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Our research is thematically divided into six areas. Several different research groups, with a number of ongoing projects within each, are associated with each respective theme. CEC is also hosting the strategic research areas BECC and MERGE, the profile area Nature-based Future Solutions, the thematic collaborative initiative LU Land, as well as the infrastructure ICOS Sweden, and conducts resear
https://www.cec.lu.se/research - 2026-04-21
Katarina Hedlund, DirectorYann Clough, Deputy Director, Assistant Director ResearchAnders Irbäck, Assistant Director Computational Biology and Biological PhysicsNatascha Kljun, Assistant Director Research Infrastructure Johanna Alkan Olsson, Director of Undergraduate EducationTobias Ambjörnsson, Director of PhD StudiesAnna Ekberg, Administrative ManagerAnna Maria Erling, Communications ManagerCaro
https://www.cec.lu.se/about-cec/management-group - 2026-04-21
CEC's activities are based on understanding the human impact on natural ecosystem processes. The research generates new knowledge that contributes to identifying and evaluating strategies and measures to prevent, mitigate, or counteract climate and environmental problems, and achieve long-term sustainable development. It requires interdisciplinary approaches that encompass natural science, as well
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-themes - 2026-04-21
Biodiversity is undergoing a major crisis primarily driven by the loss and degradation of habitats, as well as climate change. The depletion of biodiversity threatens our natural heritage, undermines ecosystems' ability to provide vital ecosystem services, and reduces their capacity to cope with ongoing pressures from global changes. At CEC, we analyze the consequences of human impact on biodivers
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-themes/nature-conservation-biodiversity-and-ecosystem-services - 2026-04-21
Chemicals are released at an increasingly rapid pace into our environment, in the air, soil, and water. It can have serious consequences for humans, wildlife, and entire ecosystems. Yet, we still know little about the processes that cause toxicity and negative effects, and how acute and chronic it affects different species. The limited knowledge makes it harder for us to provide politicians and de
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-themes/environmental-pollutants-consequences-and-risk-management - 2026-04-21
More and more of the world's population lives and works in cities. This, in combination with climate change and its consequences, creates increased pressure on the built environment and the people living in cities. There is a need to develop urban environments that can address these challenges, such as extreme weather events, conflicts over land use, and deteriorating ecosystems. Additionally, the
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-themes/sustainability-and-climate-adaptation-urban-environments - 2026-04-21
Achieving a sustainable society requires knowledge. The increasing pace of scientific knowledge is, therefore, a positive development. At the same time, the need to synthesize research findings from various scientific disciplines is a growing challenge, as well as making them accessible to decision-makers. There is also an unprecedented need to identify and address knowledge gaps, manage heterogen
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-themes/methods-scientific-assessments-and-evidence-based-decision-making - 2026-04-21
Human activity jeopardizes ecosystems, both directly and indirectly. Direct impacts include the loss of natural habitats, intensified land use and pollution. Indirect impacts result from the effects of climate change, such as increased frequency and intensity of forest fires, droughts, and heatwaves. A better understanding of ecosystem functioning is crucial to understand and address the threats w
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-themes/changes-climate-and-land-use-effects-ecosystems - 2026-04-21
Nature-based future solutions are one of the five profile areas at Lund University. Researchers within this profile area focus on ecosystem-based approaches to address biodiversity loss and climate change, and how these interconnected crises can be linked to sustainable societal development. Loss of biodiversity and the climate crisis are closely interconnected. For example, a warmer climate affec
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/nature-based-future-solutions - 2026-04-21
LU Land is a thematic collaborative initiative at Lund University with the goal to contribute to land use for a sustainable development. Long-term sustainable land use is crucial for ensuring food and energy production, establishing a bio-based economy, addressing climate change, preserving biodiversity, and meeting global sustainability goals. LU Land - Land Use for a Sustainable Future is a plat
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/lu-land - 2026-04-21
Research at the Marine Centre Simrishamn aims to study the condition of the Baltic Sea, particularly the Hanö Bay, and how it is influenced by various factors. The research projects involve researchers from multiple disciplines and national interest organisations.The environment in the Baltic Sea region has undergone significant changes over the past century. Both the coast and the sea are affecte
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/marine-centre-simrishamn - 2026-04-21
Spectroscopic imaging methods have many applications in both environmental science and medicine. We create and improve algorithms and software for correcting and analysing spectroscopic data. In particular, we work with 2D images from different techniques in the infrared part of the spectrum. Our research group develops methods and software for a variety of spectroscopic techniques, for example to
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-groups/algorithms-spectroscopic-data - 2026-04-21
Our research group has many years of experience of working with a broad range of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI/ML) methods, mainly for medical applications. We combine fundamental method development with clinically motivated research focused on prediction and decision-making systems. Our research on AI/ML focuses on artificial neural networks and deep learning. Examples of pure
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-groups/artificial-intelligence-medical-applications - 2026-04-21
In the field of computational biophysics, we mainly study the behaviour of large molecules such as proteins, DNA and RNA. Using tools from statistical and computational physics, we construct models and investigate biomolecular processes and properties. We are particularly interested in membrane-less organelles, protein aggregation and how molecular crowding affects protein properties. The properti
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-groups/computational-biophysics - 2026-04-21
The goal of MISTRA Biopath is to develop knowledge and innovations in collaboration with decision-makers in the industrial and financial sectors that can contribute to a transformative change, utilizing the financial system to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. BIOPATH aims to map, assess, co-develop and test existing and novel approaches for integration of biodiversity considerations into
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/ongoing-research-projects/mistra-biopath - 2026-04-21
Natural Nations is an Erasmus-funded project aimed at helping teachers and students understand the importance of small creatures, pollinating insects, and birds in the food web by developing guidance and protocols for surveys in the schoolyard. The school surveys are also collected in a citizen science project. Additionally, practical advice is provided on how to improve the schoolyard for biodi
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/ongoing-research-projects/natural-nations - 2026-04-21
Mapping of tree species through satellite observations. Forests provide us with a wide range of ecosystem services. They include absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, providing timber and pulpwood, stabilizing the soil to reduce landslides, maintaining biodiversity, and offering opportunities for recreational activities such as hiking or camping. However, the quality and quantity of these
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/ongoing-research-projects/treespec - 2026-04-21
Our research in bionanophysics addresses questions that arise when biology meets nanophysics. In the microscopic structures created in nanofluidics, biological molecules and particles can move in unexpected or useful ways. One main direction of our research is imaging of DNA in nanochannels, a method that can rapidly provide large-scale information on the sequence and length of DNA molecules from
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/research-groups/bionanophysics - 2026-04-21
- optimised mass handling when waste becomes a resource Today, there is a lack of scientifically supported environmental criteria for determining when materials such as asphalt, concrete, and excavated soil from the construction sector cease to be considered waste. Every year, millions of tons of these materials are generated, which could potentially be transformed into products, providing environ
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/ongoing-research-projects/circular-material-flows-construction-projects - 2026-04-21
A major EU project, CLIMB-FOREST, will create a comprehensive overview of Europe's forests and forestry over a period of four and a half years. Currently, there is no compilation available that provides a complete picture of Europe's entire forest stock and the state of its forests. The goal of CLIMB-FOREST is to provide guidance to forest users and decision-makers through new tools and models. Th
https://www.cec.lu.se/research/ongoing-research-projects/climbforest - 2026-04-21
