contributions of Ecosystem Services for Their Well-Being? A Case Study of a UNESCO Geopark Project in Brazil. Human Ecology, 52: 1203–1216. (Open Access)
      • Dotzauer, M., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Dietz, T. 2024. The Rise of Sustainability Provisions in International Investment Agreements. Global Environmental Politics, 24(4): 10-36. (Open Access)
      • Falk, S., Wynsberghe A. v., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2024. The attribution problem of a seemingly intangible industry. Environmental Challenges, 16: 101003. (Open Access)
      • Tran, U., Laibach, N., Bröring, S., Biber-Freudenberger. 2024. Fostering bioeconomic transformation: Identifying spatial predictors for biocluster establishment in Vietnam's agricultural sector.  Journal of Cleaner Production, 482: 144225. (Open Access)
      • Biber-Freudenberger, L., Bogner, Christina. 2023. Klima- und Landnutzungswandel in Subsahara-Afrika. Geographische Rundschau, 10: 12-15.
      • Jendritzki, I., Tonnang, H.E.Z., Calatayud, P.A., Borgemeister, C., Johansson, T., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2023. Uncertainties in the effectiveness of biological control of stem borers under different climate change scenarios in Eastern Africa. Climate Change, 176. (Open Access)
      • Kamau, H., Roman, S., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2023. Nearly half of the world is suitable for diversified farming for sustainable intensification. Communications Earth & Environment, 4. (Open Access)
      • San, S.M., Kumar, N., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Schmitt, C.B. 2023. Agroforestry-based community forestry as a large-scale strategy to reforest agricultural encroachment areas in Myanmar: ambition vs. local reality. Annals of Forest Science, 80. (Open Access)
      • Whitney, C., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Luedeling, E. 2023. Decision analytical methods for assessing the efficacy of agroecology interventions. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience 4, 11. (Open Access)
      • Avilés Irahola, D., Mora-Motta, A., Barbosa Pereira, A., Bharati, L., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Petersheim C., Quispe-Zuniga, M.R., Schmitt, C.B., Youkhana, E. 2022. Integrating scientific and local knowledge to address environmental conflicts: the role of academia. Human Ecology, 50: 911-923. (Open Access)
      • Dietz, T., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Deal, L., Börner, J. 2022. Is private sustainability governance a myth? Evaluating major sustainability certifications in primary production: A mixed methods meta-study. Ecological Economics, 201.
      • Luu, T.T.G. Whitney, C., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Luedeling, E. 2022. Decision analysis of agro-climate service scaling – A case study in Dien Bien District, Vietnam. Climate Services, 27. (Open Access)
      • Silva Martinelli, F., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Stein, G., Börner, J. 2022. Will Brazil’s push for low-carbon biofuels contribute to achieving the SDGs? A systematic expert-based assessment. Cleaner Environmental Systems. (Open Access)
      • Stark, S., Biber-Freudenberger, L., T. Dietz, N. Escobar, J. J. Förster, J. Henderson, N. Laibach, J. Börner. 2022. Sustainability implications of transformation pathways for the bioeconomy. Sustainable Production and Consumption, Volume 29: 215-227. (Open Access)
      • Wagner, N., Velander, S., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Dietz, T. 2022. Effectiveness factors and impacts on policymaking of science-policy interfaces in the environmental sustainability context. Environmental Science & Policy, 140: 56-67.
      • Förster, J. J., Downsborough, L., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Mensuro, G. K., & Börner, J. 2021. Exploring criteria for transformative policy capacity in the context of South Africa’s biodiversity economy. Policy Sciences, 54(1): 209-237.
