ALTER-Net: a European knowledge hub for biodiversity
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ALTER-Net: a European knowledge hub for biodiversity
What is ALTER-Net?
A
ALTER-Net is Europe’s biodiversity
research network. ALTER-Net was
The network is governed by a
Management Board; a Council,
‘IGB highly appreciates being
part of ALTER-Net to contribute
initiated in 2004 to address the representing all the partners; and a efficiently to the sustainable
fragmented and short-term nature Secretariat based in SYKE (Finland). conservation of biodiversity.
of European biodiversity research. Previous hosts of the Secretariat were ALTER-Net offers its partners a
Established as a European Union CEH (UK) and NINA (Norway). valuable framework and platform
Network of Excellence under the 6th to combine the forces of European
Framework Programme, it brought ALTER-Net is well known in Europe, stakeholders in science, policy
together 24 institutes from 18 not least due to its Summer School and public and to exchange ideas
European countries. Together they (which has run since 2006), its and knowledge independent
developed a network to pioneer novel role in organizing workshops and of disciplinary boundaries.’
approaches for planning, carrying conferences, and its partnership Christiane Zarfl, IGB Director’s
out and communicating research with LTER-Europe, the site-based Scientific Consultant
into biodiversity and its sustainable research infrastructure for long-term
management. In 2009 when the ecosystem and socio-ecological implementation of the EU 2020
EU funding ended, 22 of ALTER- research. Biodiversity Strategy*. In the future,
Net’s partners demonstrated their ALTER-Net will use its research
commitment to durable, integrated The partners of ALTER-Net benefit opportunities to contribute to
biodiversity research by continuing from the network by collaborative Horizon 2020, which aims to tackle
the network with their own funds. research. To date, at least 20 EU the most crucial European and
projects have been led by an ALTER- global challenges of sustainability.
Today, ALTER-Net is a thriving Net partner and have involved two or Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Europe-wide network of 26 public more ALTER-Net partners. Thus, the play a key role in tackling these
and private research and outreach network is also a channel to funding challenges. Also, ALTER-Net is
organizations. ALTER-Net supports opportunities for European problem- actively involved in the IPBES, the
European and global decision-making oriented research. Between 2009 and Intergovernmental Science-Policy
on biodiversity and ecosystem 2011, four new partners joined ALTER- Platform on Biodiversity and
services by enhancing the provision, Net. Potential new partners are Ecosystem Services.
communication and uptake of new welcome to submit a letter of interest
knowledge. This knowledge results to join the network. In the nearly ten years of its existence,
from long-term transdisciplinary, the ALTER-Net community has grown
interdisciplinary and disciplinary ALTER-Net promotes biodiversity into a true European biodiversity
research carried out by the ALTER-Net science for policy. Presently, the research network and a major hub for
partners. network is contributing to the biodiversity knowledge.
* Communication of the European Commission ‘Our life insurance, our natural capital: An EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (COM(2011) 244 final)’.
1
ALTER-Net partners (as of October 2012)
1 Alterra, the Netherlands 9 IAES - Institute of Agricultural and 17 NERC-CEH - Natural Environment
2 BC-CAS - Biology Centre, Academy Environmental Sciences of Estonian Research Council - Centre for
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, University of Life Sciences, Estonia Ecology and Hydrology, United
Institute of Hydrobiology, Czech 10 IEB-CER-HAS - Institute of Ecology Kingdom
Republic and Botany, Centre for Ecological 18 NINA - Norwegian Institute for
3 CFS-CONECOFOR - Corpo forestale Research, Hungarian Academy of Nature Research, Norway
dello Stato (National Forest Service), Sciences, Hungary 19 PBL - Netherlands Environmental
Italy 11 IFF - Institute of Social Ecology, Assessment Agency, the Netherlands
4 CNRS - Centre National de la Austria 20 PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate
Recherche Scientifique, France 12 IGB - Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Impact Research, Germany
5 CSIC - Consejo Superior de Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 21 SLU - Swedish University of
Investigaciones Científicas, Spain Germany Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
6 DCE - Danish Centre for 13 ILE-SAS - Institute of Landscape 22 SYKE - Finnish Environment
Environment and Energy, Aarhus Ecology, Slovak Academy of Institute, Finland
University (formerly NERI), Denmark Sciences, Slovakia 23 UBA - Umweltbundesamt GmbH,
7 ECNC - European Centre for Nature 14 INBO - Research Institute for Nature Austria
Conservation, the Netherlands/ and Forest, Belgium 24 UFZ - Umweltforschungszentrum
Europe 15 Irstea - Institut de Recherche en Leipzig-Halle GmbH, Germany
8 ERCE-UNESCO - European Regional Sciences et Technologies pour 25 UNIBUC - Department of Systems
Centre for Ecohydrology under the l’Environnement et l’Agriculture, Ecology, University of Bucharest,
auspices of UNESCO, International France Romania
Institute of the Polish Academy of 16 JHI - James Hutton Institute, United 26 VU-IVM - Institute for Environmental
Sciences, Poland Kingdom Studies, VU University Amsterdam,
the Netherlands
Note: ALTER-Net 2004-2009: 24 partners, including Göttingen University from Germany (UNIGOE) and At-Bristol LTD (UK); 22 partners continued from 2009 to
2012. Since 2009 four new partners have joined ALTER-Net (IFF, IAES, IGB and VU-IVM).
2
ALTER-Net’s research focus
A
ALTER-Net’s Common Research
Strategy provides a strategic overview
the development and adoption of
common tools, infrastructures and
‘ALTER-Net has been – and still
is – one of the projects that I’m
of the research priorities of the governance mechanisms which are proudest to have been associated
network. It is dynamic in nature required to undertake large-scale and with. It consolidated an LTSER
and is updated regularly either in long-term interdisciplinary research. Europe. It has not only persisted
response to the partners’ assessment but grown as a network after the
of emerging research needs or in ALTER-Net’s commitment to end of Commission funding. And
response to changes in policies or interdisciplinary research is ALTER-Net provides, above all, a
international initiatives. These include demonstrated by its promotion of crucible of critical thinking at its
major funding initiatives such as Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research annual Summer Schools at which
the EU Framework Programmes and (LTSER). In its early years, research tomorrow’s great researchers from
the upcoming Horizon 2020. The within ALTER-Net was predominantly the EU - and beyond - are inspired
Strategy is based on strong areas of ecological, focusing on the state to work together across disciplines
disciplinary science, including natural, of ecosystems and biodiversity. for a sustainable and desirable
social and human sciences, and aims Pioneered largely by the natural future.’
to integrate these in order to address sciences, the European Long-Term Martin Sharman, Policy Officer at
interdisciplinary research issues. Ecosystem Research Network (LTER- EC DG Research
Europe) aims to better understand,
Four areas of research are prominent: analyse, and monitor ecosystem
• response to climate change and changes with respect to patterns change and sustainability research.
climate change adaptation; and processes over extended LTSER requires an understanding of
• rural development, land use, periods of time. However, ALTER- interactions between people and
wilderness and biodiversity; Net partners have increasingly the natural environment at multiple
• ecological effectiveness and recognized the need to include the scales. This understanding helps to
societal acceptance of protected human dimension when looking identify broader approaches to global
areas; at global environmental change. environmental change. Thus, LTSER
• provisioning, use and values of As such, in 2003, Long-Term Socio- aims to observe, analyse, understand
ecosystem services in relation to Ecological Research was promulgated and model changes in coupled socio-
biodiversity. as an integral part of European ecological (or human-environment)
LTER, where the ‘socio’ component systems over decadal, sometimes
In accordance with the research became synonymous with the even centennial, periods of time.
priorities, the Strategy stimulates human dimensions of environmental
3
By including long-term monitoring, In recent times, the Common Research research questions, meeting the
historical research, forecasting Strategy of ALTER-Net has shown needs of individual partners and
and scenario building, empirical that it provides a strong structure their stakeholders. To ensure a vivid
and conceptual research as well as and road map for the (potentially) and successful Common Research
participatory approaches, LTSER aims common long-term research on the Strategy, resulting in active and
to provide a knowledge base that top priorities for biodiversity policy. targeted collaboration of the ALTER-
helps to reorient socio-economic Its structure facilitates efficient Net scientists, a top-down approach is
trajectories towards more sustainable collaboration and a regular attuning accompanied by a strong bottom-up
pathways. and updating of targeted short-term approach.
ALTER-Net publication: Long
Term Socio-Ecological Research
Almost a decade of research and collaborative effort within ALTER-Net recently
culminated in a 600-page Springer volume Long-Term Socio-Ecological
Research: Studies in Society-Nature Interactions Across Spatial and Temporal
Scales (2013) with contributions from 70 scholars from varying disciplines. The
authors in this volume make a case for LTSER’s potential in providing insights,
knowledge and experience necessary for a sustainability transition. This
expertly edited selection of contributions from Europe and North America
reviews the development of LTSER since its inception and assesses its current
state, which has evolved to recognize the value of formulating solutions to
the host of ecological threats we face. Through many case studies, this book
gives the reader a greater sense of where we are and what still needs to be
done to engage in and make meaning from long-term, place-based and cross-
disciplinary engagements with socio-ecological systems.
http://www.springer.com/environment/sustainable+development/book/978-94-007-1176-1
4
ALTER-Net research underpinned by
an extensive research infrastructure
A
A pan-European LTER initiative
was initiated at the 2003 LTER
situ infrastructure beyond the
plot scale of standard monitoring
biodiversity, ecosystem and socio-
ecological sciences between research
conference in Copenhagen. The ‘LTER programmes; institutes and at providing sound
community of common interest’ • promoted joint use of LTER scientific knowledge, while LTER-
formed part of the broader Network sites by different programmes Europe represents a network of in
of Excellence on biodiversity and and networks, such as the ICP* situ research (data and infrastructure
ecosystem research - ALTER-Net Forests and Integrated Monitoring providers). Seventy per cent of ALTER-
- which developed structures to networks, and FluxNet; Net institutions are also LTER site
promote interdisciplinary research • built research collaborations managers and many manage national
and made substantial progress amongst LTER scientists based on LTER networks. A close collaboration
in establishing a multifunctional, small-scale ecosystem manipulation between ALTER-Net and LTER-Europe,
interdisciplinary European ecosystem experiments and cross-site data with LTER-Europe as its infrastructure
research network (LTER-Europe). This analyses and synthesis projects; component, strengthens the activities
network facilitates the investigation • developed concepts for of both networks by linking the
of biodiversity-related questions at all harmonization (parameters, strategic planning of biodiversity,
relevant spatial and temporal scales. methods, protocols); ecosystem and socio-ecological
In June 2007 the former western and • created a site metadata research with actual monitoring
eastern LTER networks were formally management system; and experimentation on a European
merged to create a single ‘LTER- • developed European coordination scale through recognized in-
Europe’ network, and 15 additional mechanisms for LTER in the situ infrastructures, dealing with
national networks were initiated. framework of the global ILTER integrated and compatible goals.
LTER-Europe consists of 21 national network. This increases competitiveness of
networks and several more are in differently composed research teams,
development. In its second phase the ALTER- not only at the European level but
Net community has successfully also globally.
Under the auspices of ALTER-Net, cooperated with the LTER community
LTER-Europe has: in working towards shared strategies. LTER-Europe has also become a
• developed extensive European ALTER-Net is a network of institutions thematic component in educating
coverage of long-term ecosystem aiming at increasing the coordination, students in the ALTER-Net Summer
research sites with existing in integration and promotion of School.
* United Nations Economic Commission for Europe International Cooperative Programme
5
The next milestone will be the environmental monitoring. It will infrastructure to a much broader
establishment of LTER-Europe as a comprise focal regions for socio- range of research and policy users.
formal component of a European ecological research on human- A key challenge in this phase will
Research Infrastructure. This will environment interactions and be to secure the basic operation of
bridge the gap between experimental sustainable use of resources. It the networks based on institutions
approaches and broadscale will also open up the research involved in ALTER-Net.
Candidate
Formal member
6
Communication as an essential basis
for networking
O
One of ALTER-Net’s aims is to build
a vibrant interdisciplinary research
200 members. Social networking is
used to share useful information with
‘Effective nature conservation
should be based on the best
community, bringing together people a wide range of professionals, both available knowledge of nature.
and organizations with interests in ALTER-Net members and others. The ALTER-Net is a model example
biodiversity and ecosystem research. of an activity strongly supporting
To achieve this requires effective Another important way to evidence-based conservation.’
