ALTER-Net: A Long-Term Biodiversity, Ecosystem and Awareness Research Network

ALTER-Net is a "Network of Excellence" funded by the EU's 6th Framework Programme.

 

Biodiversity under threat

Biodiversity is important because of its role in the sustainable function of different ecosystems and for the goods and services essential for human survival. But never before has biodiversity been so threatened, particularly through pressures such as land use change, pollution, climate change and invasive species. The implementation of policy responses to these threats is, however, seriously hampered by a lack of effective science on both the assessment of biodiversity status and change and its implications for sustainable use. The current European capability in biodiversity and ecosystem research is rich and varied, but it is also dispersed and disconnected and cannot easily be marshalled to deliver the information and knowledge required to address these issues at a European scale.

 

More information:

• Mission
• Biodiversity under threat
• What is ALTER-Net?
• ALTER-Net: Biodiversity Science for Policy
• Integration objectives
• Joint programme of research