      • Hermanscor, K.,Berger, E.,Biber-Freudenberger, L.,Bossenbroek, L.,Eberler, L.,Groth, J.,Hack, J.,Hanspach, J.,Hintz, K.S.,Kimengsi, J.N.,Kwong, Y.M.C.,Oakes, R.,Pagogna, R.,Plieninger, T.,Sterly, H., van der Geest, K.,van Vliet, J.,Wiederkehr, C. 2021. Crisis-induced disruptions in place-based social-ecological research‐an opportunity for redirection.  GAIA-Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 72-76. (Open Access)
      • Jendritzki, I.G., Tonnang, H.E.Z., Calatayud, P-A., Borgemeister, C., Johansson, T., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2021. Uncertainties In The Effectiveness of Biological Control of Stem Borers Under Different Climate Change Scenarios In Eastern Africa. Research Square. (Open Access)
      • Kamau, H.N., U. Tran, L. Biber-Freudenberger. 2021. A long way to go: gender and diversity in land use science. Journal of Land Use Science: 1-19. (Open Access)
      • Kamau, J.W., Schader, C., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Stellmacher, T., Amudavi, D.M., Landert, J., Blockeel, J., Whitney, C., Borgemeister, C. 2021. A holistic sustainability assessment of organic (certified and non-certified) and non-organic smallholder farms in Kenya. Environment, Development and Sustainability: 1-38. (Open Access)
      • Velander, S., Silva Martinelli, F., Idam Sari, D., Ali, F., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2021. A dichotomy of domestic and academic pathways: challenges of motherhood in an international doctoral program on land science. Journal of Land Use Science, 1-19. (Open Access)
      • Biber-Freudenberger, L., C. Ergeneman, J.J. Förster, T. Dietz and J. Börner. 2020. Bioeconomy futures: Expectation patterns of scientists and practitioners on the sustainability of bio‐based transformation. Sustainable Development, https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2072: 1-16. (Open Access)
      • Biber-Freudenberger, L., Ferrara, V., Gibassier, D., Glover, J., Grabs, J., Grace, M.,Hörmann, S, Targetti, S. 2020. How can environmental regulators supportbusinesses to improve the outcomes of their operations for biodiversity, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises in the food and beverage sectorin Europe?. (Open Acess)
      • Förster, J.J., Downsborough, L., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Mensuro, G.K., Börner, J. 2020. Exploring criteria for transformative policy capacity in the context of South Africa’s biodiversity economy. Policy Sciences,: 1-29.
      • Guimapi R.A., S.A. Mohamed, L. Biber-Freudenberger, W. Mwangi, S. Ekesi, C. Borgemeister and, H.E.Z. Tonnang. 2020. Decision Support System for Fitting and Mapping Nonlinear Functions with Application to Insect Pest Management in the Biological Control Context. Algorithms, 13(4): 104.
      • Guimapi, R.A., S.A. Mohamed, S. Ekesi, L. Biber-Freudenberger, C. Borgemeister, H. Tonnang. 2020. Optimizing spatial positioning of traps in the context of integrated pest management. Ecological Complexity, 41.
      • Nascimento, N., West, T.A.P., Biber-Freudenberger, L., de Sousa-Neto, E.R., Ometto, J., Börner, J. 2020. A Bayesian network approach to modelling land-use decisions under environmental policy incentives in the Brazilian Amazon. Journal of Land Use Science,: 1-15.
      • Duguma, M.S., Feyssa, D. H., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2019. Agricultural Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of Major Farming Systems: A Case Study in Yayo Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve. 9(3): 48.
      • Kamau, J.K., L. Biber-Freudenberger, J.P.A. Lamers, T. Stellmacher and C. Borgemeister. 2019. Soil fertility and biodiversity on organic and conventional smallholder farms in Kenya. Applied Soil Ecology, 134: 85-97.
      • Biber-Freudenberger, L., Whitney, C., Denich, M. 2018. More inter- and transdisciplinary research needed in agroecology.
      • Hoff, H., Johnson, F. X., Allen, B., Biber-Freudenberger, L. and Förster, J. J. 2018. Sustainable Bio-Resource Pathways towards a Fossil-Free World: The European Bioeconomy in a Global Development Context. Policy paper produced for the IEEP Think2030 conference. Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Brussels
      • JW Kamau, T Stellmacher, L Biber-Freudenberger, C Borgemeister. 2018. Organic and conventional agriculture in Kenya: A typology of smallholder farms in Kajiado and Murang'a counties. Journal of Rural Studies, 57: 171-185.
      • L Biber-Freudenberger, A Basukala, M Bruckner, J Börner. 2018. Sustainability Performance of National Bio-Economies. Sustainability, 10(8): 2705. (Open Access)
      • Mathewos, M., K. Hundera and L. Biber-Freudenberger. 2018. Planting Fruits and Vegetables in Homegarden as a Way to Improve Livelihoods and Conserve Plant Biodiversity. Agriculture, 8(12): 190. (Open Access)
      • Melaku, M. , Hundera, K., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2018. Planting Fruits and Vegetables in Homegarden as a Way to Improve Livelihoods and Conserve Plant Biodiversity. Agriculture, 8(12): 190.
