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Bioenergy plays a vital role in the transition to a fossil-free society. However, the "unused" agricultural land, so-called marginal land, deemed suitable for bioenergy cultivation in southern Sweden is practically nonexistent, according to a new study from Lund University. Much of the land is already in use, for example, for horse grazing. "Our study shows that the potential for bioenergy product

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/land-identified-crucial-swedish-bioenergy-already-occupied-new-study-shows - 2026-01-17

Much of the world's infrastructure is made of concrete, which presents a challenge when it cracks and needs repair. Traditional repair methods involve cutting away a large amount of material. Now researchers at Lund University are investigating an innovative solution: using fungi to mend concrete. This groundbreaking research got off the ground with a Sustainable Idea Exploration grant and support

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/sustainable-construction-how-fungi-research-lund-university-could-revolutionise-infrastructure - 2026-01-17

With his cycling helmet perched on his head, he rushes in like a whirlwind, fires off monosyllabic replies to emails and then asks thoughtful questions during meetings while simultaneously managing to work away on his computer. For Henrik Smith, life moves at a hundred miles an hour. But he is also a lauded professor and the previous, long-time coordinator of BECC with an awful lot to do. Henrik S

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/henrik-smith-visionary-who-never-slows-down - 2026-01-17

Over the last 40 years, the majority of the world’s lakes have changed colour, according to a new study. The research team analysed 32 million satellite observations from over 67,000 lakes. Major changes in the lake ecosystems are thought to be the cause. Lakes are critical components of Earth’s ecosystem. They provide habitats for aquatic and terrestrial species, support biodiversity and help mai

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/lakes-worldwide-are-changing-colour-possibly-due-human-impact - 2026-01-17

Tropical forest canopies play a crucial role in the biosphere’s carbon, water, and energy cycles. Despite this, they are often treated as uniform in climate system models. A new study now reveals that canopy traits vary significantly across different regions, which could have major implications for how we understand and model forest functions in a changing climate. By combining field data from ove

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/unique-mapping-canopy-diversity-tropical-forests - 2026-01-17

Lead, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, plastic additives, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals. This is what researchers at Lund University found when they collected dead hedgehogs to investigate the environmental pollutants found in urban environments. Previous research has investigated the presence of heavy metals in hedgehogs from other urban areas in Europe and found simi

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/surprising-number-environmental-pollutants-hedgehogs - 2026-01-17

This October marks the launch of Sweden’s first Swedish Biodiversity Symposium—an entirely new meeting place where experts and stakeholders in biodiversity will gather to promote positive developments in the field. We had the opportunity to talk with Mats Björkman, BECC's coordinator in Gothenburg and the project manager for the symposium. Mats Björkman is a senior lecturer at the Department of Bi

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/has-been-lacking-premiere-swedish-biodiversity-symposium-new-meeting-place-biodiversity - 2026-01-17

A new global study shows that in human-disturbed regions, many native plant species are absent from their natural habitats, contributing to the missing so called “dark diversity”. Natural vegetation often lacks many species that could potentially be present, especially in regions heavily affected by human activities, according to a new study coordinated by researchers at the University of Tartu an

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/global-study-dark-diversity-reveals-hidden-impact-human-activities-nature - 2026-01-17

On 15 May 2025, scientists, engineers, and environmental stakeholders will gather to celebrate a milestone for Swedish climate research: the 10-year anniversary of ICOS Sweden’s national greenhouse gas observation network; a decade of operation for ICOS Sweden’s station Hyltemossa and 30 years of data collection at the Norunda site. This year sees a decade of operation for ICOS Sweden’s station Hy

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/celebrating-decade-data-icos-sweden-marks-milestone-climate-science - 2026-01-17

Global warming is causing rapid changes in vegetation in the Arctic. A major study in Nature with researchers from BECC-members at the University of Gothenburg shows large local differences in which species are favoured, and which are outcompeted due to climate change. Rapid climate change is upending plant life in the Arctic. A new scientific study in Nature shows how one of the most fragile ecos

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/major-changes-biodiversity-arctic - 2026-01-17

For over 60 years, scientists have tried to determine whether plants are pollinated primarily during the day or at night — without reaching a clear conclusion. Now, a major research review from Lund University with two BECC-PI:s has revealed that nighttime pollinators play just as significant a role as daytime species in 90 percent of the cases studied. Most of us know how important bees, birds, a

