Insights into nature: Lecture on collecting passengers in Kiel!

Insights into nature: Lecture on collecting passengers in Kiel!

Zoologisches Museum der Universität Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Deutschland - On May 22, 2025, the Zoological Museum of the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel (CAU) invites you to its fifth festive event in the anniversary year. The lecture entitled "What remains of travel - by Alexander von Humboldt to August Möbius. Or: The question of why we collect" is given by Professor Matthias Glaubrecht, a renowned evolutionary biologist and science historian.

In his lecture, Professor Glaubrecht will illuminate the exciting contributions of influential research travelers such as Alexander von Humboldt and Adelbert von Chamisso. The focus is on their botanical and zoological collections as well as the importance of natural history collections and museums for modern research. According to Professor Dirk Brandis, such collections are of central importance in order to counter current challenges such as climate change and biodiversity. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. and is free of charge. Afterwards there is a reception in the Walhalle.

a legacy of natural research

On September 14, 2019, Alexander von Humboldt was born for the 250th time. Humboldt was not only a discoverer, but also a visionary in natural research. In the context of his work, an extensive collection of articles on ecology, global change and geosciences was created, which was compiled from six different nature journals. This collection is divided into four main topics, which deal with Humboldt's influential ideas, especially with regard to Latin America.

The editorial to this article collection examines how Humboldt's view of the world has decisively shaped the understanding of the following generations for nature as a complex, interconnected system of biological and physical processes. His interdisciplinary approaches and findings are still of great importance in contemporary science.

Professor Glaubrecht will examine the connections between historical naturalists and modern challenges. The event not only promises a deep insight into the history of natural research, but also in the relevance of these collections with regard to current environmental problems. As Professor Dirk Brandis notes, natural history collections as a research infrastructure are essential to understand the past and find solutions for current environmental issues.

For more information about the event in Kiel you can do the University href = "https://www.nature.com/collections/ceaeaabjia"> Nature collection visit.