Research

Funding: ASCOBANS (Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Sea), 22.760 EUR

Project Details:
There is an increasing concern on the effects of underwater noise on hearing of cetaceans. However, cochlear frequency maps (i.e. distribution of frequencies along the cochlear spiral within the inner ear) are still lacking for marine mammal species. The aim of this study is to predict the cochlear frequency map for harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), based on morphometrics of the sensory cells of the organ of Corti (hearing organ). Once the map for a species is known, it will be possible to identify the frequencies that are impaired once lesions are found in the inner ear, and have better understanding of the consequences for individual to have a hearing loss in a particular hearing range. In cases of noise-induced hearing loss, it will be possible to extrapolate the characteristics of potential sound sources that have triggered a damage. This map will be a crucial tool for management of the effects of underwater noise on hearing in porpoises, as well as improved decision-making in conservation plans for harbour porpoises and other marine mammals.

Results:

Morell, M., Rojas, L., Caplot, A., Siebert, U. 2022. Prediction of the cochlear frequency maps of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Report to ASCOBANS (reference SSFA-ASCOBANS-2022-002_TiHo)

https://www.ascobans.org/sites/default/files/document/ascobans_ac28_inf8.6_report-cochlear-frequency-maps-hp_0.pdf

Funding: BFG, 9.212 EUR

Project Details:
In this project, a diagnostic examination of nutria shot in 2020 and 2021is carried out, and liver tissue is made available for chemical analysis. For this purpose, 41 individuals from Lower Saxony will be autopsied, including a histologic examination of lung, liver, kidney and spleen tissue. In addition, an individual age determination (adult animal/juvenile animal), sex, nutritional status, general health status and a sampling of liver tissue will be provided. Chemical residue analyses will be carried out by the BFG. The diagnostic findings are presented and summarized in an Excel sheet and final reports per sampling.

Results:

In this project, a diagnostic examination of nutria shot in 2020 and 2021 was carried out, and liver tissue is made available for chemical analysis. For this purpose, 41 individuals from Lower Saxony were autopsied, including a histologic examination of lung, liver, kidney and spleen tissue. In addition, an individual age determination (adult animal/juvenile animal), sex, nutritional status, general health status and a sampling of liver tissue was provided. Chemical residue analyses were carried out by the BFG, the results were not yet reported. The diagnostic findings were presented and summarized in an Excel sheet and final reports per sampling. All animals showed typical traumatic, death-related injuries with histologically recognizable agonal changes in the lungs and the circulatory system. In addition, low-grade diffuse liver lipidoses were found in three animals, and high-grade urolithiasis was found in one animal. Five animals were pregnant females. Chronic interstitial pneumonia with a suspected infectious, presumably viral cause was diagnosed in 27 animals.

Funding: Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur Niedersachsen, 100.630 EUR

Project Details:
Das beantragte Projekt ConnEx adressiert mit den Lehrenden und den technischen wie didaktischen Service- und Support-Einrichtungen an den niedersächsischen Hochschulen zwei für die Dachinitiative Hochschule.digital Niedersachsen strategisch relevante Akteursgruppen und zielt auf eine strategische Förderung der Vernetzung, des Austauschs und Transfers innerhalb dieser Gruppen. Die Projektleitung hat die Leuphana Universität Lüneburg.

Results:

https://hochschuledigital-niedersachsen.de/home/connex-vernetzung-von-expertinnen-und-services/

Cooperation Partners:

Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst, Hochschule für Bildende

Künste Braunschweig; Hochschule Emden/Leer, Hochschule Hannover, Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, Hochschule Osnabrück, Jade

Hochschule, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Leibniz Universität Hannover,

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Technische Universität Clausthal, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Stiftung Universität Hildesheim, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Universität Osnabrück, Universität Vechta, ELAN e.V.

Funding: Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur Niedersachsen, 25.000 EUR

Project Details:
Im Rahmen des Projektes sollen wichtige, an niedersächsischen Hochschulen im Einsatz befindliche audiovisuelle Systeme zur Videoaufzeichnung und -kommunikation für die Digitale Lehre verbessert, mit Schnittstellen zur interaktiven Nutzung versehen, besser in vorhandene Lernplattformen integriert und ihre Bereitstellung über die Academic Cloud vorbereitet werden.

