Vertebrates – Biodiversity Exploratories

Background

The core project Vertebrates investigates the functional diversity of selected vertebrate groups. The aim is to record the occurrence and activity of birds and bats with different mobility and habitat requirements and to relate them to land -use and habitat types and the resulting diversity scenarios.
The focus is on feedback mechanisms and interactions in order to understand how the occurrence of vertebrates is determined by the local abundance and diversity of other organisms and, conversely, how differences in the abundance and activity of vertebrates affect the diversity of other groups of organisms.

Picture: The photo shows an owl sitting on the branch of a tree with bright green leaves in daylight.

Monitoring

1. Breeding bird monitoring on 300 experimental plots

• Standardized inventory of breeding bird species on 100 experimental plots per exploratory (Schwäbische Alb, Hainich-Dün, Schorfheide-Chorin)
• Point-stop mapping: 5 mapping rounds between mid-March and mid-June; visual and acoustic recording of breeding bird species
• Establishment of the monitoring programme in 2008 and ongoing continuation in subsequent years
• Influence of forest structure parameters (LIDAR) on abundance and species richness of birds (cooperation between Ulm University and MPI BGC Jena)
• Influence of different land- use and management intensity on the abundance and species richness of birds
• Influence of landscape attributes on species richness and plot turnover of birds in heterogeneous landscapes

2. Bat monitoring on 300 experimental plots

• Standardized recording of bats on 100 experimental plots per exploratory (Schwäbische Alb, Hainich-Dün, Schorfheide-Chorin)
• Transect mapping: 2 mapping runs (June-July, August-September); Digital recording of bat calls with bat detector D1000X (Pettersson Electronics)
• Identification of free-flying bats based on the call structure and frequency of their echolocation sounds at genus or species level
• Establishment of the monitoring program in 2008 and ongoing continuation
• Influence of forest structure parameters (LIDAR) on the presence and activity of bat species (cooperation between the University of Ulm and MPI BGC Jena)
• Influence of different land- use and management intensity on bats
• Spatial and temporal variance of bat activity in grassland
• Habitat analysis of highly endangered bat species

Experiments

Exclusion experiments on deciduous and coniferous trees

• Experimental investigations of the interaction between “bird/bat – arboricole arthropods – trees” in the crowns of deciduous and coniferous trees (cooperation between the University of Ulm and the University of Würzburg)
• Influence of insectivorous predators (birds and bats) on herbivory rates in oak and spruce crowns
• Exclusion of predators on young oaks (Quercus robur) in the Swabian Alb in 2007, on old oaks (Quercus robur) in the Schwäbische Alb and in the Hainich-Dün in 2008

Publications

Supporting bird diversity and ecological function in managed grassland and forest systems needs an integrative approach

Jung K, Teuscher M, Böhm S, Wells K, Ayasse M, Fischer M, Weisser WW, Renner SC and Tschapka M (2024), Supporting bird diversity and ecological function in managed grassland and forest systems needs an integrative approach. Front. Environ. Sci. 12:1401513. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1401513

Dispersal ability, trophic position and body size mediate species turnover processes: Insights from a multi‐taxa and multi‐scale approach

Bae S., Heidrich L., Levick S. R., Gossner M. M., Seibold S., Weisser W. W., Magdon P., Serebryanyk A., Bässler C., Schäfer D., Schulze E.-D., Doerfler I., Müller J., Jung K., Heurich M., Fischer M., Roth N., Schall P., Boch S., Wöllauer S., Renner S. C., Müller J. (2021): Dispersal ability, trophic position and body size mediate species turnover processes: Insights from a multi‐taxa and multi‐scale approach. Diversity and Distributions 27 (3), 439-453. doi: 10.1111/ddi.13204

Radar vision in the mapping of forest biodiversity from space

Eine Radarsicht bei der Kartierung der biologischen Vielfalt von Wäldern aus dem Weltraum

Bae S., Levick S. R., Heidrich L., Magdon P., Leutner B. F., Wöllauer S., Serebryanyk A., Nauss T., Krzystek P., Gossner M. M., Schall P., Heibl C., Bässler C., Doerfler I. , Schulze E.-D., Krah F.-S., Culmsee H., Jung K., Heurich M., Fischer M., Seibold S., Thorn S., Gerlach T., Hothorn T., Weisser W. W., Müller J. (2019): Radar vision in the mapping of forest biodiversity from space. Nature Communications 10:4757. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-12737-x

Divergent response to forest structure of two mobile vertebrate groups

Renner S. C., Suarez-Rubio M., Kaiser S., Nieschulze J., Kalko E. K. V., Tschapka M., Jung K. (2018): Divergent response to forest structure of two mobile vertebrate groups. Forest Ecology and Management 415–416, 129-138. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2018.02.028

Using multiple landscape genetic approaches to test the validity of genetic clusters in a species characterized by an isolation-by-distance pattern

Barrieren im Genfluss beim Wildschwein: Test der Gültigkeit genetischer Cluster mit mehreren landschaftsgenetischen Ansätzen

