Research Projects
Evolution of social hymenopterans
The relationship between fossil and present-day insects is examined in the framework of paleoentomological research at the Center of Natural History. The Focus of this research is on social hymenopterans. In the past years it could be found out that the honeybee species Apis mellifera may have developed in Europe and used Africa as refugium during past ice ages ... [ more ]
A window into the past: arachnids in amber
Arachnids from different amber deposits are analyzed in a joined project with the arachnology department. CeNak houses a unique collection of arachnids preserved in Baltic and Bitterfeld amber. Baltic amber is probably older than 45 million years, while the age of Bitterfeld amber is still a matter of debate. The Departments Arachnology and Paleontology at CeNak ... [ more ]
Ecosystem and climate development at the east coast of North America
In the framework of this project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG projects KO3944/3 and KO3944/5), we analyse the development of ecosystems in the region of New Jersey during the Oligocene and Miocene based on so-called palynomorphs, e.g. pollen grains. A major aim is to find out if global climate change during this time ... [ more ]
Ecosystem development and anthropogenic influence on terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the Baltic region
In the framework of this project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG projects KO3944/6 and KO3944/8) we examine pollen grains, algae remains and insect fragments from sediment cores to identify ecosystem changes in the Baltic region during the past ca. 8000 years. The pollen grains are also used to reconstruct terrestrial climate ... [ more ]