Bähler I, Federer K, Davis L, Weber S, Burkevica A, Schneider S, Dierkes PW, Clauss M (2024) Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 12(3), 172-184.
Food-based environmental enrichment such as scatter-feeding is an important strategy to augment animal welfare in zoos. During scatter-feeding sessions, meerkats show more foraging, as well as being more active and visible overall. The overall foraging behaviour of zoo-housed animals during scatter-feeding (36% of the total daily activity) is nearly identical to that reported for free-ranging animals (37% of the total daily activity).
The results show that automatic scatter-feeding is a viable and effective tool to improve indicators of welfare in meerkats and potentially other animals.
Feucht V, Dierkes PW, Haeser-Kalthoff A, Kästner A, Mager C, Reichhardt S, Schröder L, Spengler T, Steinert I, Ugolini P, Waked F, Kleespies MW (2024) Environmental Education Research
Education is an important task of modern zoos. Evaluating environmental education helps to better understand educational work and to optimize its impact.
Using the zoo as an example, we present instruments that can be used to measure the impact of educational programs on connection to nature, interest in species conservation, environmental concern, and attitudes towards biodiversity loss by using a questionnaire.
MW Kleespies, DD Dörge, N Peter, AV Schantz, A Skaljic, V Feucht, AL Burger-Schulz, PW Dierkes, S Klimpel (2024) Biological Invasions
Invasive species are one of the main reasons for the decline in global biodiversity. This study investigates how different stakeholder groups in Germany perceive invasive species.
It was found that the number of invasive animal and plant species in Germany was roughly correctly estimated in all groups, but the economic damage caused by invasive species was substantially underestimated.
S Schneider, L von Fersen, PW Dierkes (2024) Frontiers in Conservation Science 5, 1405243
In this study, we present an innovative approach that leverages a convolutional neural network (CNN) for the detection, isolation and classification of manatee vocalizations from long-term audio recordings.
The ability to differentiate between call categories will allow for ongoing monitoring of important information such as stress, arousal, and calf presence, which may aid in the conservation and management of manatees in critical habitats.
I Seyrling, M Clauss, PW Dierkes, AL Burger-Schulz (2024) Zoo Biology
We observed the behavior of two tigers for 104 days 24/7.
Changes in feeding and fasting schedules reduced pacing from 6% to 3% of the day.
A gorge-fast schedule structured time beyond a daily rhythm.
F Zoelzer, D dos Santos Monteiro, PW Dierkes (2024) Frontiers in Mammal Science 3, 1380915
We analyzed the 16s rRNA from 525 fecal samples of 14 zoo-housed species belonging to different phylogenetic groups including herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. We found significant differences in the bacterial taxa correlated with these groups.
Based on these results, we developed a logistic ensemble model, that predicts the diet and based on these findings either the herbivorous digestive system or the carnivorous host-family from a given fecal microbiota composition.
L Scherer, L Bingaman Lackey, M Hahn-Klimroth, DWH Müller, M Roller, MF Bertelsen, J Jebram, PW Dierkes, M Clauss (2024) Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 12(2), 88-101
Global zoo giraffe data was analysed for historical developments of juvenile and adult survivorship, assessing the data with various demographic measures and comparing it to that of populations from natural habitats.
Zoo giraffe survivorship is now generally above that observed in natural habitats.
MW Kleespies, V Feucht, TJ Tille, AM Bambach, E Gricar, M Claus, MMG Konertz, L Kokott, V Rupp, V Bergmann, V Wenzel, PW Dierkes (2024) Measurement: Interdisciplinary Research and Perspectives, 1-15
Environmentally friendly behaviour in the private sector is an important factor that influences nature and the environment and can therefore contribute to overcoming environmental problems.
The scale for environmentally friendly behaviour (PPB) developed in this study was validated on 7000 people and can be used as a suitable measuring instrument for environmentally friendly behaviour in the private sector.
MW Kleespies, A Scheersoi, PW Dierkes, V Wenzel (2024) European Journal of Educational Research 13 (2), 795-811
Situational interest is an important factor that has a major influence on learning success in both school and non-school learning situations.
