Jonas Letschert applies social ecological analysis and agent-based modelling to research dynamics of Swedish wetland restoration wetlands and liberian small scale fisheries.

Letschert studies social ecolgoical systems by combining quantitative and qualitative data in statistical analysis, mashine leraning, and agent based modelling. Together with the interdisciplinary research team of the CoMET project (developing Methodologies to study Complex causation in human-environmental systems), He will identify the factors and processes influencing the decision making of Swedish wetland owners.

Letschert has a background in marine ecology, interdisciplinary fieldwork, and empirical analysis and modelling. He graduated in International Studies in Aquatic Tropical Ecology (ISATEC) from the University of Bremen and the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT). After completing his master’s degree, he worked at the Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries in Bremerhaven, Germany, where he researched the social-ecological system of North Sea fisheries and developed an agent-based model called FISHCODE (FIsheries Simulation with Human COmplex DEcision-making). During this time Letschert also contributed to policy advices that influenced the most recent German Marine Spatial Plan. He received a doctoral degree from the University of Hamburg, focusing on spatio-temporal fishing dynamics.

Letschert was awarded an Open Ocean Research Grant from Global Fishing Watch for the PROMASP project (Out of the blue: promoting marine spatial planning in a data scarce region). In PROMASP, he collaborates with a colleague based in Liberia to analyze spatial marine anthropogenic use and map sensitive marine habitats in the Liberian exclusive economic zone.