Entries by Anke Bebber

New Publication: Species Delimitation 4.0

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What is a species? How have species been defined in the past, and how will they be described in the future? How many species are there on Earth? How many are undiscovered? Can we describe them faster than they become extinct due to climate change or human impact? From the time of Greek philosophers like […]

Diversity of life – Habitat diversity

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Biodiversity – The Series The three main aspects of biodiversity are species diversity, the genetic diversity of a species and the diversity of habitats in a region. We cover all those aspects in dedicated articles. In this one, we take a closer look at how important it is to have multiple habitats in a given […]

Diversity of life – Genetic diversity

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Biodiversity – The Series The three main aspects of biodiversity are species diversity, the genetic diversity of a species and the diversity of habitats in a region. We cover all those aspects in dedicated articles. In this one, we take a closer look at the aspect of genetic diversity. Genetic diversity A species consists of […]

Diversity of life – Species diversity

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Biodiversity – The Series The three main aspects of biodiversity are species diversity, the genetic diversity of a species and the diversity of habitats in a region. We cover all those aspects in dedicated articles. In this one, we take a closer look at the aspect of species diversity. Species diversity The term species diversity […]

Diversity of life – Biodiversity

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Biodiversity is not the same as species diversity Biodiversity is a term you read in many places, but what exactly does it mean? In simple terms, biodiversity is the variety of life on earth. Many people use the term species diversity as a synonym for biodiversity, but this falls short. High biodiversity not only refers […]

A closer look at flowers: thermoregulation in winter

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In winter or in cold habitats such as high mountains, an optimal flower temperature is important for successful reproduction. Some plants can actively produce heat in their flowers, such as Helleborus foetidus, using yeast bacteria in the nectar (Herrera and Pozo, 2010). But this is the exception. For most plants in cold regions (or early […]

Flora-Incognita observations enable phenological monitoring throughout Europe

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A new study by our research group shows that plant observations collected with identification apps can provide information about the developmental stages of plants – both on a small scale and across Europe. [Read the paper] Why is it important to document phenology? Many plants in temperate climates go through a cycle of flowering, leaf […]

Winter jasmine or forsythia?

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“So early this year!” Every year from Christmas onwards, we receive messages that the “forsythia is blooming particularly early this year”. No wonder, as its yellow flowers shine particularly beautifully in the gray dreariness (of our towns and villages) – but beware! The shrubs often catching the eye in December and January are (usually) not […]

“Sonja Bernadotte Award for Paths to Nature Education” 2023 for Flora Incognita

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The “Sonja Bernadotte Award for Paths to Nature Education” is annually presented by the German Horticultural Society 1822 (DGG) and serves as a recognition for outstanding achievements in the field of nature education. The award aims to raise awareness about the importance of nature education and experiences, strengthen commitment to nature education, and provide financial […]

Autumn Leaves: What Lies Behind the Explosion of Colors and Rustling Leaves?

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Magical Autumn Green, yellow, red, brown leaves in all transitional phases currently call for long forest walks, providing atmospheric nature experiences and creative inspirations. However, there’s nothing magical behind this: decomposition and substance transport are responsible for the transformation. The aging process is known as senescence, and the eventual leaf fall is termed abscission. Let’s […]