Here you can find our current research: brand-new information from botany, entomology, paleontology and zoology. The latest research results are briefly presented here and provide an insight into our work as a research museum. Information about our main research topics can be found on the pages of the respective research departments.
Science News
Our current research
Science News
New
Tiny wasps, major impact – What big insect samples tell about micro-wasps and insect decline
Eine Malaisefalle zum Fangen von fliegenden Insekten inmitten einer blühenden Wiese.
A Malaise trap for catching flying insects. (Copyright: M. Haas-Renninger, SMNS)
Microhymenoptera, the smallest of the parasitoid wasps, make an enormous contribution to maintaining the natural balance in many ecosystems, but are nevertheless often ‘overlooked’ in scientific studies. A team of scientists led by Maura Haas-Renninger from the Natural History Museum Stuttgart has now investigated the extent to which the insect biomass of a habitat allows conclusions to be drawn about the occurrence, diversity and development of the underestimated ‘mini wasps’.
Life finds a way – Unexpected plant diversity in global drylands
Einzelner Baum in der Wüste von Namibia
Lonely tree in the Namib Desert, Namibia. Copyright: Lixin Wang
Savannahs, steppes and other arid regions of the world offer difficult living conditions, and climate change means that more and more regions are affected by desertification. Yet even in these extremely arid regions, a surprising diversity of plants can be found. A large-scale international study was published in the scientific journal "Nature", which investigated how diverse plants adapt to these harsh landscapes. Plant ecologist Dr Pierre Liancourt from the Natural History Museum Stuttgart was also involved in the study.
