| Project status: | Finnished |
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BIOTER project has stimulated the development of MRI PAS research and organisational capacities by realising nine Work Packages:
WP 1: Three Summer Schools were organised in Białowieża – during three years, 253 students from 25 countries have participated (additionally, over 160 applications from students were rejected due to limited capacities of MRI PAS). In total, 68 lectures were given by 49 lecturers (36 invited from leading EU scientific institutions and 13 from MRI PAS), and over 300 hours of field and laboratory training conducted, mainly by the staff of MRI PAS.
Educational materials for students participating in Summer Schools and long-term training at the Centre were published in a form of 3 books and 1 booklet.
WP 2: The genetic laboratory has been developed by purchase of equipment, employment and training of staff, and used in research projects conducted at the Centre, as well as in the students’ training. International cooperation in genetic research led to preparing 2 joint research projects, publishing 2 scientific papers and submitting further 5.
WP 3: Broad cooperation with EU scientists has found its realization in 10 joint research projects prepared and submitted for financing, and further 2 to be submitted. Also one joint publication was published and further 5 were prepared. Additional Twinning agreements for scientific cooperation were signed by the Mammal Research Institute and Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin (Germany) and University of Sassari (Italy).
WP 4: The GIS (Geographic Information Systems) laboratory was established at the Centre. It has been engaged in several new and continued research projects. Five new joint research projects based on GIS techniques were prepared and submitted. Also two scientific papers were published and further two submitted.
WP 5: Biodiversity training centre created at MRI PAS. We have led over 258 person-months (compared to planned 150) of individual long-term practical training of students and young scientists from EU in 13 ongoing research projects conducted in Białowieża Primeval Forest. In total 128 students from 14 countries attended 110 lectures and lab trainings delivered by MRI staff and invited researchers.
WP 6: A twinning arrangement between MRI PAS and Aberdeen Population Research Unit APERU (UK) was signed. International Workshop “Population fluctuations of small rodents in European temperate zone” was organized (November 2003). Following the workshop, pan-European data on Microtus population dynamics were collected and assembled in a scientific paper. To handle this data, new method of ecological studies – mathematical modelling have been applied to several research project conducted at the MRI PAS – as a result, two scientific papers were published.
WP 7: We have organised the international conference „European bison conservation” (September-October 2004), which gathered 75 specialists in European bison ecology and conservation from 11 countries. Proceedings of the conference were published. The Bison Network, serving as a platform for exchange of information on conducted research themes, was created and gathered 40 members – almost all scientists working on the European bison in Europe. In the frames of Bison Network, 3 papers were published and further 2 submitted.
WP 8: Scientific workshop on ungulate-large predators interactions was conducted (December 2004), and two further working meetings were organised. As a result, a scientific network was established and a joint project was submitted. Furthermore, 1 scientific paper was published and next 3 submitted.
WP 9: The project was efficiently managed and all actions were coordinated by project’s scientific and administrative coordinators. Meetings with the national and regional authorities organised by BIOTER CoE and discussion on the region’s future brought an agreement, which was concluded with a submission of the project “Bison Land” (aiming at the bison conservation, research, and regional development) to the Life Nature programme.
Financed by the European Union in 5th Framework Programme, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme, Key Action “Global Change, Climate and Biodiversity”; Contract No EVK2-CT-2002-80011