Plants have always been important to Ansgar Hoppe. After working in forestry, he studied biology at the University of Osnabrück and gained his PhD in botany and vegetation science at the Institute of Geobotany at the University of Hanover. He learned about the plants of the Alps and other European mountains through numerous excursions. Since then he has been scientific associate at the University and the Niedersächsischer Heimatbund (NHB) [Heritage Association of Lower Saxony] in Hanover. He is involved with many projects researching conservation of the cultural landscape, as well as working freelance as a botanical expert and author.