Welcome to the Animal Ecology Research Group!
© Nadine Jöllenbeck
© Helle Tage/Daniela Landwehr

About us

The Animal Ecology Research Group investigates spatial and temporal changes in biodiversity, looking at a broad spectrum of different species groups. We analyse effects of different aspects of global change on biodiversity, biotic interactions and ecosystem functions. We also consider novel ecosystems (e.g. cities) and the stressors that occur there, such as light and noise pollution or biological invasions. Furthermore, we are interested in intra- and interspecific adaptations of animal species to global change and the relationships between biological characteristics of animals and the environment. It is very important to us to relate our research to practice and thus we aim to create a basis for evidence-based species conservation, implement biodiversity monitoring and long-term observations in order to develop scenarios and strategies for solving the biodiversity crisis. We work closely with different stakeholders on practical species and nature conservation as well as on planning issues, for example in the context of sustainable urban planning. You can find more information on the research and teaching pages.

© cibra

Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research and Applied Ecology (CIBRA)

CIBRA is dedicated to interdisciplinary research to unravel the complexity of biological diversity and its dynamic interactions with the environment. It brings together the Institutes of Landscape Ecology, Geology and Palaeontology of the University of Münster, the Dachverband Deutscher Avifaunisten (DDA) and the LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, coordinated by the Animal Ecology group. Go to CIBRA!

| Nadja Pernat visits the University of Florida
© Corey Callaghan

During the several-week stay in Professor Corey T. Callaghan's working group at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Centre, the focus was on the automatic identification of plant-pollinator interactions using citizen science images. Lectures and seminars with students facilitated scientific dialogue on this topic. A particular highlight was the organisation of a bioblitz, in which more than 100 participants explored the local biodiversity of the university's own 110 km2 DeLuca Preserve.

| New publication in the Journal of Biogeography
© Christian Kahle

In a joint publication by the Remote Sensing and Modelling working group and ourselves, under the direction of our former Master's student Alina Krämer, we modelled the habitat suitability of the sand lizard at its north-western distribution limit. The results, based on citizen science data, have now been published in the Journal of Biogeography.

to the article

| Fitness check on bumblebees
© Hilke Hollens-Kuhr

An unbalanced diet in humans can lead to exhaustion and illness. But do bumblebees become ill if they eat an unbalanced diet? In the current issue of the magazine “Palmengarten”, Dr. Hilke Hollens-Kuhr presents her research on the impact of environmental stressors, such as a lack of food in agricultural landscapes, on pollinators and their fitness. She reveals what role insect carousels play in the experiments and why it is important for bumblebees to eat as varied a range of food as possible, just as it is for humans.

to the article

| Citizens help monitoring insect during a 'Bioblitz'
© Nadja Pernat

As part of a research project about the future of invertebrate diversity in Berlin's wetland habitats", the Animal Ecology working group was on site in the German capital to map insects together with the public in a "Bioblitz". At different locations, numerous participants helped to collect as many insects as possible within 90 minutes and to identify them using books or an app. The aim is to compare this new data with older surveys of the fauna in wetlands and, if necessary, to derive measures for the conservation of these important green oases in Berlin from the results.

more about the project

| Inaugural lecture of Prof Tanja Straka
© Nadja Pernat

On 17.05.2024, Tanja Straka gave her inaugural lecture at the University of Münster on the topic "From myths to insights: A journey around the world with urban bats". We are delighted to welcome our first habilitation candidate to the Animal Ecology working group and congratulate Tanja on her professional success. 

| Prof Sascha Buchholz on the University of Münster podcast
© © Uni MS - JW



 

| Publication on urban oasis
A picture of students investigating dry grassland
© Sascha Buchholz

In Berlin, pioneering research into urban ecology has found surprising biodiversity in the city’s green spaces. An article in Science focuses on urban ecology research in Berlin.

Theses in the Animal Ecology Working Group

Dear students,
You will now find information on theses in the Animal Ecology Research Group under the heading Teaching. You will also see an outline of the research topics we are working on. Of course, your own ideas are also welcome at any time.
We look forward to your requests!