| Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies

Rapidly Increasing Industrial Activities in the Arctic

More than 800,000 km2 of the Arctic were affected by human activity in 2013, according to an analysis of satellite-derived data on artificial light at night. On average, 85% of the light-polluted areas are due to industrial activities rather than urban development. According to the international team led by UZH researchers, the results are crucial for sustainable development and nature conservation in this highly vulnerable region.

Reducing Herbivore Damage Using Biodiversity Instead of Insecticide

Pesticides aren’t always necessary: researchers at the University of Zurich have conducted a comprehensive field study showing that damage from herbivores can be reduced by using biodiversity within a plant species.

Colorful Traits in Primates Ease Tensions Between Groups

Primate ornamentation plays a crucial role in communication not only within social groups but also between them, according to a new study. The research reveals that the males of species with overlapping home ranges often display vibrant colors or elaborate features, traits that may help reduce intergroup aggression by enabling quick assessments of potential rivals. (Photo: istock/ryasick)

BBC Podcast "The Conversation" with Prof. Marta Manser as Guest

Datshiane Navanayagam speaks with Prof. Marta Manser at the BBC show "The Conversation" about meerkat vocalization, social structures, and group coordination. "The Conversation" focuses on two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

11th European Conference on Behavioural Biology (ECBB) 2024

The 11th European Conference on Behavioural Biology (ECBB) 2024, the largest European meeting for animal behavior scientists, was held at the Irchel Campus of the University of Zurich (UZH), Switzerland on July 16-19, 2024. It was a joint conference with the Summer Meeting of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). The theme of this year’s conference was ‘long-term studies in animal behavior’, but any topic in behavioral biology was welcome. (Picture: Santana Schneider)

“UZH is a leader in evolutionary biology research”

The URPP Evolution in Action program at UZH investigates how organisms and pathogens evolve and adapt to their environment, showcasing the university's research excellence in evolutionary biology by revealing genetic processes of speciation. Kentaro Shimizu points to the plant Cardamine amara, a precursor of the newly discovered species Cardamine insueta. (Picture: Hiroto Kawabata)

Biodiversity Master's starts for the first time in fall

Last fall, UZH introduced the new "Biodiversity" study program in German-speaking countries. After a successful Bachelor's start with over 140 students, the Master's program will begin for the first time this fall semester.

The Kalahari Biodiversity Project

The Kalahari Biodiversity Project, now encompassing 72 km², employs a dense network of 150 camera traps and novel soil invertebrate trapping methods to study vertebrate and invertebrate interactions across varied land uses, unraveling the complex relationships between species, land use, and climate change, offering crucial insights for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.