Open thesis topics

The animal ecology research group offers the possibility to write bachelor and master theses as well as to conduct research projects on various animal ecology issues. Here you will find information on current and potential topics. If you have your own ideas for your thesis, they are always welcome. Either way, feel free to make an appointment with us. We are looking forward to your request!

  • Biodiversity dynamics in sand landscapes

    How does the biodiversity of animal communities alter with land use change, habitat degradation and restoration? We focus on taxonomic and functional diversity including analyses of species diversity, changes in species communities and characterisation of indicator species, as well as the relationship between environmental conditions and the occurrence of certain biological traits in different species. Various species groups can be worked on, with arachnids and insects (preferably ants, ground beetles, short-winged beetles, grasshoppers, wild bees, and hoverflies) being particularly recommended.

  • Urban ecology, novel ecosystems and urban animal ecology.

    In this thematic field we are interested in (1) mapping developments and prospects of urban biodiversity, (2) analysing how the urban matrix (sealing, fragmentation, urban heat island, human use) affects biodiversity, (3) exploring which animal species can be found in cities, (4) how animals in cities cope with novel stressors – including, for example, light and noise pollution, pollutants in air, water, and soil, and possibly also neophytes – and (5) how animals adapt to changed living conditions in cities. A wide variety of research activities, ranging from biodiversity surveys to analysis of biotic interactions and ecosystem services to experimental approaches, is possible. A close relation to ecological urban development and planning as well as urban species and nature conservation can be established. In principle, all species groups can be addressed. Exemplary topics that can be worked on in different cities would be:

    • Spatial and temporal dynamics in biodiversity along urban-rural gradients
    • Animal-plant interactions (e.g. pollination, herbivory) on neophytes
    • Insect diversity on urban trees
    • Biodiversity surveys in typical urban habitats, such as brownfields, gardens, green roofs, roadside vegetation, water bodies, etc.
    • Influence of the urban matrix on building nesting birds
    • Effects of light pollution on nocturnal insects and bats
    • Behavioral changes in specific species; for example, one question would be the extent to which noise pollution affects song behavior in grasshoppers, birds, and amphibians
    • Intra-specific trait differences between rural and urban populations (e.g., insect morphometrics, fitness, reproduction)
    • Behavioral changes in individuals in urban environments: altered movement patterns, cognitive adaptations, expression of certain personality traits
  • Biodiversity of peatlands

    Peatlands can be true biodiversity hotspots for rare and highly specialized species. However, many peatlands have been severely degraded in recent decades, due to intensive land use, agricultural substance inputs, and climate change, among other factors. In some places, therefore, one finds only small relicts of formerly large peatland complexes, but there are also still large-scale peatland landscapes, such as the Amtsvenn or the Vechtaer Moor, where renaturation measures should contribute to the preservation of these special habitats in the medium term. We are interested here first of all in the condition of various peatlands. By means of biodiversity surveys, we would like to determine which moor-typical species and species communities still occur and what prospects they have in the respective areas. Indicator species can also be used to assess the current condition and the degree of habitat degradation. In a further step, biodiversity surveys in the course of renaturation measures are of interest. Are such measures successful? Do they lead to a return of bog-typical species or to an increase in populations? What does this mean for metapopulations in a highly fragmented landscape, in which peatlands are often scattered like small islands? A very wide range of species groups can be worked on, with a particular focus on taxa with a high indicator potential for peatland landscapes. These include, for example, dragonflies, ground beetles and water beetles, spiders and butterflies, and amphibians.

  • Species protection and applied animal ecology

    The focus here is primarily on studies of animal groups and species relevant to planning and their habitats. For example, many FFH species, protected and rare animal species are facing multiple challenges in times of global change. Among other things, we are interested in the distribution and population structure of these species. We also want to find out what measures can be taken to ensure a favorable conservation status as defined by the Habitats Directive and what nature conservation can do to achieve this. In this context, we develop habitat models, conduct ecological surveys and assess current species occurrence and population status as well as the influence of global change. The aim is to create a scientific basis for evidence-based species conservation and thus to develop measures for the protection of species and populations together with practitioners from applied nature conservation. Of course, we are also interested in monitoring approaches and success controls of existing practices. Especially in this area, we work intensively with nature conservation associations, biological stations, nature conservation authorities and other initiatives from the field.

