“The BiodivERsA database: A mapping of research on biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe over 2005-2015”
BiodivERsA aims to map the current state of biodiversity research and ecosystem services in Europe. This involves identifying gaps, future needs, and barriers to cooperation. To achieve this, BiodivERsA has developed a comprehensive database that includes:
- Funding programmes: Information on competitive funding programmes for biodiversity research, including thematic and blue sky programmes.
- Research projects: Details of projects funded through these programmes.
The database allows for analysis of the funding landscape, research profiles, and potential complementarities among European countries and agencies. It also helps scientists find resources, network opportunities, and expertise for policy questions.
In 2016, the BiodivERsA database underwent an important update which resulted in the publication, in 2018, of a revision of the analyses of the funding landscape, based on the new data. In this updated brochure, we studied 6650 projects funded over the 2005-2015 period by 18 national funding agencies/ministries.
Key findings include
- Funding trends: A decrease in EC’s share of biodiversity research funding, with national agencies increasing their contributions.
- Research evolution: Shifts in research focus from populations and genes to ecosystems and genomes, and from conservation to ecosystem services.
