Senckenberg Society for Nature Research
(+49) (0)69 75 420
Prof. Dr. Peter Haase / Head of department River Ecology and Conservation / River and floodplain ecology / +49 6051 619540, Fax +49 6051 619543118, peter.haase@senckenberg.de
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Volker Mosbrugger +49 – (0)69 – 7542 - 1213, volker.mosbrugger@senckenberg.de,
Evolution and structure of terrestrial plants, evolution of terrestrial ecosystems / vegetation development, Terrestrial paleo-climate, Earth System Management
6 Research Institutes, including 3 Museums in Frankfurt, Dresden and Görlitz
- Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt including - Senckenberg Forschungsstation für Fließgewässerökologie und Naturschutzforschung Gelnhausen - Senckenberg Forschungsstation Grube Messel in Messel - Senckenberg Forschungsstation für Quartärpaläontologie Weimar - Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment at Tübingen University
- Senckenberg am Meer Wilhelmshaven including - Arbeitsstelle des Deutschen Zentrums für marine Biodiversitätsforschung Hamburg
- Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut Müncheberg
- Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden
- Senckenberg Museum für Naturkunde Görlitz
- Senckenberg Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum Frankfurt
The Administrative Board (Verwaltungsrat) consults the Direktorium and supervises the expediency and economic efficiency of the Direktorium's management. The Executive Committee of the Supervisory Board (Präsidialausschuss) is a committee of the Administrative Board and prepares the meetings of the Administrative Board and monitors the execution of its decisions. The Board of Directors manages the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung and conducts the decisions of the Verwaltungsrat and the Meeting of Members.
The Committee of Senckenberg Scientists (WA) has the function of asvising and supporting the Board of Directors. Scientific Advisory Board (WB, external): The Scientific Advisory Board is composed of external scientists who conduct the function and business of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung as well as independently assessing them. The board is in particular responsible for the assessment of the research programmes of the Senckenberg Research Institutes, the Programme budgets and the attainment of the research programmes' targets. The Board of Trutees (Kuratorium, external) supports and consults the Senckenberg Verwaltungsrat. The Kuratorium members are public persons, in particular from politics, economy and science. The Kuratorium assembles upon invitation of the Senckenberg President.
| Permanent (P) | Non – Permanent (NP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific staff | 107 | 265 |
| Permanent (P) | Non – Permanent (NP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Other staff | 320 | 116 |
73 staff members (9%) from 32 foreign countries
- DNA Laboratories: BiK-F Laboratory Center, Grunelius Möllgaard Laboratory, DNA Laboratories Dresden, Molecular Laboratories Gelnhausen Inorganic and organic stable Isotope geochemistry laboratory (jointly run with Frankfurt University)
- High resolution electronoptic laboratories (Dresden, Görlitz, Müncheberg, Frankfurt)
- High resolution 3D surface scanning and X-ray facilities (Messel, Frankfurt)
- Confocal laserscanning microscope (Wilhelmshaven)
- Graphical services (Frankfurt, Görlitz, Dresden)
- Museum workshops (Frankfurt, Görlitz, Dresden)
- Data and Modelling center (Frankfurt)
- Libraries and special book collections (Frankfurt, Dresden, Weimar, Görlitz, Müncheberg, Wilhelmshaven)
- Geochronology laboratory (Dresden)
- XRD-XRF Laboratories (Dresden)
- Rock preparation and thin section laboratories (Frankfurt, Dresden)
- Taxidermy laboratories (Dresden)
- Laboratories for preparation and conservation of fossil material (Weimar, Messel, Görlitz, Dresden)
- Laboratories for Palynological and Paleobotanical Preparation (HF labs) and
- Geochemical Rock preparation (Weimar, Frankfurt, Dresden)
DNA analysers, Thermocyclers, capillary sequencers 14 Climate chambers and 4 environmentally controlled rooms for mesocosms 4 SEMs, surface scanner and 3D workstation, confocal laser scanning microscope, XRD, XRF, LA-ICP-MS, Mass spectrometers, vacuum ovens and maceration tanks, labs equipped for HF-preparation, optical microscopes, different rock preparation equipment, several large specific equipment in museum workshops and carpenter workshops, etc.
Large scale experimental facilities: Research vessel ‘Senckenberg’ (Wilhelmshaven) Long term ecological and mesocosm laboratory (Frankfurt) Messel fossil site and other biological research stations (Messel pit, Rhein-Main-Observatory, Sokotra marine field station, Ecological field station in Bolivia, Cultural and Museum Centre Karonga (CMCK)
Senckenberg’s research aims at understanding the role of biodiversity in the past, present and future dynamics of the Earth’s system. Correspondingly, Senckenberg pursues integrative geobiodiversity research by using an earth system approach and combining bio- and geosciences, as well as reductionist and holistic research concepts that are largely organismic, field- and collection-oriented. With this research strategy we contribute to the protection and sustainable use of nature resources and to the development of an earth system management.