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/nocturnal-pollinators-just-important-their-daytime-colleagues - 2026-01-17

Regeringen har utsett tre nya ledamöter i Klimatpolitiska rådet. En av dem är Anna Maria Jönsson, professor vid institutionen för naturgeografi och ekosystemanalys vid Lunds universitet och vice koordinator i BECC. (In English below) Grattis, Anna Maria Jönsson, till det nya uppdraget. Vilken expertis bidrar du med i Klimatpolitiska rådet?– Min forskning handlar om klimateffekter på skogliga ekosy

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/anna-maria-jonsson-utsedd-till-ledamot-i-klimatpolitiska-radet - 2026-01-17

Håkan Wallander was one of the speakers at the Gothenburg Book Fair this weekend. See his talk about his book "Soil". BECC researcher Håkan Wallander talked about his main research interest: soil, at the big book fair in Gothenburg. You can hear him share his knowledge about soil in this talk. Håkan's book "Jord" was recently translated into English, you can find the book "Soil" here. 

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/soil-talk-book-fair-gothenburg - 2026-01-17

Join our team! We are looking for a Research Coordinator with a focus on research grants with appropriate professional experience to support researchers in the application process and disseminate information about opportunities. Work dutiesBECC is looking for a Research Coordinator with a focus on research grants with appropriate professional experience to support researchers in the application pr

https://www.becc.lu.se/article/job-alert-research-coordinator-focus-research-grants - 2026-01-17

Nair Ferreira Barbosa da Costa, kindly called Voinha in the family, was married off at 14. She gave birth to thirteen children, had to leave her first four children behind, fled 1500 miles to escape an abusive marriage and later became a single mother. "I had the guts. If I decided to do something, I would just do it." Now, Agenda 2030 PhD student Iury Salustiano Trojaborg's interviews with her gr

https://www.agenda2030graduateschool.lu.se/article/exploring-voinhas-life-journey-forced-marriage-feminist-empowerment - 2026-01-17

Markus Gunneflo has always been interested in interdisciplinarity, and working with PhD students has been the most enjoyable part of his professional life. A perfect combination for the new coordinator of the Agenda 2030 Graduate School. "I am excited about my new role and the Graduate School is beneficial for the University. It brings together young researchers and explores some of our most impor

https://www.agenda2030graduateschool.lu.se/article/new-coordinator-passion-interdisciplinarity-markus-gunneflo - 2026-01-17

Markus Gunneflo har alltid intresserat sig för tvärvetenskap och att få arbeta med doktorander har varit det roligaste i hans yrkesliv. En perfekt kombination för uppdraget som forskarskolan Agenda 2030:s nya koordinator. – Jag är glad för min nya roll och forskarskolan är gynnsam för universitetet. Här samlas unga forskare och undersöker några av våra allra viktigaste framtidsfrågor. Vid årsskift

https://www.agenda2030graduateschool.lu.se/article/markus-gunneflo-ny-koordinator-med-passion-tvarvetenskapen - 2026-01-17

Popular media discourses and heated debates on possible transitions to plant-based food systems can sometimes give the impression that veganism is a newfangled trend or that advocacy for animals is an intrinsically Western or even ‘white’ social phenomenon. However, such portrayals neglect how advocacy for Earth Others can be traced way back in the global history of ideas – and ignore contemporary

https://www.agenda2030graduateschool.lu.se/article/advocacy-veganism-and-animal-liberation-neither-new-nor-western-phenomenon-plant-based-capitalism - 2026-01-17

Two new PhDs! Congratulations to the Graduate School's two new doctors, Maria Takman and Christie Nicoson. On 26 April, they successfully defended their doctoral theses at Lund University. Both scholars have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Maria Takman has written "From Removal of Organic Micropullutants to Municipal Wastewater Reuse - Technological and Social Perspectiv

https://www.agenda2030graduateschool.lu.se/article/graduate-school-celebrates-achievements-phd-graduates-maria-takman-and-christie-nicoson - 2026-01-17

We are proud to announce that the Agenda 2030 Graduate School PhD student, Tanya Andersson Nystedt, successfully defended her thesis on 5 June and now has her PhD! Tanya has been an integral part of the Graduate School since its inception and we are incredibly proud of her achievements. Her research on migrants' vulnerability to sexual violence is both timely and necessary.To learn more about Tany

https://www.agenda2030graduateschool.lu.se/article/thesis-successfully-defended-tanya-andersson-nystedt - 2026-01-17