Professional background
| 2009 - present: |
PhD researcher at the Environmental Systems Analysis Group of Wageningen University |
| 2009: |
Technical and Project Assistant at the Laser Applications Department of Research Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, Budapest, Hungary |
| 2006 - 2008: |
Master of Environmental Sciences degree with a specialization in Environmental Systems Analysis at Wageningen University |
| 2002 - 2006: |
Bachelor of Horticulture Engineer degree at Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary |
Research
Research expertise: ecosystem services, integrated assessment, ecology, GIS, mapping/modelling, landscape management
Currently, Katalin is working on the PhD research “Modelling the impact of land use management strategies on ecosystem goods and services and biodiversity”. Comprehensive and generic ecosystem service models are being developed in ArcGIS to investigate the effect of land use management on multiple ecosystem services in different areas. Katalin applied a stepwise framework that links land management to the provision of services placed to model multiple ecosystem services. Wide range of ecosystem services are studied, among others food production, fuel wood provision, climate regulation, air quality regulation, pest-control, recreation and biodiversity. Katalin is involved in different projects to develop, test and validate the models. Ecosystem functions and services were mapped and modelled in an agricultural landscape in the Netherlands as part of the 'Spearhead' Ecosystem and Landscape Services (SELS) project. Further models were developed and applied in a South-African dryland ecosystem to investigate the effect of ecosystem restoration on ecosystem services. This work is done in cooperation with the Living Lands and PRESENCE Learning Network. The modelling work is being integrated into the IMAGE-GLOBIO global modelling frameworks. This enables to investigate the consequence of global changes on the management and provision of ecosystem services. Katalin is also actively involved in Ecosystem Services Partnership.
As her master thesis Katalin conducted an integrated ecosystem services assessment in the Hungarian Tisza River Basin. The effect of multiple factors, such as land and water management, policy measures, people’s perception on provision of ecosystem services was assessed. The work was part of the EU research project Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies (ADAM). Katalin conducted and master internship at PIK-Potsdam working with the Water Evaluation and Planning model applied for Kenya. Her task included input data improvement and incorporation of the concept of ecosystems services into the model. After graduating Katalin worked as an environmental volunteer. She provided hand-on contribution to local nature conservation efforts in New Zeeland and worked for the Jane Goodall Institute in Hungary.
Key publications
K. Petz, E.L. Minca, S.E. Werners, R. Leemans (2012) Managing current and future supply of ecosystem services in the Hungarian and Romanian Tisza River Basin, Regional Environmental Change, DOI 10.1007/s10113-012-0284-7
K. Petz and A. P.E. van Oudenhoven (2012) Modelling land management effect on ecosystem functions and services: a study in the Netherlands, International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, Vol. 8., DOI:10.1080/21513732.2011.642409
A. P.E. van Oudenhoven, K. Petz, R. Alkemade, R. S. de Groot, L. Hein (2012) Framework for systematic indicator selection to assess effects of land management on ecosystem services, Ecological Indicators, doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.01.012
C.J.E. Schulp, R Alkemade, K. Klein Goldewijk, K. Petz (2012) Mapping ecosystem functions and services in Eastern Europe using global-scale data sets, International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, Vol. 8., DOI:10.1080/21513732.2011.645880
E. L. Minca, K. Petz and S.E. Werners (2008) An ecosystem services approach in the Tisza River Basin Tiscia, Vol. 36, pp. 35-40, Szeged (Hungary)
E. L. Minca and K. Petz (2008) Ecosystem services and their mapping in the Tisza River Basin – Initial steps in Hungary and Romania, Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research, Vol. 6, The wetland diversity, pp. 89-99. Sibiu (Romania)
Education
Lecturer in the course Integrated Ecosystem Assessment in Regional Management (ESA-31306).