Species Knowledge in the Media: Taxonomy for Everyone [19.11.24]
Researchers are committed to science communication
To effectively engage the public in strengthening biological diversity, it is essential to share knowledge of plant and animal species as well as the complex interconnections within ecosystems with everyone. This requires an accessible, clear dialogue with society. In recent months, researchers Stefan Abrahamczyk and Christian Rabeling from the Competence Center for Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy have demonstrated how this can be done, gaining notable media resonance in respected online magazines and radio programs.
At the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, Stefan Abrahamczyk faced the dialogue with the media. In cooperation with the museum’s communications department a press release was send out about a common research study with botanists from Bonn that examined the growing spread of cherry laurel in German forests and the potential ecological risks it poses. This led to interview and editorial contributions in radio shows in ARD, MDR, and SR, as well as in online magazines such as zeitonline.de, wissenschaft.de, utopia.de, and wetter.com. This successful dissemination brought a considerable visibility, offering society the chance to understand research-based insights, adopt biodiversity-friendly behaviors, and support ecosystem-protecting initiatives.
Christian Rabeling was open for such a dialogue, too. In October, the University of Hohenheim issued a press release on an international research project concerning fungus-farming ants – a project in which the KomBioTa-Professor played a significant role. This study established genealogical trees for coexisting ants and fungi, providing insight into the origin of their coexistence, while also documenting numerous fungal genera, an invaluable as contribution to species knowledge. This press release was reported by GEO, Tagesspiegel, Standard, CNN, SWR and MDR as well as by various daily newspapers such as the Berliner Morgenpost. The University of Hohenheim also shared the study through social media, achieving a high visibility.
This kind of science communication plays a crucial role in promoting biodiversity and holds immense value for the transformative development of society.
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