Was ist die Seminarreihe Umwelt &amp; Biodiversit&auml;t?

Zum Profil von Dr. Sebastian König

Host: Univ. Prof. Dr. Ulrike-Gabriele Berninger und Assoz. Prof. Dr. Stephen Wickham

Freitag, 8. November 2024

14:00 Uhr, HS 424 (2. OG)

Interplay of micro- and macroclimate on different facets of biodiversity in the Bavarian Alps (Berchtesgaden National Park)

Dr. Sebastian König

Technische Universität München/Nationalpark Berchtesgaden – Abteilung für Life-Science-Systeme

Abstract: With ongoing climate change, species face challenges such as altered temperature regimes. While this may interact with changes in land use, we can still learn a lot about these natural dynamics in protected areas. Throughout the last decades, we gathered information on butterflies, wildbees, and Orthoptera in the Berchtesgaden National Park, the only Alpine Park in Germany. Most recently, we established a network of research sites in our study area to observe and monitor changes in (multi-)diversity through time. I will present some case studies, which either highlight results from re-surveys and space-for-time designs, including field- and remote-sensing-based approaches, to assess the drivers of diversity in mountain forests and open habitats of the National Park Berchtesgaden. A focus will be on my work with Orthoptera, their interactions with plants, as well as assembly mechanisms along micro- and macroclimatic gradients.

Vortragssprache: Englisch

Zum Profil von Dr. Hannah Burger

Host: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jan Christian Habel

Freitag, 15. November 2024

14:00 Uhr, HS 436 (3. OG)

Conservation measures to promote wild bees – Key results of the BienABest project

Dr. Hannah Burger

Universität Ulm – Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics

Abstract: Wild bees are amongst the most important pollinators of flowering plants, but have suffered severe declines in recent years. A major driver of the recent pollinator decline is the shortage of food plants. To counteract the lack of floral resources, the establishment of new habitat structures such as the establishing of flower strips have become a popular measure to support wild bees However, many seed mixtures for environmental focus areas promote only few abundant crop pollinators, as the conditions do not match the needs of diverse bee species. Besides floral nutrition, the availability of nesting resources influences the persistence and survival of bee populations. Nesting aids are regularly provided for aboveground-nesting but not for underground-nesting bees which form the majority of bee species. Beside local food and nesting resources, bee communities are driven by the quality of the surrounding landscape and climatic conditions.

To promote the species diversity and abundance of wild bees, the project “Standardisierte Erfassung von Wildbienen zur Evaluierung des Bestäuberpotenzials in der Agrarlandschaft” (BienABest) was initiated. Wild bee populations were examined by a systematic monitoring at 20 study locations in Germany for five consecutive years (2018-2022). In total, we recorded ca. 130,000 bee individuals of 390 species and their interactions with flowers.

The aim of the large monitoring initiative was to evaluate the established flower strips and nesting hills, identify key-plant species, reveal drivers of bee decline, and determine pollination success of wild bees. I will present the key results in the announced talk.

Vortragssprache: Englisch

Zur research website von Dr. Wolfgang Goymann

Host: Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr. Stefan Dötterl

Freitag, 22. November 2024

14:00 Uhr, HS 414 (1. OG)

Sex roles in coucals – a unique model system to answer Tinbergen’s four questions

Dr. Wolfgang Goymann

Max Planck Institut Seewiesen – Verhaltensneurobiologie

Abstract: Female-biased investment into zygote formation (anisogamy) often leads to ‘Darwinian sex roles’ with stronger male competition and larger female choice. Often, this also comes with larger female investment into parental care. In some species, however, these sex roles are ‘reversed’ with females competing more strongly, and males providing more care. In birds, this occurs in about 1% of all species, most of which are precocial, that is the young are covered with feathers at hatching and leave the nest, immediately. So far, the only known group of altricial birds (where young hatch naked and need to be warmed and fed in the nest) in which sex roles are reversed are coucals (Centropodinae). At least one species – the black coucal (Centropus grillii) – has evolved a classical polyandrous mating system with large females competing for access to small males. A female forms a ‘harem’ with up to five males, each of which tends his own nest and young without help from the female. In south-western Tanzania, black coucals share their habitat with white-browed coucals (C. superciliosus), which are socially and genetically monogamous and provide biparental care, allowing me to study close relatives with different mating systems in the same habitat. I ask how and why sex roles in coucals evolved, attempting to explore the phenomenon from all four angles of Tinbergen’s questions. Specifically, I wonder which mechanisms drive sex roles, how do sex roles develop during ontogeny, what are the benefits of reversed sex roles, and which life-history and ecological factors led to their evolution?

Vortragssprache: Englisch

Zur personal website von Dr. Wolgang Goymann

Zum Profil von Mario Pesendorfer, Ph.D.

Host: Dr. Beate Anna Apfelbeck

Freitag, 29. November 2024

14:00 Uhr, HS C.3.006 (3. OG)

The heartbeat of the forest: ecological drivers and consequences of mast-seeding

Mario Pesendorfer, Ph.D.

