Research in Belgium

In order to be able to protect biodiversity, you first need to know about it. Scientific knowledge is therefore crucial to the formulation of efficient policies and management plans. The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) is the Museum’s associated scientific institute, where they are conducting many studies of Belgian biodiversity. A few of our scientists tell us here about their work.

Thierry Backeljau tells of his passion for slugs and snails and explains how knowing about the reproductive behaviour of these small animals can help create a better environment.

Human activities often have a large impact on local biodiversity. Francis Kerkhofs studies the recently built windmill farms in the North Sea, which make an attractive habitat for exotic, potentially damaging species.

Until very recently there was still very little known about the biodiversity of mosquitoes in Belgium. Thanks to Wouter Dekoninck and his colleagues on the Modirisk project, this is now changing.

Biodiversity does not just apply to the variety of species – the diversity found within a species is also very important. Erik Verheyen studies the genetic biodiversity of freshwater fish and explains why this kind of research is important for the protection of threatened species.

The RBINS is also where the Belgian National focal point to the Convention on Biological Diversity is based. Anne Franklin describes how this focal point links scientists, policy makers and the wider public.