Network Forum Biodiversity Research Germany
The Network Forum for Biodiversity Research Germany (NeFo) is a communication platform for scientists and users of knowledge about biodiversity with the aim of creating a broader public for the topic of biodiversity and networking scientific initiatives on the topic.
NeFo is a project within the framework of DIVERSITAS Deutschland eV The project aims to bundle information for and from biodiversity research and to supply both users and the public in a targeted and comprehensive manner.
structure
The work of the project is divided into two areas:
The network team creates an overview of the research landscape in Germany and specific reports on the situation in ecological , taxonomic / organismic and socio-economic biodiversity research in Germany. It also organizes workshops on current topics, the work of which is incorporated into reports and position papers.
The employees of the FORUM ensure the link between the research community and society. The Politics Service Center plays a key role as the direct contact for inquiries from politics, authorities, practice and associations. These are either answered directly or forwarded to experts in the network. In addition, selected currently relevant topics are proactively processed for users. Another focus is public relations work on biodiversity research.
The project runs under the leadership of the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ) in Leipzig in close cooperation with the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and the Institute for Biochemistry and Biology at the University of Potsdam . It follows an open structure and invites everyone involved in biodiversity research to participate.
International cooperation
The United Nations set up an international science platform for biodiversity issues (IPBES), which met for the first time at the beginning of October 2011. The Network Forum for Biodiversity Research Germany convened research associations, politics and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on July 7th and 8th in Bonn to discuss ideas for the participation of German experts on behalf of the BMBF and the BMU .
task
NeFo wants to support biodiversity research in Germany through a common, institution-independent communication structure and culture in order to ultimately contribute to the effective protection of biological diversity in Germany and worldwide. The project aims to help scientists establish collaborations between representatives of different disciplines and help decision-makers to find out about scientific answers to current problems. This should enable well-founded decisions.
The following specific goals are pursued through the joint work of the project team:
- Make a differentiated overview of the German biodiversity research landscape accessible.
- Improve access to (research) biodiversity knowledge and the underlying data and information.
- The interdisciplinary cooperation between scientists u. a. through offers of thematic and methodological working groups and events.
- Promote the exchange between science, politics and other stakeholders in the biodiversity area.
- Emphasize the social relevance of biodiversity research more clearly.
- Promote and network German biodiversity research more internationally.
- Contribute to the implementation of the National Strategy on Biodiversity .
- Support the implementation of the International Convention on Biological Diversity , the CBD Convention on Biological Diversity .