Evolutionary Diversity Dynamics
Understanding biodiversity change across time and space

Research

The Evolutionary Diversity Dynamics department investigates changes in biodiversity across spatial and temporal scales, from molecules and organisms to species communities and ecosystems. It integrates palaeobiological and neontological perspectives to identify the causes, mechanisms and consequences of diversity change, phenotypic differentiation and speciation, with environmental change as a central, cross-cutting theme.

A key focus lies on linking deep-time and present-day perspectives. By comparing past crises and recovery processes with the current biodiversity crisis, and by applying trait-based approaches (e.g. morphological and physiological traits), the department explores how evolutionary mechanisms such as gene flow, adaptation and speciation relate to ecosystem-level processes and conservation-relevant questions.

The department collaborates closely with other research units, particularly the Evolutionary Morphology department, and connects to the Collection Future science programme through collection-based genomics and biodiversity discovery. It also integrates digital approaches, including bioacoustics and AI-supported data workflows. Joint projects such as BROMACKER demonstrate how research, collections and knowledge transfer interact.

Research is supported by a broad methodological spectrum, including morphology, physiology, ecology, ethology, bioacoustics, genomics and bioinformatics, as well as shared infrastructures such as the Integrated Zoological Research Laboratory and genomic research platforms.