BioRem—Database for Remediation of Heavy Metal Rich Habitats and Protection of Their Biodiversity 1939
economic importance in order to ensure that humans are
provided with an environment as healthy as possible. On
the other hand, removal of contaminated sites inevitably
causes the loss of habitats for MTOs, hence threatening
them into extinction, maybe even before we have learnt
to know them. It is therefore important to understand the
complex relationships between HM pollution and ecol-
ogy before remediation of HM polluted sites can be ap-
plied correctly. Furthermore, it is crucial to distinguish
between HM polluted habitats which pose a threat for
humans and the environment, and those successfully sta-
bilized by their biocoenoses; the latter can serve as mod-
els for the study of the ecology of HM rich habitats and
of the strategies of their host organisms for tolerating
HM stress.
The aim of this database therefore is to document the
biodiversity of terrestrial heavy metal rich habitats, which
are the homes of specialized metal tolerant organisms. It
shall lead to a holistic model about the functioning of
heavy metal ecosystems, to an improved understanding
of interactions and survival strategies of MTOs, and to
the identification of plants and microorganisms suitable
for remediation actions where protection of the people
and the environment are needed. BioRem shall be a re-
source for education and for dissemination of knowledge
about the functioning of heavy metal sites and their
MTOs, and it shall help in deciding about best practice
for remediation actions and for plant conservation.
The database has been developed in the frame of the
EU project Umbrella (EU 226870), of the Austrian ŒAD/
Appear project BioRem (Appear 43) and of the bilateral
project Promote between Austria and Romania (WTZ-
OEAD RO-08/2012). It is interlinked with the Global
Metallophyte Database [9], a leading database about me-
tal-tolerant plants, and with ISES, the website of the In-
ternational Serpentine Ecology Society. ISES gives infor-
mation about habitats on metal rich serpentine bedrock
and their metal tolerant plants [10]. We also draw atten-
tion to a list of metal hyperaccumulating plants provided
on the internet [11]. In providing Bio Rem, we invite col-
leagues world-wide to contribute their experience of hea-
vy metal rich sites and their biodiversity.
2. Expected Results from the Database
Biorem
BioRem is created as a platform for the exchange of in-
formation from biodiversity and ecophysiology research
on heavy metal ecosystems. It shall lead to an inventory
of MTOs and promote our understanding of the ecology
of HM polluted habitats as well as of adaptation strate-
gies of MTOs. Accordingly, we want to contribute infor-
mation to funda mental questions conc erning:
Structure and diversity of heavy metal biocoenoses by
assessing genetic diversity and distribution: 1) gain a
comprehensive inventory of MTOs, including not
only vascular plants but also mosses, lichens, terre-
stric algae, animals and microorganisms; 2) identify
specialised phenotypes, genotypes and ecotypes ori-
ginating from different HM rich areas; 3) evaluate their
status of threat.
Environmental conditions and functioning of HM eco-
systems: 1) study the environmental conditions that
typically add to h eavy metal stress includ ing high so-
lar irradiation, extreme temperatures, drought, low nu-
trient supply and radioactivity; 2) correlate these con-
ditions with geology, mineralogy and metal content of
bedrock and soils as well as the occurrence of specific
MTOs; 3) assess the influence of other important fac-
tors like herbivory and human perturbation.
Adaptation strategies of MTOs: 1) identify the struc-
tural base for heavy metal homeostasis, inc luding mor-
phological, anatomical and ultrastructural approaches;
2) analyse physiological reactions to heavy metal stress,
integrating results from research fields as diverse as
genetics, proteomics, cell biology, classical physiolo-
gy and evodevo-research; 3) establish new model sys-
tems of MTO-research in the fields of bryology, my-
cology and microbiology.
Closing the gap between mineralogy and diversity re-
search: 1) identify the major HM minerals present at
HM contaminated habitats, especially mining sites; 2)
correlate the occurrence of specific min erals with other
abiotic conditions like redox potential, pH and water
regime; 3) correlate the occurrence of HM minerals
and specific MTOs.
Survival strategies on the community level: Vascular
metallophytes live in close contact with specialised
fungi and bacteria that may influence the bioav ailabi-
lity of heavy metals and may be stimulated or inhib-
ited by the plants via exudates. We want to accumu-
late information about how these communities are
structured and if key species can be identified. This
may add to th e question if the tr ansfer of whol e com-
munities could provide a superior strategy for phyto-
remediation compared to the convention al planting of
isolated HM toleran t vascula r p lants.
Need for remediation or conservation of heavy metal
ecosystems: 1) identify plants suited for remediation;
2) define specific heavy metal habitats with unique
biocoenoses as reservoirs of biodiversity; 3) hence
contribute to the aim of the Göteborg 2010 target to
halt loss of biodiversity.
In addition, sharing information shall add to develop-
ing a network of scientists and stakeholders with multi-
disciplinary backgro und, and hence create a synoptic en-
vironment for education and research in the field of me-
tal-rich ecosystems.
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