BIWE: Biodiversity interventions for well-being

Biodiversity is essential for nature and human well-being. Land use has reduced biodiversity in cities, which weakens the functionality of the urban ecosystems and the well-being of citizens. This also increases the risk of immune-mediated disorders among urban dwellers.

In Biodiversity interventions for well-being (BIWE), microbial biodiversity interventions are performed to increase biodiversity in urban built areas. Results from the intervention trials are combined with publicly available land cover and ecological data. These are analysed from the viewpoint of shifts in ecosystems and human well-being and health, ecological quality, and urban planning. BIWE increases biodiversity in built areas and studies how better contact with nature can increase microbial exposure, and how this impacts health and well-being.

Multidisciplinary research group works at the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and the Tampere University. The group includes researchers from environmental sciences, microbiology, urban and landscape planning, architecture, medicine, and environmental psychology.

BIWE has 36 partners from different sectors of society, such as environmental companies, cities, housing service providers for special groups, foundations promoting well-being and environmental diversity, and those operating in the field of administration, such as ministries.

BIWE is led by Aki Sinkkonen, Senior Scientist from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), and is part of the BIOD research programme funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC).