Biodiversity in the Anthropocene (WiSe 2024/25)

Biodiversity change is a key characteristic of the Anthropocene. These changes first and foremost include the massive loss of biodiversity at all levels, from genes to ecosystems, yet also a major reorganization and turnover of global biodiversity. Although these trends are accelerating, large knowledge gaps prevail in our understanding of how and where biodiversity changes, which drivers of change are most important, and how to confront this accelerating biodiversity crisis.

Participants will deepen and broaden their knowledge on biodiversity concepts, theory and spatial and temporal patterns. Based on contemporary, international literature, students will acquire an understanding of the main characteristics of biodiversity change in the Anthropocene and which drivers shape these changes, such as climate change, habitat conversion and fragmentation or overexploitation. By exploring topics at the research frontier of global change effects on biodiversity, students will learn to critically reflect on and jointly discuss scientific literature, to synthesise across sometimes controversial positions, and to understand both the state of knowledge and the uncertainty in this dynamically developing field of biodiversity research. Finally, students will attain an overview on contemporary conservation efforts and policy frameworks aimed at confronting the ongoing biodiversity crisis. Methodologically, students will get exposed to a range of tools and methodologies to analyse biodiversity change and to set priorities in conservation projects covering both terrestrial and aquatic perspectives.

In sum, the course will equip students with the theoretical background, critical thinking, and practical tools to address biodiversity loss in the Anthropocene.