Relict Species

Mankind has evolved both genetically and culturally to become a most successful and dominant species. But we are now so numerous and our technology is so p- erful that we are having major effects on the planet, its environment, and the b- sphere. For some years prophets have warned of the possible detrimental consequences of our activities, such as pollution, deforestation, and overfishing, and recently it has become clear that we are even changing the atmosphere (e. g. ozone, carbon dioxide). This is worrying since the planet's life systems are involved and dependent on its functioning. Current climate change - global w arming - is one recognised consequence of this larger problem. To face this major challenge, we will need the research and advice of many disciplines - Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Biology, and Sociology - and particularly the commitment of wise politicians such as US Senator Al Gore. An important aspect of this global problem that has been researched for several decades is the loss of species and the impoverishment of our ecosystems, and hence their ability to sustain themselves, and more particularly us! Through evolutionary time new species have been generated and some have gone extinct. Such extinction and regeneration are moulded by changes in the earth's crust, atmosphere, and resultant climate. Some extinctions have been massive, particularly those asso- ated with catastrophic meteoric impacts like the end of the Cretaceous Period 65Mya.

Jan Habel:

• Study of environmental sciences, major subjects: ecology, conservation biology, environmental politics (University of Dresden-Zittau and University of Lüneburg, 2003)
• Diploma thesis on habitat fragmentation and population ecology of butterflies (University of Lüneburg, 2003)
• Doctoral thesis on the influence of natural factors and land use changes on the genetic structure of xerothermic animals (University of Trier, 2006)
• Since 2006 working on postglacial relicts, molecular biogeography and conservation genetics (Musée national d´histoire naturelle Luxembourg)

Thorsten Assmann:

• Doctoral thesis on phylogeography of ground beetles (University of Münster, 1994)
• Postdoctoral thesis on the population history of ground beetles (University of Osnabrück, 2000)
• Since 2001 professor at the University of Lüneburg
• Since 2002 director of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Chemistry
• 2003-2006 dean of the Faculty of Environmental Chemistry
• Since 2006 full professor at the University of Lüneburg (Animal Ecology)