Seminarreihe Umwelt & Biodiversität
Aktuelle Forschung im Fokus: Von Evolutionsbiologie über Ökologie bis zu Klimawandel, Umweltthemen und Biodiversitätstrends.
Die Vorträge sind öffentlich – offen für Uni-Mitarbeitende, Studierende und alle Interessierten.
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Termine im Wintersemester 2025/26
Die Seminarreihe startet im Oktober. Genauere Informationen folgen in Kürze – weitere Termine sind bereits in Planung und werden hier veröffentlicht.
Nächster Termin:
Freitag, 14. November 2025, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 424, 2. OG
Dr. Julia M.I. Barth
Universität Basel, Schweiz
Why some cichlids are more diverse than others – the roles of mutation, demography, and ecology
African cichlid fishes exhibit remarkable diversity in morphology, ecology, behavior, and life-history traits. At the molecular level, it is genetic diversity that forms the foundation of this biodiversity. But what determines genetic diversity? Key factors include mutation, recombination, population size, and selection – yet, how these are shaped by ecology, life history, and demographic processes remains poorly understood. As the most direct source of new variation, germline mutations are critical drivers of evolution, though their role has been challenging to study. Here, by generating a comprehensive dataset of de novo mutation rate estimates derived from parent-offspring sequencing data, we show that cichlid mutation rates vary substantially among closely related species and have a positive relationship with genetic diversity. However, mutation rates alone cannot fully explain diversity patterns – other factors play equally important roles. Demographic instability, rather than stable population sizes, leads to higher genetic diversity. Ecological characteristics such as habitat depth or trophic level, along with life-history traits related to parental investment, further shape genomic variation. Understanding how these factors interact will reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive radiations and provide crucial insights for conserving biodiversity in a changing world.
Forschungsfeld: Evolutionsbiologie
Host: Sarah Marie Wagner, BSc. MSc.
Weitere geplante Termine:
Freitag, 21. November 2025, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 413, 1. OG
Kim Geraldine Mortega, Dr. rer. nat.
Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung
Berlin as a Living Laboratory – Co-creating Urban Biodiversity Futures
Urban biodiversity is increasingly shaped not only by ecology but by the ways people live, learn, and co-create within cities. This talk presents emerging approaches in urban biodiversity research and environmental education that connect science, policy, and civil society through transdisciplinary collaboration. Using Berlin as a case study, I will show how cities can serve as “living laboratories” for exploring and implementing nature-based solutions, biodiversity restoration, and environmental justice. The presentation spans EU-level restoration projects, citizen-science initiatives, and creative educational formats that engage both children and adults. It highlights how biodiversity conservation, social participation, and aesthetic experience can be productively interlinked in urban environments.
Forschungsfeld: Citizen science, Stadtökologie, Bioakustik
Host: Dr. Beate Anna Apfelbeck
Freitag, 28. November 2025, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 413, 1. OG
Dr. Marion Chatelain
Universität Innsbruck
Forschungsfeld: Angewandte Tierökologie
Host: Dr. Beate Anna Apfelbeck
Freitag, 5. Dezember 2025, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 421, 2. OG
Takatoshi Higuchi
Meeresstation Dinard, Naturkundemuseum Paris
Forschungsfeld: Meereswanderungen von Aalen (Anguillidae)
Host: Robert Schabetsberger, Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr.
Freitag, 12. Dezember 2025, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 414, 1. OG
Prof. Dr. Johannes Kollmann
Technische Universität München
Forschungsfeld: Renaturierungsökologie
Host: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jan Christian Habel
Freitag, 9. Januar 2026, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum HS 435, 3. OG
David Baumgartner
Universität Lausanne, Schweizerische Vogelwarte Sempach
Forschungsfeld: Ornithologie, Vogelzug
Host: Sarah Marie Wagner, BSc. MSc
Freitag, 16. Januar 2026, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 421, 2. OG
Daria Shipilina, PhD
Universität Uppsala
Forschungsfeld: Botanik, Populationsgenomik
Host: Dominique Groffman, MSc.
