Profile

Biography

Patrick Büker is a plant ecologist who undertakes research in developed and developing countries on topics related to interactions between plants and the atmosphere, with a focus on assessing interrelated effects of various air pollutants (e.g. O₃, SO₂, NO_x, HF, heavy metals etc.) and changes of the Earth’s climate on plant health and plant growth.

Patrick holds a PhD in ecophysiological modelling from the University of Trier, Germany. He joined SEI York in November 2003 and works as a Research Associate within the Atmospheric Environment Programme.

Career

• Advisor for the assessment of impacts of air pollutants and climate change on crops grown in Asia and Africa within RAPIDC (Regional Air Pollution in Developing Countries programme) and APCEN (Air Pollution Crop Effect Network).

Departmental roles

• Staff representatives to the SEI Board

Research

Overview

In recent years Patrick specialised in the development and comparison of various (stomatal) flux and photosynthesis models and their application to field-crop, forest and grassland ecosystems. This work has contributed to the establishment of Level II critical levels for ozone under the UNECE "Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution".

In his role as a specialist in bio-monitoring methods he works as an advisor for the assessment of impacts of air pollutants and climate change on crops grown in Asia and Africa within RAPIDC (Regional Air Pollution in Developing Countries programme) and APCEN (Air Pollution Crop Effect Network).

This work also incorporates the development of socio-economic risk assessment methods with a focus on food security and poverty alleviation.

Current projects

• Regional Air Pollution In Developing Countries (RAPIDC)
• Modelling and Mapping of Ozone Flux
• Heavy metals and ecosystem

Publications