Renner S. C., Suarez-Rubio M., Wiesner K. R., Drögemüller C., Gockel S., Kalko E. K. V., Ayasse M., Frantz A. C. (2016): Using multiple landscape genetic approaches to test the validity of genetic clusters in a species characterized by an isolation-by-distance pattern. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 118 (2), 292-303. doi: 10.1111/bij.12737

The effect of local land use and loss of forests on bats and nocturnal insects

Wie Landnutzung auf unterschiedlichen räumlichen Skalen Fledermäuse, nächtliche Insekten und deren Räuber-Beute-Beziehung bedingt

Treitler J. T., Heim O., Tschapka, M., Jung K. (2016): The effect of local land use and loss of forests on bats and nocturnal insects. Ecology and Evolution 6 (13), 4289–4297. doi: 10.1002/ece3.2160

The Importance of Landscape Elements for Bat Activity and Species Richness in Agricultural Areas

Die Bedeutung von strukturellen Landschaftselementen für Fledermausaktivität und Artenreichtum in Agrikulturlandschaften

Heim O., Treitler J. T., Tschapka M., Knörnschild M., Jung K. (2015): The Importance of Landscape Elements for Bat Activity and Species Richness in Agricultural Areas. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0134443. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134443

Movement and ranging patterns of the Common Chaffinch in heterogeneous forest landscapes

Kubiczek K., Renner S. C., Böhm S. M., Kalko E. K. V., Wells K. (2014): Movement and ranging patterns of the Common Chaffinch in heterogeneous forest landscapes. PeerJ 2: e368. doi: 10.7717/peerj.368

Temporal changes in randomness of bird communities across Central Europe

Zeitliche Variabilität des Zufallsanteils in Vogelgemeinschaften von Mitteleuropa

Renner S. C., Gossner M. M., Fischer M., Kahl T., Kalko E. K. V., Weisser W. W., Allan E. (2014): Temporal changes in randomness of bird communities. PLoS ONE 9(11): e112347. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112347

Effects of structural complexity within managed forest stands managed forest stands on the occurrence and activity of insectivorous bats

Forster M. (2014): Effects of structural complexity within managed forest stands on the occurrence and activity of insectivorous bats. Master thesis, University Ulm

Associations of Forest Type, Parasitism and Body Condition of Two European Passerines, Fringilla coelebs and Sylvia atricapilla

Lüdtke B., Moser I., Schaefer M., Fischer M., Kalko E. K. V., Santiago-Alarcon D., Suarez-Rubio M., Tschapka M., Renner S. C. (2013): Associations of Forest Type, Parasitism and Body Condition of Two European Passerines, Fringilla coelebs and Sylvia atricapilla. PLoS ONE 8 (12): e81395. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081395

Birds and parasites. Avian blood parasites, hematology and body condition associated to three different types of forests in a common songbird, the blackcap

Moser I. (2013): Birds and parasites. Avian blood parasites, hematology and body condition associated to three different types of forests in a common songbird, the blackcap. Thesis, University Tuebingen

Linking forest types, parasitism and health of Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs ) on the Schwäbische Alb

Lüdtke B. (2012): Linking forest types, parasitism and health of Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs ) on the Schwäbische Alb. Thesis, University Ulm

Divergent response of bats and insects to land use and soil types in agricultural grassland systems

Treitler J. (2012): Divergent response of bats and insects to land use and soil types in agricultural grassland systems. Thesis, University Ulm

Trait-dependent occupancy dynamics of birds in temperate forest landscapes: fine-scale observations in a hierarchical multi-species framework

Wells K., O’Hara R. B., Böhm S. M., Gockel S., Hemp A., Renner S. C., Pfeiffer S., Böhning-Gaese K., Kalko E. K. V. (2012): Trait-dependent occupancy dynamics of birds in temperate forest landscapes: fine-scale observations in a hierarchical multi-species framework. Animal Conservation 15 (6), 626–637. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00560.x

Moving in three dimensions: effects of structural complexity in managed forest stands on occurrence and activity of insectivorous bats

Vegetationsstruktur beeinflusst das Vorkommen und die Aktivität von Fledermäusen in unterschiedlich bewirtschafteten Wäldern

Jung K., Kaiser S., Böhm S., Nieschulze J., Kalko E. K. V. (2012): Moving in three dimensions: effects of structural complexity on occurrence and activity of insectivorous bats in managed forest stands. Journal of Applied Ecology 49 (2), 523–531. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02116.x

Food Preferences of Winter Bird Communities in Different Forest Types

Renner S. C., Baur S., Possler A., Winkler J., Kalko E. K. V.+, Paul J. J. Bates P. J. J., Mello M. A. R. (2012): Food Preferences of Winter Bird Communities in Different Forest Types. PLoS ONE 7(12): e53121. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053121

Influence of landscape elements on diversity and activity of insectivorous bats in grassland systems of the Schorfheide-Chorin

Smirnowa O. (2011): Influence of landscape elements on diversity and activity of insectivorous bats in grassland systems of the Schorfheide-Chorin. Thesis, University Ulm.

