The societal challenges addressed revolve around the sustainable use of natural resources and
protecting and conserving biodiversity. The team uses the following approach:
- Reconciling reliable biodiversity inventory with respect for animals in their natural habitats;
the values of environmental conservation and sustainable management of natural resources
and biodiversity are natural outcomes of this project.
- Involving the general public of all ages in science, thereby filling the gap between highly
specialised science in research and academia and public scientific knowledge. When young
students (primary and secondary education) share their activities they engage them in responsible
research and scientific practices, and awaken their interest in science and knowledge,
as well as in environmental issues. The same can be applied to seniors, since they involve
mature students who are above retirement age in our activities.
The research teams indicated that the problem of exotic species is that they outcompete the
native population. For example, the native population of a certain species of mussels disappeared
from one marina in less than two years. If the new species gets out of the marina, it
could spread to other places. But the new ones cannot be eaten, since they are small, but
simultaneously accumulate heavy metals faster by growing faster. Then starfish, for example,
which may eat these mussels could die because of the heavy metals, which poison them slowly
by gradual accumulation and so on up the food chain to fish and then human beings. Mercury
can be a particular problem, since it is taken up before it disappears into sediments due to the
fast growth of the mussels. Similar examples exist in the case of plants, which hinder e.g. bird
nesting and cause other problems downstream from this.