Gerhard Schmied, M.Sc.

Scientist, Ph.D. Candidate

Room: 1.3.2.7
Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2
85354 Freising
gerhard.schmied[at]tum.de

Phone: +49 (0) 8161-71-4724
Fax: +49 (0) 8161-71-4721

Current research project:

epiSOMA – Causes and consequences of epigenetic diversity in trees (2022 – 2025)

 

Trees are emerging as powerful ‘model systems’ to investigate epimutational processes in plants. Given their exceptional longevity, trees act as natural (epi)mutation accumulation systems and permit unprecedented insights into the dynamics, mitotic stability, and functional impact of spontaneous epimutations over time-frames that have been inaccessible to previous prospective studies. Focusing on European beech (Fagus sylvatica) as a model, we will combine unique experimental tree resources, proximate-sensing technology, multi-omic assays, and novel analytical tools to quantify how somatic epimutations alongside micro-environmental factors shape epigenetic and functional diversity within the 3D-topology of a tree, and how this intra-tree variation affects seeds and seedling performance in the next generation.

 

The BMBF funded project is coordinated by Prof. Frank Johannes (TUM), and in collaboration with Prof. Lars Opgenoorth (Phillipps- Universität Marburg) and  Prof. Katrin Heer (Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg).

Selected publications:

Schmied, G., Pretzsch, H., Ambs, D., Uhl, E., Schmucker, J., Faeth, J., Biber, P., Hoffmann, Y-D., Seho, M., Mellert, K.H., Hilmers, T. (2023): Rapid beech decline under recurrent drought stress: Individual neighborhood structure and soil properties matter. Forest Ecology and Management 545, 121305, doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121305

 

Schmied, G., Hilmers, T., Mellert, K-H., Uhl, E., Buness, V., Ambs, D., Steckel, M., Biber, P., Seho, M., Hoffmann, Y-D., Pretzsch, H. (2023): Nutrient regime modulates drought response patterns of three temperate tree species. Science of the Total Environment 868, 161601 (p. 15) doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161601

 

Pretzsch, H., Ahmed, S., Jacobs, M., Schmied, G., Hilmers, T. (2022): Linking crown structure with tree ring pattern: methodological considerations and proof of concept. Trees. doi.org/10.1007/s00468-022-02297-x

 

Hilmers, T., Leroy, B.M.L., Bae, S., Hahn, A., Hochrein, S., Jacobs, M., Lemme, H., Mueller, J., Schmied, G., Weisser, W., Pretzsch, H. (2023): Growth response of oaks to insect defoliation: Immediate and intermediate perspectives. Forest Ecology and Management 549, 121465, doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121465

 

 

CV

since 2020 PhD student, Chair for Forest Growth and Yield Science, Technical University of Munich
2023 (May-June) Guest Scientist, Rocky Mountain Research Station Flagstaff, U.S. Forest Service
2017-2020 M.Sc. Forstry and Wood Science, Technical University of Munich
2016-2019 Internships and student assistant positions in forest protection, forest management, dendroecology and forest dynamics in Germany, Slovenia and Bulgaria
2013-2017 B.Eng. Engineering in Forestry, University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf