Insect ecology - Ecology and Society
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We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. To grasp the extent of what is happening, we need to understand the forces creating variation in organism diversity and numbers, how organisms interact with each other (including humans), and the repercussions in terms of ecosystem functioning.
To interpret the present and the future, we also need to appreciate the past, i.e. evolution.
Each of these challenges call for new tools, both methodological and conceptual ones. Our special focus is on insects, since they dominate the terrestrial world in terms of numbers and diversity. If you do not like insects, then you are simply on the wrong planet. We aim for interdisciplinary approaches to understand and predict environmental change and human-nature relationships.
Ecological networks
Nature is not just species, but also interactions between them. We study how both features are changing with environmental change.
Read more about Ecological networks
Biodiversity Inventories
Some four out of five species are still awaiting discovery. We create the tools and concepts for dealing with this “dark diversity”.
Read more about Biodiversity Inventories
Macroevolution
Insects vary greatly in shape, color, size, and host use. We study how this variation evolved – and continues to evolve.
Read more about Macroevolution
Insect ecology, management and conservation
Our research generates knowledge about insect ecology. This knowledge is essential not only for the survival of species and ecosystems, but also for ensuring that industries using insects—such as those producing insects for food—can do so sustainably.
Read more about Insect ecology, management and conservation
Ecology and Society
Humans are part of nature. We examine the humans themselves and their relationships to the rest of nature.
