Animals play an essential role in a variety of ecosystems and are significant for us humans in many ways. They are an important part of our diet, influence our lives positively, as in the case of beneficial insects or species worth protecting, but also negatively, as in the case of parasites and disease vectors. Studying their diversity and lifestyles and understanding their interactions with the environment is a key element in the relationship between humans and animals. Studying animal biodiversity and its role in ecosystems is important for developing new strategies for conservation and agricultural practices, among other things.
The colloquium will provide insights into the development of molecular methods to detect and study the presence of animals at large scales and their interaction with the environment, e.g., in food webs. Finally, it will explain how this knowledge can be used for practical applications and commercial exploitation, such as the regulation of parasites. This marks the beginning of a new era in the understanding and use of biodiversity.
Michael Traugott, professor of applied zoology at the Institute of Zoology at the University of Innsbruck, has been working for 25 years on the development and use of molecular methods, in particular to better understand animals in their interactions with their environment and to make this knowledge useful for sustainable management of species and ecosystems.
The colloquium will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 11th, at the Museum of Nature South Tyrol in German language. Admission is free. Online registration is required:
The event can also be followed online on the Museum’s YouTube channel:
