Projects / Programmes
Information and technology network for integration of long-term ecological, biodiversity and socio-economic studies in karst: LTER-Slovenia
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 7.00.00 |
Interdisciplinary research |
|
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B003 |
Biomedical sciences |
Ecology |
karst, biodiversity, ecology, natural and cultural heritage, information technology, Slovenia
Researchers (9)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Technological network for integration ecological, biodiversity and socioeconomic data will be organized under umbrella of LTER-Slovenia. LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) is network of scientists engaged in long-term, site-based ecological and socioeconomic research in which LTER-Slovenia was accepted in 2003. At the seat of the national network pilot project for gathering, organizing and disseminating of ecological, biodiversity and socioeconomic data from the so called LTER-Slovenia platforms will be provided. Data managed in data meta bases will be electronically accessible to wider public. In karst three platforms or areas with considerable sites– LTER-sites are choosen. Slovenia, as karstic country, where almost half of the country is covered by karst rocks is inhabited by the richest subterranean fauna in the world. This distinctive richness of karst fauna, flora, vegetation and socio-economic aspects typical for selected karst areas will be managed in joint data base. LTER-Slovenia geographically cover wide spectrum of karst areas, karst sensu stricto – Kras as limestone plateau, lying above the Trieste bay, the northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea, and karst sensu lato, region in Alpine karst and karst in the Ljubljanica river basin. The mission of the technology network for integration ecological, biodiversity and socio-economic data is to develop and effectively deliver sound scientific information and predictive understanding of karst ecosystems, ecological processes that are specific for karst and associated with large temporal and spatial scales needed to better conserve, protect, and manage karst surface and subsurface ecosystems. By creating well-designed and well-documented data meta bases of Slovenian karst biodiversity exchange and sharing of data between scientific community and civil society to better answer critical environmental questions will be achieved. Establishment of data meta base will help to generalize dispersed data and create general knowledge through interdisciplinary research and cooperation, synthesis of information, and development of theory to meet societal needs. All these will help to document long-term observations, what is very important for specific ecosystems as karst ecosystems are, and help to conserve their natural and cultural heritage. Development and enhancement of mutual cooperation which is necessary at data collection will enable cooperation among those who deals with karst ecosystems as amateurs or scientists.
Significance for science
In the framework of LTER-Slovenia infrastructure for biodiversity and socio-economic researches an access to and the integration of large-scale data resources is supported. The infrastructure provides special services for scientific cooperation and enables collaborative research on complex and multidisciplinary problems. User groups create their own e-laboratories or e-services, they share data and analytical and modeling algorithms. One of the primary components are the biodiversity data, but additional resources include catalogue services e.g. taxonomic checklists or gazetteers, analysis tools, and processing resources. Establishment of database for subterranean biodiversity from the selected research platforms will not only serve pure scientific research and data sharing but also various users in the public and private sector committed to the understanding and the rational management of our living world. It will serve in a great extent in spreading of knowledge and new findings inside the educational process and among other people of interest. Already established LTER consortium allows Slovenian partner to join at science and technology infrastructure for biodiversity data and observatories – LifeWatch. EU policy supports world leading e-infrastructure LifeWatch to support research on the protection, management and sustainable use of biodiversity. LifeWatch provides mechanisms for sharing the specific resources as generic services in a distributed environment spread across multiple administrative domains. This includes systems for identifying, accessing and processing resources located within multiple administrative domains, uniform security and access protocols, and ontologies for semantic integration. Slovenia as one of the national partner in LifeWatch infrastructure will gain a possibility to develop and use modern research scientific methods, already tested within other European national networks. On this way a research on the protection, management and sustainable use of biodiversity is supported as well as understanding of the living world. It is a great need to the novel approaches to understand and sustainably manage our environment so that human activities and the natural environment are balanced. Data analysis and modeling on the European and multidisciplinary levels will support the study of patterns and mechanisms across different levels of biodiversity. Technology network for integration of ecological and biodiversity data connects researchers and experts from different multidisciplinary scientific domains in Slovenia which will continue long-term biodiversity researches. Data and analysis of long-term ecological research from the selected karst sites will provide the infrastructure and experimental facilities for the protection and conservation of biodiversity, updated databases, information and knowledge required to study condition of karst biodiversity. The main drivers and pressures on biodiversity will be determined and effects of biodiversity loss in ecosystem processes and ecosystem services will be evaluated. Long-term and interdisciplinary approaches are essential if we are to manage and reverse current trends of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation on a global scale what is true also for subterranean biodiversity.
Significance for the country
Biodiversity is one of the key natural resources on which human societies depend. Slovenia, as karstic country, where almost half of the area is covered by karst rocks is inhabited by the richest subterranean fauna in the world. Distribution patterns of world’s subterranean fauna are becoming more and more known. White spots are not common any more. Slovenia with its Dinaric karst is the main hotspot for subterranean biodiversity which even tropical karst does not reach. This distinctive richness of karst fauna, karst flora, vegetation and socio-economic aspects typical for selected karst areas are integrated in a large data base. This is a data base of karst biological collections, information, observatories and knowledge for data generation and processing, which together with facilities for data integration accessible through virtual laboratories offering a wide range of protocols for Slovenian karst biodiversity protection. Inventory and study of biodiversity in karst systems will establish Slovenia even more evident in the leading position of spelebiology and karstology. The mission of the technology network for integration ecological, biodiversity and socioeconomic data is to develop and effectively deliver sound scientific information and predictive understanding of karst ecosystems, ecological processes that are specific for karst landscape and associated with large temporal and spatial scales needed to better conserve, protect, and manage karst natural and cultural heritage. The facility supports the research necessary to meet the EU policy objectives on biodiversity. Long-term researches, development and enhancement of mutual cooperation which is necessary at data collecting enable cooperation among those who deals with karst ecosystems as amateurs, scientists, economists or managers. It is important to study the degradation, conservation and management of resources and ecosystems at their sustainable use. Based on collected and processed data information on how certain organisms, group of organisms and habitats are threatened. Developed are guidelines how to preserve and improve situation at selected localities. Upon interesting and important observations of karst biodiversity the project will continue included in the Slovenian roadmap, part of the European infrastructure supported by ESFRI – European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
