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Center of excellence in biodiversity conservation and mammal research in european terrestrial ecosystems

Deliverables

During 24 meetings with regional and national authorities organised by the MRI PAS, apart from dissemination of BIOTER project’s results, regional decision-makers were informed of opportunities the region has thanks to the best preserved forest in Europe, existing local scientific centre and the national park, many scientific visitors from Poland and abroad, and interest of EU universities in training their researchers and students in Białowieża. The idea was to show the decision makers that the chance of regional development in the field of nature protection and eco-tourism are far better than in the area of timber production or industry. A programme of local and regional development European bison programme - was at the MRI PAS was accepted and widened by officials from the Podlasie region, Białowieża National Park and forestries in the closest neighbourhood of Białowieża Forest. It is a broad programme combining ideas for nature conservation, development of scientific research, and supporting the sustainable development of Podlasie region. When realised, the programme will lead to creation of a coherent tourist product, which would comprise most of the sites where European bison live and could live in the future.
Scientific staff of the Mammal Research Institute was provided with the opportunity to expand their research expertise through exchange visits to some of the best European research centres in animal genetics and mammal ecology and conservation. Through this, a co-operation with European scientists was started, which resulted in preparation of 12 joint research proposals, publication of 3 joint papers, and preparation of further 7. The scope of the Centre was increased by developing molecular laboratory and thus opening new research area, and also by receiving training in methods of ecological studies. Twinning agreements for scientific cooperation were signed by the Mammal Research Institute and Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin (Germany) and University of Sassari (Italy).
The scope of the Centre has been increased by developing GIS laboratory. BIOTER researchers were provided with European perspective in understanding environmental changes. The attractiveness of the Centre for PhD students and young researchers was increased with the ability to conduct GIS analyses based on Pan-European Land Use and Land Cover Monitoring database (PELCOM), World Climate database, CORINE Land Cover database, digital maps of forest distribution from the General Management of State Forests database and a database on FPAR (Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation). The GIS laboratory at MRI PAS is a modern tool in wildlife research and conservation, elevating a scientific quality of the projects conducted at the Institute according to current trends in the world. A particular advantage resulting from developing the GIS laboratory is a possibility of its highly effective application in science, conservation and socio-economic matters as well as in education.
The international conference „European bison conservation” (September-October 2004) was organised and gathered 75 specialists in European bison ecology and conservation from 11 countries. Proceedings of the conference were published. The Bison Network, serving as a platform for exchange of information on conducted research themes, was created and gathered 40 members - almost all scientists working on the European bison in Europe. In the frames of Bison Network, 3 papers were published and further 2 submitted.
In 2003-2005, BIOTER Centre of Excellence organised three editions of an international educational course for students Summer Schools in Ecology and Biodiversity. The course combined expert, most up-to-date practical training in biodiversity, conservation, zoology and animal ecology in Białowieża National Park with lectures given by a group of European and Polish scientists. During three years, 253 students from 25 countries have participated. In total, 68 lectures were given by 49 lecturers (36 invited from leading EU scientific institutions and 13 from MRI PAS) and over 300 hours of field and laboratory training were conducted. The Centre provided European students also with the opportunity to participate in long-term training at MRI PAS. During three years, a total of 128 students from 14 countries took part in the long term-trainings. The students participated in 13 research projects, attended a total number of 110 lectures and lab trainings. Additionally, MRI PAS published 3 books and a booklet as educational materials for students. All evaluators pointed out the fact, that Summer Schools should be organised annually as a regular event, even after the end of the BIOTER project, and that long-term training should be continued. Unfortunately, none of the European funding sources were interested in financing such activities.
Workshop entitled “Large carnivore impact on ungulates along a productivity gradient in European ecosystems” was held at the Mammal Research Institute in Bialowieza in 2-5 December 2004. The aim of the workshop was to gather available knowledge on predation of wolves and lynx on ungulates in various European ecosystems to increase our understanding of predator-prey relationships. Thirty six participants from 14 countries contributed to the Workshop. During the workshop and afterwards, during two working meetings in Bialowieza, all contributors undertook following measures to strengthen further cooperation and fulfil the aims of the Work Package: - Writing joint synthesis paper, co-authored by all workshop participants, to summarize existing knowledge and analyse the impact of various factors on predator-prey relationships, and creating a common database. - Establishing a network of specialists in large predator - ungulate interactions in Europe. The network, created with participation of 78 researchers from 23 European countries, significantly improved the exchange of knowledge and data among researchers. - Preparing proposals for joint research projects under the 6th EU Framework Programme.
International Workshop “Population fluctuations of small rodents in European temperate zone” was organized on 6-9 November 2003 at MRI, Bialowieza, Poland. Invited guests (12 researchers) presented results of their own research and discussed the main hypothesis on the roles of food and productivity, land use and habitat structure, predation and disease in shaping the densities and population dynamics of voles in the genus Microtus. Following the workshop, pan-European data on Microtus population dynamics and densities were collected and assembled with the environmental variables, such as local climate, index of habitat productivity, and habitat type. Multivariate analysis aimed at explaining the biogeographic variation in densities and cyclicity was conducted. The proceedings of the workshop were prepared in the form of a manuscript of scientific paper, co-authored by the Workshop participants and other researchers, who provided unpublished data. There are plans to continue the co-operation in analysing the gathered data on Microtus and prepare yet another joint paper. To process the data gathered, new method of ecological studies - mathematical modelling technique – was introduced at the Institute by full-time employing young specialist and purchasing equipment and software. Mathematical models are being developed primarily for predicting and understanding the dynamics of mammalian populations.

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