From Knowledge to Action - the Senckenberg Synthesis & Solutions Labs

The causes of biodiversity loss and the consequences of its loss for human wellbeing are well known. New scientific knowledge on possible approaches to restore and protect biodiversity and ecosystems are produced almost daily. However, this knowledge is rarely translated into action and workable solutions. 

To bridge this „Knowledge-Action Gap“, and to explore new ways to engage a diversity of societal actors, the Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research has initiated the Synthesis & Solutions Labs. These labs function as „think tanks“, bringing together perspectives from science and society on a specific topic, encouraging dialogue and debate. Building on existing research projects and a synthesis of existing scientific and practical knowledge, participants in each lab will co-develop feasible solutions and options for actions, which are then applied and tried out in an experimental setting. 

Two pilot projects have been initiated, two to three labs are to follow on an annual basis. The first pilot lab works with city authorities, nature conservation agencies and the private sector to exploring options for insect friendly urban green space management. Starting out from understanding why green spaces are managed in a certain way, the lab explores barriers that impede biodiversity-friendly green space management to then develop cost-effective and easily implementable measures to promote insect diversity. These measures are then tried out by interested stakeholders, and the experiences shared.   

The second pilot lab collaborates with schools in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and Campinas, Brazil, to highlight how food and food choices are intertwined with biodiversity. Working with teachers and teacher educators, the lab will develop teaching materials for secondary schools; school children will have the opportunity to develop and participate in activities on food and biodiversity that span continents.

In this talk, I will share experiences from building up a platform that combines synthesis centre and real world lab approaches with the aim to foster biodiversity and nature-based solutions, and explore what pitfalls might await.