The results of this study show that the scale developed here is a practicable instrument for measuring situational interest, taking all its components into account. It can help teachers to evaluate their educational programmes.
M Hahn-Klimroth, PW Dierkes, MW Kleespies (2024) Data Science Journal 23 (13), 1–17
In this study, an unsupervised learning based approach for such research data is presented by proposing a procedure that works in three phases: Data preparation, clustering of questionnaires, and measurement of similarity based on the obtained clustering and features of each group.
AL Burger-Schulz, E Thiel, J Fennessy, S Fennessy, PW Dierkes (2023) Frontiers in Mammal Science 2, 1243883
J Gübert, M Hahn-Klimroth, G Schneider, PW Dierkes (2023) Ecology and Evolution 13, e10777
In the present study, the nocturnal rhythms of 192 individuals of 18 ungulate species from 20 European zoos were investigated with regard to the behavioural positions standing, head up and head down (the typical REM sleep position).
Differences were found between individuals of different ages, but no differences were found in relation to sex. In most species, the proportion of lying down during the night increased significantly. In addition, a high degree of rhythmicity was consistently observed.
AL Burger, PW Dierkes (2023) Frontiers Young Minds 11, 1086538
In this article, children and young people will learn in which position giraffes sleep, how little they actually sleep at night and how a sleeping giraffe is well protected by other giraffes!
MW Kleespies, PW Dierkes (2023) Frontiers in Sustainability 4, 1249328
M Henrich, S Formella-Zimmermann, J Gübert, PW Dierkes (2023) Frontiers in Education, 8, 1216318
J Gübert, M Hahn-Klimroth, PW Dierkes (2023) Frontiers in Ethology, 2, 1219977
V Feucht, PW Dierkes, MW Kleespies (2023) Sustainability Science.
F Zoelzer, S Schneider, PW Dierkes (2023) Ecology & Evolution 13, e10066.
Our objective was to determine whether species-specific and individual-specific clustering patterns were observed in the fecal microbiota of wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and tigers (Panthera tigris).
In order to identify species or individual clusters, we applied two different agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithms –a community detection algorithm and Ward's linkage.
Our results showed that both, species-specific and individual-specific clustering is possible, but more reliable results were achieved when applying dynamic time warping which finds the optimal alignment between different time series.
MW Kleespies, PW Dierkes (2023) Biological Conservation 283, 110093
To measure connectedness to nature, over 4200 environmental science students in 41 countries were surveyed using an online questionnaire.
The study examines the relationship between environmental science students' connectedness to nature and six wealth indicators.
The results of the study suggest that, on average, environmental students in wealthier countries have a weaker relationship with people and nature than students in less wealthy countries.
MW Kleespies, M Hahn-Klimroth, PW Dierkes (2023) Environmental Challenges, 100712
We studied students' perceptions of the planetary boundaries in 35 countries. Using a spectral clustering algorithm, countries were grouped into 5 clusters
Different indicators were used to explain the cluster result. Prosperity, natural resources and forest area provide explanations for the results.
MW Kleespies, PW Dierkes (2022) Frontiers Young Minds 10, 662905
This article explains for children and teens whether a 1-hour guided zoo tour can improve high school students' connection with nature. We also tested the effects of five additional activities (feeding giraffes or meerkats, a behind-the-scenes look, a talk with an animal keeper, and a visit to the petting zoo).
Our study provides evidence for the effectiveness of brief environmental education programs that reconnect people with nature to nature.
MM Spiriti, FM Melchiori, PW Dierkes, L Ferrante, F Bandoli, P Biasetti, B de Mori (2022) Animals 12(20), 2802
In this paper, we report on the development and initial testing of the Zoo Ethical Reputation Survey (ZERS), an instrument that uses a survey to analyze public opinion on characteristics that may influence a zoo's reputation, with a focus on ethical issues.