      • Rodríguez Osuna V., Navarro Sánchez G., Sommer J. H., Biber-Freudenberger L. 2017. Hacia la integración de la biodiversidad en la Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental en Bolivia/General situation of Bolivian biodiversity and its conservation status.
      • Tonnang, H.E.Z., B.D.B. Hervé, L. Biber-Freudenberger, D. Salifu, S. Subramanian, V.B. Ngowi, R.Y.A. Guimapi, B. Anani, F.M.M. Kakmeni, H. Affognon, S. Niassy, T. Landmann, F.T. Ndjomatchoua. 2017. Advances in crop insect modelling methods—Towards a whole system approach. Ecological Modelling, 354: 88-103.
      • Wüstemann H., A. Bonn, C. Albert, C. Bertram, L. Biber-Freudenberger, A. Dehnhardt, R. Döring, P. Elsasser, V. Hartje, D. Mehl, J. Kantelhardt, K. Rehdanz, L. Schaller, M. Scholz and D. Thrän. 2017. Synergies and trade-offs between nature conservation and climate policy: Insights from the ‘‘Natural Capital Germany – TEEB DE” study. Ecosystem Services, 24: 187-199.
      • Biber-Freudenberger, Lisa; Ziemacki, Jasmin; Tonnang, Henri E. Z.; Borgemeister, Christian. 2016. Future Risks of Pest Species under Changing Climatic Conditions. PLOS ONE, 17. (Open Access)
      • Ibisch, P. L., M.T. Hoffmann, S. Kreft, G. Péer, V. Kati, L. Biber-Freudenberger, D. DellaSala, M.M. Vale, P.R. Hobson, and N. Selva. 2016. A global map of roadless areas and their conservation status. Science, 354(6318): 10.1126/science.aaf7166.
      • Ring, I., Wüstemann, H., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Bonn, A., Droste, N., Hansjürgens, B. 2015. Naturkapital und Klimapolitik: Einleitung. In: Volkmar Hartje, Henry Wüstemann und Aletta Bonn (eds.): Naturkapital Deutschland – TEEB DE: Naturkapital und Klimapolitik – Synergien und Konflikte. Technische Universität Berlin, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung – UFZ. Berlin, Leipzig.   12-19.  (Open Acess)
      • Vohland, K., Doyle, U., Albert, C., Bertram, C., Biber-Freudenberger, L., Bonn, A., Brenck, M., Burkhard, B., Förster, J., Fuchs, E., Galler, C., Von Haaren, C., Ibisch, P. L., Laphengs, T., Klassert, C., Klenke, R., Klotz, S., Kreft, S., Kuhn, I., Marqu. 2015. Ökosystemleistungen, Biodiversität und Klimawandel: Grundlagen.  In: Volkmar Hartje, Henry Wüstemann, Aletta Bonn (eds.): Naturkapital Deutschland – TEEB DE: Naturkapital und Klimapolitik – Synergien und Konflikte. Technische Universität Berlin, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung – UFZ. Berlin, Leipzig. 66-99. (Open Acess)
      • Dolgener, N., L. Freudenberger, M. Schluck, N. Schneeweiss, P. L. Ibisch, R. Tiedemann. 2014. Environmental niche factor analysis (ENFA) relates environmental parameters to abundance and genetic diversity in an endangered amphibian, the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina). Conservation Genetics, 15(1): 11-21.
      • Dolgener, N., L. Freudenberger, N. Schneeweiss, P. L. Ibisch, R. Tiedemann. 2014. Projecting current and potential future distribution of the Fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina under climate change in north-eastern Germany. Regional Environmental Change, 14(3): 1063-1072.
      • Freudenberger, L; Ibisch, P. L. 2014. Priorisierungsansatz zur Erhaltung der Biodiversität nach den Prinzipien der ökosystembasierten Anpassung. In: Feit, Ute; Korn, Horst (eds.): Treffpunkt Biologische Vielfalt XIII. Bundesamt für Naturschutz. 173-180.
      • Freudenberger, L; Sommer, Jan Henning. 2014. Biodiversity: Climate Change. Encyclopedia of Natural Resources: Land.. Taylor and Francis, New York. 51-58.