communication, both amongst ALTER- communicate is through conferences Jan Plesnik, Nature Conservation
Net’s partner organizations and with and seminars, which have the Agency of the Czech Republic,
the wider community. advantage of allowing more dialogue. Member of the ALTER-Net
ALTER-Net’s events are aimed at Advisory Committee 2004-2009
The main pillar of ALTER-Net’s researchers from a wide range of
communication is its website (www. disciplines, as well as policymakers
alter-net.info), which is used to and other stakeholders. Three events A website called Nature and
explain what ALTER-Net is, its main were organized in the last few years, Biodiversity News & Views was
activities and achievements, the addressing the following topics: established to support communication
partner organizations and key the links between biodiversity and with the wider public. It presents a
contacts. A range of services are ecosystem services, current practice series of easy-to-read biodiversity-
provided via the website to support and future development of long-term related topics together with links to
the wider biodiversity research socio-ecological research, and the further reading. Users can express
community. For example, conferences importance of green infrastructure their views by commenting on the
and other events are listed, topical (the latter event was co-organized topics, and by answering a series of
news items are published, job with the PEER network). A major multiple-choice questions. The site
vacancies and studentships are conference will be held in April is also used to highlight biodiversity
promoted, and relevant training and 2013. The aim of the conference is news from other websites. News
funding opportunities are listed. to identify the key science needed & Views is currently in English and
An e-newsletter has recently been to underpin the EU 2020 Biodiversity focuses on a UK-based audience, but
relaunched. Strategy. it may eventually be expanded.
To support the web-based Communication with policymakers As a network of 26 organizations in
communication, ALTER-Net has is very important to ALTER-Net. A 18 European countries, collectively
recently started using social policy brief on ecosystem services employing thousands of biodiversity
networking tools like Twitter and and biodiversity has already been and ecosystem experts, ALTER-Net has
LinkedIn. Although the full potential issued and others are in the pipeline. great potential to act as a ‘knowledge
of these communication channels has There are also plans for meetings hub’ in the emerging European
yet to be exploited, they are already with representatives of the European biodiversity Network of Knowledge,
helping to reach a wider audience. At Commission’s DG Environment (and and we are preparing for this, for
the time of writing, the open LinkedIn other Directorates-General) to explain example by building up information
group has over 650 members. A how ALTER-Net can support EU on the range of expertise within the
related group for alumni of the policymaking. network.
ALTER-Net Summer School has over
7
Integrating the ALTER-Net science with
biodiversity and research policy
S
Science-policy links are becoming
much more of a two-way dialogue,
Many SPIs, however, are not formal
structures. For example, one-to-one
‘For the science-policy interface on
biodiversity, networking among
often referred to as Science-Policy conversations between a decision- knowledge holders across Europe
Interfaces (SPIs). This contrasts with maker and a scientist can involve is crucial. ALTER-Net has shown its
the concept of knowledge transfer, sharing knowledge in order to enrich potential to serve as one major
a rather linear and passive one-way either the science or the policy. hub for this.’
transfer of knowledge, skills and Dr Carsten Neßhöver, Coordinator
expertise from ‘neutral’ science to How research outcomes feed into of BiodiversityKnowledge project,
policy. policy processes has been the UFZ
subject of intense research over
SPIs are defined as social processes the years. It can be important here
which encompass relations between to distinguish between applied or intractable timeframes and differing
scientists and other actors in the ‘blue-skies’ research. In many ways, priorities, even though it is also
policy process, and which allow for commissioned applied research may necessary to engage with the other
exchanges, co-evolution, and joint be easier to feed into the policy stakeholders who contribute to how
construction of knowledge with the process as it is intended to respond to knowledge is generated and used.
aim of enriching decision-making policy needs, but blue-skies research There are, however, practical steps
and/or research. SPIs can be very can often result in the identification that individuals, teams, institutes
large and formalized structures, of unforeseen issues and perspectives. and other organizations can take to
such as the Intergovernmental Ultimately, tracing research to impact increase the likelihood of research
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is inherently difficult, as research is and policy being more closely aligned.
or the Intergovernmental Science- often only one aspect of the evidence SPIRAL – Interfacing Biodiversity and
Policy Platform on Biodiversity and being used in terms of policies being Policy (www.spiral-project.eu/), for
Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which made and implemented. example, has produced a set of briefs
is currently in development. At the on this topic.
European level the European Platform SPIs remain a challenge for both
for Biodiversity Research Strategy science and policy. It is particularly In addition, structures such as
provides a good example of an SPI on challenging for biodiversity and the IPBES should help strengthen
biodiversity research. SPIs can also ecosystem services, which include the biodiversity science-policy
be smaller structures, for example many ‘wicked’ problems that make interface. Ultimately, however, the
work packages of research projects knowledge generation, sharing generation and use of knowledge in
that aim to improve the way in which and use particularly difficult. policymaking may require a shift in
results from research projects could Furthermore, many of the cultural mindsets and priorities of all those
be communicated to the decision- ‘gaps’ between science and policy involved in producing and using
making or implementation process. still exist, including lack of incentives, science knowledge.
