March 26, 2025 | 16:29
Science
Education
International cooperation
Renowned scientist Lorenzo Vilizzi’s experience as part of scientific cooperation in environmental protection
Non-native animals and plants often cause unnoticed yet dangerous changes to the surrounding environment. Therefore, their study is crucial from the perspective of preventing environmental, economic, and public health issues. Renowned scientist and environmentalist, Professor Lorenzo Vilizzi from the University of Łódź (Poland), who has spent many years studying the impact of non-native species on the environment, visited YSU Faculty of Biology to share his knowledge and experience with faculty specialists during a workshop titled "Risk Assessment of Invasive Species in Armenia."
Armenia's rich biodiversity and agricultural development are currently under significant pressure from invasive species, due to the growth of global trade and ongoing climate change. The workshop at YSU aimed to present the characteristics of forecasting and analyzing the penetration, establishment, and spread of invasive species in ecosystems to prevent ecological risks, thus contributing to the preservation of Armenia’s nature and economic resources.
During the workshop, Professor Vilizzi, who had traveled from Poland, presented the tools used to identify and assess the risks posed by non-native species.
Discussing his choice of research field, Professor Vilizzi shared why he decided to focus on non-native species: "I have always loved nature, and this topic particularly caught my interest when I began studying one of the fish species considered dangerous in many countries. When I realized that non-native species could cause significant harm to nature, I decided to delve deeper into this field and explore both aquatic and terrestrial species," he said.
During the workshop, the invited professor presented the toolkit he developed, which allows scientists to assess which non-native species are most dangerous and how to prevent their spread. "This toolkit is used in various countries around the world and is available in around 31 languages. I am happy that it will soon be available in Armenian as well. This is important because researchers typically compile reports after conducting studies and present them to the relevant authorities, so the availability of the toolkit in the official language of the country is crucial," emphasized Professor Vilizzi.
The scientist highlighted that in collaboration with the UN and with the support of the scientific community, they are currently working on a project that examines disappearing and invasive species, aiming to identify which species could harm the economy and ecosystems.
"We have already created a list of potential invasive species and are now moving on to the second phase—identifying which species are the most dangerous. These steps are important for Armenia as well, and we aim to offer international expertise and solutions to Armenian scientists to effectively address the sector’s challenges in the country," he noted.
The professor stressed that scientific collaborations play a crucial role in solving environmental problems by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and innovative approaches both locally and globally.
Thanks to this collaborative work, scientists are not only gaining insights into these issues but are also taking steps to prevent disturbances to the balance of nature, which is vital for both Armenia and the world at large.
