Significant problems

Human activities and behaviour have an impact on the diversity of flora and fauna.

Aarhus University’s contribution

Aarhus University follows the progress of selected flora and fauna in Denmark and in Arctic regions. The university builds up models for development in animal populations and their interaction with types of nature and human activities. The purpose of these models is to make operative tools that can be used in nature management in the areas of nature quality, hunting and wildlife management, forestry, land use, landscapes, impact of wind turbine farms, and types of nature. Aarhus University acts as a Scientific Data Centre for Biodiversity and Terrestrial Environment.

Aarhus University is a scientific data centre for monitoring the aquatic environment in freshwater and marine areas. The university is responsible for monitoring the Danish sea areas, while the Danish Nature Agency monitors the freshwater, fjords and inland marine areas. Scientists at Aarhus University carry out research into the turnover and impact of nitrogen and phosphorus, the effects of selected environmentally hazardous substances, the sustainable use of water resources, marine mammals, and the restoration of lakes and streams. We also study the impact of the greenhouse effect on the aquatic environment, and build up mathematical models that can be used to estimate the development of the greenhouse effect.

Research

Research into nature and biodiversity is carried out in particular at the Department of Ecoscience in the following fields:

• Arctic Ecosystem Ecology
• Arctic Environment
• Biodiversity and Conservation 
• Terrestrial Ecology
• Wildlife Ecology

Research into the aquatic environment is carried out in particular at the Department of Ecoscience in the following fields:

• Applied Marine Ecology and Modelling
• Marine Diversity and Experimental Ecology
• Marine Ecology
• Marine Mammal Research
• Catchment Science and Environmental Management
• Lake ecology

Consultancy services for the Danish Ministry of the Environment

DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy provides consultancy services regarding the management of nature and biodiversity, partly via the framework agreement between Aarhus University and the Danish Ministry of the Environment (available in Danish only).

On the topic of nature, DCE provides consultancy services for the Danish Ministry of the Environment in the areas of:

• Assessment of natural conditions and biodiversity
• Integrated effects of human and natural impact
• Biodiversity in streams, lakes and river valleys
• Marine natural resources and nature restoration
• Arctic nature, environment and ecosystems
• Marine birds and mammals
• Hunting and wildlife management

On the topic of water, DCE provides consultancy services for the Danish Ministry of the Environment in the areas of:

• Nutrient and pesticide loading on freshwater ecosystems
• Impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems
• Restoration of streams, lakes and river valleys
• Environmental monitoring of freshwater
• Ecological modelling of the marine environment
• Biological indicators and management models for the marine environment
• Climate effects in marine areas in Denmark and the Arctic

Other areas of consultancy

DCE offers services and consultancy to other public and private sector customers in all our areas of expertise. All consultancy services are based on internationally acknowledged research.

Read more about DCE's consultancy services.