Ecology and Biodiversity

We are specialised in developing biological indicators for measuring ecosystem health, for example, to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD, Directive 2000/60/EC). Important human-induced environmental changes we are currently focusing on are eutrophication, acidification, climate change, metal contamination, pesticides, invasive species, and the combined effect of multiple stressors.

Management and staff

Head of division: Stina Drakare
Faculty professor: Richard Johnson
Professor: Willem Goedkoop

Staff at the Division of Ecology and Biodiversity

Research

Research at the Division of Ecology and Biodiversity aims to understand the structural and functional diversity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, often related to changes in the environment.

Examples of research projects:

• Arctic expeditions: MOSAiC and the Synoptic Arctic Survey
• ARCTIC-BIODIVER – filling gaps in Arctic freshwater biodiversity knowledge
• CENTURION - Cumulative effects of climate change and eutrophication on Swedish lakes
• CROSSLINK – Cross-habitat linkages between stream and riparian habitats

Environmental monitoring and assessment

We are also responsible for implementing the national monitoring programmes of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic diatoms, aquatic plants, and benthic invertebrates in lakes and streams on behalf of the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.