      • Freudenberger, L., Ibisch, P.L. 2014. Priorisierungsansatz zur Erhaltung der Biodiversität nach den Prinzipien der ökosystembasierten Anpassung. Treffpunkt Biologische Vielfalt XIII - Interdisziplinärer Forschungsaustausch im Rahmen des Übereinkommens über die biologische Vielfalt. BfN Skripten, Bundesamt für Naturschutz. 173-180.
      • Freudenberger, L. P. R., Hobson, S., Rupic, G., Pe’er, M., Schluck, J., Sauermann, S., Kreft, N., Selva and P. L., Ibisch. 2013. Spatial Road Disturbance Index (SPROADI) for conservation planning: a novel landscape index, demonstrated for the State of Brandenburg, Germany. Landscape Ecology, 28: 1353-1369.
      • Freudenberger, L., P. R., Hobson, M., Schluck, S., Kreft, K., Vohland, H., Sommer, S., Reichle, C., Nowicki, W., Barthlott and P. L. Ibisch. 2013. Nature conservation: priority-setting needs a global change.  Biodiversity and Conservation, 22: 1255-1281.
      • Freudenberger, L.; Ibisch, P. L. 2013. What to conserve? Where and how much? Ecosystem-based adaptation of nature conervation to global change. In: Arno Fischer, Marcel Oesterreich, Tobias Scheidat (eds.): NWK 14: 14. Nachwuchswissenschaftlerkonferenz Tagugnsband Brandenburg an der Havel 18. April 2013. Fachhochschule Brandenburg. 133-138. 
      • Freudenberger L., M. Schluck and P.L. Ibisch. 2012. Ökosystemen im Klimawandel– neuartige Prioritätensetzung auf der Grundlage aktueller Ökosystemforschung. In: Ibisch P.L., S. Kreft and V. Luthardt (eds.): Regionale Anpassung des Naturschutzes an den Klimawandel: Strategien und methodische Ansätze zur Erhaltung der Biodiversität und Ökosystemdienstleistungen in Brandenburg. Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde . 144-155.
      • Freudenberger,L., Schluck, M., Ibisch, P.L. 2012. Bewertung der Funktionstüchtigkeit von Ökosystemen im Klimawandel– neuartige Prioritätensetzung auf der Grundlage aktueller Ökosystemforschung.  Regionale Anpassung des Naturschutzes an den Klimawandel. Strategien und methodische Ansätze zur Erhaltung der Biodiversität und Ökosystemdienstleistungen in Brandenburg. Eberswalde (Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung). 145-155.
      • Freudenberger. L., P.R. Hobson, M. Schluck, P. L. Ibisch. 2012. A global map of the functionality of terrestrial ecosystems. Ecological Complexity, 12: 13-22.
      • Sauermann J., L. Freudenberger, J.-P. Mund, and P. L. Ibisch. 2012. Naturschutzpriorisierung von Waldflächen am Beispiel des Landkreises Barnim, Brandenburg. In: Ibisch P. L., S. Kreft and V. Luthardt (eds.): Regionale Anpassung des Naturschutzes an den Klimawandel: Strategien und methodische Ansätze zur Erhaltung der Biodiversität und Ökosystemdienstleistungen in Brandenburg. Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde. 156-167.
      • Freudenberger L., M. Schluck, P. Hobson, H. Sommer, W. Cramer, W. Barthlott and P. L. Ibisch. 2010. A view on global patterns and interlinkages of biodiversity and human development. In: Ibisch, P.L., A. Vega E. and T.M. Herrmann (eds.): Technical Series No. 54: Interdependence of biodiversity and development under global change. Convention on Biological Diversity. 37-56.
      • Freudenberger, L., Schluck, H., Hobson, M., Sommer, P., Cramer, W., Barthlott, W., Ibisch, P.L. 2010. Appendix (A-D) Related to the section B.1.1: A View on Global Patterns and Interlinkages of Biodiversity and Human Development: In-Depth Presentation of Material, Methods and Statistical Results. In: Ibisch, P.L. & A. Vega E., T.M. Herrmann (eds.): Interdependence of Biodiversity and Development Under Global Change . Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
      • Freudenberger, L., Schluck, M., Hobson, P., Sommer, H. 2010. B.1 Empirical Background Papers. In: Ibisch, P.L. & A. Vega E., T.M. Herrmann (eds.): 0. Interdependence of biodiversity and development under global change. Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.