Environment and Resources
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Biodiversity, Landscape
Agroscope develops foundations for preserving biodiversity in agricultural environments and maintaining diverse agricultural landscapes. In addition, Agroscope examines how agroecosystems function and how agricultural crops and ecological compensation areas affect biodiversity.
Genetic Biodiversity, Collections
As part of its various research activities, Agroscope has collected numerous microorganisms isolated from various agricultural and food systems. The microbial collections built up over time not only encompass a vast taxonomic diversity of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and microalgae, but also cover a wide variety of functions. Some of these microorganisms are pathogens of plants, animals, or humans, while others have biotechnological applications, such as biocontrol, the production of food for humans and feed for animals, and the synthesis of bioactive compounds of medical or agronomic interest. The microorganisms collected represent a heritage of Swiss microbial biodiversity and play a central role in many of the research projects conducted by Agroscope.
Biosafety
We investigate potential positive and negative effects of novel organisms in agriculture on biodiversity and ecological processes. Our experimental research using selected model systems is conducted in the laboratory, greenhouse and field.
Soil, Bodies of Water, Nutrients
Research projects in various themes: Nutrient efficiency, Agricultural water protection, Soil Fertility and Soil Protection, Soil Ecology, Rhizosphere ecology, Swiss Collection of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Swiss Soil Monitoring Network (NABO).
Climate and Air
Agriculture has a complex and varied relationship with the climate. It is an actor in that it emits but also sequesters greenhouse gases. It also causes nitrogen and odour emissions. At the same time, it must adapt to climate change in order to continue to ensure good yields.
Monitoring, Analytics
Agroscope provides tools and decision-making criteria for the safeguarding of natural resources such as soil, water and biodiversity. These include e.g. environmental analytics or programmes that measure the environmental impact of agriculture.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Life cycle assessment quantifies and evaluates the potential environmental impacts of a product or service. In analysing the entire life cycle, from the extraction of the raw materials up to the disposal or recycling of the waste, all of the environmental impacts associated with a product system are recorded.Agroscope analyses important agricultural systems using a life cycle assessment method adapted to the needs of the agricultural sector in order to offer decision-making tools to policy-makers, administrators, businesspeople and practitioners.