Department of Migration

 

Myriads of organisms travel great distances on their search for suitable food, wintering and mating grounds. Our planet resembles one large pulsating organism, in which all of the organisms that are continually moving are breathing life into it. Understanding this pulsating life and its underlying mechanisms allows a better understanding of the ecologically dynamic processes on a global scale.

We strive to understand and predict which decisions animals will make on their journey, how animals will interact with their ever-changing environment, and the consequences their migrations have on ecosystems and humans. Above all, this insight will enable us to predict the impact that we humans have on these processes and allow us to understand the future consequences.

Research - The Migration Groups

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News

white stork flying against trees

Adolescent exploration helps storks to learn straighter and shorter migration routes more

Bat Island

Bat Island

November 21, 2023

New book charts a rare journey into the hidden world of tropical bats more

No evidence for widespread transmission of viruses by African bats

Contrary to what is often reported, only one species is known to have transmitted pathogens to humans. more

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In the Media

Illustration of Martin Wikelski flying with satellite wings

How tracking animal movement may save the planet more

geese flying

GEO

January 01, 2024

Studie beweist: Wildgänse lange gestresst von Silvesternacht more

pink flowers

taz

November 15, 2023

Die Kunst der Tiere more

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