Thomas Göttert

• Dr. rer. nat. Dipl. Biol.
• Head of Division at Bundesamt für Naturschutz

This paper deals with reflections that arose after observing prehistoric rock engravings at different locations in Namibia. These observations stimulated comparative considerations with focus on southern Africa and central Europe. Similar to the Aurignacian rock art of European origin, the most common motifs in the Namibian rock engravings are larg...

Simple Summary Understanding the impact of urbanization on biodiversity is a crucial task of our time. Here, we reflect on the importance of feralization in the relationship between ongoing urbanization and the worsening biodiversity crisis. Feralization is often viewed as the exact opposite of a domestication process—a perception that we argue is...

African savanna ecosystems are home to the world's richest large herbivore (LH) assemblages. However, its landscapes are changing faster than any other region on Earth due to human activities and natural events. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing the distribution of LH in these human-dominated environments is crucial for decision-maki...

Urbanization gradients are increasingly used in ecological studies to discover responses of species communities to different intensities of human-induced habitat transformation. Here, we investigated patterns of bat communities against the background of different urbanization levels using a priori defined urbanization categories based on distance c...

Cities are ubiquitous and, though a novel phenomenon by evolutionary standards, provide a home for many species and exert particularly strong and novel selection pressures on them. They thus offer a unique opportunity to study rapid evolutionary processes. We conducted a scoping review of published studies documenting evolutionary processes in urba...

GERMAN: Das vorliegende Diskussionspapier zeigt Fallbeispiele zur digitalen Biodiversitäts- und Ökosystemlehre, die am Fachbereich Landschaftsnutzung und Naturschutz der Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) aufgebaut und eingesetzt wurden. Sie sollen die wachsende Bedeutung digital unterstützter Lehrformate, aber auch die damit...

Since human–wildlife interrelations take place on many levels, it would be desirable to illustrate the breadth of topics and phenomena. Fortunately, there seems to be a paradigm shift from an anthropocentric perspective on "conflicts" to more empathetic approaches that give greater importance to the “wildlife side of the coin”. In light of rapidly...

This discussion paper aims to shed light on the benefits and value of photography from a student perspective. The starting point and central element of this paper are reflections from selected stu-dents representing the field of environmental sciences. Students contribute as co-authors of this paper. The student co-authors were asked by the lead au...

Im vorliegenden Diskussionspapier wird mit der „Kartierung von Nachhaltigkeitstransfer“ eine Methode zur Sichtbarmachung von - und Reflexion über Nachhaltigkeitstransfer vorgestellt und diskutiert. Dabei stehen die Entwicklung der Methode sowie unsere Erfahrungen bei deren Anwendung im Rahmen eines Workshops mit einem Fachbereich der Hochschule für...

This discussion paper explores the multiple roles of photography in the realms of science and education, celebrating its diverse applications, while offering a cautious perspective on its use. The authors advocate that photography is a useful tool for sustainability transfer underscoring the ways in which photography can transcends barriers in educ...

When I was approached to edit a Special Issue (SI) on "Human wildlife conflicts across landscapes", I was particularly interested in the unprejudiced, not to say near-naïve approach to the subject. In today's scientific landscape, however, there is a tendency towards ultra-specialization, implying the danger of missing the big picture [1,2]. This c...

Relevant known and crisis-induced obstacles, possibilities and ideas for solutions in within the transformation to more organic agriculture should be discussed. The results could potentially be taken into consideration in the participants' projects as well as in politics and business. A discussion of various topics and perspectives in the World Caf...

This study provides a first attempt to describe the historical distribution and movement patterns of selected large herbivore (LH) species in Limpopo National Park (LNP), an area in Mozambique today connected to a network of transboundary conservation areas. Between 1976 and the early 2000s, most LH species were absent in this area following the ci...

Behavioral traits play a major role in the successful adaptation of wildlife to urban conditions. We investigated and compared the acoustic behavior of free ranging bats in rural (Havelland, Brandenburg) and urban (Berlin city center) green areas (n = 6 sites) to assess possible effects of urbanization on bat vocalizations using automated real-time...

Here, we address the question of if/to what extent human–wildlife conflict (HWC) can be reduced or mitigated by supra-regional or even global approaches, or whether case- and region-specific strategies are necessary. First, we try to shift the perspective from humans towards wildlife and regard modern era (near) extinctions of selected wildlife spe...

Die vorliegende explorative Studie verfolgt das Ziel, Nachhaltigkeitstransfer als spezifische Form des Transfers insbesondere in den Bereichen Lehre und Forschung an der Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) empirisch zu erfassen und sichtbar zu machen. Hierzu wurde ein heuristisch abgeleitetes Konzept für den Nachhaltigkeitstran...

Der 2011 gegründete Verbund für Nachhaltige Wissenschaft (NaWis) strebt die Stärkung transdisziplinärer Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften an Hochschulen und Forschungsinstituten an. Mit der Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde wird die NaWis-Runde seit September 2021 durch eine Institution gestärkt, der wie kaum einer anderen deutschen Hoc...

Das Forschungszentrum [Nachhaltigkeit – Transformation – Transfer] ist eine wissenschaftliche Einrichtung der Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE), gefördert vom Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur (MWFK) des Landes Brandenburg. In diesem Diskussionspapier werden die Forschungsansätze des Forschungszentrums dargel...

