functionary
- 2002-2005 Acting director of the Institute of Geography, Humboldt-University of Berlin
- 1992-1995 and 2001-2003 Spokesman of the Working Group 'Climate' of the German Association of Geography (DGfG)
- 2003-2005 Spokesman of the Working Group 'Urban Ecology' of the German Association of Geography (DGfG)
- 2002-2011 Spokesman of the post graduate programme Perspectives on Urban Ecology
- Academic Advisor on Berlin Association of Geography (GfE) and the Association of Geographers at German Universities (VGDH)
- 2001-2008 Academic Advisor on Leibnitz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB)
- 1994-2002 Peer for Latin America, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- Co-Editor of the "Anales del Instituto de la Patagonia" (Punta Arenas, Chile)
- Co-Editor of the "Journal of Latin American Geography" (Syracuse, NY).
- 2008-2011 Peer of the Council 317 'Geography' of the German Research Council (DFG)
- since 2011 Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development Dresden