2 The research Programmes
1R 2R 3R 4R 5R 6R <strong>Science</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Museo</strong> <strong>delle</strong> <strong>Scienze</strong>: Research Report 2010-2011 The research activities of Mds are grouped in six general Programmes (1R-6R) accounting each a variable number projects and involving each <strong>di</strong>fferent section of the museum. A brief description of these Programmes is given. Programme 1r ecology and bio<strong>di</strong>versity of mountain ecosystems in rel<strong>at</strong>ion to environmental and clim<strong>at</strong>e change in the framework of the Programme 1, research activities on the bio<strong>di</strong>versity of terrestrial and freshw<strong>at</strong>er ecosystems of mountain areas in italy and abroad are carried out in collabor<strong>at</strong>ion with regional, n<strong>at</strong>ional, and intern<strong>at</strong>ional outstan<strong>di</strong>ng research institutes. These investig<strong>at</strong>ions are mostly fundamental research, devoted to ecosystems and to organisms (from morphology to physiology, genetics and bioorganic chemistry), to their <strong>di</strong>stribution (both in the in<strong>di</strong>vidual habit<strong>at</strong>s and global from a biogeographic perspective), to their ecological preferences (inclu<strong>di</strong>ng their eventual use as biological monitors), and to the community they belong to (structure, <strong>di</strong>versity, characteristic assemblages). The projects included in this Programme focus on specific environments, such as with reference to aqu<strong>at</strong>ic systems spring-habit<strong>at</strong>s, spring-fed streams, rivers, lakes and high-mountain lakes, and with reference to terrestrial systems grasslands, woodlands, and glacier forelands. Benthic cyanobacteria and <strong>di</strong><strong>at</strong>oms, bryophytes, chironomid midges and other aqu<strong>at</strong>ic insects, and carabid beetles are the groups of organisms on which a highly developed expertise has been achieved as concerns their taxonomy, <strong>di</strong>stribution, physiology, genetics. one of the main goals is the use of target species as in<strong>di</strong>c<strong>at</strong>ors of environmental change caused by local and global impacts (warming, increasing uV ra<strong>di</strong><strong>at</strong>ion, aci<strong>di</strong>fic<strong>at</strong>ion, <strong>di</strong>version of w<strong>at</strong>er for hydroelectric purposes, eutrophic<strong>at</strong>ion, habit<strong>at</strong> fragment<strong>at</strong>ion, agriculture pressures, etc.). This Programme includes also bird popul<strong>at</strong>ion stu<strong>di</strong>es (reproductive biology and raptors overwintering, trends of local and migr<strong>at</strong>ing popul<strong>at</strong>ions in Trentino) again in rel<strong>at</strong>ion to clim<strong>at</strong>e change and land use. The results of these investig<strong>at</strong>ions are made available to institutes and Agencies in charge for the monitoring, control, management, protection of the territory of the Autonomous Province of Trento to foster a land-use planning oriented to the respect of organisms and n<strong>at</strong>ural systems in a perspective of sustainable development. This Programme also includes several bachelor and M.sc. theses, doctoral and post- doctoral stu<strong>di</strong>es etc. th<strong>at</strong> Mds runs in co-oper<strong>at</strong>ion with italian and foreign universities. The topics investig<strong>at</strong>ed are manifold, because ecology is per se a multi-<strong>di</strong>sciplinary and trans-ecosystemic study, in which, as a consequence, all biological sections of the Mds are involved. Programme 2r documenting and conserving n<strong>at</strong>ure The Programme 2 is de<strong>di</strong>c<strong>at</strong>ed to research on <strong>di</strong>stribution, ecology and conserv<strong>at</strong>ion of the flora and fauna of Trento Province, with marked applied implic<strong>at</strong>ions. it aims to document and monitor bio<strong>di</strong>versity over time, through field d<strong>at</strong>a collection, analysis of both historical (from collections or project reports) and recent d<strong>at</strong>a-sets (collected during monitoring campaigns) and pre<strong>di</strong>ctive modelling. The research elabor<strong>at</strong>es the d<strong>at</strong>abases in support of sustainable land use planning, with particular relevance to Rete N<strong>at</strong>ura 2000 and other protected areas. To this end the Programme collabor<strong>at</strong>es with local parks and other relevant Government agencies (such as the n<strong>at</strong>ure con- 12