    Ideas for final theses would go in the following direction:

    • Distribution and population structure of species relevant for nature conservation
    • Faunistic population surveys in protected areas and/or special habitats
    • Monitoring the performance and success of species protection measures
    • Assessment of damage to biodiversity
    • Suitability of replacement habitats for rare, protected and endangered species
  • Practical insect conservation

    In times of a global insect crisis, measures for the protection of the corresponding animal groups (but also other invertebrates) are omnipresent. In this context, we are interested in the effectiveness of the measures on the one hand, applying monitoring approaches and/or experiments to verify the actions. On the other hand, we also initiate the optimization and development of conservation measures with our research and advise practitioners and initiatives on their implementation. Lastly, we are also interested in the public perception of different insect conservation concepts. Possible topics could be:

    • Animal-Aided Design: perspectives and concepts for insect conservation
    • Suitability of seed mixtures and flowering strips for pollinator protection
    • Suitability of telemetry transmitters in flying insects to study habitat use and their movement patterns
    • Possible conflicts between flora and pollinator protection in commercial seed mixtures
    • Creation of microhabitats as stepping stone biotopes
    • Optimisation of garden design for invertebrate protection
    • Effects of green space management (e.g. mowing, leaf blowers) on insects
    • Suitability of plant assortment in hardware stores
    • Insects (and invertebrates) in public perception and the media
    • Optimisation of habitats for invertebrate fauna
  • Pollination ecology

    Pollinators perform a central and important function in the landscape while being severely affected by current pollinator declines and species extinctions. Climate change, land-use change, pesticide use, neophytes, and many other stressors play an important role in pollinator declines and species extinctions. Through various studies, we will test how different stressors affect the physiological and sexual fitness of pollinators. Possible topics would be:

    • Suitability of neophytes for pollinators in terms of pollen and nectar quality
    • Effects of any stressors (e.g., microplastics, monophagous diets, air pollution) on pollinator flight performance, morphometrics, and reproductive success
    • Effects of any stressors on pollinator behavior
    • Evolutionary ecology work could further investigate the importance of pollinators in the development of different flower forms.
  • Citizen Science, iEcology und Secondary Data in der Landschaftsökologie

    The dramatic loss of biodiversity demands new and rapid ways to generate knowledge about the living environment. Therefore, new data sources are used, analysed, and integrated that were not produced by institutional research and were often intended for other purposes. This includes information from global citizen science platforms (iNaturalist, eBird) as well as various media formats (image, video, text) from social media or other online resources such as Google Trends or Wikipedia. Students who enjoy online research, data science, and the advancement of this emerging field of research can address methodological and/or content issues. Examples here include:

    • What ecological interactions can be inferred from Citizen Science photorecordings, for example, plant-pollinator networks of native and invasive species or updates to species lists of symbiotic or parasitic relationships?
    • Can phenology, distribution and behavior of species be associated with climate warming or land use change by using online data?
    • Which environmental parameters affect intra- and interspecific trait variation and how can traits be extracted from thousands of multimedia files?
    • Can anthropogenic pressures on habitats be recorded, such as visitor flows and -activities in nature reserves or parks, the impact of recreational anglers on inland waters, or conflicts with wildlife?

    A lot of creativity is essential for this exciting discipline as methods still need to be developed. Programming skills are helpful but not a requirement. Connections with the other research topics of the working group are also possible, for example in comparative or integrative studies of online resources and scientific data collection.

  • Biodiversity monitoring

    This is a very broad range of topics in which a wide variety of theses can be written. Basically, we distinguish two main topics: (1) Biodiversity monitoring of different landscapes, habitats, areas (e.g. protected areas) or recording of biodiversity changes along different environmental gradients (e.g. land use). Here, there are no restrictions regarding the animal groups that can be worked on or the habitats in which the studies are to take place. There are also no geographical restrictions. A biodiversity survey in a quarry forest in Sauerland is just as possible as a work in a floodplain forest in northeastern Greece or a steppe in Russia or a river landscape in Norway. In addition, we (2) are also very interested in different approaches and methods of biodiversity recording. Here, for example, we are interested in comparing methods. For example, an exciting question could be how the results of a live insect monitoring differ from those of a lethal insect monitoring. New technical possibilities are also interesting. These include approaches that combine remote sensing and spatial modeling, or apply technical possibilities for automated biodiversity monitoring, the use of apps, or AI.

