Effect of Anthropogenic Environmental Changes and Climate to Alive Organisms
Research overview
The aim of scientific cluster is to investigate and evaluate response of alive organisms to single and integrated impact of anthropogenic and natural factors, changes in productivity, structure and biological diversity of populations and biological communities, and to evaluate possibilities of different economy branches to upgrade their ecological efficiency and sustainability.
In order to implement this aim, researchers of cluster investigate and analyze impact of environmental factors, such as environmental acidification and eutrophication, ground level ozone, UV radiation, geo-magnetic storms, sun flashes, and consequences of climate change – increased frequency of drafts, waves of heat and frost to agro- and forest ecosystems and human health. Increased attention is paid to the research and forecast of changes in competitiveness and adaptability of agricultural plants, productivity and seasonal development of main tree species according to different scenarios of climate change. Possibilities of different morphometric, anatomical, physiological and biochemical indicators to monitor and assess environmental and climatic changes and toxicity of xenobiotics are investigated. In order to achieve practical value of obtained results, possibilities to reduce environmental impact of different economy branches is analyzed.
Main researchers
- Leader of the group prof. Romualdas Juknys (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Prof. Jonė Venclovienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Irena Januškaitienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Adomas Vitas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Audrius Dėdelė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Jūratė Žaltauskaitė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Arvydas Kanapickas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Renata Dagiliūtė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Dovilė Laurinavičienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Assoc. Prof. Gintarė Sujetovienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Nerijus Jurkonis (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Genovaitė Liobikienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Giedrė Kacienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Dr. Auksė Miškinytė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Darius Verbickas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
PhD candidates
- Agnė Brazienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Gintarė Juozapaitienė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Deivydas Kiznys (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Martynas Klepeckas (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Diana Miškelytė (VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences)