The PLAN-B Project Work Packages
Welcome to the project overview section, where we break down the key Work Packages driving our European initiative on light and noise pollution.
Each Work Package focuses on a specific aspect—from Machanisms of pollution impacts to specific measures for assesment— offering a clear picture of how we aim to understand and reduce the effects of acoustic and light pollution on European ecosystems.
Explore each package to see how science, collaboration, and innovation come together in our mission to protect our skies, biodiversity ans ecosystems.
Mechanism of light and noise pollution impacts
Modelling Spatio-temporal impacts at regional scale
European Situational Analisys
Social Drives of Light and Noise Pollution
Specific measures to assess, prevent and mitigate negative impacts on terrestrial biodiversity
Measures to raise awarness and maximize impact
Coordination and management
The PLAN-B Outcomes
Knowledge database
An open-access database on light and noise impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services.
New Scientific Models and Maps
Spatiotemporal models for evaluating noise and light impacts on the terrestrial environment, along with light and noise pollution maps of Europe.
Communities of Practice (CoPs)
Sustainable CoPs, focused on key stakeholder groups, addressing the impacts of light and noise on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Policy Briefs
Recommendations for strengthening legal and policy frameworks to reduce the impacts of light and noise pollution on terrestrial biodiversity and improve decision-making.
Handbook of Solutions
A compendium of established and innovative regulatory, social, environmental, planning, and technological solutions to mitigate light and noise pollution impacts.
Synthesis Report
A report on the current state and future trajectory of light and noise pollution impacts across Europe.
Work Package 1: Mechanism of light and noise pollution impacts
- To develop a comprehensive database of light and noise impacts on terrestrial wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystem services
- To investigate mechanisms through which light and noise impacts terrestrial wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystem services
- To develop light and noise pollution exposure models and associated guidance for assessing impacts on terrestrial wildlife
- To review the influence of light and noise pollution alongside other drivers of biodiversity loss, including climate change and invasive species
WP Leader: University of Salford (UK)
Researchers: Mike Wood (WP Leader), Bill Davies, Margret Engel, David Waddington, Graeme Sherriff, Michael Lomas, Rob Young, Glen Hancocks, Richard Bristow-Castle
Work Package 2: Modelling spatio-temporal impacts at regional scale
- To quantify spatio-temporal changes of biodiversity indices, conservation status, light and noise pollution • To estimate the spatially varying effects of light and noise pollution to biodiversity and conservation status across Europe.
- To project biodiversity, conservation status till 2030 under different scenarios.
WP Leader: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Researchers: Penelope Vounatsou (WP Leader), Anton Beloconi, Juliette Graber, Miriam Bolz, Michael Käser
Work Package 3: Integrated European Situation Analysis for LP and NP
- To describe the development of the main drivers for light and noise pollution during the last 200 years after the onset of the industrial revolution and contextualization of its relation to biodiversity loss and ecosystem service provision from an environmental history perspective
- To analyse the spatio-temporal trend and magnitude of impact of light and noise pollution on terrestrial biodiversity in relation to distributions and conservation status of selected species/taxon groups, protected areas, and ecosystem services across Europe
- To develop a methodological framework for fragmentation analyses of selected species areas, habitat networks, migration corridors and ecosystem services as well for mitigation measure testing on different scales • To assess needs and opportunities for integration of light and noise pollution measurements into ongoing activities to monitor terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services
- To compile and synthesize specific results and deliver an integrated situation analysis for Europe
WP Leader: Martin Luther University (Germany)
Researchers: Reinhard Klenke (WP Leader), Esther Smykalla, Dr. Sigrid Köhne, Sarah Blaschke, Helge Bruelheide
Work Package 4: Societal drivers of light and noise pollution
- To analyse legal and policy framework and to explore theirsynergies at the international, EU, regional and national level
- To identify an adequate regulatory framework for LP and NP mitigation at the international, EU, regional and national level
- To explore and contribute to mechanisms of behavioural change, directly or indirectly affecting LP and NP and their impacts on TBES
- To propose innovative regulatory and social solutions to mitigate and prevent the negative impacts of LP and NP on TBES
WP Leader: Gent University (Belgium)
Researchers: Geert Van Hoorick (WP Leader), Yana Yakushina (WP Leader), Dick Botteldooren, Timothy Van Renterghem, Els Vermeulen, Sabine Dekie, Shreyas Rangaswamy Chandrashekar, Hendrik Schoukens
Work Package 5: Specific measures to assess, prevent and mitigate the negative impacts on TBES
- To evaluate existing measures for the prevention and mitigation of light and noise pollution impacts to optimize
terrestrial biodiversity protection and the restoration of ecological networks - To design and develop innovative regulatory, social, environmental, planning and technological solutions to prevent and mitigate light and noise pollution impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services and nature restoration activities
- To apply chosen solutions at selected pilot study sites based on their geographical location, habitat and ecological networks connectivity to test the prove of concept (PoC)
- To develop light and noise pollution prevention and mitigation practical guidelines for urban, peri-urban, rural and natural areas
WP Leader: Gdansk Tech (Poland)
Researchers: Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska (WP Leader), Paweł Tysiąc (WP Leader), Joanna Badach, Natalia Wegrzyn, Magdalena Urban
Work Package 6: Measures to raise Awareness and Maximise Impact
- To ensure the effective dissemination and uptake of PLAN-B outputs and results to targeted audiences, informing the large public and raising awareness of the project conclusions
- To foster the uptake of the PLAN-B assets through the presentation of their benefits in several events
- To establish engagement and coordination of local multi-actor communities for each envisioned pilot, in order to accomplish the objectives of the planned citizen science initiatives and to maximise the project impact in relation to the different findings achieved
- To build network capacity and establish synergies, opportunities for collaboration and joint actions with other projects, initiatives and activities
WP Leader: Ibercivis Foundation (Spain)
Coordination Team: Daniel Lisbona (WP Leader), Francisco Sanz, Asun Iguarbe
Work Package 7: Coordination and Management
- To ensure smooth and transparent implementation of the project; to monitor the progress according to the project objectives and work plan, and to guarantee that related deliverables are produced on time
- To ensure efficient liaison and communication with the Project Officer (REA), EC and with related projects and initiatives on HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01
- To ensure coordination and communication between the WPs, the consortium as a whole, and the Advisory Board
- To install mechanisms to effectively identify, assess and manage the project’s administrative, technical and ethical issues and risks
- To safeguard appropriate data management and compliance of the project with the EC’s Open Access policy
- To facilitate multi-actor involvement and co-creation
WP Leader: Gent University (Belgium)
Coordination Team: Geert Van Hoorick (Project Coordinator), Yana Yakushina (Scientific Coordinator), Els Vermeulen (WP LEader)
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