About Natural resources institute finland (luke) / luonnonvarakeskus (luke)
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) - Building Sustainable Future with Renewable Natural Resources
Natural resources are the backbone of our planet's ecosystem, and their sustainable management is crucial for the well-being of both humans and nature. The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), or Luonnonvarakeskus in Finnish, is a research and expert organization that focuses on utilizing renewable natural resources to build a sustainable future.
Founded in 2015, Luke has its roots in several Finnish research institutes that have been working on natural resource management for decades. Today, Luke employs over 1,200 experts from various fields such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food science, environmental science, and economics. The organization operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland.
Luke's mission is to promote sustainable use of natural resources by conducting research-based knowledge production and providing expert services to stakeholders such as policymakers, businesses, NGOs, and citizens. The organization's vision is to be a leading European research institute that contributes to global sustainability challenges.
Research Areas
Luke conducts multidisciplinary research on various aspects related to renewable natural resources such as:
- Forests: Luke studies forest ecosystems' dynamics and functions from ecological and economic perspectives. The organization provides information on forest biodiversity conservation strategies; carbon sequestration potential; wood production optimization; forest health monitoring; climate change impacts on forests; etc.
- Agriculture: Luke develops innovative solutions for enhancing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. The organization studies soil fertility management practices; crop breeding techniques for resilience against pests/diseases/climate change effects; precision farming technologies for efficient resource use; animal welfare standards improvement strategies.
- Fisheries: Luke conducts research on fish populations' dynamics in freshwater systems and marine environments. The organization provides advice on sustainable fishing practices based on scientific evidence regarding fish stock assessments; habitat restoration measures; aquaculture development opportunities.
- Food Science: Luke investigates food quality attributes related to sensory properties (e.g., taste/smell/appearance/texture); nutritional value (e.g., vitamins/minerals/fiber/protein/fat content); safety aspects (e.g., microbiological/chemical hazards). The organization also develops new food products using novel ingredients or processing methods.
- Environmental Science: Luke assesses environmental impacts caused by human activities such as land use changes or pollution emissions. The organization provides tools for environmental impact assessments based on life cycle thinking principles.
Expert Services
In addition to conducting scientific research projects funded by national/international sources or commissioned by clients/partnerships agreements with private/public entities,
Luke offers expert services such as:
- Consultancy services: Lukes experts provide advice tailored to clients' needs regarding topics related to renewable natural resources utilization/sustainability issues.
- Laboratory analyses: Lukes laboratories offer analytical services related to soil/plant/animal samples analysis using state-of-the-art equipment.
- Training courses/workshops/seminars/webinars/conferences: Lukes experts organize events aimed at disseminating knowledge about renewable natural resource management among different audiences.
Collaboration Networks
To achieve its mission/vision effectively,
Luke collaborates with various national/international organizations/institutions/networks such as:
- European Forest Institute
- Nordic Forest Research
- International Union of Forest Research Organizations
- Joint Research Centre-European Commission
- United Nations Food And Agriculture Organization
- World Wildlife Fund
and many others.
Conclusion
The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) plays a vital role in promoting sustainable use of renewable natural resources through multidisciplinary scientific research projects combined with expert services provision tailored towards stakeholders' needs. With its highly qualified staff members equipped with cutting-edge technology facilities,
Luonnonvarakeskus aims at being a leading European institution contributing significantly towards global sustainability challenges facing humanity today while building well-being through responsible utilization of nature's gifts!