Research

In astrophysics, the museum takes part in participatory study campaigns for the observation of asteroids and comets. It responds to calls from international institutes or observatories such as the Minor Planet Centre of the International Astronomical Union and the British Astronomical Association. The museum is involved in the search for new asteroids that may pose a potential threat to Earth. It also contributes to the monitoring of asteroids in order to improve the calculation of their orbits. Finally, it participates in the search for new comets and in the monitoring of comets to deepen scientific understanding of them.

Biogeography is the science that studies the distribution of living organisms. It enables us to better understand how nature is organised, both in the past and today, as well as how it is currently changing. Through inventories and atlases detailing the distribution of species, scientists contribute to a global effort to better understand and protect biodiversity. On a broader scale, these studies also make it possible to trace the evolutionary history of populations and their past movements. Together, these approaches help us understand how species responded to past changes and anticipate how they may respond to future challenges.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. We analyse how rising temperatures, more frequent droughts and other climatic shifts affect biodiversity, in Luxembourg and beyond. Whether through changes in local flora and fauna or global impacts on ecosystems, the research conducted helps us understand the consequences for the future. The arrival of new species or the disappearance of fragile habitats shows that climate change is not a distant problem: it is already here, and it concerns us all.

Conservation aims to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems in the face of increasing pressures from human activities. Its objective is to provide scientific knowledge to guide protection and management actions carried out by the various stakeholders involved. In Luxembourg, the museum’s work includes, among other things, the development of Red Lists, research on invasive alien species, and the identification of spatial priorities for conservation. The museum also contributes to the implementation of action plans for certain threatened species. By combining scientific data, local expertise and international collaboration, the museum’s approach seeks to offer concrete, tailored solutions to today’s conservation challenges.

Ecology is the science that studies interactions between organisms and their environment, in order to better understand their role within ecosystems. The museum focuses on how species adapt to their surroundings, on key interactions such as those between plants and pollinators, and on the influence of landscape structure on the movement of organisms. This research helps to shed light on ecological dynamics and to develop conservation and management strategies suited to the needs of species and to the effects of environmental change. This includes habitat protection, the preservation of threatened species, and strengthening population connectivity through the improvement of ecological corridors.

Evolution is the foundation of all life on Earth. The museum’s research explores how species have changed over millions of years and how they continue to evolve today. From fossils that reveal the history of ancient life to studies of present‑day plants and animals, the museum seeks to understand how species adapt to their environment. Using tools such as experimental gardens and quantitative and molecular genetics, evolutionary traits are analysed in relation to climate, soil and other selective pressures. Our research links the deep history of life to the living world around us, showing that evolution continues to shape biodiversity today, including within our own environment.

Geophysics studies the physical properties of the Earth—its structure, composition and deformation. The museum focuses on the study of crustal deformation linked to volcanic activity, earthquakes, landslides and mining subsidence. This research is carried out in close collaboration with the  European Centre for Geodynamics and Seismology.

The museum has developed a research hub dedicated to satellite radar interferometry (InSAR). Radar sends radio waves towards the Earth’s surface and records the echo reflected by objects (soil, buildings, etc.). Comparing different images acquired over time makes it possible to measure crustal deformation with sub‑centimetre precision. 

Geological heritage or geodiversity heritage refers to elements of geodiversity (minerals, rocks, fossils, landscapes, etc.) that have particular scientific, educational, cultural or aesthetic value and deserve to be preserved for future generations. It forms a subset of natural heritage and may be local, national or even global. The museum coordinates a working group that also includes representatives from the Geological Survey of Luxembourg and the Mëllerdall UNESCO Global Geopark, as well as occasional collaborations with, for example, the Minett UNESCO Biosphere. This working group aims to develop an inventory of geosites in Luxembourg that are representative of the country’s geological heritage. It also organises Geodiversity Day in Luxembourg, a global initiative promoted by UNESCO each year around 6 October.

This term refers to active research carried out on the geological, palaeontological or mineralogical collections held at the Naturmusée. It includes new descriptions and analyses that highlight the usefulness and importance of Earth science collections, particularly when sites are no longer accessible for various reasons (mine closures, sites designated as nature reserves, etc.).

In March 2024, the European Council adopted the European Critical Raw Materials Act, as the demand for rare earth elements is expected to increase exponentially in the coming years.

Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) are raw materials of major economic importance for the European Union (EU). They present a high risk of supply disruption due to the concentration of their sources and the lack of affordable, high‑quality substitutes.

These minerals play a crucial role in our daily lives and in the energy transition by contributing to the decarbonisation of the economy. They include, for example, copper, aluminium, manganese, indium, rare earth elements, helium, lithium, cobalt, graphite and potash.

Environmental mineralogy integrates mineralogy as a component of environmental geochemistry, with a focus on the interactions between minerals and the atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere, i.e. the global ecosystem. It seeks to understand and model the reactions involving minerals during key stages of the (bio)geochemical cycles of elements at the Earth’s surface, such as rock weathering, soil formation, transport by water, sedimentation and diagenesis.

Changes in living organisms throughout Earth’s history lie at the heart of palaeobiodiversity research at the museum. This research is founded on the description of biodiversity during relevant geological periods. In this context, the museum focuses on the regional fossil record, regardless of the taxonomic group concerned, as well as on the global fossil record for certain groups such as echinoderms and cephalopods. Beyond the simple description of palaeobiodiversity, phylogeny, i.e.  the evolutionary relationships of extinct species, is studied within its historical and palaeoecological context.

The study of palaeofluids forms part of the broader investigation of palaeoenvironments. Here, mineralising palaeofluids are examined by determining their temperature, pressure, composition and mutual interactions, in order to understand how certain deposits formed at specific geological times.

Parasitology studies the relationships between parasites and their hosts. Within an integrated One Health approach—which recognises the close links between human, animal and environmental health—the museum’s work aims to monitor vectors, hosts and parasites, particularly those involved in zoonotic diseases. Host–parasite interactions are also studied, and genetic methods are used to identify the pathways by which vectors and parasites are introduced. These approaches contribute to improved health‑risk assessment and to the development of preventive measures suited to our local and regional context.

Participatory  science incorporates the collective contribution of the public to scientific research, including volunteers who are not professionals and have no prior experience. It has accelerated scientific discovery, strengthened community engagement and increased awareness of scientific issues. The museum is heavily involved in biodiversity data collection and encourages the public to use platforms such as iNaturalist.lu or Observation.org. Data generated through citizen science are used in various research projects, while general trends and gaps associated with these data are also analysed.  

Taxonomy is a key discipline at our museum. It aims to identify, name and classify species, drawing on both classical methods and modern tools such as genetics. The museum describes new species and reports species observed for the first time in the country—an essential step for biogeographical studies and conservation actions. The museum’s research is based on the study of its national collections, fieldwork and laboratory analyses. This work is enriched by close collaboration with a wide network of scientific partners, often specialists in particular taxonomic groups. Together, we contribute to a deeper understanding of biodiversity and to its scientific recognition.