Prize winner Szangolies: New perspectives for species protection!

Prize winner Szangolies: New perspectives for species protection!

On April 28, 2025, Leonna Szangolies, a young scientist at the University of Potsdam, was awarded the prestigious 2024 Elton Prize from the “Journal of Animal Ecology”. Her research illuminates the complex relationships between movement, metabolism and biodiversity in fragmented landscapes. The aim of their study is to improve understanding of species coexistence as the world faces significant environmental changes. Using an individual-based model, Szangolies simulated species communities, taking into account movement behavior and energy metabolism.

The results of their research show that the energy balance and the coexistence of species are correlated. Szangolies found that the highest diversity and coexistence were observed when habitat fragmentation was moderate, paving the way for new, practical conservation strategies. She expressed her joy at the award, which coincided with the completion of her doctoral thesis. Szangolies holds a bachelor's degree in biomathematics and a master's degree in ecology, evolution, and nature conservation from the University of Potsdam.

Connection between research and practice

Szangolies' work will be important not only for theoretical ecology, but also for practical implementation in nature conservation. Developers of conservation strategies can use their findings to find sustainable solutions for conserving biodiversity in fragmented habitats. This aspect becomes particularly relevant as current research shows that habitat loss and fragmentation can significantly reduce biodiversity.

A new study led by the University of Michigan, the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg suggests that large, undisturbed landscapes serve biodiversity overall better than fragmented areas. This study, published in the journal Nature, examines 4,006 species at 37 locations worldwide and shows that fragmented landscapes host, on average, 13.6% fewer species at the small habitat scale and 12.1% fewer at the landscape scale.

The debate about habitat fragmentation

In the ecology debate, there is disagreement about whether large, small, fragmented areas or larger, contiguous landscapes should be better protected. While ecologists agree that habitat loss and fragmentation have a negative impact on biodiversity, the study results show that mainly generalists survive in fragmented areas. This information is crucial for the future direction of conservation strategies.

The study shows that the increase in beta diversity in fragmented landscapes does not compensate for the loss of species diversity at the landscape level. Gonçalves-Souza, a co-author of the study, calls on the conservation community to focus on restoring forests rather than solely arguing about habitat fragmentation. Repeated conservation of natural habitats could play a crucial role in maintaining global biodiversity in the long term.

In summary, both Szangolies' research and recent studies on habitat fragmentation provide valuable insights for conservation. At a time when protecting biodiversity is a top priority, it is crucial to develop and implement the appropriate strategies to protect and restore remaining habitats in a sustainable manner.