- 1968 - 1980 High School in Ludwigslust
- 1980 - 1982 Military Service in Havelberg
- 1982 - 1987 University of Potsdam: Study of Mathematics, Geography and Pedagogy
- 1987 - 1990 Teacher at a High School in Schwerin
- 1990 - 1992 PhD-Student at the University of Potsdam, Institut of Geography
(1993: Dissertation: Dr. rer.nat. of Physical Geography / Geoecology with "summa cum laude") - 1992 - 1997 Scientific Employee in Potsdam and Dresden
(1997: Venia legende in Physical Geography / Geoecology) - 1998 - 2006 Assistant Professor at the University of Technology Dresden
- since 2006 Chairman of the Board, Landscape Research Centre Dresden
- since 2009 Senior scientist and project leader, Leibniz Institute of Ecological and Regional Development Dresden
- Geo-/Landscape ecology,
- environmental science,
- protection of natural resources,
- sustainability,
- ecosystem and landscape services,
- landscape and climate change,
- matter balances of landscapes,
- geo-archives,
- soil geography,
- nature conservation,
- hydro-geography and water framework directive,
- high and low mountain ecosystems,
- Central and Southeast Europe
