He is a specialist in the area of mediaeval reform movements and is considered today’s foremost expert on the geography of the Rhineland region and on the life and work of the naturalist, Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, and his circle.

From 1957 onwards, having completed his grammar school studies (examinations in advanced Greek, Latin and Hebrew), he initially lived as a Cistercian monk and was enrolled at the Heiligenkreuz Philosophical-Theological Institute (near Vienna).

From 1966, he studied biology and chemistry and auxiliary sciences (physics, palaeontology), passed both state examinations for academic teaching qualification (1970, 1972) and taught at a grammar school in Cologne.

Having become familiar early on with the natural surroundings of his birthplace, Roth worked toward a systematic registration of the geological and biological features of the Rhineland highlands and contributed to the Floristic Mapping of Central Europe project (1971–1988).

A prime example of this is his analysis of the floral architectural sculpture of Gothic monuments (Altenberger Dom, 1976; Cologne Cathedral, 1990) under the aspects of botany and art history, resulting in “a brilliant documentation” and an “exemplary scholarly interpretation.“ [2][3][4] Generally speaking, Roth’s consistent aim has been to see scientific knowledge in the contexts of intellectual and social history: e.g., evolution in the light of the field of tension between knowledge and belief; ecological theories and ethical postulates versus the variety of ‘natural’ observation.

Roth has been elected or appointed to numerous panels, including the Historic Commission for Nassau (since 1978) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation for Nature Conservation and the Local History and Culture of Düsseldorf (1994–2000).

Roth’s research into Gothic architectural sculpture and the history and culture of the Cistercians led to invitations from Western Michigan University to participate in the International Congress on Medieval Studies at Kalamazoo, at which event he has delivered several papers.

Roth’s investigations relating to Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied ultimately resulted in the establishment of a relevant project of academic exchange with the Center for Western Studies at the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha.

This in turn led to three journeys in which he retraced stepwise the travel route of Maximilian and Bodmer, with study stays at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New Harmony and St. Louis, Missouri, as well as a side-trip to the Museum of Civilisation at Ottawa.

As lecturer, excursion leader and activist in the field of environmental education both at home and abroad, Roth formulated relevant recommendations for the advisory committee of North Rhine-Westphalia’s Executive Landscape Conservation Authority (1998).

[n] Roth enlarged the family library dedicated to regional geography (Nassovica, Rhenania) and expanded it to include additional subject areas (monastica, Brasiliensia, acta rerum naturalium).