Bernard Altum

Johann Bernard Theodor Altum was a zoologist and a German Forestier , born the December 31st 1824 with Münster and dead the 1900 with Eberswalde (Brandebourg). It was important a ornithologist and was the first to present a theory on the concept of territory for the birds, with which it associated their songs.

Biography

Bernard Altum studies initially the Théologie in his birthplace of Münster, then the Philologie, which it continues in Berlin as from 1853. But its preference goes to the Natural science, in particular with the zoology. It follows the courses of Anatomie and of Physiologie by Johannes Peter Müller, works under the direction of Martin Lichtenstein with the zoological Musée of Berlin and obtains its doctorate in natural science in 1855 with the university of Berlin. In 1856, it turns over to Münster and takes a post of teacher in Realschule. In 1859, it is entitled to teach the zoology with the academy. During this period, Altum tries to give more importance to the zoology as a school subject at the school, in particular in its work of 1863, Winke zur Hebung of the zoologischen Unterrichts .

In 1869, it takes the succession of Julius Theodor Christian Ratzeburg as a professor of natural science at the forest school of Eberswalde (to 50 km in the North-East of Berlin). Over there, he studies mainly the question of the Protection of the forests against the animals and publishes inter alia the work in three volumes Forstzoologie between 1872 and 1875, which will remain a reference for a long time. Moreover, Altum is one of the pioneers of ornithology, it recognizes the importance of the peak in the life of the forest and publishes Der Vogel und center Leben , work famous which will be still regularly republished in the years 1920-1930. This book marks its time, Altum is the first to present a theory on the territories of the birds and their behaviors associated, and to bind the song of the birds to it. In that, it is in opposition with the Anthropomorphisme, dominant opinion at the time, constant for example by Alfred Brehm in his works. The theories of Altum brought many criticisms first of all to him, but they today are commonly accepted. During the last decade of its life, Altum is named president of the Allgemeinen Deutschen Ornithologischen Gesellschaft ( German General society of ornithology ).

He is also recognized for his work on the formation of wood at the Cerf Elaphe, the Chevreuil, the dash and the Daim. Beside these books, it publishes many treaties in various specialized publications. He is a defender of the Théorie of the teleological evolution directed against Charles Darwin and obtains in 1891 the title of the Geheimrat. From 1888 to 1896, Altum belongs to the commission who, in the name of the ministry for Agriculture, the fields and the forests, leads the examination of the assessors of the services of the forests.

Johann Bernard Theodor Altum dies on February 1st, 1900 with Eberswalde.

Bibliography (extracted)

Winke zur Hebung of the zoologischen Unterrichts , Münster 1863
Die Säugetiere of Münsterlands , Münster 1867
Der Vogel und center Leben , Münster 1868
with Hermann Landois: Lehrbuch DER Zoology , Freiburg 1870
Forstzoologie , 3 Bände, Berlin 1872-1875
Die Geweihbildung EIB Rothirsch, Rehbock, Damhirsch , Berlin 1874
Die Geweihbildung of Elchhirsches , Berlin 1874
Unsre Spechte und ihre forstliche Bedeutung , Berlin 1878
Unsre Mäuse in ihrer forstlichen Bedeutung etc , Berlin 1880
Waldbeschädigungen durch Thiere und Gegenmittel , Berlin 1889

Random links: