TITLE:
BioRem—Database for Remediation of Heavy Metal Rich Habitats and Protection of Their Biodiversity
AUTHORS:
Lukas Nebel, Gerhard Kreitner, Othmar Horak, Wolfram Adlassnig, Gregor Eder, Edwin Palomino, Mario Leyva, Lichtscheidl Irene
KEYWORDS:
Ecology; Heavy Metals; Metallophytes; Plant Tolerance; Biodiversity Phytoremediation
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.4 No.10,
October
9,
2013
ABSTRACT: BioRem is an
open access on-line resource, which aims to document the biodiversity of
terrestrial heavy metal rich sites around the globe that are the habitats of
specialized metal tolerant organisms (MTOs). A comprehensive inventory of MTOs
together with an analysis of environmental conditions and research about the
adaptations of MTOs shall support the development of holistic models about the
functioning of heavy metal ecosystems and lead to an improved understanding of
interactions and adaptation strategies of MTOs. Furthermore, the database
enables the identification of plants and microorganisms suited for remediation
actions where protection of the population and the environment is needed. Information
about scientific data shall lay the ground for the definition of heavy metal
habitats with unique biocoenoses as reservoirs of biodiversity: accordingly,
BioRem shall be a resource for education and for dissemination of our knowledge
about the ecology of heavy metal rich sites and their habitats, and it shall
provide tools for the evaluation of socio-economic strategies for either
remediation or preservation of heavy metal habitats. Where needed, alternative
strategies for the survival of MTOs shall be developed, hence contributing to
the aim of the G?teborg 2010 target to halt loss of biodiversity.