Entries by Jennifer Lüdtke

Behind the Lens and Beyond the Microphone: Studying Wildlife with AI

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Jennifer Lüdtke
As AI transforms global biodiversity monitoring, machine listening decodes species from vast sound data—yet real benefits for nature and people hinge on addressing ethical and socio-political challenges.

Echoes of a Silent Summer: Conserving Europe’s Grasshopper Chorus

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Jennifer Lüdtke
On warm summer nights, grasshoppers and crickets sing. In Greece’s mountains, the rare Epirus grasshopper’s fragile song tells a story of survival and a habitat worth protecting.

Combating the Invasive Crayfish Problem with Crayfish-infused Beer?

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Jennifer Lüdtke
Invasive crayfish species cause problems to ecosystems, threaten native crayfish populations and spread the crayfish plague. Control measures include the release of predator eels, “canoe-hygiene”, and crayfish-infused beer.

Reflecting on the Newts

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Jennifer Lüdtke
An emotional story on the ski slopes this winter reminds us that climate change isn’t waiting. It’s happening. And yet, we keep crossing the line.

Protecting the Yellow-Bellied Toad in Trentino

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Jennifer Lüdtke
The yellow-bellied toad iconically uses its brightly colored underside as a defense strategy. Yet, the survival of this species is threatened by habitat destruction. Conservation projects in Trentino aim to support their populations.

Trentino’s Path to a Sustainable and Biodiverse Future

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Jennifer Lüdtke
With 2,300 different species, Trentino is home to a vast range of biodiversity. Much like biodiversity around the world, this natural wealth is at risk. Yet, with its strategy for sustainable development – SproSS, Trentino aims to protect and enhance this biodiversity.

Technologies for Solving the Insect Puzzle

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Jennifer Lüdtke
We’ve explored space and the moon, yet much about Earth remains a mystery. Insects, the largest animal group, are barely understood. New technologies promise to transform biodiversity monitoring.

A Blinking Santa: The Effects of Light Pollution on Biodiversity

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Jennifer Lüdtke
What consequences can the ever-increasing bright lights of our cities have on wildlife? Many. Both diurnal and nocturnal species experience changes in their development and phenology due to artificial light at night.

Fungi: Building Connections Between Nature and Humans

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Jennifer Lüdtke
Fantastic fungi, marvelous mushrooms, miraculous mycelia – the world of these mysterious and fascinating others continues to capture the attention of the curious and provides a means to deepen our connection to nature.

High-Altitude Insect Migrations with Dr. Will Hawkes

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Jennifer Lüdtke
Insect migrations are crucial for pollination, pest control, and nutrient transport. Dr. Will Hawkes' research in the Pyrenees shows millions of insects cross a high-altitude mountain pass annually.

Who's That Snacking On The Mulberry Tree?

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Jennifer Lüdtke
As the exclusive feed of the domesticated silkworm, the mulberry tree stands as a cornerstone to global silk production. In Trentino-Alto Adige, urban lore speaks of summertime tales when the berries and cooling shade to taste particularly sweet.

A two in one: caterpillar then butterfly!

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Jennifer Lüdtke
The marsh fritillary is an iconic butterfly species; but its population size has decreased dramatically in the last 50 years across the British Isles.

Close to the Water, Far From Home: Manx Shearwaters on Migration

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Jennifer Lüdtke
The Manx Shearwater embarks on an epic 11200 km migration each Autumn, from Islands in Northern Europe as far south as Patagonia, overcoming adversity in the face of storms, collision courses, predators and light pollution.