Frederick University Cyprus – Nature Conservation Unit (FredU – NCU)
Country: Cyprus | Region: Nicosia
The Nature Conservation Unit (NCU) was established in 2005 and operates under the Frederick University and Frederick Research Center. It specialises on biodiversity conservation, natural resources management and conservation, and environmental education and awareness in Cyprus. NCU was the first department in the Cypriot academic system that started dealing with issues relating to nature conservation.
More specifically, the Unit focuses on the study, monitoring, management and in situ and ex situ conservation of the Cyprus flora, fauna and habitats of Cyprus and the conservation and management of ecologically important areas of the island. Moreover, it aims at the promotion of awareness and education among the people of Cyprus about major environmental issues. The members and collaborating scientists of the NCU have extensive experience on conservation biology, natural resources management and environmental education and awareness.
The NCU has developed important initiatives and a multidimensional research work. Moreover, the NCU has established a broad network of associates (both locally and abroad), collaborating with more than 181 organizations from 42 countries from Europe and America. Specifically, through the successful acquisition of research proposals and tenders, the NCU has participated in the implementation (or is currently implementing) of more than 58 projects, funded (or co-funded) by national and international organisations. Through these projects, the Unit has also acquired modern research infrastructure, both for laboratory work and fieldwork, which allows the development of new research initiatives. Details on research projects can be found here.
Nature Conservation Unit has established a Seed Bank as a milestone of its ex situ conservation actions. It is the first Seed Bank, created in Cyprus 15 years ago, which focuses on endemic, rare and threatened plant taxa. The NCU’s Seed Bank is considered a priceless resource for the preservation of as many plant taxa of Cyprus’s flora, as possible. The foundation of the Seed Bank was in 2006 with the storage of first seed collection and since then the Bank is hosting about 130 seed lots of 48 plant taxa (species, subspecies, varieties) meaning a total of about 526.000 seeds.
The seedlots stored belong to:
- Cyprus’ endemics
- plants of European importance (listed in Annex II of Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC)
- plants listed in the IUCN TOP50 Mediterranean islands plants
- plants of the Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus
- common plant species of Cyprus’ flora.
Contact
Constantinos Kounnamas – PhD - res.kc@frederick.ac.cy
Marios Andreou – PhD - m.andreou@frederick.ac.cy
Website: http://www.ncu.org.cy/