Biodiversity loss is one of the most important threats to mankind and is having an increasing economic and social impact. Activities aimed at restoration do not always work. That’s because in nature everything is connected. Nature does not stop where our research ends. We are still far from knowing everything about biodiversity in the Netherlands. And the knowledge we have is fragmented. Effective management and restoration of biodiversity requires a more fundamental knowledge of biodiversity and the ecology behind it. That’s why we’re initiating a national approach to biodiversity.
Partnersinvolved
To boost knowledge about biodiversity in the Netherlands, a nationwide approach to scientific research is required. To make such an approach possible, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ-NWO) and Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute-KNAW have have launched BiodiversityXL, the Centre of Excellence for Netherlands Biodiversity Research.
Whywork together
Its aim is to significantly increase integral knowledge of Dutch biodiversity in all environments: on land, in fresh and saltwater, and from genes to entire ecosystems. The new centre also offers a platform for universities and knowledge institutes in the Netherlands to cooperate. The aim is to create a hub of knowledge about biodiversity available to every scientist. Universities are therefore warmly encouraged to join.