8
The ALTER-Net Summer School
– preparing the future
A
ALTER-Net hosts an annual
interdisciplinary Summer School on
Hosting approximately 30 students
and 20 speakers, the Summer School
‘One of the initiatives that has
pleased me most in ALTER-Net
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. is held in the village of Peyresq, through the years, is the concept
It is open to young graduate and which provides a perfect setting for of our Summer School; a unique
postgraduate scientists from both learning and lively discussions, often opportunity for young European
within and outside the network continuing until late into the night. researchers to come together, to
partners. The Summer School has According to Summer School veteran focus on interdisciplinary issues
been held each year since 2006 Martin Sharman, it is ‘a modern-day and to develop personal networks,
in Peyresq, France. In addition to School of Aristotle, where lecturers continuing beyond the two
European students, non-European learn as much as students - if not Summer School weeks. It is hard to
students are also encouraged to more’. see better ways to create durable
participate. The geographical, as well integration in European research!’
as disciplinary, mix of backgrounds Not only does the Summer School Karl Baadsvik, Council member
generates an innovative atmosphere offer an opportunity for exchange for NINA from 2004 to 2009
for thinking and resolving the of ideas between scientists, but for
sustainability challenges that society many participants it has marked
is currently facing. the beginning of career-long of the promises of new concepts,
collaboration. This is also illustrated such as ecosystem services. ‘You
The Summer School covers a wide by the lively alumni network on answered some of my questions
range of topics: threats and pressures LinkedIn. The Summer School is also about the global mess we are in and
to biodiversity as well as responses a forum to discuss career possibilities: planted some more seeds for the
to these; the relationship between ‘I have a clearer idea of what I might questions still to rise,’ commented
biodiversity and ecosystem services; want to do after the PhD,’ said one of one of the 2012 students. Such critical
the resilience of ecological and social the 2012 students. reviews of the models and concepts
systems; the interaction between of biodiversity policy contribute
science and policy; valuation, Teaching state-of-the-art research in to relevant scientific debates. The
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions biodiversity and ecosystem services Summer School is thus not just a
from Deforestation and Forest is one of the goals of the Summer forum to disseminate state-of-the-
Degradation), participatory methods School. Over the years more emphasis art knowledge, it is the European
and other tools in conservation has also been placed on encouraging Research Area in action.
politics; and conflict resolution. critical thinking and deconstruction
9Join ALTER-Net!
We believe that European biodiversity • establishing ALTER-Net as a events). ALTER-Net is funded almost
research capacity is enhanced by European knowledge hub for entirely by its members and we
working together. Therefore, ALTER- biodiversity research; operate a sliding scale of annual fees
Net welcomes new organizations • engaging policymakers and dependent on the staff size of each
as members. By joining you can research funding agencies with member organization.
participate fully in ALTER-Net’s one voice and lobbying on behalf
activities, which include: of biodiversity research. For details please contact our
Secretariat (http://www.alter-net.info/
• developing more integrated Members can access funds for small about-alter-net/contact-us).
European biodiversity and projects and workshops and can help
ecosystem research; to shape ALTER-Net’s training and
• building strong consortia to bid outreach programmes (including
for research funding; our Summer School and other
10More information • To find out more about how to stay in touch with ALTER-Net, see http://www.alter-net.info/stay-in-touch • If your organization wishes to join ALTER-Net, you can find information here: http://www.alter-net.info/join • ALTER-Net’s News & Views website is here: http://newsandviews.ceh.ac.uk/ Acknowledgements: Karl Baadsvik, Geert De Blust, Eeva Furman, Michael Mirtl, Carsten Neßhöver, Taru Peltola, Jan Plesnik, Sanna-Riikka Saarela, Martin Sharman, Andy Sier, Simron Singh, Allan Watt, Christiane Zarfl December 2012 Text compiled by Ben Delbaere and Amor Torre-Marín (ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation) with contributions from ALTER-Net partners. Produced with support from the European Commission LIFE+ programme. ALTER-Net is solely responsible for the content of this publication. It does not represent the opinion of the European Commission, nor is the European Commission responsible for any use that might be made of information appearing herein. Editorial support: G. van Uden & H. Wijnja Design and printing: DekoVerdivas Photographs: Roy Anderson (cover); Paul Scholefield (page 1); Riku Lumiaro (page 3, 4, 6, 8); Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (page 5); Thierry Degen - METL-MEDDE (page 7); Wolfgang Cramer (page 9); Allan Watt (page 10)
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