Diversität von Kleinsäugern in Buchenwäldern mit unterschiedlicher Bewirtschaftung

Rügauf A. (2011): Diversität von Kleinsäugern in Buchenwäldern mit unterschiedlicher Bewirtschaftung. Thesis, University Jena

Local- and landscape-scale forest attributes differ in their impact on bird assemblages across years in forest production landscapes

Waldeigenschaften auf lokaler und auf Landschaftsebene haben über Jahre unterschiedlichen Einfluss auf Vogelgesellschaften in Forstbeständen

Wells K., Böhm S.M., Boch S., Fischer M., Kalko E.K.V. (2011): Local- and landscape-scale forest attributes differ in their impact on bird assemblages across years in forest production landscapes. Basic and Applied Ecology 12 (2), 97-106

Habitat use of large ungulates in northeastern Germany in relation to forest management

Habitatnutzung von großen Huftieren im Nordosten von Deutschland im Zusammenhang mit der Waldbewirtschaftung

Heinze E.,Boch S., Fischer F., Hessenmöller D., Klenk B., Müller J., Prati D., Schulze E.-D., Seele C., Socher S., Halle S. (2010): Habitat use of large ungulates in northeastern Germany in relation to forest management. Forest Ecology and Management 261 (2), 288-296. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.10.022

Top-Down Control of Herbivory by Birds and Bats in the Canopy of Temperate Broad-Leaved Oaks (Quercus robur)

Böhm S. M., Wells K., Kalko E.K.V. (2011): Top-Down Control of Herbivory by Birds and Bats in the Canopy of Temperate Broad-Leaved Oaks (Quercus robur). PLoS ONE 6(4): e17857. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017857

Die Nahrungspräferenz der Kohlmeise (Parus major) vor Beginn der Brutzeit auf der Schwäbischen Alb

Winkler J. (2011): Die Nahrungspräferenz der Kohlmeise (Parus major) vor Beginn der Brutzeit auf der Schwäbischen Alb. Bachelor thesis, University Ulm.

Nahrungspräferenz der Blaumeise (Cyanistes caeruleus) vor Beginn der Brutzeit auf der Schwäbischen Alb

Baur S. (2011): Nahrungspräferenz der Blaumeise (Cyanistes aeruleus) vor Beginn der Brutzeit auf der Schwäbischen Alb. Bachelor thesis, University Ulm.

Home range size and movement patterns of male Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) in different forest types

Kubiczek K. (2011): Home range size and movement patterns of male Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) in different forest types. Thesis, University Ulm.

Nahrungspräferenz von Waldvögeln im Winter in Abhängigkeit von Waldtyp und Futterangebot auf der Schwäbischen Alb

Possler A. (2011): Nahrungspräferenz von Waldvögeln im Winter in Abhängigkeit von Waldtyp und Futterangebot auf der Schwäbischen Alb. Thesis, University Ulm.

Diversität und Struktur arborikoler Arthropodengemeinschaften auf geringelten Buchen (Fagus sylvatica LINNÈ) in der Schwäbischen Alb

Roth D. (2010): Diversität und Struktur arborikoler Arthropodengemeinschaften auf geringelten Buchen (Fagus sylvatica LINNÈ) in der Schwäbischen Alb. Bachelor thesis, University Würzburg

Distribution and habitat use of selected small and large mammal species in relation to different land use

Heinze E. (2010):Distribution and habitat use of selected small and large mammal species in relation to different land use. Dissertation, University Jena

Einfluss ausgewählter Waldtypen auf die Qualität des Reviergesangs beim Zaunkönig (Troglodytes troglodytes)

Böhm E.B.(2009): Einfluss ausgewählter Waldtypen auf die Qualität des Reviergesangs beim Zaunkönig (Troglodytes troglodytes). Thesis, University Ulm

Monitoring von Schalenwild im Biodiversitäts-Exploratorium Schorfheide-Chorin

Klenk B.(2009): Monitoring von Schalenwild im Biodiversitäts-Exploratorium Schorfheide-Chorin. Thesis, University Potsdam

Bird assemblages and animal-plant interactions in hedges on the Swabian Alb

Morgenstern A.(2008): Bird assemblages and animal-plant interactions in hedges on the Swabian Alb. Thesis, University Münster

Distribution and foraging behaviour of corvids within the cultural landscape of Swabian Alb

Öhy C. S. (2008): Distribution and foraging behaviour of corvids within the cultural landscape of Swabian Alb. Thesis, University Ulm

The so-called core projects of the BE emerged from the site selection project and the establishment of the exploratories (2006-2008). Since 2008, they have been providing the infrastructure and collecting important basic information on land use, diversity and ecosystem processes (long-term monitoring) for all projects. In addition, they coordinate project-wide activities such as various large-scale experiments.

Scientific assistants

Alumni

Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Kalko

Alumni

Prof. Dr. Marco Tschapka

Alumni

PD Dr. Swen Renner

Employee

Dr. Kirsten Jung

Universität Ulm

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