Our research in terrestrial environments focuses on the assessment and monitoring of biodiversity in a wide array of natural and anthropised habitats, worldwide.

Studying the factors that affect this biodiversity allows us to make predictions concerning the impact of environmental changes, while studying indicator organisms allows us to monitor the health of ecosystems. We also contribute to large-scale biotic inventories in regions that are still largely unexplored.

The organisms we study include both vertebrates (birds, mammals) and invertebrates, chosen according to their ecological importance in ecosystems, their indicator value, how endangered they are, and their heritage value.

Special focus is given to:

• The study of the diversity and distribution of insects and other arthropods in rainforests, particularly at tree-top or Canopy level;
• Conservation biology, concerning the loss, maintenance and restoration of biodiversity;
• The long-term monitoring of bird populations, including from an epidemiological point of view, via the Belgian bird ringing centre.

The ultimate aim of our research is biodiversity conservation.