Knowing and understanding species

Future scenarios using data modelling

How can we predict the effects of loss of habitats or climate change on animals? How can we use these predictions to develop scenarios that describe how species spread and adapt to change? An international research team led by LIB is investigating these questions with a number of different methods. Our scientists calculate models of existing habitats and other possible distribution areas for different animal species by combining various data such as temperature trends. Take a look, for example, at the African clawed frog. It has migrated to all continents as an invasive species. By modelling its distribution, our researchers have been able to suggest specific protective measures such as the removal of artificial ponds on golf courses. Our native sand lizard in the Cologne area, on the other hand, can be supported if we restore connections between its different habitats, as future scenarios modelling different outcomes for the distribution and protection of sand lizards are developed in a merger of satellite and drone data with field experimentation.

Identifying species by barcode

The DNA barcode identifies known species and recognises new ones, not dissimilar to how the barcodes at the supermarket checkout help us read out prices. Unknown samples can thus be reliably assigned to an already-described species via the reference database that has been subject to constant expansion by taxonomists since 2003. As this method develops, enormous amounts of samples from our environment can be analysed quickly and reliably. DNA traces from water, soil, and even air can identify the species passing through the medium, allowing scientists to derive important information on ecosystems and the habitats of species. Our researchers have put some intense effort into the creation and coordination of DNA barcode reference databases, collecting and labelling over 20,000 species with DNA barcodes based on more than 200,000 samples in the past twelve years alone. The results are freely accessible in the scope of the LIB projects German Barcode of Life (GBOL)*, Caucasus Barcode of Life (CaBOL)*, and Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE)*.

Educational programmes to inspire enthusiasm for nature

There is barely anyone left today who can easily tell the blackbird from a thrush, a finch, or a starling as our knowledge of native species is dwindling rapidly.

This is, unfortunately, a fact confirmed by a number of studies. As a population, we are losing our connection to nature, turning into aliens within our environment. Knowledge of animal species no longer plays a major role either at school or at university. However, since knowledge of the diversity of living creatures and the joy of experiencing nature is a prerequisite for their protection, we at the LIB strive to make everyone aware of the beauty and diversity of species and to sensitise people to how much we are dependent on healthy, diverse habitats. Our educational programmes range from entertaining, playful exploration tours to projects that span several years and are targeted at teaching children and adolescents (Taxonomy Workshop*, FörTax*) and projects in schools, such as HUMANS*. We also offer some training courses for teachers and customs staff. Some of our events, like the “Langer Tag der StadtNatur Hamburg” (Long CityNature Day Hamburg), will take nature enthusiasts out to explore together with researchers and allow citizens to work alongside us as we collect data and increase the knowledge available on the digital reporting platform for alien species www.neobiota-nord.de*.

Training in knowledge of species

As we lose species, our knowledge of them is disappearing as well. Although the LIB is training machines to recognise species, artificial intelligence, robotics, and genetic engineering can only ever act in a supporting role, rather than replacing the comprehensive taxonomic knowledge of experts, in particular where the identification of animal species from the incredibly diverse groups of insects such as beetles, flies and mosquitoes, bees, and wasps is concerned. This has us focusing on training species experts in the scope of courses provided by our museums, in the further training of professional experts, as well as amongst the student population and in the supervision of more than 60 Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and many dissertations every year. Beyond this, we promote knowledge of species internationally, by sharing knowledge of species and identification skills worldwide in cooperation with many different institutions.

Digital collections as global repositories of knowledge

Scientific collections with original objects form the heart of our research museum. In addition to working with the specimens, digital catalogues enable the rapid exchange of collection data. As part of an international network, they offer a global perspective on biological diversity and promote the exchange of knowledge. The LIB is committed to networking collections, making them accessible and usable in order to provide even better answers to socially relevant questions. The knowledge stored here is used to find solutions to problems such as food shortages and human health. Since 2023, our scientific collections have been listed in the first global digital catalogue of the world's 73 largest natural history museums^.1 It links more than one billion objects from 28 countries. However, only 16 per cent of these globally collected objects currently have digital data records.

Simply put: 

DNA barcoding

DNA barcoding is a method of identifying living organisms down to species level using their genetic code. A particular small DNA segment of a gene (or several genes as the case may be) from the entire genome that is highly specific to each species is sequenced, compared to a reference database, and recognised.