Each year, billions of animals undertake seasonal migrations, travelling vast distances across a wide range of environments. From tiny insects to large mammals, these remarkable movements represent one of the most compelling phenomena in nature.
How migratory animals know where they are going was identified by Science as one of the 125 most fundamental questions in science.
In our research, we investigate three key aspects of animal navigation.
- First, we study which cues migratory animals use to determine their position (navigation, map) and direction (orientation, compass) during long-distance movements, and how these cues are integrated within their navigation systems.
- Second, we explore how the use of different directional cues — including magnetic, celestial, and visual information — has evolved in animals that rely on active flight (birds, bats and insects) to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres.
- Finally, we examine how human-induced environmental changes, such as climate change, artificial light, and electromagnetic pollution, may affect animals’ ability to navigate successfully across the globe.
Current projects
MagLepidoptera:
Orientation and Navigation in European migratory butterflies and moths
MagBirds:
The magnetic compass and magnetic map in migratory songbirds
MagBats:
Orientation and Navigation in migratory bats
Animal Navigation Lab 