Marine and freshwater ecosystems are undergoing unprecedented change as a result of human activities and global warming. At ECOENV, our research aims to build an understanding of fundamental problems created by human activities and to propose solutions to the most pressing grand challenges facing marine and freshwater ecosystems: biodiversity loss, pollution, maritime activities, and climate change.
At ECOENV, we advance ecological theories by interdisciplinary, data-driven research supported by state-of-the-art facilities at three Biological Research Stations. We evaluate the links between biodiversity, carbon and nutrient cycling, and climate feedback on various levels of biological organization from genes and organisms to communities, food webs, and ecosystems. Our expertise and research address the structural and functional complexity of marine and freshwater ecosystems and their land-to-sea interactions and services essential for human well-being.
This serves as a foundation for decision-support systems to improve the use, protection, and management of coastal areas, lakes, and rivers with the potential for climate change mitigation. Our research provides fundamental knowledge and fit-for-purpose tools for ecosystem managers and decision-makers to combat biodiversity and climate crises, and to safeguard our water resources and aim for sustainable ecosystem-based fisheries.
Researchers focusing on this core pillar use a variety of methods combining field-based, experimental, statistical, and modelling approaches, including modern molecular tools and risk and decision analysis for policy support based on high-quality applied science. In addition to research- and experience-based teaching, we actively search for effective pathways of timely knowledge dissemination and communication with the public and stakeholders by organizing seminars, exhibitions, nature trails, and events to improve aquatic literacy.
Marine and freshwater research is tightly linked to the other thematic areas of ECOENV through studies towards joined impacts relating to biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation, and other human activities to assess ecosystem health and human well-being.