http://www.biom.ivb.cz

Institute of Vertebrate Biology

www.ivb.cz

Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norsko

Charles University, Faculty of Science

The proposer has been in the long-term period involved in studies of biodiversity at all its levels, and as its employees have had, thanks to the research collaborative efforts and thanks to the previous popularization projects, also teaching experiences and many contacts with other organizations dealing with the issue of biodiversity, we now want to contribute to raising the general awareness about the importance of biodiversity for our environment and the importance of its protection. Only through the education and awareness of biodiversity, the global goal of halting the loss of biodiversity and thus reducing the risk of a possible collapse of the existing ecosystems can be achieved. Specifically, we aim to build a training centre for the study of the dynamics of biodiversity, for which we have got unique premises – the field station Mohelský mlýn. The property is owned by ÚBO and is located in the naturally valuable area of the valley of the Jihlava River, adjacent to NPR Mohelenská hadcová step (Mohelenská serpentine prairie). Within the BIOM project we focus on students at all levels of education and also on the lay and professional public. For these target groups we are planning to prepare an attractive tailored program, which will in most cases consist of both theoretical and practical elements and an emphasis will be layed on the mediation of comprehensive information so as to make connections between the quality (current state) of our environment (in terms of animal and plant diversity), options of its exploring including the whole process of scientific work and, ultimately, the interpretation of achieved results and their application in the protection of species and populations, i.e. biodiversity, easily understandable. For primary schools and high schools this program will have a form of project days, when theoretical parts (lectures) and the active parts (field works, laboratory works) will alternate. With the experience from previous projects we know that this scheme is a subject of great interest. For the winter season we will prepare lectures for this target group directly at schools. We are planning similar projects day for the public and we will create a nature trail around the Mohelský mlýn and also the field game for them. For university students and follow-up studies (doctoral, post-doc) we will prepare a comprehensive outreach program consisting of field exercises and related laboratory works including the processing of gained data and the training of the interpretation of results. We will prepare a wealth of information materials. The BIOM project also includes creating the National Genetic Bank of animals, i.e. the collection of tissue samples for future genetic analysis that will allow monitoring of genetic diversity in time and thus significantly contribute to biodiversity conservation in the Czech Republic. The genetic bank will be created in collaboration with the Norwegian partner (Natural History Museum, University of Oslo), which has long-term experiences with the functioning of such a collection and is willing to give us their experiences of good practice and also our another partner, Faculty of Science of the Charles University in Prague, is ready to participate. It will be based at Mohelský mlýn. Also the establishment of the bank is related to the rich educational activity aimed primarily at professionals, i.e. the staff members of organizations or interest groups, who within their activities come into contact with wild animals of our fauna and are therefore potential providers of genetic samples to the genetic bank. In particular, this group includes for example staff members of stations for disabled animals, management of protected areas, museums, etc. These people will be able to participate in conservation-genetically-focused seminars, organized in connection with the creation of a network of collection centres for the genetic bank. They will learn about the importance and possibilities of the genetic research for the practical protection and acquire the general awareness about the methods and possibilities of genetic studies. Thanks to an extensive discussion that will be part of the seminars, the researchers will also learn what specific research the field protectionists need in order to make the nature protection in the Czech Republic more efficient. This will result in a convergence of the world of science and the practical protection, which is crucial for the biodiversity protection. Generally our educational activities will result in an increased interest and awareness of the importance of biodiversity for all target groups. We expect the encouragement of a proactive approach of individuals to the nature conservation.

Approximately 295 578 EUR