The Animal Ecology lab has put together a range of topics for theses for both Bachelor's and Master's candidates. If you are interested in one of the studies on offer, please contact us by e-mail, stating the desired topic, in order to arrange an initial meeting. The deadline for submitting an exposé is also 15 February 2025 for the topics offered.

to the topics

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

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

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. 

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.