Biodiversity – Organismal Interactions – Global Change

In the emerging field of research "Biodiversity – Organismal Interactions – Global Change" Konstanz-based biologists, supported by data and computer scientists, conduct research on essential questions involving the impacts of global change on biological communities and the biodiversity of our planet: Are ecosystems able to adapt and keep up with human-induced environmental change? How can such adaptation be supported, and what measures can be taken to counter ongoing biodiversity loss and mitigate the effects of global change?

Cutting-edge research approaches are used to answer these questions, such as high-throughput and large-scale sequencing of genetic material, the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) and ancient DNA (aDNA), standardized diagnostic phenotyping or methods supported by artificial intelligence, such as machine learning. Konstanz Core Facilities, such as the Flow Cytometry Centre, the Bioimaging Centre and the Sequencing Analysis Core Facility, as well as additional research infrastructure, such as the Botanical Garden’s Global Warming Simulation Facility, provide state-of-the-art research equipment, expertise and environment.

The scientists in the emerging field of research are deeply integrated into international networks and are involved, for example, in the compilation and management of global databases – such as the GloNAF database or SymPortal – that form the basis of worldwide collaborative projects in ecology. The university's location at Lake Constance and its access to state-of-the-art aquatic research facilities directly at and on the lake provide unique conditions for research into aquatic ecosystems. The emerging field of research also has close links to the university’s Cluster of Excellence "Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour".