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EuroBionet. European Network for the. Assessment of Air Quality by the Use of Bioindicator Plants. LIFE99 ENV/D/000453. Layman Report ...
EuroBionet

European Network for the Assessment of Air Quality by the Use of Bioindicator Plants LIFE99 ENV/D/000453

Layman Report

© by University of Hohenheim 2003 Report Compilation and Project Coordination: Dr. Andreas Klumpp Co-editors Dipl.-Biol. Wolfgang Ansel and Dr. Gabriele Klumpp University of Hohenheim Institute for Landscape and Plant Ecology Section Plant Ecology and Ecotoxicology D-70593 Stuttgart Photos Front Page: Ansel, Arndt, Calatayud, Klumpp, Laurent, Audiovisual Library European Commission Photos Report: Ansel, Baumüller, Calatayud, Klumpp, Pickl, Project Members, Audiovisual Library European Commission

2

Why Bioindicators? More than two thirds of Europe’s population lives

other photo-oxidants (summer smog), but also by

in urban areas. Overall, air quality in most cities

suspended particulate matter and potentially car-

has significantly improved during the last decades

cinogenic organic air pollutants is a major concern

as a consequence of more rigorous legal regula-

today. According to public opinion surveys, air

tions, the adoption of less-polluting technologies

pollution remains a key environmental problem,

and the migration of industries out of the city

with a high percentage of European citizens being

centres. In particular, the relevance of acidic air

worried about the present air pollution situation.

pollutants (winter smog) has clearly decreased

Like the availability of capital, manpower and

during this period. Nevertheless, air pollution con-

transport infrastructure, air quality may poten-

tinues to be a prominent environmental problem

tially become a location factor for the economic

in Europe. Continuously increasing road traffic is a

growth and development of whole regions in the

primary culprit. Thus, air pollution by ozone and

forthcoming years.

©Baumüller

How do Europeans see the environment? (from: Eurobarometer No. 51.1, 1999)

Bioindicators and environmental monitoring National legislation and European directives oblige

rect conclusions to be drawn on potential impacts

the member states of the European Union to es-

on humans and the environment. Evidence of

tablish air quality monitoring networks and to re-

harmful effects can only be provided by using liv-

cord the ambient concentrations of the most im-

ing organisms, i.e. by bioindicators. Such bioindi-

portant air pollutants continuously. Such meas-

cators also integrate the effects of all environ-

urements are being made by physical and chemi-

mental factors including interactions with other

cal methods using automated monitoring stations.

pollutants or climatic conditions. This permits the

The data obtained from such measurements per-

risk of complex pollutant mixtures and chronic ef-

mit control of compliance with current air quality

fects occurring even below threshold values to be

standards and limit values. Data on ambient pol-

assessed.

lutant concentrations, however, do not allow di3

EMISSION INVENTORY

EMISSION

POLLUTION MEASUREMENT BIOINDICATION

AMBIENT CONCENTRATION

EFFECT

The chain of events emissions – ambient concentrations (immission) – effects Bioindicators of air pollution, particularly bioindi-

well established. The insufficient standardisation

cator plants, have been used in scientific investi-

of the techniques and consequently the low com-

gations on air pollution effects for many years. In

parability of the results is one of the major rea-

a few countries such as Germany, Austria or the

sons for the poor acceptance of this effect-related

Netherlands, some of these methods are also be-

methodology of air quality monitoring by policy

ing applied by environmental authorities and pri-

makers, public administration and the private sec-

vate enterprises for routine monitoring of indus-

tor. To date, only isolated efforts have been made

trial installations and urban agglomerations. At

to standardise the methodology, although normal-

the European level, however, the use of bioindica-

ised procedures are already available in some

tor plants to assess air pollution effects is not very

countries.

