Community ecology, movement ecology and macroecology

PD Dr. Matthias Schleuning, matthias.schleuning@senckenberg.de, Phone +49 69-7542 1892

Prof. Dr. Thomas Müller, thomas.mueller@senckenberg.de, Phone +49 69-7542 1889


Module information 

The module addresses key questions in ecology, especially how species coexist in ecosystems, determine animal movements, and how biodiversity is distributed across the Earth. Community ecology is concerned with interactions between species in ecosystems. Movement ecology studies drivers and consequences of animal movements. Macroecology investigates large-scale patterns of biodiversity. Knowledge gained in these fields is relevant for conservation biology, e.g. to maintain ecosystem services such as seed dispersal through animal movements and protect biodiversity hotspots globally. The introductory lecture to the module gives an overview of basic ecological concepts and their applications in conservation biology. Study design and analysis of ecological data are taught in a two-week statistics practical (with the programming language R). Participants will use their new statistical knowledge in a practice of movement ecology and macroecology, e.g. in models of animal movements and projections of species distributions under climate change. During fieldwork practical, participants record interactions between birds and fruiting plants and use these data for statistical comparisons along a land-use gradient. The results of the individual student projects are put into the context of current debates in conservation biology. Participants will also gain insights into ongoing projects of our research groups at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F).


Time slot of the module- second half of the summer semester

Number of participants - 12

Special features - The module can be performed wholly or partly in English upon agreement with students.

Homepages of the working groups

Abt. Schleuning

Abt. Müller

Coordinator of the master programme

Dr. Sabrina Schiwy

Biologicum, Campus Riedberg

Flügel C, Raum3.318
Max-von-Laue-Str. 13
60438 Frankfurt am Main

F +49 69 798-42173

Office hour:

by arrangement

E-Mail schiwy@bio.uni-frankfurt.de

Examination office

Sandra Luckert

Biozentrum, Campus Riedberg
Gebäude N 101, Raum 1.07
Max-von-Laue-Str. 9
60438 Frankfurt am Main

T +49 69 798-46475

F +49 69 798-46470 

Office hours:  

Tuesday and thursday from 12-14 o'clock and by arrangement

E-Mail pabio2@bio.uni-frankfurt.de