The Leibniz-IZW is an internationally renowned German research institute. It is part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and a member of the Leibniz Association. Our goal is to understand the adaptability of wildlife in the context of global change and to contribute to the enhancement of the survival of viable wildlife populations. For this purpose, we investigate the diversity of life histories, the mechanisms of evolutionary adaptations and their limits, including diseases, as well as the interrelations of wildlife with their environment and people. We use expertise from biology and veterinary medicine in an interdisciplinary approach to conduct fundamental and applied research – from the molecular to the landscape level – in close dialogue with the public and stakeholders. Additionally, we are committed to unique and high-quality services for the scientific community.

In recent years, Leibniz-IZW has been working to strengthen ecological monitoring, assessment and action in order to better respond to accelerating environmental changes. By using high-tech methods and approaches, we aim to detect ecological changes more quickly, understand them better and develop approaches to protect species and their ecosystems more quickly and reliably. Enhanced methods and approaches include large-scale, rapid, non-invasive nucleic acid sampling; new tools in genomics, proteomics and epigenomics; advanced data modelling; and high-throughput telemetry. The GAIA initiative is a flagship project for this new strategic focus of Leibniz-IZW as a modern wildlife research institute in the age of the Anthropocene.

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW)
in the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.
Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
www.izw-berlin.de