Valeria Lencioni, Francesco Rovero, Michele Menegon, Michele Lanzinger

Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali (MTSN)Trento (Italy)

Trento Natural Science Museum towards 2010: promoting biodiversity of alpine and tropic hotspots

It is working towards its “Countdown 2012”…

Founded in 1922 as natural history museum, it is currently hosted by the Sardagna Palace (XVI century); nowadays it manages a whole network of 8 centres for scientific dissemination, 7 territorial sections + 1 in Tanzania

A new innovative science museum, that harmoniously blends nature, science & technology, including contemporary ethical and social issues

…when it will undergo a total renovation and relocation in a new building designed by Renzo Piano (from MTSN to MUSE)

Research area

Lobbywhere people meet

and enjoy

The Mountain Alpine

environment Science &

sustainabilitywhere to debate and

dialogue

Rainforestbiodiversity and

people

+ 4 Bird’s eye view of the Alps

+3

Glaciers and the exploration of the Alpine environment

+2 Climate changes of the past at global and local scale

Biological adaptation to the Alpine environment

Prehistoric human population of the Alps

Evolution and anthropology

+1

Micro – macro: scientific research beyond the limits of perception

Ancient biodiversity: the Dolomites and palaeontology

Biodiversity and Alpine ecosystems

EndemismsGenetics-genomics

Global biodiversity

0

Energy efficiency and sustainable solutions

Environmental risk, impacts, conservation and sustainability

Population and transformation of the Alpine environment

Temporary exhibitions

Hot spots and rainforest greenhouse

-1 Geodynamics, caves and mines, trans alpine tunnel

African lakes aquarium

+ 4 Bird’s eye view of the Alps

+3

Glaciers and the exploration of the Alpine environment

+2 Climate changes of the past at global and local scale

Biological adaptation to the Alpine environment

Prehistoric human population of the Alps

Evolution and anthropology

+1

Micro – macro: scientific research beyond the limits of perception

Ancient biodiversity: the Dolomites and palaeontology

Biodiversity and Alpine ecosystems

EndemismsGenetics-genomics

Global biodiversity

0

Energy efficiency and sustainable solutions

Environmental risk, impacts, conservation and sustainability

Population and transformation of the Alpine environment

Temporary exhibitions

Hot spots and rainforest greenhouse

-1 Geodynamics, caves and mines, trans alpine tunnel

African lakes aquarium

+ 4+ 4+ 4 Bird’s eye view of the AlpsBird’s eye view of the AlpsBird’s eye view of the Alps

+3+3+3

Glaciers and the exploration of the Alpine environment

Glaciers and the exploration of the Alpine environment

Glaciers and the exploration of the Alpine environment

+2+2+2 Climate changes of the past at global and local scale

Climate changes of the past at global and local scale

Climate changes of the past at global and local scale

Biological adaptation to the Alpine environment

Biological adaptation to the Alpine environment

Biological adaptation to the Alpine environment

Prehistoric human population of the Alps

Prehistoric human population of the Alps

Prehistoric human population of the Alps

Evolution and anthropology Evolution and anthropology Evolution and anthropology

+1+1+1

Micro – macro: scientific research beyond the limits of perception

Micro – macro: scientific research beyond the limits of perception

Micro – macro: scientific research beyond the limits of perception

Ancient biodiversity: the Dolomites and palaeontology

Ancient biodiversity: the Dolomites and palaeontology

Ancient biodiversity: the Dolomites and palaeontology

Biodiversity and Alpine ecosystemsBiodiversity and Alpine ecosystemsBiodiversity and Alpine ecosystems

EndemismsGenetics-genomics

EndemismsGenetics-genomics

EndemismsGenetics-genomics

Global biodiversityGlobal biodiversityGlobal biodiversity

000

Energy efficiency and sustainable solutions

Energy efficiency and sustainable solutions

Energy efficiency and sustainable solutions

Environmental risk, impacts, conservation and sustainability

Environmental risk, impacts, conservation and sustainability

Environmental risk, impacts, conservation and sustainability

Population and transformation of the Alpine environment

Population and transformation of the Alpine environment

Population and transformation of the Alpine environment

Temporary exhibitionsTemporary exhibitionsTemporary exhibitions

Hot spots and rainforest greenhouse

Hot spots and rainforest greenhouse

Hot spots and rainforest greenhouse

-1-1-1 Geodynamics, caves and mines, trans alpine tunnel

Geodynamics, caves and mines, trans alpine tunnel

Geodynamics, caves and mines, trans alpine tunnel

African lakes aquariumAfrican lakes aquariumAfrican lakes aquarium

Biodiversity in the permanent exposition

at local (Alpine) and global (mainly tropical) level – mountain regions

More info

on the desk

In the meanwhile, MTSN is planning activities and events to promote biodiversity and taxonomy towards “Biodiversity Countdown 2010”

Temporary exhibitions focusing on species, specimens, phylogeny, evolution, biodiversity, taxonomy

Open debates

Other events for the public

Examples of some public awareness activities concerning taxonomy and biodiversity planned at MTSN for 2010 are given

Documentation (research projects), including expeditions to alpine and tropic biodiversity hotspots

Documentation (Alpine research projects)

ALPINE ECOSYSTEMS IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT: BIODIVERSITY SENSITIVITY AND ADAPTIVE POTENTIAL research project (2008-2010) funded by Trento Province (3.6 K€)

