Research groups are classified under the three Luomus research programmes.
The Biodiversity, Biogeography and Conservation programme studies the species diversity and regional distribution of groups of organisms as well as changes in species. Projects explore threats arising from, for example, species loss, the spread of invasive alien species and climate change. A variety of methods specific to both field and laboratory research are used, allowing the adaptation of organisms to be studied, for example, by performing experimental work, exploring long observation series or using a modelling approach.
The themes of the Systematics and Evolution research programme include evolutionary systematics, taxonomy, biodiversity, speciation, phylogeography and ontology. The methods employed by the programme’s researchers include phylogenetics, DNA barcoding, comparative morphology and population genetics. Research results can include new information on the kinship between species in individual groups.
The Earth, Life and Times (EARLS) research programme strives to explore broad-based research questions in order to produce comprehensive multidisciplinary understanding. The idea underpinning the efforts is how the geologic, climate and environmental history of Earth is linked to the history of life. Research methods include radiocarbon determination, stable isotope analyses and elementary assays.