ALARM - Assessing large-scale environmental risks with tested methods

GOCE-CT-2003-506675

EU-Verbundprojekt ALARM - Assessing large-scale environmental risks with tested methods Integriertes EU-Projekt (IP) des sechsten Rahmenprogramms mit insgesamt 54 Partnern und 12 Millionen Euro Fördervolumen. Leitung eines Teilprojektes und Koordination des Moduls "Pollinator loss" mit zehn Partnern aus sieben Ländern.

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch):

Integrated EU-Project ALARM - Assessing large-scale environmental risks with tested methods Abstract: ALARM is an Integrated Project (IP) under the 6th EU Framework programme (subpriority 6.3 sustainable development, global change and ecosystems). ALARM started on 1st February 2004 and has a duration of five years. It combines the expertise of 54 partners from 27 countries. The total project costs are approximately 22 Mio Euro, with total eligible costs of 16.7 Mio Euro, and with an EC contribution of 12 Mio Euro. The general objectives are to assess and forecast large-scale shifts in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The focus is on risks consequent on climate change, environmental chemicals, rates and extent of loss of pollinators and biological invasions including pathogens and the development of ecological and socio-economic risk indicators. Accordingly, the project is subdivided into 5 closely cooperation modules. The Pollination Module is coordinated by Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter (University of Bayreuth). The International Convention on Biological Diversity specifically cites pollination as a key ecosystem function that is threatened globally. This ecosystem service is not only essential for the pollination of approximately 80% of wild plant species but also ensures 15-30% of the production value of crops. Pollinator diversity and consequently pollination services are at risk due to the destruction and fragmentation of natural or semi-natural habitats, increasing land use intensification, pesticide use, environmental pollution, invasive species and climate change. The relative importance of these risk factors and in particular there combined effects on plant-pollinator interactions are mainly unknown. Furthermore, risk factors may vary between different habitat types, landscapes and biogeographical regions. The module has the following general objectives in order to mitigate risks for pollinator diversity and ensure sustainable pollination services in the future: (1) Quantify distribution shifts of key pollinator groups across Europe, (2) determine the relative importance of drivers of pollinator loss (land use, climate chance, environmental chemicals, invasive species), (3) measure the economic and biodiversity risks associated with the loss of pollination services in agricultural and natural ecosystems, (4) promote the conservation and sustainable use of pollinators in natural and agricultural ecosystems, and (5) develop predictive models for pollinator loss and consequent risks.

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