Professorship for Ecology, especially Animal Ecology
Organisational unit: Professoship
Organisation profile
The Animal Ecology group is led by Prof. Dr. Thorsten Aßmann and is affiliated with the Institute of Ecology, Faculty of Sustainability at Leuphana University Lüneburg.
Research focuses on the influence of invertebrates on ecosystem functions (species as ecosystem engineers, herbivory, predation), large-scale distribution patterns of species and species groups (biodiversity) and their characteristics, in the Palaearctic and worldwide (macroecology), Molecular ecology (population genetics, phylogeography, conservation genetics and landscape genetics), conservation biology (conservation genetics, consequences of habitat fragmentation, restoration ecology) Biospeleology (biogeography, adaptive mechanisms), taxonomy and systematics of insects (especially ground beetles).
We teach the basics of ecology and other fields of biology. Lectures and seminars are supplemented by identification exercises and field trips.
Topics
The working group Animal Ecology focuses on
- the role of invertebrates in ecosystem functioning
(including habitat engineering, herbivory, predation) - large-scale distribution patterns of biodiversity and species traits in the Palaearctic and worldwide
(macroecology) - molecular ecology (population genetics, phylogeography, conservation genetics and landscape genetics)
- conservation biology (conservation genetics, fragmentation biology, restoration ecology)
- biospeleology (biogeography, adaptation)
- taxonomy and systematics of insects (especially carabids beetles)
(classical and modern approaches: morphology, morphometry, DNA technics)
Projects are performed mainly in Germany, the Middle East (especially Israel), Spain, and China.
- 2024
- Published
Citizen Science-Based Monitoring of Cavity-Nesting Wild Bees and Wasps – Benefits for Volunteers, Insects, and Ecological Science
Lindermann, L., Grabener, S., Hellwig, N., Stahl, J. & Dieker, P., 04.09.2024, In: Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. 9, 1, 12 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Canopy structure influences arthropod communities within and beyond tree identity effects: Insights from combining LiDAR data, insecticidal fogging and machine learning regression modelling
Wildermuth, B., Penanhoat, A., Sennhenn-Reulen, H., Matevski, D., Drescher, J., Aubry-Kientz, M., Seidel, D. & Schuldt, A., 01.03.2024, In: Ecological Indicators. 160, 12 p., 111901.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Temperate alley-cropping agroforestry improves pest control potential by promoting spider abundance and functional diversity
Matevski, D., Sagolla, V., Beule, L. & Schuldt, A., 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Applied Ecology.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 2023
- Published
Tree species identity, canopy structure and prey availability differentially affect canopy spider diversity and trophic composition
Wildermuth, B., Dönges, C., Matevski, D., Penanhoat, A., Seifert, C. L., Seidel, D., Scheu, S. & Schuldt, A., 10.2023, In: Oecologia. 203, 1-2, p. 37-51 15 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 2022
- Published
Habitat diversity and peat moss cover drive the occurrence probability of the threatened ground beetle Carabus menetriesi (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a Bavarian mire
Harry, I., Assmann, T., Dormann, C. F. & Skarbek, C. J., 01.12.2022, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 26, 6, p. 863-871 9 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Taxonomic revision of the African and Southwest Asian species of Platyderus Stephens, subg. Eremoderus Jeanne (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Sphodrini)
Guéorguiev, B., Wrase, D. W., Assmann, T., Muilwijk, J. & Machard, P., 13.06.2022, In: Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 69, 1, p. 71-122 52 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Conservation value of semi-open habitats for ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Cicindelidae) in Central Europe
Boutaud, E., Nolte, D., Harry, I., Aßmann, T. & Drees, C., 01.05.2022, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 31, 5-6, p. 1469-1489 21 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Correction to: Provenance- and life-history stage-specific responses of the dwarf shrub Calluna vulgaris to elevated vapour pressure deficit (Plant Ecology, (2020), 221, 12, (1219-1232), 10.1007/s11258-020-01076-3)
Ibe, K., Walmsley, D., Fichtner, A., Coners, H., Leuschner, C. & Härdtle, W., 01.01.2022, In: Plant Ecology. 223, 1, p. 113-113 1 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- 2021
- Published
Möglichkeiten der Optimierung einjähriger Blühstreifen für blütenbesuchende Insekten: Eine Fallstudie aus dem Nordwestdeutschen Tiefland
Grabener, S., Hein, S., Härdtle, W., Aßmann, T., Boutaud, E., Kubiak, M., Luck, F. V., Schmid-Egger, C., Scholz, T., Ssymank, A., Ullrich, K., Zumstein, P. & Drees, C., 01.12.2021, In: Natur und Landschaft. 96, 12, p. 561 - 569 9 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Terry Erwin’s legacy: from taxonomy and natural history to biodiversity research and conservation biology
Assmann, T., 16.06.2021, In: ZooKeys. 1044, p. 23-39 17 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review