Freitag, 23. Januar 2026, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 424, 2. OG
Prof. Dr. Anja Günther
Universität Hildesheim
Forschungsfeld: Verhaltensökologie, Ökophysiologie, Evolutionsökologie, Nagetiere
Host: Dr. Sophie von Merten
Freitag, 30. Januar 2026, ab 9:00 Uhr ganztägig
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum C-006, 3. OG
Vorträge der Studierenden aus dem MSc-PhD Seminar WS 2025/2026 (LVA 796.300 and 230.340)
Forschungsfeld: Ökologie und Evolution
Host: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ulrike Berninger
Rückblick:
Montag, 6. Oktober 2025, 16:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 424, 2. OG
Prof. Dr. Rupert Seidl
Technische Universität München
Thema: Disturbance and resilience of forest ecosystems in a changing world
Abstract: Forest disturbances, i.e., waves of tree mortality caused by drought, bark beetles, wildfire and windthrow, have increased considerably over past decades, and are expected to increase further in the future as climate change continues. These changes in the disturbance regime have substantial implications for forests and the ecosystem services they supply to society. The talk will review the current developments in forest disturbance regimes with a specific focus on Europe, and will discuss how resilient forests are to these disturbances. It will review our understanding of disturbance impacts, and give an outlook on potential future developments.
Forschungsfeld: Ökosystemdynamik und Waldmanagement in Gebirgslandschaften
Host: Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr. Stefan Dötterl
Freitag, 17.Oktober 2025, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 421, 2. OG
Prof. Dr. Christoph Neinhuis
Technische Universität Dresden
Tissue formation and adaptation in plants – from basic understanding
Abstract: Plant cell walls are the major structural elements that contribute to the stability and functioning of plants. While cellulose is the main fiber forming molecule coping with tension forces exerted by the turgor pressure various types of lignified cells and tissues such as wood are resistant against compressive forces as well. Apart from wood, lignification is often connected to specific functions and can be spatially and temporarily modified, examples of which will be presented.
Flagellaria is a climbing monocot that attaches to the surrounding vegetation via leaf tendrils. Anatomical and biomechanical methods such as three-point bending and torsion tests were used to study tissue development and its modification in the context of a climbing life form. Although F. indica lacks secondary cambial growth, the climbing habit is facilitated by a complex interaction of tissue maturation and attachment.
Apple fruit peduncles are highly modified stems that connect growing fruits securely to the branch while the weight, i.e., static and dynamic loads increase. We studied the tissue formation and modification during fruit development in peduncles, in which fibers contribute mainly to tensile strength and overall axial rigidity of the peduncles while sclereids increase bending stiffness.
Some Martyniaceae produce lignified capsules with hook-shaped extensions that are supposed to attach to feet of large mammals such as buffalos. We studied the development and anatomy of the unique fruit wall tissue and its mechanics under different load conditions. The tissue is characerised by longitudinally oriented fiber bundles that contribute to tensile strength while transversely oriented fibers absorb radial stresses upon bending and stabilize the longitudinal bundles against buckling. While the flexibility and high strain rates allow for proper attachment of fruits during dynamic locomotion, the high strength prevent an abrupt failure due to heavy loads exerted by the animal.
Peltate leaves have a specific morphology, since the petiole is inserted more or less centrally to the leaf lamina. In a broad comparative approach we studied about 500 peltate leaved species in terms of fiber arrangement in the connection between petiole and lamina. In total less than 10 types of fiber arrangement could be detected, that have been abstracted and will serve as models for future carbon fiber arrangements in modular carbon reinforced concrete constructions.
Forschungsfeld: Botanik, Blütenökologie
Host: Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr. Stefan Dötterl
Freitag, 31. Oktober 2025, 14:00 Uhr
NLW-Fakultät, Seminarraum 421, 2. OG
Daniel Dalton, PhD
FH Kärnten
From Local to Global: Transformative Research and Stakeholder Collaboration in Conservation by the UNESCO Chair
Abstract: The UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Management of Conservation Areas was founded in 2019 at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, Villach, Austria. Since then, our research group has participated in more than 50 projects on regional, national, and international levels. The current talk will highlight key findings, transferrable experiences, and innovative approaches to conservation management and biodiversity monitoring. We discuss potential future directions of the research of the UNESCO Chair in Europe and beyond, including collaboration with diverse stakeholder groups to empower actors to participate in biodiversity conservation.
Forschungsfeld: Nachhaltiges Management von Schutzgebieten
Host: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jan Christian Habel
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