Environment
SLU has a unique task as a Swedish university to carry out not only research and teaching, but to also conduct long-term environmental monitoring (referred to as Foma).This means that SLU should follow changes in the environment’s condition, evaluate problems, and provide a basis of information for the sustainable use of natural resources. This information is delivered to the Swedish government and parliament, national and regional government authorities, businesses, and other interested organizations.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has assigned the department the task of gathering information for the observation and follow up of the terrestrial habitat’s condition and changes as well as the Species and Habitat directive via the programs National inventory of landscapes in Sweden (NILS) and Terrestrial habitat monitoring (THUF). SLU is responsible for official statistics given in the area Forests’ condition and changes via the National forest inventory (NFI). In addition to these, there are also a number of smaller Foma projects at the department.
The department has a long tradition of work in environmental analysis, such as the work done by the NFI which was started as long ago as 1923. Today the department runs a wide array of environmental monitoring programs, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the total budget. One of the department’s strengths is the combination of research and environmental monitoring activities, leading to important synergistic effects. As an example, methods and models developed in research can be used in environmental monitoring activities. At the same time, data collected by Foma programs provide a unique and valuable source of information for different research projects. Even the connection between Foma and the under-graduate and master´s studies is important, as it spreads knowledge about Foma activities and the basis of information used to make decisions about the sustainable use of the country’s natural resources.
The department’s Foma activities include data capture, analysis, reporting, and communication with the responsible agencies and customers both within and outside of SLU. An important part of the Environmental monitoring is a continual improvement of the methods and models used in order to improve the quality of the collected data, and to assure the quality of the whole process from data collection to finished product. Increased internationalization makes it all the more important to follow and actively take part in international development by taking part in conferences and national and international networks and projects.