News

University joined the international initiative “#UnitedForBiodiversity”

The increasingly active and dominant activity of man has left an irreversible mark on our planet Earth. The impact has been so strong that scientists believe we have entered a new era - the anthropocene, one of the most remarkable features of which is the mass extinction of species. According to scientists, this process must be clearly slowed down, because we do not yet know what role species and communities that have not yet been discovered today play in the Earth's ecological puzzle.
The proportion of untouched nature in the world is negligible, at a few percent. At the same time, natural diversity, its awareness and preservation, has become critical for the well-being and sustainability of humankind. In order for life on Earth to function successfully and sustainably, a huge variety of interrelated organisms is needed.
Despite the very strong influence on biodiversity, man still has a rather superficial knowledge of it. It is common knowledge that real biodiversity is many times greater than what we are feeling today. Even the most conservative estimates suggest that 60-90 percent of biodiversity is still unknown and undescribed.
It is curious that many species (and therefore different ecological relationships) are likely to be extinct before they are discovered - scientists estimate that species extinction and the discovery of new species have similar tempo. Biodiversity is difficult to protect and maintain in a limited area: for example, the active use of potent pesticides in Africa directly affects the health and numbers of birds that overwinter there but nest in Estonia.
"In the key to preserving natural diversity, it is important to forget the political and economic boundaries and to act as a responsible and thoughtful species," noted Ülle Jaakma, Vice-Rector for Research at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
Professor Tiiu Kull, Head of the Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Tourism, noted that the Estonian University of Life Sciences represents a sustainable and green way of thinking as an organization and contributes to the teaching and research of biodiversity. "Students in our agricultural, forestry and environmental curricula gain in-depth knowledge of the diversity and ecological relationships of different groups of organisms. We manage some of the largest scientific collections in Estonia and the Baltics, preserving well over one million specimens of plants, fungi and insects, including over 600 holotypes. Every year, our researchers describe dozens of new types of science around the world, contributing to biodiversity research globally, and students and staff at the Estonian University of Life Sciences are involved in promoting a green, biodiversity-preserving and science-based mindset in society. ”Joining the coalition is a step forward for us. said Professor Tiiu Kull.
The #UnitedforBiodiversity coalition was launched in March 2020 by Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for the Environment, and has now joined more than 200 organizations from 47 countries. The coalition calls on all botanical gardens, zoos, aquariums, science centers and nature museums in the world to unite their voices for the protection of nature.
See also: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/coalition/index_en.htm
Additional information: Professor Tiiu Kull tiiu.kull@emu.ee