Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History
(+49) 711-8936-115
(+49) 711-8963-0
Prof. Dr. Johanna Eder +49 711 8936 115 johanna.eder@smns-bw.de Palaeobotany
Prof. Dr. Johanna Eder/ director/ palaeobotany/+49 711 8936 115; johanna.eder@smns-bw.de
Dr. Friederike Woog/researcher/ornithology/+49 711 8936 253, friederike.woog@smns-bw.de; collection policy board
Prof. Dr. Johanna Eder +49 711 8936 115 johanna.eder@smns-bw.de Palaeobotany
Four scientific departments: Botany, Entomology, Palaeontology, Zoology. One department for education and public services, one for scenography and exhibition design, and one for administration and central services. All directly under the director.
Our museum is under the supervision of the Ministery for Science, Research and Art Baden-Württemberg (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg). The museum´s director is supported by the board of directors (of all units of the museum). The scientific advisory board accompanies and comments on the development of our institution. It consists of up to 6 members from sister institutions and universities in Germany and abroad.
| Permanent (P) | Non – Permanent (NP) | |
|---|---|---|
| a) TOTAL scientific staff | 19 | 9 |
| b) Scientific staff linked to Collections | 11 | |
| c) Post-docs / PhD students | 4 | |
| d) Others (Associates, etc.) | ||
| TOTAL (a+b+c+d) |
| Permanent (P) | Non – Permanent (NP) | |
|---|---|---|
| e) Exhibitions | 9 | |
| f) Collection Managers / technicians | 24 | 2 |
| g) Others | ||
| TOTAL (e+f+g) |
Staff varies from year to year
Molecular laboratory, amber laboratory, histology laboratory, microsection laboratory, sandblast laboratory, hydrofluoric acid laboratory, microscopy laboratories, large workspace for zoological taxidermy, workspace to elutriate, etching workspace, etc.
SEM, Keyence digital microscope, Automontage system, interference contrast microscope, DNA robotic tools, nitrogen chamber, degreasing system, etc.
The collection-based description of species and higher taxa and their interpretation in an evolutionary context is one of our core areas of expertise and is the basis for all further research.
The diversity of life is examined at three hierarchical levels - biodiversity of genes, species and ecosystems. Long-term studies on biodiversity are combined with biogeographical analyses.
The analysis of complex ecosystems from different time slices provides us with profound insights into biological communities and their relationships with habitat and climate. Our extensive expertise in botany, paleobotany, zoology, paleozoology, and ecophysiology facilitates a broad research approach.
Open research topics allow us to respond flexibly to current issues and societal demands.
We are one of the main providers of cultural education in the natural science in the country. The exhibits are constantly evolving, as are new methods of knowledge transfer. Our particular strength is the close association between research and outreach.
The collections are archives of biodiversity, and are rigorously maintained and expanded. We are further developing the diverse methodological expertise in preparing specimens for research, collections and exhibits. Digital documentation and international integration of collections is driving new digital technologies.
Our diverse scientific (taxonomy, physiology, taphonomy) and preparation expertise is a prerequisite for the development and analysis of the numerous internationally important fossil localities in the state.
The combination of biology and paleontology in the field of entomology is an approach that has already provided numerous spectacular insights into the evolution of insects.
Our taxonomic and systematic expertise, the quality of our paleoherpetological collection and the importance of fossil localities in the state are internationally recognized, creating unique conditions for the development of this field of research.
DNA barcoding is a new type of taxonomy that must be accompanied by the expansion of reference collections. The data are worthless without the expertise of taxonomists who can identify species correctly. This is particularly true for groups that are difficult to identify, such as the ecologically important parasitic hymenopterans. The project "Floristic Mapping of Baden-Württemberg" sets the standard for long-term studies and forms an important basis for conservation-related studies on ecosystem change, and has received recognition throughout Europe. DNA barcoding increases the efficiency of long-term monitoring efforts.
Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde A (Biologie) (link: http://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/publications/stuttgarter-beitraege-zur-naturkunde-serie-a) Palaeodiversity (Link: http://www.palaeodiversity.org/)
Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde C (Popular Science) (link: http://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/publications/stuttgarter-beitraege-zu...)
| Typology | Primary types | Individual specimens/objects | % registered cards | % recorded cards in database | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Palaeontology | 2500 | 4100000 | 6 | |
| 1.2 | Mineralogy | 40000 | |||
| 1.3 | Anthropology | 200 |
| Typology | Primary types | Individual specimens/objects | % registered cards | % recorded cards in database | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Botany | 2600 | 1000000 | 14 | |
| 2.2 | Zoology | 3193 | 6000000 | 20 |
The SMNS collections hold more than 11 million specimens and other natural objects as well as numerous associated data on taxonomy, genetics, ecology, and geography. Together these comprehensive records and archives of life on Earth and its history constitute a large-scale research infrastructure used by research scientists and the international community. Increasingly, collection information is made available digitally and in online data bases and contributes to international information systems such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. The oldest parts of the collection date back to the 16th century, and were originally incorporated in the private “Cabinet of Arts and Natural Curiosities” of the Dukes of Württemberg, which later gave rise to the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart. Today, the biological and palaeontological collections still have a strong regional focus as well as a worldwide dimension. The collection size is constantly growing due to project-related field work, special acquisitions and bequests. Every year more than 200 foreign scientists visit the museum’s collections for comparative studies.
Our Zoology collection furthermore includes an Entomology collection consisting of 2500 primary types and 4,500,000 individual specimens
No
More than 100.000 volumes; 1600 journals
Events like: Open house day, summer festival, long night of the museums, concerts, Science pub.
Website: http://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/veranstaltungen
Talks and excursions Webiste: http://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/veranstaltungen
Sponsorship for collection objects http://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/patenschaften
Newsletter http://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/newsletter-en
Science blog http://smnstuttgart.com/
Citizen science: Floristic mapping of Baden-Württemberg http://www.flora.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/start_english.htm
Entomological Association http://www.entomologie-stuttgart.de/
Wildbienen-Kataster (registration of bees) http://www.wildbienen-kataster.de/
External Relationships: Tobias Wilhelm, phone: +49 711-8936-104, e-mail: tobias.wilhelm@smns-bw.de Press: Meike Rech, phone: +49 711-8936-107, e-mail: meike.rech@smns-bw.de
Past: the average of the last 4 years is about 230.000
Yes, in further education for ongoing teachers together with the State Seminar for Didactics and Teacher Training.
We are contributing with teaching to: University of Hohenheim: Master Modul Systematic, Taxonomy, Evolution; Master Modul Evolution of plants University Bonn: Modul Biodiversity of early terrestrial plants University Heidelberg: Biodiversity Modul C: Evolution of plants University Jena: Lecture Bony fish and Tetrapods University of Tübingen: Lecture Carbonates; Lecture Biomimetic Guided tours and seminars for different universities at the museum.
No.
Guided tours are highly diversified according to the different audience: for small children (<6 years), for different school levels, for families and adults.
Guided Tours for different audiences as children, schools, adults and families.
Projects for schools, holiday programmes, education and training courses for different audiences,
BioForum: http://www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/aktuell/nachricht/eine-arbeitsgemeinsc...
Ulrich Schmid, phone: +49 711-8936- 263, e-amil: ulrich.schmid@smns-bw.de
Ursula Lauxmann, phone: +49 711-8936-127, e-mail: ursula.lauxmann@smns-bw.de
Christine Stier, phone: +49 711-8936-125, email: christine.stier@smns-bw.de
reconstructing palaeoenvironment
phylogenetic research
Integrative taxonomy, DNA-Barcoding
better integration of earth science collections and research into CETAF activities
collection management