  • Invasion biology

    For this topic we deal with the spread of alien species, i.e. non-native species that have arrived in an area where they do not occur naturally due to the direct or indirect influence of humans. In this context, we are initially interested in the distribution of various neozoa (= non-native animal species) and the reasons for their current spread. The latter we work out by developing habitat models for these species and analyzing why the species occur where and on which environmental factors this depends. Based on this, we investigate what consequences the occurrence of neozoa has for native species and what interactions result from this. For example, is there increased competition or are there negative impacts? Do we see no effects or even positive aspects? A concrete example would be the question of the distribution of the Asian ladybug. Where does this species occur? What environmental factors favor its occurrence? Does the presence of the Asian ladybug reduce the species numbers and abundances of native ladybug species? We also conduct these impact analyses explicitly using the example of neophytes (= non-native plant species) by analyzing how native animals interact with non-native plants. Interesting research approaches are, for example: Are non-native plants used as food sources by native pollinators and herbivores? Do neophytes provide suitable habitats or microhabitats?

  • Reviews and literature work

    It is not always possible (or desirable) to conduct your own data collection. Especially in the context of Bachelor theses or theses of undergraduate students there might not be enough time available. Of course, this is not a problem, since very interesting theoretical or conceptual papers can be written. The evaluation of existing data sets is also possible at any time.

Graduates

  • Bachelor theses

    2024

    Lina van de Loo: Einfluss von Landschaftsstrukturen auf die Brutplatzwahl von Kiebitzen (Vanellus vanellus) auf Ackerstandorten

    Kaya-Susanna Hönke: Unterscheiden Bestäuber zwischen einheimischen und nicht einheimischen Pflanzen? Untersuchungen zur Nahrungspräferenz

    Fee Veronika Seidel: Influence of rat control on bird diversity and individual abundance on agricultural farms in the Münsterland

    Maj Zimmermann: Validation methods in opportunistic citizen science projects: A systematic literature review on their history and influence on data quality

    Emily Brunner: Enhancing urban biodiversity in Münster (North Rhine-Westphalia): An exemplary plan-ning dedicated to promote and conserve pollinating insects utilizing the Animal Aided Design approach

    Alina Kleinfeldt: Einfluss unterschiedlicher Habitatstrukturen auf die Fledermausfauna im Naturschutzgebiet „Boltenmoor“

    Jasmin Ruthemeyer: The interaction between native pollinator groups and the invasive Canadian goldenrod in urban and rural ecosystems

    Clara Arndt: Ein Vergleich der Laufkäfer Diversität in naturnahen und degradierten Mooren innerhalb Berlins

    Janna Krickau: Monitoring häufiger Brutvögel auf Wangerooge: Bestandsentwicklungen und mögliche Ursachen

    Sophia Butz: Artenreichtum, Abundanz und Artenzusammensetzung von Libellen (Odonata) entlang von Urbanisierungs- und Degradierungsgradienten: Untersuchungen des Potenzials urbaner Moore in Berlin als Biodiversitätsrefugien

     

    2023

    Kolina Büll: Die Spinnenfauna des NSG Boltenmoor im Wandel der Zeit

    Leon Däublin: Erfolgskontrolle der Artenschutzmaßnahmen für Lacerta agilis auf Heideflächen im NSG ST-032 „Bockholter Berge“

    Silas Kaufmann: Die Mischung macht’s: Der Einfluss verschiedener Saatgutmischungen auf die Diversität und Abundanz von Bestäubergruppen im urbanen Raum

    Sara Kehmer: Bewertung und Präsentation einer neuen Citizen Science Erfassungsmethode für Bestäubergruppen und zugehörig relevante Parameter – am Beispiel von städtischen Blumenwiesen in Münster

    Sara Penners: Biodiversitätsdynamik der Laufkäfer in Sandlebensräumen Westfalens

    Celina Rechtien: Die Bestandentwicklung des Europäischen Ziegenmelkers Caprimulgus europaeus im Naturschutzgebiet „Südlohner Moor“

    Moana Ritterbecks: Effekte der Gebäudestruktur auf den Bestand des Mauerseglers (Apus apus) in Münster

    Lorenz Ruhl: Monitoring von Geburtshelferkröten (Alytes obstetricans) mit Horchboxen – Methodenentwicklung und -vergleich

    Luca Ruhnke: Growing cities, climate change and urban biodiversity: a systematic literature review on the current state of knowledge

    Mareike Voss: Effects of the urbanisation on the song frequency of the European robin (Erithacus rubecula)

    Lena Wild: Der Einfluss von künstlichem Licht in der Nacht auf das Amphibienvorkommen an Gewässern unterschiedlicher Lichtexposition im Raum Münster (Westfalen)

    Maximilan Wilp: Vogelschutz durch Lebensraumschaffung und -erhaltung – Analyse der Vogelschutzmaß-nahmen im Europareservat „Rieselfelder Münster“

    Jonah Raymond Winkler: How does bat biodiversity change along an urban-rural gradient?

