Introduction

This research focuses on environmental risk assessment and biodiversity implications of genetically modified plants. This includes, in particular, studying possible effects of Bt crop plants on non-target arthropods in agro-ecosystems, studying ecological interactions between arthropod species in agro-ecosystems as a basis to assess possible exposure scenarios, and development of science-based methods for environmental risk assessment.

The project commenced in November 2008 and attempts to:

• Assess the implications of the findings of ecological and biosafety studies for protected areas
• Identify special needs for the environmental risk assessment of protected areas in multifunctional landscapes, and
• Evaluate relevant regulatory instruments (such as the ecosystem approach, environmental impact assessments and risk management).

The project also looks at the potential implications of genetically modified trees for forest biodiversity in collaboration with the Yokohama National University.