2017
Award ceremony at the Dies academicus
On the occasion of the 183rd Dies academicus 2017 at the French Church in Bern, the two winners of the Bernese Award for Environmental Research 2017 were honored for their work.
Main Prize: Dr. Miriam Zemanova
whose PhD thesis “Combining genetics, ecology and modelling to understand the invasion of Arion slugs” showed how the spread of the slug, Arion vulgaris, can identify it as an invasive species, using genetics, ecology, and modelling. It also shows how the invader has replaced endemic slug species such as Arion rufus, due to its faster growth and earlier reproduction, and how the hybridization of this invasive species with endemic slug species can lead to new and hitherto unknown interactions with the ecosystem.
Recognition Award: Rahel Jud
who demonstrated in her Master’s thesis, “A paper tiger running loose. Side effects of the REDD+ policy in the province of Jambi, Indonesia”, that the CO2 emissions trading to fund the long-term protection of forests (REDD+, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) can lead to significant negative side effects on the local population outside of the defined protected areas, and thus indirectly to the further disappearance of forest zones.