Keywords: Biodiversity, alpine ecosystems, ecosystem services, stress, adaptation, molecular ecology

(1) the study and conservation of endangered/endemic taxa

(2) the detection of consequences to the human population inhabiting alpine regions that biodiversity changes or loss may involve

(3) the study of selected ecological and genetic mechanisms implemented by living organisms to adapt to stress environmental drivers

(4) the measurement of the current levels of biodiversity and the identification of innovative tools to monitor, preserve, manage and exploit biodiversity in a sustainable way

This project will align Trentino to the recommendations of the CBD "Countdown 2010“ initiative with the goal “to halt the loss of biological diversity at all levels by the year 2010“

The results will be disseminated to the public through databases - accessible on the web-, exhibitions, seminars and workshops by MTSN

TANZANIA (Eastern Arc - Udzungwa Mountains)

Documentation (Tropical research projects) and expeditions to biodiversity hotspots

Since 2004, MTSN established a research and conservation programme that includes the following key components:

School education and awareness raising for local population.

Field-based documentation and description of biodiversity; Taxonomic collections;

Long-term monitoring programmes (through the Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre);

one the richest biodiversity

hotspot in the world

More info

on the desk

Promoting the research on biodiversity from the tropical forest hotspot in Tanzania

Seminars, popular science publications on expeditions and related discoveries in pristine forests fascinating the public attracted by the exotic…

The extensive surveys conducted in the Eastern Arc Mountainshave resulted in a collection of about 3000 specimens of Reptiles, Amphibians and few mammals, their tissues, calls and pictures. Many of the species collected were new toscience, 18 of them have been already formally described while about 30 species are still awaiting name and description.

Science and National Geographic

Special Darwin Day:New giant elephant-shrew from the

Udzungwa Mountains (Tanzania)

12 February 2008

Open debates

Since 2006, an annual appointment dedicated to evolutionism, important step to the planetary celebration of the darwinian bicentenary in 2009. It is organized as workshop for specialists but also open debates, shows, laboratories for children and adults

Francesco Rovero et al. J.Zool. 274 (2008)

Rhynchocyon udzungwensis

With modern, web-based tools (included web-cams, online queries to researchers etc.) the state of tropical forests will be communicated to the public in near real-time (the first centre in Africa with a such role)

Forthcoming projects in the Udzungwa Mountains facilitated by the establishment of the Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre are CI-TEAM* and EDIT-ATBI**

*on climate, vegetation, vertebrates and butterflies

** on terrestrial invertebrates

Promoting taxonomic research: interactive web-sites

Collections

Databases of specimens, DNA sequences, habitat preferences, etc

Assessment of species diversity and evolutionary relationshipWeb based tools

Tanzaniaherps provides the most updated information available on the herpetofauna of Tanzanian Mountains. The Atlas was created for Tanzanian students, researchers, field personnel and general amateurs interested in reptiles and amphibians of Tanzania.

Interactive database - Example of interacting page of Tanzaniaherps for the general public to enter new records

http://www.tanzaniaherps.org

Promoting taxonomic research: theoretical and practical courses (1-5 days; June-September 2008) on taxonomy for experts, students and general public at the Lake Tovel field station of the MTSN

Algae

Aquatic invertebrates

Soil fauna

Birds

ENSCONET (The European Native Seed COnservation NETwork)

Cyprus

Workshops

V Meeting, June 2009

MISSION STATEMENT:“to improve the quality, co-ordination and integration of European seed conservation practice, policy and research for native vascular plants”

A network of seed banks working together, 24 partners out of 17 member states

MTSN is one of the partners, storing a consistent seedbank for the ex-situ conservation of globally threatened plants (currently it holds 400 accessions of 80 sp = 10% of red listed sp for SE Alps)

Temporary exhibitionsPOLE POSITION: climate change and biodiversity threat (2008-2009) Genova – Napoli - Trento

target audience: young people, students, families

Temporary hands-on exhibition focused on the polar regions and their fundamental role in the global climatic system. The exhibition analyses the risks on the planet and its biodiversity from climate changes.

Temporary hands-on exhibition focused on the polar regions and their fundamental role in the global climatic system. The exhibition analyses the risks on the planet and its biodiversity from climate changes.

Temporary exhibitions

BANANAS, COCOA and COFFEE   (2009 – 2010)target audience: young people, students, families

Temporary hands-on exhibition focused on  the different qualities of coffee, cocoa, bananas and a few other

spices, together with their botanical and cultural value

Is. Martinica, cocoa and coffee museum

V. van Gogh 'Terrazza del caffè'

POLE POSITION: climate change and biodiversity threat (2008-2009) Genova – Napoli - Trento

target audience: young people, students, families

Temporary hands-on exhibition focused on the polar regions and their fundamental role in the global climatic system. The exhibition analyses the risks for the health of the planet and the biodiversity due to climate changes.

Other events

BIOWEEK (October 2008)target audience: students, families, researchers

Biodiversità: la varietà della vita(Biodiversity: the variety of life)

3-years of training courses for teachers (2008-2010)

A whole week of activities including a workshop for experts, roundtables and movies for the citizens, educational corners with experiments for students and laboratories for families to speak about OGM, biodiversity loss and conservation, molecular taxonomy etc.

Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution

Theodor Dobzvasky  

Nothing in Biology Makes Sense if not supported by public awareness and participation

The Trento Museum team