Research Call 2026 – “A Richer Nature”

Objective

To help create a richer natural environment, we support projects that develop new and improved approaches to safeguarding and enhancing terrestrial nature in Denmark, with high biodiversity as the overarching goal.

Background

The decline in Danish biodiversity has not been halted. Denmark faces five main challenges in achieving a rich and diverse natural environment: insufficient space; homogeneity and lack of spatial and temporal connectivity (continuity); drainage and dewatering; a lack of large keystone species and their ecological functions; and emissions of anthropogenic pollutants and nutrient loading. [1]

The Green Tripartite Agreement will set aside substantial areas from cultivation, with the aim of promoting biodiversity-rich nature as effectively as possible. In the near future, we may also see additional areas designated to protect groundwater recharge zones and to address Denmark’s declining biodiversity. Nature action in Denmark will also include the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which obliges all Member States to restore a range of ecosystems and species habitats across EU’s terrestrial and marine areas through national plans. The restoration measures must cover at least 20 % of land areas by 2030. [2]

There is a need for large-scale ecosystem restoration in Danish nature, ensuring that existing biodiversity is provided with space, connectivity, and opportunities for dispersal. Overall instruments and approaches are described in the Biodiversity Council’s reports. [3]

The challenge will be to establish high-quality nature for biodiversity by further reducing pressures and socio-cultural barriers, restoring habitats and natural ecological processes, and thereby re-establishing ecological integrity. There is a need to translate the available and new expert knowledge into practical management, and this Research Call aims to support that translation.

Themes:
The Research Call focuses on the following themes:

• New and cost-effective methods to restore natural dynamics, create habitats, and establish high-value nature in/formerly cultivated landscapes.
  This theme may, for example, include topics related to soil conditions, species and inoculum translocation, new practical and technical measures, complete trophic chains, and maximising self-sustaining nature.
• How can we best safeguard and enhance biodiversity through the use of herbivores in nature management?
  This theme may include aspects related to animal behaviour and welfare, the composition of grazing livestock and their social structures, and the varying conditions of different grazing areas.
•  How do Themes 1 and 2 support resilient ecosystems in the context of future climate change? 

Specific criteria for this Research Call:

Under this Call, we support and prioritise projects that:

• Generate knowledge to develop terrestrial nature so that it can achieve good ecological and environmental status and thereby increase biodiversity.
• Produce knowledge with a lasting impact on Denmark’s nature and contribute to resilient ecosystems.
• Result in clear recommendations for ecosystem restoration and subsequent management.
• Address and communicate the challenges and solutions in new and innovative – and potentially unconventional – ways.
• Are carried out in collaboration with, two or more research institutes and major nature managers/land stewards.
• Integrate leading international knowledge and expertise.
• May beneficially include citizen science components.
• Are action-oriented in addressing the challenges – this Call does not support purely descriptive research.

Expected outcomes of this Research Call 

• Projects funded under the Call should support restoration measures and initiatives in new Danish nature areas.
• Propose important new, innovative projects that can be replicated and scaled.
• Projects will position Denmark as an innovative actor in research, planning, ecosystem restoration, management, and monitoring of biodiversity-rich nature.

References:

[1] Biodiversitetsraadet-2022-Fra-tab-til-fremgang-Final-hjemmeside.pdf

[2] EU´s naturgenopretningsforordning – Styrelsen for Grøn Arealomlægning og Vandmiljø 

[3] Mod robuste økosystemer – Årsrapport 2023 – Biodiversitetsrådet, Virkemidler for biodiversitet – Virkemiddelkatalog – Biodiversitetsrådet og Samlet udgangspunkt for at skabe store, sammenhængende naturområder i
Danmark – Notat – Biodiversitetsrådet. og Samlet udgangspunkt for at skabe store, sammenhængende naturområder i Danmark – Notat – Biodiversitetsrådet.