The National Biodiversity Future Center is structured around an innovative model that includes a central HUB and 8 “spokes”, each focusing on specific areas of research and development, with the aim of addressing global challenges related to biodiversity and sustainability. The first two spokes (1 and 2) are dedicated to marine biodiversity and the protection and management of marine and coastal ecosystems. The next two spokes (3 and 4) focus on terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity and investigate ecological resources and their adaptation to climate change. Spoke 5 focuses on urban biodiversity, seeking solutions to improve the quality of life in cities through the conservation and sustainable management of urban ecosystems, while spoke 6 focuses on health aspects and the innovative “One Health” approach. Finally, there are two transversal spokes (7 and 8): the first one is dedicated to communication, which focuses on raising awareness and engaging the public and institutions in environmental issues and reporting on the results of NBFC, and the second one focuses on innovation, which promotes new technologies and new approaches to address challenges related to biodiversity, climate change and sustainability. The central Hub coordinates and integrates all these areas, facilitating collaboration between the spoke and the creation of scientific, political and economic solutions.
Mapping, monitoring, conservation and restoration of marine biodiversity to preserve and restore the diverse species, habitats, structures, and functioning of ecosystems. The systematic collection of information to identify local I and global drivers of change, including the use of new technologies for biodiversity monitoring, the implementation of ecological restoration actions, and the implementation of more sustainable approaches to marine resource exploitation, will strengthen their resilience, from the coasts to the deep sea.
Spoke 1 aims to establish an integrated national system for marine biodiversity observation, leveraging innovative approaches such as eDNA-based monitoring, remote sensing, and modeling to enhance the understanding of biodiversity distribution, current status, and its role in shaping the functioning of marine ecosystems.
SPOKE 1 LEADERS: Simonetta Fraschetti - Gianluca Sarà
The vision of Spoke 2 is a marine biodiversity preserved from unsustainable use of its resources and from anthropogenic impacts, scientifically based managed and, wherever necessary restored to assure ecosystem functions and services provision. The mission of Spoke 2 is to provide solutions to reverse marine biodiversity loss and manage marine resources sustainably
SPOKE 2 LEADERS: Mariachiara Chiantore - Gian Marco Luna
Assessment, conservation, and monitoring of terrestrial biodiversity, including freshwater ecosystems and diverse terrestrial environments from transitional areas to old-growth forests. Through multidisciplinary approaches ranging from genetic analysis to the study of ecosystem complexity, strategies for habitat fortification, ecosystem strengthening, and identifying Nature Based Solutions to restore degraded areas are implemented.
In the vision of Spoke 3, it is recognized that terrestrial and freshwater organisms are crucial in a variety of ecosystems, as well as in environments of economic relevance. The mission of Spoke 3 is, therefore, to enrich the taxonomy of terrestrial and freshwater organisms, monitor endangered species, manage invasive species, preserve ecological networks, and engage citizens in research to increase data and public awareness.
SPOKE 3 LEADERS: Francesco Frati - Lorena Rebecchi
The mission of Spoke 4 is to monitor and preserve terrestrial ecosystems, understand their adaptation to climate change, adopt conservation plans to achieve international goals, and apply nature-based solutions for ecosystem restoration. Additionally, it focuses on using innovative approaches to assess and enhance the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems, contributing to their ability to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity.
SPOKE 4 LEADERS: Carlo Calfapietra - Donatella Spano
Study and restoration of urban biodiversity through participatory planning actions and effective management models. Understanding urban ecosystem dynamics is the fundamental condition for implementing resilient urban regeneration interventions capable of activating and implementing ecosystem services for human well-being.
The vision of Spoke 5 is inspired by the possibility of living in harmony with nature in urban contexts. For this reason, its mission is to enhance urban biodiversity, develop sustainable and resilient cities, promote biodiversity management, and restore degraded areas, also through communication and awareness-raising activities that engage citizens.
SPOKE 5 LEADERS: Andrea Galimberti - Mariachiara Pastore
Biodiversity has an impact on the quality of natural resources and the exposome that is responsible for the occurrence of multifactorial diseases that affect humans. The center provides operational guidelines to prevent risks on diverse categories of citizens and promote healthier lifestyles by comprehending the correlation between biodiversity and human well-being. This includes utilizing biodiversity to produce novel foods, drugs, and medical devices.
Spoke 6 envisions sustainable and resilient cities centered around human well-being, where health and quality of life are improved by integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS), technological innovation, and biodiversity conservation. The mission of Spoke 6 is to promote innovative solutions to enhance urban health and well-being by mitigating biodiversity loss and the negative effects of the exposome, transforming waste materials into bioactive resources, and developing business models and skills for more sustainable, resilient, and livable cities.
SPOKE 6 LEADERS: Danilo Porro - Hellas Cena
The knowledge of nature, the languages of biodiversity, and the sharing of strategies for the protection and enhancement of natural resources are essential to support the ecologicaI transition by providing the community with adequate knowledge and sharing educational and training paths capable of generating value from nature.
The vision of Spoke 7 is to promote a closer and more systemic relationship between science and society to understand and protect biodiversity. Its mission focuses on developing new methods of communication and teaching, aiming for concrete and measurable impacts, and integrating biodiversity research with policymakers, public and private institutions, and stakeholders. The goal is to create effective policies based on scientific evidence to preserve biodiversity sustainably.
SPOKE 7 LEADERS: Isabella Saggio - Luigi Bubacco
Biodiversity is an immense resource that can be utilized to construct sustainable development models by incorporating businesses, entities and institutions. Through dedicated tools, the center promotes innovation, starting with research and knowledge of biodiversity. lt supports national and international policies for sustainable development, which can foster employment and well-being.
Spoke 8 is organizing multiple meetings to promote staff mobility tools at embassies of internationals, particularly from Central and South America, as well as constant meetings with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to identify appropriate intervention challenges for the development of innovative technologies related to biodiversity. At the European level, it is collaborating with actors involved in biodiversity research and enhancement (e.g., JRC, OECD). Spoke 8 aims to broaden and strengthen the innovation in the area of Biodiversity by providing assistance for initiatives and product development that are in addition to the scientific spoke's activities. To date, the 10 million call for parks and marine protected areas has been closed, and a further 4 million call for parks and marine protected areas, as well as the 20 million call for SMEs, are currently in progress.
SPOKE 8 LEADERS: Maria Carmela Basile - Giuseppe Gigli
National Biodiversity Future Center
VAT number IT07058500823 – C.F. 07058500823
Piazza Marina, 61 90133 Palermo – Italy
NBFC is subject to the split payment
Biodiversity constitutes the network of life, it is important to preserve it: this was the start of NBFC
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