Jan Christian Habel

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jan Christian Habel is the head of the Evolutionary Zoology research group at the Department of Environment & Biodiversity, University of Salzburg. His work focuses on evolutionary responses of animals (insects and birds) to environmental changes, combining methods like phylogenetics, eco-physiology, and conservation biology. His group operates in Salzburg’s urban and alpine regions, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa.

Research Interests:
- Evolutionary adaptations to environmental stress and habitat fragmentation.
- Conservation strategies for endangered species, particularly butterflies and birds.
- Integration of historical data to predict future biodiversity trends.

Recent Publications:
2025: Studies on cheetah habitat dynamics, genetic hybrid zones in butterflies, and organic farming impacts on arthropods.
2024: Urban biodiversity patterns, tropical forest conservation challenges, and butterfly phenology shifts.
2023: Climate-driven life cycle adaptations in Lepidoptera and Afrotropical bird-butterfly responses.

Grants & Collaborations:
- Leads projects on citizen science and habitat restoration.
- Collaborates internationally on biodiversity hotspots in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Labs/Teams: The Evolutionary Zoology group actively recruits researchers and students for grant-funded projects.