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
Climate change affects the gray mouse lemur by reducing survival yet increasing reproduction, accelerating their life cycle towards potential extinction.
We study the biodiversity patterns in the Kalahari using an extensive camera-trapping grid.
Sociability increases survival of adult female giraffes.
We study the population dynamics of African wild dogs, combining life-history, movement, and camera-trap data to assess population viability and inform conservation management.
Alpine common toads breed on average a month earlier than 40 years ago.
African antelopes move across space to survive climate changes.
Giraffes have higher mortality during seasons with heavy rainfall.
Bird diversity in the Swiss Alps declines due to climate and land use change.
We resurrect rotifers from resting eggs preserved in sediment to study how they adapted to past pollution.
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162peer-reviewed articles
88PhD, MSc and BSc theses
10study systems
21current members
108alumni
Study systems
Tarangire & Serengeti, TanzaniaMasai giraffe ecology and conservation
Kalahari, South AfricaKalahari biodiversity project
Okavango Delta, BotswanaAfrican wild dog demography and dispersal
Kalahari, South AfricaCooperative breeder dynamics
Comparative, across systemsPopulations under environmental change
Lake Orta, ItalyResurrecting past responses
SwitzerlandSwiss amphibian and reptile conservation
SwitzerlandSwiss ungulate management
Swiss AlpsAlpine ibex demography
Mpala Research Centre, KenyaVulturine guineafowl
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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 population dynamics
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Interested in joining us?
We welcome enquiries about PhD, MSc and BSc projects, and research internships. Join us →