biodiversity research at the institute of ecology of vilnius university and the bioplatform project...

Biodiversity research at the

Institute of Ecologyof Vilnius University

and

the Bioplatformproject

by Eduardas Budrys, [email protected]

Vilniaus Universiteto

Ekologijos institutas (EI)

Institute of Ecologyof Vilnius University (IEVU)

Akademijos 2, Vilnius LT-08412, LITHUANIA Tel./Fax. +370 5 [email protected] www.ekoi.lt

Vilniaus Universiteto

Ekologijos institutas (EI)

Dept. of Ecological Physiology, Ethology and Parasitology

Dept. of Terrestrial Ecosystems

Dept. of Aquatic Ecosystems

Structure

Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University

Dept. of Terrestrial Ecosystems

Major research trends


sensitivity, vulnerability, adaptation and microevolution of terrestrial ecosystems and their constituent parts under the impact of global climate change and anthropogenic load



functioning, adaptation and evolution of aquatic ecosystems under the impact of global climate change and anthropogenic load

Dept. of Aquatic Ecosystems



physiological and ethological mechanisms of animal population management;diversity of parasitic organisms and their functions in ecosystems

Dept. of Ecological Physiology, Ethology and Parasitology


All departments of IEVU conduct research into processes & functions of various ecosystems, consequently,

research into biodiversitythat implements these processes & functions of the ecosystems

Basic facilities GIS group: computerized geographical information system for digitized and remote sensing data analysis, used for ecosystem and habitat diversity studies

Molecular laboratory: equipment for isoenzyme, DNA and RNA sequencing, PCR, and other molecular diversity research

Research vessel: studies of Baltic Sea and Curonian lagoon ecosystems

Microscopes, other laboratory and field research equipment, etc.


Important collections

more than 10,000 slides of blood Protista (probably unique in the Eastern Europe)

collection of parasitic Plathelminthes

insect collection – more than 500,000 specimens

collection of Lithuanian mammal sculls

etc.


Publications, issued by the Institute of Ecology Publishers

Acta Zoologica Lituanica (4 issues/year)

60-70% of articles deal with biodiversity

Monographs and other books (1-2/year)

ca. 90% concern biodiversity


Participation in FP5


BEEP: Biological Effects on Environmental Pollution in marine coastal ecosystems

FAME: Development, evaluation and implementation of a standardized fish-base assessment method for the ecological status of European rivers

FaEu-NAS: Fauna Europaea extension to NAS countries

Bioplatform: European Platform for Biodiversity

BIOFORUM-NAS: European Biodiversity Forum – implementing the ecosystem approach

ENBI: European Network for Biodiversity Information

Recent cataloguing (and in some cases status assessment) of Lithuanian Fauna:

Biodiversity research


Parasitic ProtistaHelminthsCrustaceaOdonataLepidopteraTrichopteraHymenopteraDiptera

CyclostomataPiscesAmphibiaReptiliaAvesMammalia

E.g., recent descriptions of new species from Europe(valid names according to Fauna Europaea draft database 2004)

S. Pakalniškis: 22 new species (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

A. Jakimavičius: 10 new species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

V. Jonaitis: 6 new species (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Biodiversity research


Partnership in the FP5 Bioplatform project


The goal of the Bioplatform project is:to support the "European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy" (EPBRS)

Participation at EPBRS conferences


2001 Sweden: Sigtuna

Belgium: Brussels

2002 Spain: Almeria

Denmark: Silkeborg

2003 Greece: Mythimna

Poland: Bialowieza

Italy: Florence

2004 Ireland: Killarney

European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy

EPBRS

is an European forum for scientists and policy makers to ensure that research contributes to halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010


EPBRSan informal platform

to exchange views and ideas

to develop a biodiversity research strategy for Europe

The bi-annual EPBRS meetings have been systematically linked to the EU presidency


EPBRS

ensures the information flow between

science and policy between all states

associated to the running Framework

Programme and the European

Commission


EPBRSis a self-sustaining platform where scientists, policymakers & stakeholders exchange views and combine forces to plan, implement and exploit the research needed to reduce biodiversity loss and underpin the conservation and sustainable use of the components of biodiversity in Europe


EPBRS…and produces recommendationsaddressed to EC and other responsible science policy authorities


Impact and influence is only possible if EPBRS produces useful results


Missioncomponents of ERA for biodiversity researchdiscussion on the EC biodiversity prioritiesdissemination of best practicesinformation on national biodiversity activitiesnetworking that leads to long-term co-operationstimulation of partnership within countriescomparison of experiences regarding the role of science in the implementation of EU directivesopportunity for EC and national officials to communicate on emerging decisionsetc.


