The overall purpose of the research is to describe and understand how pollution and land use affect natural plant communities and wildlife. Nearly 70% of the total area of Denmark is covered by agriculture, and, therefore, the majority of the work is concentrated on investigating the effects of agriculture on flora and fauna.

In this work we use the following tools/methods:

• mathematical modelling
• geochemistry of nutrient poor ecosystems
• ecotoxicology and risk assessment, especially in relation to analyses of the species interaction (competition between plants and effects on food chains)
• uncertainty assessment
• extrapolation from laboratory to field 

At present, the section is primarily working with:

• genetically modified plants
• pesticides
• soil pollution
• ecological risk assessment
• terrestrial ecosystem monitoring
• natural resource management in developing countries

In collaboration with the Department for Wildlife and Biodiversity, the Section for Plant and Insect Ecology runs a genetic laboratory. Its purpose is to support and supplement the research on population dynamics.

Recently, a new biomarker method has been developed based on phytochemical responses to pesticide exposure. At present, the method focuses on issues related to the use of herbicides.

The Section for Plant and Insect Ecology participates in a number of national and international research programmes, e.g. the pesticide research programme from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Danish Research Centre for organic farming, DANIDA, and the 6. Framework programme of EU.

Contact:

Morten Strandberg, e-mail mts@dmu.dk

Christian Kjær, e-mail ckj@dmu.dk