I Seyrling, PW Dierkes, AL Burger (2022) Animals 12, 2367
In this study, the daily and nocturnal activity budgets of six lions (Panthera leo) and five cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) were investigated.
Our results show that lions and cheetahs, regardless of husbandry, exhibit increased activity at dusk and feeding times. Resting behaviour is more pronounced at night in both species, with cheetahs showing a shorter total sleep duration than lions.
S Schneider, K Hammerschmidt, PW Dierkes (2022) Animals 12, 2020
Unsupervised clustering algorithms are widely used in ecology and conservation to classify animal sounds, but also offer various advantages in basic research and contribute to the understanding of acoustic communication. Unsupervised clustering algorithms are widely used in ecology and conservation to classify animal sounds, but also offer various advantages in basic research and contribute to the understanding of acoustic communication.
In this paper, we analyse different clustering methods and give an overview of their strengths and weaknesses in classifying bioacoustic data.
The presented software CASE uses a multidimensional feature extraction method to achieve better clustering results, especially for frequency-modulated vocalisations.
MW Kleespies, PW Dierkes (2022) Humanit Soc Sci Commun 9, 218
This study examined how important students in 41 countries rate the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
It was shown that the three pillars of sustainability (social, economic, environmental) are reflected, but considered to be of different importance in different countries.
The results provide stakeholders with important information on how the SDGs should be promoted in their country.
J Gübert, M Hahn-Klimroth, PW Dierkes (2022) Ecology & Evolution 12 (3), e8701
MW Kleespies, V Feucht, M Becker, PW Dierkes (2022) Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 3 (1), 56-68
Effects of Positive Reinforcement Training and Novel Object Exposure on Salivary Cortisol Levels under Consideration of Individual Variation in Captive African Elephants (Loxodonta africana)
S Hambrecht, AK Oerke, M Heistermann, J Hartig, PW Dierkes (2021) Animals 11 (12), 3525
MW Kleespies, L Doderer, PW Dierkes, V Wenzel (2021) Frontiers in Psychology 12, 774333
F Zölzer, AL Burger, PW Dierkes (2021) Animal Microbiome 3: 77
MW Kleespies, N Álvarez Montes, AM Bambach, E Gricar, V Wenzel, PW Dierkes (2021) Environmental Education Research 27 (10), 1421-1439
S Schneider, S Goettlich, C Diercks, PW Dierkes (2021) Animals 11 (11): 3064
MW Kleespies, T Braun, PW Dierkes, V Wenzel (2021) Sustainability 13 (4), 1761
AL Burger, J Hartig, PW Dierkes (2021) Zoo Biology 40(3): 171-181
S Schneider, PW Dierkes (2021) Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 2 (2), 146-163
M Hahn‐Klimroth, T Kapetanopoulos, J Gübert, PW Dierkes (2021) Ecology & Evolution 11(11): 6015-6032
MW Kleespies, PW Dierkes (2020) PloS One 15 (11), e0242004
AL Burger, J Fennessy, S Fennessy, PW Dierkes (2020) Ecology & Evolution 10(6): 2917-2927
MW Kleespies, J Gübert, A Popp, N Hartmann, C Dietz, T Spengler, M Becker, PW Dierkes (2020) Frontiers in Psychology 11 (1804), 1-14
F Zoelzer, C Engel, PW Dierkes, AL Burger (2020) Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 8 (3), 175-180
MW Kleespies, PW Dierkes (2020) Sustainability 12 (10), 4277
AL Burger, J Hartig, PW Dierkes (2020) Applied Animal Behaviour Science 229 (105012), 1-10
S Hambrecht, AK Oerke, M Heistermann, PW Dierkes (2020) Zoo Biology 39 (3), 186-196
J Kögler, I Barbosa Pacheco, PW Dierkes (2020) Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 8 (2), 124-132
This paper evaluates the quantitative research productivity of the 71 members of the Association of Zoological Gardens (Verband der Zoologischen Gärten, VdZ) and analyses aspects of ist qualitative outcome.
MW Kleespies, PW Dierkes (2020) Frontiers in Psychology 11: 209