Results:

Im Rahmen des Verbundvorhabens "Audiovisuelle Systeme und Videoplattform (AVVP)" erfolgten an der Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Maßnahmen zum langfristigen Einsatz von Opencast; außerdem wurden u.a. diverse Hörsäle bzw. Lehrveranstaltungsräume für die hybride Lehre und für die Aufzeichnung von Veranstaltungen technisch ausgestattet.

https://hochschuledigital-niedersachsen.de/home/audiovisuelle-systeme-und-videoplattform/

Cooperation Partners:

Universität Osnabrück (Projektleitung)

Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen

Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig

Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover

Hochschule Hannover

Hochschule Osnabrück

Jade Hochschule

Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften

Technische Universität Braunschweig

Technische Universität Clausthal

Universität Vechta

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Funding: Landesjägerschaf Niedersachsen e.V. - Anerkannter Naturschutzverband, 22.863 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of this project is to compile the key statements from the literature published since 2009 on the subject of the influence of predation on selected small game species, meadow birds and other types of agricultural land. In addition, an overview of species protection projects in Germany over the last 15 years and the species mentioned is created, with special consideration of projects that are only known locally/regionally. The reason for this study arises from the fact that many species of open land, including those of wet grassland, have seen continuous and sometimes significant population declines in recent decades. This is often explained by the change in our cultural landscape. The focus here is on the changes in agricultural management forms in recent decades, as well as the general disappearance of suitable habitats, for example due to the cultivation of original habitats such as marshes, lowlands and moors and the wide and open wet grassland. In addition to the necessary programs for the conservation and improvement of these habitats and the habitat quality, the factors of predation influence and predation management deserve just as much attention. Numerous studies confirm this importance. The predation is to be placed in a close reciprocal relationship with the habitat and the weather. Optimum weather conditions and high-quality habitat enable high rearing rates and low mortality rates, so that losses by predators can be compensated. However, under today's often suboptimal habitat conditions in our cultivated landscape and an additional high density of predators, it is not possible to achieve sufficient rearing rates to stabilize the corresponding populations.The aspect of habitat quality is given more consideration in more recent studies than in the studies up to 2009. In addition, there are the results of a number of species protection projects that have not yet been scientifically published, but which undoubtedly provide valuable information for dealing with the predation issue.

Funding: BMBF, 45.234 EUR

Project Details:
The focus is on the problem that we classify animals according to human standards, such as those we love and those we fight against. Protecting humans from diseases that originate in the animal kingdom requires measures that are maximally detrimental to animals. The retreat weeks will focus on current and controversial research into zoonoses. Ethics and moral philosophy must also provide answers to the question of what boundaries we should draw for ourselves in these difficult decisions and what criteria we should use as a basis. The results are to be bundled into a model that can be used both as a model for questions in the scientific community and as a touchstone for academic discourse on an appropriate relationship to the "animal"

Results:

Triggered by COVID-19, zoonoses have moved into the spotlight of public interest.

In zoonosis research in particular, it is important to weigh up the potential benefits for humans against the actual harm to laboratory animals.

During a retreat week, experts discussed and prepared helpful contributions on conflicts in the field of "zoonosis research on companion animals". Based on real case constellations, an argumentative path through the numerous value contradictions was shown, which represents an extreme condensation of fundamental animal ethical conflicts based on real, concrete scenarios.

The project initially dealt with the clarification of terms: what makes an animal a laboratory animal, what makes it a pet? Where do the terms overlap and what is the legal situation in different countries?

The special nature of companion animals in the context of zoonoses was explored in an ethical and scientific manner. Younger researchers in particular were confronted with the ethical aspect of zoonosis research for the first time and found an ethical exchange on the topic very helpful.

The results of the project were documented in the special issue of the Journal of Applied Animal Ethics Research published in fall 2023 and provide a good basis for a refined model for future interdisciplinary writing projects. A continuation of the project from summer 2024 in the form of European summer schools is planned.

Funding: Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, BSH, 40.256 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the research project is to answer scientific questions related to effects of offshore wind farms on harbour porpoises. Therefore, effects that occur during construction as well as cumulative effects from the construction of offshore wind farms will be investigated and an assessment concept will be developed. First, data from harbour porpoise click detectors are evaluated, which provide important information on the occurrence of harbour porpoises. The objective of this research project is to establish the cause-effect relationship between sound exposure and harbour porpoise occurrence as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of measures used to reduce effects on harbour porpoises (noise mitigation and deterrence).
The work in this project aims to answer the following question:
1)Are the applied noise mitigation measures during the construction of offshore wind farms sufficient to ensure the protection of the harbour porpoise?
An evaluation that takes into account all constructed wind farms has not been carried out yet, but is imperative in order to evaluate the success of the application and further developments of noise mitigation measures. The evaluation of the current noise mitigation concept and the state of the art using data and findings from previous projects make an important contribution to the planning of the upcoming further expansion of offshore wind energy.

