Dendroecologist Ernst van der Maaten receives 2025 German Forest Science Prize

Press release from the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation

The most prestigious forest science award in the German-speaking world, endowed with EUR 50,000, was presented at the Forest Science Conference

(Freiburg/Waiblingen, September 30, 2025) On September 30, 2025, dendroecologist Ernst van der Maaten was awarded the 2025 German Forest Science Prize for his outstanding research on the climate sensitivity and growth dynamics of trees. The newly appointed Professor of Dendrosciences at TUD Dresden University of Technology contributes significantly to the understanding of the adaptability of forests to climate change through his research on tree rings. His work combines classical tree ring analysis with modern wood anatomical and eco-physiological methods to analyze the growth responses of trees to changing environmental conditions. This allows insights to be gained from the past that help to develop sound forecasts for the future. One of the award winner's main areas of research is how forests can be made more resilient in times of climate change.

During a ceremony on the occasion of the Forest Science Conference in Freiburg, Prof. Kerstin Krieglstein, Rector of the University of Freiburg, and Robert Mayr, founder and chairman of the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation, presented Ernst van der Maaten with the Forest Science Prize, which is endowed with EUR 50,000. "With his research on the climate sensitivity of trees and their adaptability to drought stress, Ernst van der Maaten provides valuable insights into a highly relevant topic of our time. This research can be used to develop approaches for creating resilient forests under the conditions of climate change," explained the Board of Trustees, consisting of Prof. Jürgen Bauhus (University of Freiburg), this year's chairman of the award committee, Prof. Christian Ammer (University of Göttingen), Prof. Karsten Kalbitz (TU Dresden), Prof. Annette Menzel (Technical University of Munich), and Robert Mayr, founder and chairman of the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation. The Rector's presence underscored the significance of the long-standing partnership between the University of Freiburg and the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation, saying: "The fact that I could present the award in Freiburg along with Robert Mayr is a testament to our excellent cooperation with the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation. This partnership contributes significantly to the University of Freiburg's position as a leading international center for forestry and environmental sciences. With the new ‘Future Forests’ Cluster of Excellence, we will once again significantly strengthen our research in this forward-looking field starting in 2026.”

EUR 35,000 in funding for research project

In addition to personal prize money of EUR 15,000, since 2023, award winners have also received EUR 35,000 in funding for a research project. Ernst van der Maaten impressed the award committee with his project investigating water balance and photosynthesis processes in European beech, Oriental beech, and their hybrids. “We consider this research project, which contributes to our understanding of how trees react to drought stress, to be innovative, relevant, and unreservedly worthy of funding,” said Jürgen Bauhus, explaining the decision. The investigations with samples from German and Greek forest stands provide valuable data on the adaptability of trees, which will support the development of climate-resilient forests. The analysis of the trees focuses on the Oriental beech. Due to its potentially higher drought resistance, it is becoming increasingly relevant as a potential alternative tree species to European beech in the context of climate change.

“The German Forest Science Prize makes me proud and humble at the same time. It recognizes my many years of research in the field of dendroecology and motivates me to continue contributing to the understanding of our forests and their sustainable use under the conditions of climate change through the study and analysis of tree rings,” said laureate Ernst van der Maaten. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Robert Mayr, the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation, and the award committee for recognizing and honoring my scientific work, and I am delighted about the funding for my research project.”

Since 2000, the German Forest Science Prize has been awarded every two years for outstanding scientific research. “Over the past 25 years, the prize has become a prestigious stepping stone for scientists’ careers,” said Robert Mayr, chairman of the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation. “This year, for the first time, we are presenting the German Forest Science Prize at a separate event alongside the Forest Science Conference in order to give the winners and their valuable research the recognition they deserve.”

The prize winner

Ernst van der Maaten is a renowned tree-ring researcher who studies how trees respond to environmental conditions. His dendroecological research contributes significantly to our understanding of the climate sensitivity and adaptability of forests. His work combines classical tree ring analysis with modern wood anatomical and eco-physiological methods to analyze the growth responses of trees to environmental conditions. This allows insights to be gained from the past that help to develop sound forecasts for the future. One focus of his research is on how forests can be made resilient under the conditions of climate change.

His extraordinary commitment to teaching and the development of digital learning concepts was recognized with a teaching award from TU Dresden in 2021.

Facts about Ernst van der Maaten

• Bachelor's degree in Forest & Nature Conservation, Wageningen University – NL (2003–2006)
• Master's degree in European Forestry / Forest & Nature Conservation (double degree) with study visits to several European countries (2006–2008)
• Doctorate in Dendroecology, University of Freiburg (2008–2013)
• Postdoctoral researcher in forest ecology, University of Greifswald (2013–2018)
• Since 2018, active in research and teaching at TU Dresden, since May 2025 as Extraordinary Professor in Dendrosciences
• Since 2022, president of the Association for Tree-Ring Research, board member since 2016

The German Forest Science Prize

The German Forest Science Prize, sponsored by the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation, is the most highly endowed forest science award in the German-speaking world. It has been presented every two years since 2000 as part of the Forest Science Conference. The award committee consists of Prof. Christian Ammer (University of Göttingen), Prof. Jürgen Bauhus (University of Freiburg), Prof. Karsten Kalbitz (TU Dresden), Prof. Annette Menzel (TU Munich) and Robert Mayr, founder and chairman of the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation. The prize is given to younger scientists who have made outstanding achievements in the field of forest sciences. Since 2023, prize winners have received funding of up to EUR 35,000 for a research project in addition to the personal prize money of EUR 15,000.

The Foundation

The Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation is an independent, non-profit foundation based in Waiblingen. It was established in 1986 by Eva Mayr-Stihl and Robert Mayr. The foundation's work focuses on science and research, medicine, and art and culture. 

Foundation Board of Trustees: Robert Mayr (Chairman), Michael von Winning 

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