University of Zurich
Population Ecology Research Group
We study the demographic processes governing the dynamics and persistence of animal populations, to advance ecological and evolutionary theory and to guide biodiversity conservation.
Our researchMeet the team
For Serengeti lions, crowding comes in different forms (pride size, male coalitions, nomads), each with its own effect.
Large male common toads are more likely to find and keep a mate, but ageing males lose out.
Hotter summers threaten dewy pines most where people have changed their habitat.
The size of a giraffe's spots is linked to its survival during heat waves and cold spells.
Most people in northern Bhutan accept snow leopards, and most of their habitat lies where they are welcome.
Heavier great tit chicks are more likely to breed later, but only in harsh years.
Protecting adult female giraffes is key to stable giraffe populations in the Serengeti.
Climate change speeds up the gray mouse lemur's life cycle, which could push it towards extinction.
Alpine common toads breed on average a month earlier than 40 years ago.
African antelopes move across space to survive climate changes.
Ongoing projects
Tarangire & Serengeti, TanzaniaMasai giraffe ecology & conservation
Kalahari, South AfricaKalahari biodiversity project
SwitzerlandSwiss amphibian & reptile conservation
Kalahari, South AfricaCooperative breeder dynamics
Mpala Research Centre, KenyaVulturine guineafowl demography
SwitzerlandSwiss ungulate management
Okavango Delta, BotswanaAfrican wild dog demography & dispersal
Churwalden, Swiss AlpsSnow vole demography
Lake Orta, ItalyResurrecting past responses
Swiss AlpsAlpine ibex demography
Comparative, across systemsPopulations under environmental change
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Latest articles
- Held C, Ozgul A, Lee DE, König B, Madeli JM, Bond ML (in press) Seasonal sexual segregation in giraffes revealed by spatial connectivity and habitat overlap. Animal Behaviour
- Hofmann DD, Behr DM, McNutt JW, Ozgul A, Cozzi G (2026) Seasonal dynamism or model realism: What drives better predictions of landscape connectivity? Ecosphere
- Breitenmoser D, Grossenbacher K, … Ozgul A, Schmidt BR, Lenzi O (2026) Body size and reproductive senescence shape mating patterns in common toads. Animal Behaviour
- Schaltegger CK, Ozgul A, Andres L, Alessandrello VL, Cozzi G, … Behr DM (2026) Wolf recolonisation does not predict public acceptance. Biological Conservation
- Lham D, Behr DM, Sommer S, Cozzi G, Ozgul A (2026) Integrating human acceptance into habitat suitability models for snow leopards in northern Bhutan. People and Nature
Our own demography
Latest news
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Interested in joining us?
We welcome enquiries about PhD, MSc and BSc projects, and research internships. Join us →