BOKU Universität für Bodenkultur, Wien – Institut für Waldökologie

Abstract: In temperate forests, tree populations tend to show highly synchronized variation in annual seed production, so-called mast-seeding. The resulting bumper crops or years of crop failure, in turn, determine population dynamics of seed predators and dispersers, their predators, and parasites. This hearbeat of the forest even drives tick densities and the rate of zoonotic disease transmission to humans. In this talk, I will describe our search for the internal (resource dynamics, size) and external (weather, competition) drivers of seed production in trees and what we have learned about the effects of masting on seed fate and recruitment in old-growth forests. Finally, I will describe the ongoing breakdown in reproductive synchrony of beech and oaks, and how we try to use forecasting and other tools to help practitioners to use the forest’s heartbeat to their advantage.

Vortragssprache: Englisch

Zum Profil von PD Dr. Sebatian T. Meyer

Host: Assoz. Prof. Dr. Jana Petermann

Freitag, 6. Dezember 2024

14:00 Uhr, HS C.3.006 (3. OG)

From bytes to biodiversity: AI-driven tools for monitoring biological communities

PD Dr. Sebastian T. Meyer

Technische Universität München – Lehrstuhl für Terrestrische Ökologie

Abstract: Biodiversity is declining globally, affecting ecosystem functions and services. However, monitoring data and resolution limitations restrict understanding biodiversity decline drivers. Artificial intelligence (AI) enables new autonomous monitoring approaches for different organism groups and ecosystems that promise to close this data gap. I will showcase two current projects developing and using these emerging technologies to monitor insects and birds.

The AIforIBM project develops such a system integrating RGB cameras with non-lethal lure surfaces to automatically capture photos of insects and use AI to deduce insect activity and diversity. We have deployed prototypes across 30 grassland sites along land-use gradients within the Biodiversity Exploratories project across Germany, taking about one million photos. We have developed first AI models for insect identification based on manual annotations. I will share insights from our experience with an AI camera trap system deployed in the field and preliminary results on the impact of grassland management practices, such as mowing and weather, on insect communities.

The second showcase I present will be the acoustic monitoring of birds in an urban environment. BirdNET has become a leading AI for recognizing bird species in audio recordings. However, the effect of parameter settings on the algorithm’s performance is poorly understood, leaving questions about its applicability in ecological research. We have tested the use of BirdNET to monitor birds in Munich. I will share experiences and recommendations for using this technology and show how vegetation in Munich drives bird communities.

I will close by reflecting on ecological questions whose study will be enabled or facilitated by these new technologies in future.

Vortragssprache: Englisch

Zum Profil von Dr. Elke Ludewig

Host: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jan Christian Habel

Freitag, 13. Dezember 2024

14:00 Uhr, HS 424 (2. OG)

High-altitude research station Sonnblick Observatory

Dr. Elke Ludewig

Geosphere Austria, Salzburg – Head of the Sonnblick Observatory

Abstract: The Sonnblick Observatory is a high-tech climate and environmental research station at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Data is collected 24/7 according to international standards for research, the international climate report IPCC, as well as for numerous monitoring programs. Established in 1886, the Sonnblick Observatory paved the way for modern meteorology and now has the world’s longest climatological time series at high altitudes. The director of the Sonnblick Observatory, Dr. Elke Ludewig, will highlight the international tasks and focal points of this fascinating research station and the state of the climate in the Alps. There will be room for discussion and exchange, especially with a focus on ecosystem research at Mt. Hoher Sonnblick.

Vortragssprache: Englisch

Zum Profil von Dr. Johannes Rüdisser

Host: Assoz.-Prof. Dr. Jana Petermann

Freitag, 10. Januar 2025

14:00 Uhr, HS 435 (3. OG)

Biodiversity Monitoring – The Example of the Viel-Falter Butterfly Monitoring

Dr. Johannes Rüdisser

Universität Innsbruck – Institut für Ökologie

Abstract:The advancing biodiversity crisis urgently requires more comprehensive and precise biodiversity data, particularly long-term information on population trends of selected animal groups. The Austrian butterfly monitoring program (viel-falter.at) aims to systematically record butterfly populations and document their distribution and population trends. Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), of which around 4,000 species are found in Austria, represent an important subgroup of the approximately 40,000 insect species – an animal group that makes up three – quarters of the total native fauna. Butterflies, in particular, are highly suitable as indicators for biodiversity monitoring in agricultural landscapes for several reasons and can be effectively observed through citizen science approaches.

The Viel-Falter monitoring program combines observations by volunteers (citizen science) with professional scientific surveys. This synergistic approach merges the strengths of both methods, enabling the collection of high-quality and reliable data. Based on over ten years of experience with butterfly monitoring, the lecture provides a comprehensive insight into the strengths, challenges, and future potential of this integrative approach, introduces current methodological developments, and presents key results from past monitoring years.

Vortragssprache: Englisch