     

    2022

    Amke Hinrichs: Land-use change in Krosewicker Feld and ist impact on bird populations from 1988 to 2022

    Janina Bonaus: Der Einfluss von Lichtverschmutzung auf die Diversität von Nachtfaltern

    Anna Koch: The power of artificial light at night: Comparison of bat communities and activities in lit and unlit urban parks

    Brian Witt: Effects of air pollution on pollinator reproductive success, flight performance, and efficiency – A systematic review.

    Emma Hebbeler: Temporäre Aspekte des Eintrags von künstlichen Nistmaterial und die Selektion von Nistmaterial von Basstölpel auf Helgoland

    Florian Feldmann: Populations- und Lebensraumbewertung von Zauneidechsen an Fundorten im Münsterland

    Gianna Theresa Allera: Einfluss von Standortfaktoren auf den Besetzungserfolg von Mehlschwalbennisthilfen im Raum Münster

    Laura Klenner: Predatory mammals in a protected wetland area: a survey to support future management decisions

    Laurin Temme: Untersuchung zur Bedeutung des Verkehrsbegleitgrüns mithilfe wissenschaftlicher Vogelberingung an einer Autobahn

    Linus Schürmann: Ground beetle monitoring: A comparison of killing barber traps and live traps involving citizen scientistes

    Sebastian Fischer: Comparison of the breeding biology of partial migrants – studies of a population of great tits Parus major and blue tits Cyanistes caerulus in western Germany

     

  • Master theses

    2024

    Nadine Jöllenbeck: Räumliche Analyse der Kreuzkröten-Vorkommen (Epidalea calamita) in der Metropolregion Ruhrgebiet

    Hanna Stalljann-Brakhane: Auswirkungen der Ernährung durch konventionelle und biologische einjährige Saatgutmischungen auf die Flugleistung der Dunklen Erdhummel (Bombus terrestris)

    Birte Verena Pfeiffer: Ground beetle assemblages along a degradation gradient in central European bogs

    Candy Marleen Fahrenholz: Assessing vulture nesting site selection in Namibia: In influence of microscale land-scape structures using drone-based methods

    Hannah Lea Bauer: Morphological variation of Lacerta agilis along an urbanization gradient

    Sandra Brandenburg: Flugleistung der Dunklen Erdhummel (Bombus terrestris) unter dem Einfluss polyphager Ernährung aus konventionellen und biologischen Saatgutmischungen

    David Nieters: Neuartige Ökosysteme: Begrünte Erdmieten als Übergangshabitat für Tagfalter

    Madita Schemel: Feasibility study on using a detection dog to localize hibernacula of Vipera berus

    Christian Lanz: Analysis of wild bees as bioindicators for the condition of Berlin’s wetlands

    Victoria Ratka: Urban Pollination: Can a rural-to-urban gradient in pollination interactions be found in Münster?

     

    2023

    Brit Anderle: Influence of Rodenticide Application on Songbird Diversity on Farms

    Kai Simon Bauer: Pollinator seed mixtures as rooftop greening. Opportunities, applications and perspectives – a case study

    Romy Gansohr: Einfluss der Bewirtschaftungsweise auf die Artenvielfalt von Dauergrünlandstandorten des Teutoburger Waldes bezüglich der Tracheophyta und Orthoptera

    Clara A.C. Holtmannspötter: Effects of anthropogenic traffic noise on song characteristics of grasshoppers

    Alina Krämer: Investigation of habitat suitability of the Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis at its distribution limit using machine learning and citizen science data

    Pia Löttert: Remote sensing and citizen science-based modelling of the potential distribution of the Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata in the Münsterland

    Laura Schäfer: Der Ortolan Emberiza hortulana in Mainfranken: Verpaarungsgrad und erfolgreiche Bruten in Abhängigkeit von Habitat- und Populationsparametern

    2022

    Jula-Klarissa Krüger: Einfluss von polyphager und monophager Ernährung auf die Flugleistung der Bestäuberart Bombus terrestris (Dunkle Erdhummel)

    Thomas Klose: Untersuchung der Habitatkonnektivität anhand von Ausbreitungsmodellierungen für die Europäische Wildkatze in der Lüneburger Heide: Eine Erweiterung bisheriger Least-Cost-Analysen durch Circuit-Theory