Membership at the EPBRS meetingsIdeally the delegations should be composed of

a senior scientist working in the field of biodiversity who has responsibilities related to policy making, and

a policy-maker with responsibilities for biodiversity research

wherever possible members should be selected from national delegations to CBD SBSTTA* meetings*Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice


EPBRS collaborates withthe national biodiversity platforms:Austrian Network Environmental ResearchBelgian Biodiversity PlatformCzech BioplatformFinnish Biodiversity Research Programme FIBREFrench Institute of BiodiversityHungarian Biodiversity PlatformIrelands National Platform for Biodiversity ResearchScottish Biodiversity ForumSwedish Biodiversity CentreSwiss Biodiversity ForumUK Biodiversity Partnershipetc.

National Biodiversity Platforms

general aimsraise the effectiveness of national biodiversity research: define a national biodiversity research strategy implement interdisciplinary research programmes that involve natural and social scientists improve the exchange of information between national researchers and policy makers identify gaps in knowledge, to establish plans to fill themencourage European cohesion in biodiversity research: help to link the national biodiversity research activities to international onesbring out the strong points of national research, transfer knowledge locally, regionally and, through the EPBRS, throughout Europe


general activitiesparticipation in the establishment of priorities for national research programmes in biodiversity dissemination of biodiversity research results in political, administrative and scientific communities focusing attention of scientists on key scientific problems of public interestcollaboration with the national Clearing House Mechanism meetings and seminars between scientists and stakeholders

information exchange with corresponding national platforms in other countries participation in the CBD process, ENBI, GBIF, DIVERSITAS, etc.


partners and participantsParticipants normally include natural and social scientists representing nationally important research organisations key individuals from policy-making organisations such as ministries and funding agencies.

It is also often helpful to includenatural history museums, botanical gardensthe national environment agency or its equivalentnational biodiversity research networksrelevant national non-governmental organisationsindustry and private companies


partners and participantsTypically: a forum where scientists and policy makers meet periodically to discuss the preferred strategic direction for biodiversity research.

In some cases: salaried staff seconded from appropriate institutions.

It may be a permanent network of interested organisations, with a secretariat.

As a minimum, it is sometimes possible that a single dedicated and highly motivated individual may be able to undertake many of the core tasks of the platform.

Lithuanian biodiversity research forum

Lithuanian Biodiversity Research Forum / Network / Centre / Group (5/2/1/1)

Would it be useful? All respondents of questionnaire: yes (9/9)

Organisation: informal network: 3/9working group at the Academy of Sciences: 2/9program of the Lithuanian Science and Studies Foundation: 2/9public institution: 1/9department of the Ministry of Environment, responsible for the national CHM: 1/9


aims

to participate in formation of the national biodiversity research strategy yes

to coordinate biodiversity research at the national level yes, but depends on organization

to rise public awareness and promote knowledge of biodiversity values yes


objectives to participate in formation of the national biodiversity research strategy

to define the national biodiversity research priorities, ensuring discussion of scientists, policy-makers and stakeholders yes to help responsible policy-makers and practitioners to understand the science-based requirements of biodiversity research yesto ensure participation of researchers in defining of scientific aspects of the biodiversity conservation yesto promote development of the national biodiversity research programs in consistency with the international ones yes


objectives to coordinate biodiversity research at the national level

to inform researchers, policy-makers and practitioners about biodiversity-related projects yes

to identify gaps in knowledge of the country’s biodiversity, to promote projects to fill them yes

to ensure that of researchers in defining of scientific aspects of the biodiversity conservation yes

to promote development of the national biodiversity research programs in consistency with the international ones yes


objectives to rise public awareness and promote knowledge of biodiversity values

to promote dissemination of biodiversity research results to policy-makers and practitioners responsible for conservation yes, but respecting IPR to promote awareness of society of biodiversity (scientific, social, ethical etc.) values, the CBD and importance of science input to its implementation yesto inform researchers about the achievements and priorities of biodiversity research in the other European countries and co-ordinate research effort with them yesto promote best national biodiversity research and conservation practices at European level yes


activities

website with working documents and links to Lithuanian, European and world resources on biodiversity information, etc. yes

development of biodiversity research programs 6/9

electronic conferences 4/9

yearly conferences/workshops 7/9

electronic bulletin 6/9


funding

resources of forum partners 3/9

funding by projects of partners & their consortia 3/9

inter-institutional program of the Lithuanian Science and Studies Foundation, developed during 2005 6/9

support by participants – sponsors 3/9

Ačiū!Thank you!

Eduardas Budrys, [email protected]

biodiversity research at the institute of ecology of vilnius university and the bioplatform project...

Documents

vilnius university slide

biodiversity information

fp5 institute of ecology

parasitology slide

vilnius university beep

vilnius university sensitivity

vilnius university functioning

european commission