On an operational level, our research program comprises four basic and intensively cross-linked research fields (RF), each containing between two and four research activities:
- RF I: Biodiversity and Systematics (including Taxonomy and Systematics , Evolution and Biogeography, Morphology and Function)
- RF II: Biodiversity and Ecosystems Health (including Medical Biodiversity, Long-term Ecosystem Dynamics and Biodiversity Conservation)
- RF III: Biodiversity and Climate (including Geobiodiversity and Climate, Genomic Evolution and Climate, Ecosystem Services and Climate)
- RF IV: Biodiversity and Earth System Dynamics (Evolving Earth and Paleoenvironment, Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment
The four research fields with their various research activities are interlinked as a research network, with RF Biodiversity and Systematics at its core. This kind of reticulated research is characteristic of our integrative research strategy. Moreover, we follow a clear strategy to integrate our research results. This strategy is supported by our Science and Society program which focuses on the fields “Museums”, “Scientific Services” and “Knowledge Transfer”.
Biodiversity and Systematics represents Senckenberg’s traditional core competence and reflects the organismic, field- and collection-oriented approach. Ecological functions and ecosystem services, so intensively studied today, are provided by organisms; therefore, their full understanding, quantification, monitoring, and management requires knowledge about the underlying systematics.
Similarly, fighting pests and pathogen vectors, as well as analyzing the impact of climate change and other stressors on biodiversity requires the correct identification of species. Numerous opportunities in systematics arise from molecular studies, in particular concerning phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships and identification of cryptic species. Hence, this methodology is an integral part of the RF, including the development of a DNA and tissue collection.
The three RFs Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health, Biodiversity and Climate and Biodiversity and Earth system dynamics are settled around our core competences in Biodiversity and Systematics.
The RF Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health focuses on understanding and managing the World´s species and ecosystems under global change. The research activity (RA) Medical Biodiversity contributes to the global One Health initiative by investigating vector-borne diseases and parasitology. The RA Long-term Ecosystem Dynamics represents a “traditional” research activity with typical long-term monitoring aspects and a key competence in long-term data analyses.
For decades, we have run monitoring projects in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems and are strongly embedded in international networks like LTER and GEOBON. The RA Biodiversity Conservation focuses on developing new methods, assessments tools and management recommendations. It is combining our nature conservation projects in marine, terrestrial and limnic environments.
The three research activities of RF Biodiversity and Climate, i.e. Evolution and Climate, Biodiversity Dynamics and Climate, and Adaptation and Climate represent the different time scales over which we analyse how biodiversity interacts with its environment from Earth’s geologic history to the impact of our industrialized global society. These research activities complement the RA Ecosystem services and climate, which, in cooperation with the Institut für sozial-ökologischeForschung (ISOE), studies the social-ecological dimensions of biodiversity and climate change.
RF Biodiversity and Earth System Dynamics analyzes key periods of Earth’s history to derive “lessons from the past“, particularly with respect to the mutual impact of biodiversity on evolution – biotic and abiotic – of the “Earth system”. Further, it studies the impact of environmental change and increased anthropogenic sea use on sedimentary environments of coastal and shelf seas as well as on non-tropical shallow- and deep-water biosedimentary systems and carbon cycling. A third focus on Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment complements these longer time scales as it addresses the evolution of humans in the light of the multifaceted interactions with their paleoenvironment.
Archiv für Molluskenkunde – Edt. R. Janssen, since 1868 Contributions to Entomology – Edt. H.H. Dathe, since 1951 Peckiana – Edt. W. Xylander, since 2001
Studia Dipteroligica – Edts. F. Menzel, J. Kramer, A. Stark, since 1994
Marine Biodiversity – Edt. P. Martinez, relaunch 2009
Paleobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments – Edt. P. Königshof, relaunch 2009
Every 4 months: Arthropod Systematics and Phylogeny – Edt. K. Klass, relaunch 2007
Soil Organisms – Edt. W. Xylander, relaunch 2008 Vertebrate Zoology – Edt. A. Zarske
Scientific monographs and bibliographies:
- Abhandlungen der SGN – Edts. V. Mosbrugger, P. Königshof, since 1852, 2 issues per year
- ACARI-bibliographica Acarologica – Edt. A. Christian, since 2001, 3 issues per year
- Fauna of Arabia - Edt. F. Krupp, one issue Geologica Saxonica – Edt. J.-M. Lange, since 1876, 1-2 issues per year
- Nova Supplementa Entomologica – Edts. H.H. Dathe, E. Groll, since 1985, 1 issue per year
- Synopses on Palaeoarctic Collembola – Edts. W. Xylander, W. Dunger, since 1994, irregular interval
Popular Journals and Publications
- Natur Forschung Museum – Edt. T. Wenzel, since 1869, every 2 months
- Kleine Senckenberg Reihe – Edts V. Mosbrugger, P. Königshof, since 1971, up to 3 per year
- Senckenberg Bücher – Edt. V. Mosbrugger, since 1926, irregular interval Museumspädagogische Materialien – Edt. V. Mosbrugger, since 2007, irregular interval
| Typology | Primary types | Individual specimens/objects | % registered cards | % recorded cards in database | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Mineralogy | 13 | 161166 | ||
| 1.2 | Palaeontology | 6585 | 11374343 | ||
| 1.3 | Geology | 105544 | |||
| 1.4 | Anthropology | 4 | 21385 |
| Typology | Primary types | Individual specimens/objects | % registered cards | % recorded cards in database | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Botany | 700 | 1761902 | ||
| 2.2 | Zoology | 48524 | 25607524 |
The Senckenberg Collection with its 39 Mio collection units is the largest natural history collection in Germany and amongst the 5 largest in the world (after the Smithsonian and the museums in London, Paris and St. Petersburg). Online access to specimen data and digital imagery is provided for a part of the Senckenberg collection in the SeSam database available under http://sesam.senckenberg.de/page/index.htm
No
3500 signatures
No
Organisation of conferences, congresses, exhibitions and special exhibitions Co-organisation of symposia and conferences Organisation and moderation of workshops, convenorships of sessions in scientific conferences Communications address topics according to the research foci and to the public through press releases, interviews, lectures, panel discussions, expert statements, publications. On special occasions as opening of exhibitions, there are press conferences and events organised. Press releases are posted in Senckenberg’s online press room and most releases are placed on the online platform “idw”, some of them with international interest also translated in English and distributed through international lists. A large number of our press releases lead to interviews with scientists for print, radio or television.
The Senckenberg Website unifies all Senckenberg institutes and locations under a single roof, the website includes a news ticker and an easy to navigate portal into “Museums”, “Research”, “Collections” and “Publications”. Senckenberg is as well present on social media as e.g. Facebook or Twitter. Senckenberg informs the public through flyers about new exhibitions as well as it’s museum education programs.
Also flyers are available covering news about the Senckenberg Research vessel, the Senckenberg School and the Senckenberg Society for Natural History Research. The Senckenberg image brochure is available in German and English, also a report is launched bi-annually. Popular scientific lectures: lecture series are held in Dresden, Görlitz, and Frankfurt. Participation in local and regional events, such as “long night of science” or “long nights of museums”, as well as organisation of own events, such as family days, exhibition openings or awards ceremonies.
Logo: http://www.senckenberg.de/images/chrome/logo.gif Flyer Frankfurt (http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=13584 (German))
Flyer Görlitz (http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/museum/goerlitz/temp2015/fruhjah... (German))
Information Dresden: (http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=4782 )(German))
News Letter (http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=88 (German))
Image Brochure (http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=14498) Annual report (http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/publikationen/jahresberichte/sen...)
Soeren Duerr, +49 (0) 69 7542-1580. sduerr@senckenberg.de
2014: 375650 Future: Due to recent construction dropping numbers
For approximately 50 years, Senckenberg operates the “Senckenberg School” for natural history museum and collection technicians. Every year 20 students are accepted for a 2-year training.
More than 90 Senckenberg scientists give lectures at 19 national and international universities including Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen, Universität Koblenz Landau, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Justus Liebig Universität Gießen, Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena, Universität Leipzig, TU Dresden, TU Freiberg, HTW Dresden, Internationales Hochschulinstitut Zittau, Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz, Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg, FU Berlin, TU Berlin, Universität Potsdam, Universität Bremen, Universität Oldenburg,University of Sherbrooke, Kanada; University of Glasgow, Schottland; Université de Poitiers, Frankreich; University Dar es Salaam, Tansania; National University of Mongolia Ulaanbaatar, Mongolei; Makere University Kibale, Uganda; El Colegio de la Frontera Sur Unidad Chetuma, Mexiko. The main activities in the field of education are as follows: Lecturing, supervision of bachelor, master and PhD theses, and supervision of traineeships.
No
Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese for Education-related topics in general, +49-(0)69-7542 1890 Dr. Bernd Herkner responsible for the “Senckenberg School”, +49-(0)69-7542 1557
Joint (collection-based) research projects
Promoting collections and natural history museums
Training activities
Joint (collection-based) research projects
Promoting collections and natural history museums
Training activities