Field Museum of Natural History

Amanda Grunwald is an evolutionary ecologist and conservationist. Her doctoral research examined how small, isolated mountains (inselbergs) influence bat diversity in Afrotropical ecosystems. Building on this, her current work explores how climate change is reshaping mammal communities in mountain ecosystems by comparing museum specimens and historical records with ongoing field surveys. Her research identifies vulnerable ecosystems and at-risk species, providing valuable insights for conservation strategies. She also integrates research, education, and social justice with a focus on science communication and artist-scientist collaborations to bridge research, conservation, and public engagement.

https://www.amandagrunwald.com

Project Summary

From Museum Collections to Conservation: Uncovering Climate-driven Shifts in Tropical Montane Bat Communities

Climate change is a major driver of biodiversity loss, with mountain ecosystems among the most affected, despite being critical hubs of global biodiversity. However, long-term data on these impacts remain limited. Using museum collections from the Field Museum, Amanda will assess how bat communities in the Tropical Andes have changed over the past 25 years. By comparing past and present data, the research will identify population shifts, genetic responses, and at-risk species, informing conservation strategies in partnership with a Peruvian-based non-governmental organization, Conservación Amazónica. The project also includes an artist-researcher collaboration, producing artwork that visually communicates climate change’s impact on biodiversity to a broad audience.