2016
Award Recipient: Dr. Johannes Kamp

Dr. Johannes Kamp receives the Hans Löhrl Prize for his research on population changes in various Eurasian bird species and his long-term efforts to preserve the diversity of steppe birds.

Special recognition is given to his two papers
: (1) Kamp et al. 2015: “Agricultural development and conservation of avian biodiversity on the Eurasian steppes: a comparison of land-sparing and land-sharing approaches,” J. Appl. Ecol. 52: 1578–1587 and
(2) Kamp et al. 2015: “Global population collapse in a superabundant bird and illegal trapping in China,” Conserv. Biol. 29: 1684–1694.

Both studies are exemplary and bridge the gap between science and conservation—a bridge that is becoming increasingly necessary for solving complex or large-scale conservation problems.
The first study proposes conservation measures for characteristic species of the steppe biome (whose ecological requirements Mr. Kamp has examined in earlier publications) under changing land-use conditions following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the second, the team of authors establishes that the increasing illegal bird hunting resulting from socioeconomic changes in China is likely responsible for the unprecedented decline of the formerly very common reed bunting. Both publications also demonstrate the awardee’s holistic approach and his ability to collaborate on large-scale projects.

Dr. Karl Schulze-Hagen, Dr. Bernd Leisler, Prof. Dr. Hans Winkler

Presented at the 149th Annual Meeting in Stralsund on September 29, 2016
, by DO-G President Prof. Dr. Stefan Garthe