Scientific research and experimental development programmes of the Nature Research Centre for 2022–2026
RESEARCH ON THE STATE AND DYNAMICS OF BIODIVERSITY AND HABITATS, SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION (BIODIVERSITY)
Chief Executive: Dr. (HP) Dalius Butkauskas
Objectives of the programme:
- Complex studies on the systematics and state of populations and their habitats of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms (protists, fungi, plants, animals) to gain new fundamental knowledge about biodiversity and its supporting mechanisms in the conditions of global change and anthropogenic impact.
- Provision of the scientific basis for the State strategy documents and recommendations for the conservation, sustainable use and restoration of biological diversity.
- Completion, systematisation and improvement of national systematic collections, metadata and other biodiversity databases of international significance, adapting them to the needs of science and society, accumulation of interactive knowledge on various components of biodiversity, promoting public involvement in these activities.
THE IMPACTS OF DRIVERS INDUCED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON THE STATE AND FUNCTIONING OF ECOSYSTEMS, ON SERVICES THEY PROVIDE AND ON SUSTAINABILITY OF THEIR RESOURCES (CLIMATE AND ECOSYSTEMS)
Chief Executive: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eduardas Budrys
Objectives of the programme:
- Upon performance of investigations into the structure, functioning and dynamics of abiotic and biotic components of the Earth’s entrails, landscape and ecosystems, and the role of materials cycles and biodiversity in them, to accumulate and summarise data on Lithuania’ natural heritage by modelling scenarios and spelling out conditions ensuring its restoration and conservation for future generations
- To apply the OECD used DPSIR (drivers, pressures, state, impact and response) analytical model for the assessment of pressures induced by anthropogenic activities and climate change on Lithuania’s ecosystems and to model possible scenarios for ecosystem components, processes and cycles, seeking to create science-based measures ensuring the mitigation of such pressures, sustainability of ecosystem services and recovery of their resources.
- To raise public awareness about Lithuania’s nature, participate in ecological education and lifelong learning programmes, introduce ecosystemic approach to natural resources and nature services seeking to change human behaviour and environmental policy and thus ensure preservation of ecosystem services and resources for future generations, sustainability of their use in the country’s circular economy, mitigation of negative impact on Lithuania’s natural heritage and adaptation to global change.
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DISPERSION OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, PATHOGENS AND OTHER STRESSORS IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION (POLLUTION)
Chief Executive: Prof. Dr. Habil. Jonas Mažeika, Full Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
Objectives of the programme:
- To gain new fundamental knowledge to scientifically substantiate environmental quality preservation in conditions of global climate change and anthropogenic pressure by conducting complex research into the dispersion of hazardous substances (chemical and radioactive), pathogenic (micro-) organisms and other stressors in the environment.
- To assess biodiversity and its dynamics, to forecast environmental quality trends and to scientifically substantiate the recommendations set out in state strategic documents on options and measures for controlling environmental quality and ensuring social well-being based on the findings of the environmental pollution impact analysis covering various ecosystem levels (from separate biota components to ecosystems).
- To improve environmental risk assessment methodologies, to maintain databases related to pollution phenomena and environmental quality and risk assessment, to pursue the scientific knowledge-based discourse on pollution risks and environmental quality thereby encouraging society to rationally apply scientific knowledge in practice.