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