Evolution of diversity – origin of earth and the development of its life
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Research missionThe theme „Evolution of diversity – origin of earth and the development of its life“ sets the frame for research at the Museum für Naturkunde, which pursues the question how earth was formed and how the diversity and abundance of living organisms, this unique feature of our planet, arose.[more] |
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Research focus
Research at the Museum für Naturkunde focuses on six core topics.
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Research teamsResearch at the Museum für Naturkunde is currently based on the activities of c. 60 scientists in permanent or temporary positions, particularly the 36 curators responsible for the diverse collections. In addition, the research department holds under its roof seven professorships. [more] |
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Research questions
Our research on Recent and extinct life is primarily concerned with various questions
about biological diversity and on the causes of the morphological and genetic disparity
of earth’s organisms. |
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Research historyThe aim to understand the origin and evolution of life on earth has been a major motivation during the century long history of the Museum für Naturkunde, which was founded 1810 as part of the then new Berlin University.[more] |
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Biodiversity and evolutionary research today
Biodiversity and evolutionary research at the Museum für Naturkunde is using
two different approaches. Research projects with a taxonomic-systematic focus are
the domain of the biosystematists who serve as a kind of „surveyors of nature“.
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