What is CIBRA?

Das Zentrum für Integrative Biodiversitätsforschung und Angewandte Ökologie (CIBRA) bietet eine Forschungsplattform, auf der Partner aus Wissenschaft und Naturschutzpraxis interdisziplinär an Themen der Biodiversitätsforschung und angewandten Ökologie arbeiten. Ziel ist es, die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Mensch, Umwelt und Biodiversität besser zu verstehen und dieses Wissen zur Entwicklung von Lösungen für den Schutz und die nachhaltige Nutzung biologischer Ressourcen zu nutzen.

CIBRA bietet die Möglichkeit, innovative und integrative Methoden in der Biodiversitätsforschung aktiv zu erproben – für ein zukunftsorientiertes Umweltmonitoring. Wir setzen unsere Erkenntnisse nicht nur in die Praxis um, sondern vermitteln unser Wissen auch an Bildungseinrichtungen, Politik und Gesellschaft.

CIBRA visiting the kindergarten "Unter den Eichen"

A few weeks ago, the CIBRA team visited the kindergarten “Unter den Eichen” in Münster-Mecklenbeck. The visit was based on an exciting spider project in which the children had already learned a lot about house spiders, orb-weaving spiders, and even the Nosferatu spider. With great curiosity, they observed the animals in the kindergarten, on the playground, and even at home, gathering knowledge, asking questions, and recording their discoveries in drawings, crafts, and conversations.

Building on this foundation, the CIBRA carried out an environmental education workshop at the kindergarten for the first time. After an introductory session together, the children learned about the anatomy, movement, abilities, prey, and natural enemies of spiders in small groups, using hands-on materials, playful exercises, and interactive games. At the end, they had the opportunity to observe spiders in nature and identify them alongside the CIBRA team.

Based on the positive feedback, the CIBRA team now plans to extend the project to additional kindergartens, providing children with even deeper insights into various animal groups. The aim is to consciously introduce children to the topics of biodiversity and species conservation, to encourage their curiosity about nature and counteract the increasing distance from it.

Citizen Science in Westphalia - Animal diversity: Biodiversity in Münster's development areas

More and more people are moving to more urban areas, which is increasingly driving urbanization. Meadows, fields and fallow land are being replaced by new development areas, resulting in the loss of valuable natural spaces. At the same time, gardens, parks and playgrounds are creating new habitats that offer potential for a diverse species composition. How these areas affect biodiversity was a central question of a new research project.

In April 2024, the Citizen Science pilot project Tierisch vielfältig: Biodiversität in Münsters Neubaugebieten started in the “Schwarzer Kamp” development area. Committed citizens researched the biodiversity in their gardens and thus made an important contribution to documenting the local fauna.

The first results have already been recorded: 15 citizens took part in the pilot project and documented 162 animal species with a total of 359 observations. Particularly notable are the 42 different moth species, 18 beetle species and three mammal species. All the data collected can be viewed here.

The project is to be extended to other residential areas in Westphalia in the future.

The findings from this project provide important information on reintroduction processes and show that even small gardens can be of great ecological importance.

CIBRA at CAMPUS EARTH

With an information stand, CIBRA took part in the university-wide CAMPUS EARTH, where the diverse sustainability activities at the University of Münster were presented to the public and university members. CIBRA showed the planned activities to link research, teaching and transfer in the fields of biodiversity and applied ecology more closely. The focus was on the citizen science project ‘Tierisch vielfältig. Biodiversity in Münster's new housing estates’, in which citizens actively help to record the biodiversity in their neighbourhoods.

Guide to the restoration of bog vegetation

Peatlands are an important part of the carbon cycle on a global scale. As a potential carbon sink, it is of great importance to restore them after their almost complete destruction in Germany and other European countries. In order for a peatland to be able to absorb carbon again after it has been drained, the vegetation must be restored after rewetting. This requires extensive cultivation of the vegetation that is to be established on the bog.
Read more here.

CIBRA and DDA seal their cooperation

By signing a cooperation agreement the Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research and Applied Ecology (CIBRA) and the DDA will combine their expertise in the field of biodiversity in the future. The aim of the cooperation is to develop scientifically sound findings in order to improve the protection of biodiversity in our increasingly intensively used environment.

Gemeinsam mit dem Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie der Universität Münster und dem LWL-Museum für Naturgeschichte bilden CIBRA und die DDA ein starkes regionales Netzwerk für den Artenschutz. Das gemeinsame Ziel: die komplexen funktionalen Zusammenhänge zwischen den Organismen unserer Region und ihrer Umwelt zu erforschen und praxisnahe Naturschutzprojekte anzustoßen. Als Organisator des nationalen Vogelmonitorings bietet die DDA hierfür vielversprechende Ansatzpunkte. Darüber hinaus unterstützen sich die Kooperationspartner gegenseitig in Lehre, Nachwuchsförderung und der Mobilisierung der Forschungsinfrastruktur. Innovative Forschungsansätze tragen dazu bei, die Expertise der Partner zu bündeln.