Funding: Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, BSH, 80.857 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the research project is to answer scientific questions related to the effects of offshore wind farms on harbour porpoises in German waters. Therefore, both the sound-related effects on the population of harbour porpoises that occur during construction and the cumulative effects from the construction of offshore wind farms, for which an assessment concept will be developed (FP 2), will be investigated. The objective of this research project is to establish the cause-effect relationship between sound exposure and harbour porpoise occurrence as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of measures used to reduce effects on harbour porpoises (noise mitigation and deterrence). First, underwater noise recordings during the construction of offshore wind farms will be analysed with regard to the noise emission from the pile driving. Based on this data and considering physical area-specific parameters, the sound propagation will be modelled. The modelling enables to estimate noise emissions in the entire study area. A model will be used to determine whether the existing data are sufficient to explain effects on the occurrence of harbour porpoises. In a study, data will be identified, criteria established and, with a model, their applicability tested to investigate cumulative effects of offshore wind farm construction on the occurrence of harbour porpoises.
The work in this project will answer the following questions:
1)How can the effects of anthropogenic noise emissions during the construction of offshore wind turbines on harbor porpoises be assessed cumulatively?
2)Can the collected data on pile-driving noise, deterrence and porpoise detections as well as construction-related shipping sufficiently explain the effect of the construction work on the occurrence of harbour porpoises?
An evaluation that takes into account all constructed wind farms has not been carried out yet, but is imperative in the future, among other things to evaluate the success of the application and further developments of noise mitigation measures. The evaluation of the current noise mitigation concept and state of the art using data and findings from the previous projects make an important contribution to the planning of the upcoming further expansion of offshore wind energy.

Cooperation Partners:

JASCO Applied Sciences

Funding: Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL); Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, 7.975 EUR

Project Details:
Development of a multifunctional barn concept for the animal-friendly keeping of dual-purpose chickens and brother cocks from chicks to food

Cooperation Partners:

Hochschule Osnabrück, Tierhaltung und Tierprodukte (Prof. Dr. R. Andersson)

Fachhochschule Südwestfalen, Fachbereich Agrarwirtschaft, Prof. Dr. M. Mergenthaler

Universität Bonn, Institut für Tierwissenschaften, Dr. I. Tiemann

Universität Bonn, Verfahrenstechnik in der Tierischen Erzeugung, Prof. Dr. W. Büscher

Funding: Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur (MWK) Niedersachsen, 250.000 EUR

Project Details:
The DILEAVET project aims to optimize the existing framework conditions at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover for the design of digital teaching, the examination system and for the teaching of clinical-practical skills, and thus at the same time to create conditions that support the "FERVET" project.

Results:

Im Projekt DILEAVET wurden u. a. folgende Ergebnisse in den 4 Arbeitspaketen (AP) erzielt:

Im AP 1 "Weiterentwicklung von digitalem Schulungsmaterial und -angeboten" wurde ein Vermittlungskonzept erarbeitet. Für die Themenfelder elektronische Prüfungen und digitales Lehren und Lernen wurden bereits bestehende Schulungsmaterialien aktualisiert, neue Anleitungen angefertigt sowie Online-Seminare durchgeführt.

Im AP 2 "Wissenstransfer" wurden Videos angefertigt, welche auf dem YouTube-Kanal der TiHo "TiHoVideos" oder intern zur Verfügung stehen; außerdem wurde u.a. ein virtuelles Mikroskop für das Fach Mikrobiologie für die Studierenden und als OER-Beitrag eine Sammlung zu Modellen erstellt.

Im AP 3 "Entwicklung und Etablierung von Modellen und Lernstationen im CSL" erfolgte eine Entwicklung von Escape-Room-Szenarien und deren Etablierung in Lehrveranstaltungen sowie die Entwicklung und Etablierung von Simulatoren und Lernstationen zum Thema Zier- und Wildvögel-Tierarten.

Im AP 4 "Digitalisierungskonzept zu kommunikativen Kompetenzen" wurden Best-Practice-Videos und Worst-Case-Videos zur Schulung kommunikativer Kompetenzen erstellt.

 

OER-Beitrag auf "twillo"

https://www.twillo.de/edu-sharing/components/render/9a067b21-c565-4894-a380-d2630c8f8fc8

 

TiHoVideos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/tihovideos

 

ENZIG-STROHM A, KNOLL M T, BETTERMANN V, CHODZINSKI A, HEINEMANN I, TIPOLD A, WISSING S, SCHAPER E: Tierschutzgerechte Vermittlung klinisch-praktischer Fertigkeiten. Tierschutztagung 2023, 16.03.2023 - 18.03.2023, München