Movement behavior and habitat use of the long-eared bat species Plecotus auritus and Plecotus austriacus were studied in the Havelland region in Brandenburg (Germany). Data collection included mist-netting, radiotelemetry, reconstruction of prey items, and monitoring of roosting sites.Body measurements confirm a high degree of phenotypic similarity...

Human wildlife conflict is a complex phenomenon and an urgent issue of our time. On one hand, there is a growing human population, which goes along with the increase in human demands on a limited pool of natural resources. Societies are currently reflecting on the degree of these limitations and the fragility of ecosystems (e.g., biodiversity crisi...

This study is the first systematic assessment of large herbivore (LH) communities in Limpopo National Park (LNP) in Mozambique, an area where most LH species were extinct until the early 2000s. We investigate whether LH community parameters are linked with the availability of habitat types or the distance between sampling sites and the origin of LH...

In this study, we investigate and compare the response patterns of small mammal communities to increasing land use intensity in two study areas: private farmland at the southern boundary of Etosha National Park and smallholder farmland in Tsumeb agricultural area. Species richness, community composition and a standardized capture index (RCI) are co...

In this study, we analyze and compare wildlife response patterns to livestock grazing systems in distinct grassland ecosystems in central Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. The main hypothesis is that relatively undisturbed African savannas can function as reference for a more sustainable management of highly transformed central European rangelands. We...

Our study deals with human-wildlife conflicts in the Namibian component of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). The study reconstructs the historical occurrence of selected mammal species and adopts a socio-ecological approach to assess the impact of human dimensions in the KAZA TFCA. Our results reveal pronounced human–...

Between the 9th and 12th of September 2019, the Systematic Zoology Division (Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) hosted the fourth annual international workshop within the project “Land use contrasts and edge effects – a comparative approach”. The event was entitled “Organisms in nature – evolutionary perspective and ecologica...

Domestication is the result of a separation of a species from its natural ecological context, its integration into the human household and modification under anthropogenic-driven pressures. Currently, artificial selection is regarded as just one of several driving forces of evolution, which, to our opinion, does not appropriately consider the anthr...

Protected areas and adjacent landscapes are increasingly being viewed as integrated. A more general awareness is emerging of the relevance of collectively managed landscapes for conservation and human well-being. In Namibia, areas dedicated to conservation are increasing because of the proliferation of conservancies and game reserves. Management to...

The international workshop entitled “Biodiversity and the urban-rural interface: conflicts vs. opportunities” took place between the 24th and the 27th of September 2018 in Linde, Germany. This workshop marks the third annual academic event within our project “Land use contrasts and edge effects – a comparative approach”, affiliated with the Systema...

In this study, we examine the spatial interrelation between different carnivore species (Carnivora, Mammalia) and ground-nesting birds in a Special Protection Area (SPA) in Brandenburg, Germany. Camera- and live-trapping of carnivores during an 18-month period revealed that the SPA hosts most mesocarnivore species that occur in Germany. Since racco...

In the present study we evaluated how management practices, structural habitat parameters and arthropod availability affect bat activity, species richness and species diversity (estimated by Shannon’s diversity index H’) in a cultural landscape composed by a mosaic of different habitats in Brandenburg (Germany). Over a study period of two years (20...

Placental mammals (Eutheria) are viviparous and give birth to free living offspring. Primary and secondary oocytes are yolk free and develop in the ovary which is located in the retroperitoneal space between the abdominal and pelvic cavity. Tertiary egg membranes are lacking in most cases. Testicles are located either scrotal (Descensus testiculoru...

Protected areas remain vital to global conservation efforts. To simultaneously improve biodiversity conservation and promote human well-being, protected areas cannot be considered separate from their surrounding landscapes. As such, protected areas and adjacent landscapes are increasingly being viewed as integrated. Planning for such multifunctiona...

Here, we introduce a concept that addresses the complex interrelations between land use and biodiversity by applying an organismic and comparative approach towards grassland ecosystems in southern Africa and temperate Europe. While the natural savannas of southern Africa evolved millions of years ago, cultural grasslands in Europe emerged as a resu...

Translocations and reintroductions are key elements for the population management of the critically endangered black rhino (Diceros bicornis, Linnaeus, 1758). In this study, we investigated the postrelease behaviour and habitat preferences of a black rhino starter group (n = 4) on the individual level. The animals were reintroduced to a fenced game...

Faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) of four black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) at Magdeburg Zoo in Germany were investigated to assess the stress level associated with an internal transfer of rhinos between housing facilities. Moving rhinos within the zoo led to a punctual increase of FCM concentrations in three animals. We observed no signs of a...

describes movement patterns of a subadult male white rhino after reintroduction into an area, where a black rhino starter group just established home ranges...

Our study describes a 16 months (Nov 2005 –Feb 2007) continuous bird species monitoring conducted in a 368 km2 area in direct adjacency to the Etosha National Park (ENP). In order to discuss the suitability of the studied area to serve as an effective buffer zone for the ENP, we used birds as bioindicators for an indirect assessment of the habitat’...

In this study we systematically examined species-specific exploration behaviour and behavioural acclimatisation of a black rhino Diceros bicornis founder group post-transloca-tion. The study was carried out in a fenced region, approx-imately 350 km 2 in size and directly adjacent to Etosha National Park in Namibia. Rhinos were radio-tracked and mov...

Due to the political decisions of former years, the Etosha National Park in Namibia was significantly reduced in size and is completely fenced-in. Along its border, considerable contrasts of land use put emphasis on edge effects. Cutting off interactions between the park and its environment has reduced natures ability to adapt to the lack of resour...