Bioindicators are organisms or communities of organisms, which react to environmental effects by changing their vital functions and/or their chemical composition thus permitting inferences on the state of the environment. Bioindicators and environmental communication The principles adopted by the Earth Summit held

Bioindicator plants feature several properties that

at Rio de Janeiro in 1992 ensure the citizens’ right

qualify them not only for the effect-oriented

of appropriate access to information concerning

monitoring of air quality but particularly for envi-

the environment. This right was confirmed by the

ronmental communication and education. Fre-

UNECE Aarhus Convention in 1998 and by a re-

quently they reveal the detrimental effects of air

cent EC Directive. The free access of citizens to

pollutants directly, i.e. visibly to the naked eye, by

environmental data and the commitment of public

responding to the environmental impact with ap-

institutions to provide sufficient and extensive in-

parent injury symptoms. They make these prob-

formation raise the question of how complex is-

lems, which are normally quite abstract, visible

sues like the distinction between “good” ozone in

and understandable to people directly and within

the stratospheric ozone layer and “bad” ozone at

their everyday life. They address people emotion-

the earth’s surface can be explained to laypersons

ally as evident plant damages may evoke a per-

appropriately. As a consequence, the demand for

sonal concern and prompt conclusions on poten-

efficient and attractive communication strategies

tial air pollution effects on one’s own well-being.

in the environmental sector is increasing. 4

Hohenheim

The Partners of the Network

EuroBionet: A Network of Authorities, Science and the Public This was the background for the implementation

heim (Germany), participants in this project in-

of the “European Network for the Assessment of

clude the cities of Edinburgh (GB), Sheffield (GB),

Air Quality by the Use of Bioindicator Plants”

Copenhagen (DK), Düsseldorf (D), Valencia (E),

(EuroBionet) in 1999 with financial support by the

Ditzingen (D), Klagenfurt (A), Verona (I) and Gly-

LIFE Environment Programme of the European

fada (GR), the regions of Grand Nancy (F) and

Commission. EuroBionet is a network of local

Grand Lyon (F) as well as the Province of Catalo-

governments

from

nia (E), together with their scientific partners. Ini-

twelve cities in eight EU member states. It ad-

tially, several scientific and communicative objec-

dresses the use of bioindicator plants in air quality

tives were defined. In order to use synergy in

monitoring and environmental awareness-raising

achieving these goals, a powerful integration of

of the urban population. Under the scientific and

science, administration and the broad public, par-

technical coordination of the University of Hohen-

ticularly schools, was aimed at from the onset.

and

research

institutions

5

The Objectives of EuroBionet Scientific Objectives: ¾Establishing the use of bioindicator plants at the European level ¾Standardisation of methods ¾Transfer of expertise and knowledge ¾Analysis and evaluation of air quality ¾Comparison of pollution types in different cities and regions Communicative Objectives: ¾Demonstration of air pollution effects on living organisms ¾Sensitisation of the population ¾Initiatives in schools, companies and private households ¾Urban marketing

Bioindicators in Air Pollution Control Based on the knowledge of the present air pollu-

heavy traffic as well as reference sites with low

tion situation in cities, bioindicator plants to as-

pollution load. Five different bioindicator species

sess ozone, sulphurous compounds, heavy met-

were exposed to ambient air at these sites in or-

als,

and

der to assess and to demonstrate the effects of

mutagenic substances were chosen. In each of

air pollutants. Additionally, air pollution and me-

the participating cities, local networks of eight to

teorological data were obtained from automated

ten bioindicator stations were established and op-

measuring stations and used to interpret the bio-

erated for three years. The stations included ur-

indication results.

polycyclic

aromatic

hydrocarbons,

ban and suburban sites, sites close to streets with

The Bioindication Methods used in EuroBionet Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Bel-W3) >>>> sensitive to ozone Poplar (Populus nigra ‘Brandaris’) >>>> sensitive to ozone Spiderwort (Tradescantia #4430) >>>> sensitive to mutagenic substances Italian Rye Grass (Lolium multiflorum) >>>> accumulates sulphur and heavy metals Curly Kale (Brassica oleracea) >>>> accumulates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Keyword Distribution of Tasks: Central Coordination and Local Implementation Such an extensive project requires a well-defined

croscopical analyses, quality assurance, of assess-

distribution of tasks between the partners. The

ing and evaluating the results, as well as of or-

University of Hohenheim was responsible for the

ganising courses and conferences. The local au-

transfer of knowledge from scientific research to

thorities and their scientific partners were respon-

practical implementation in the cities and for the

sible for the choice and installation of the measur-

scientific and technical coordination of the overall

ing sites, the cultivation and exposure of the bio-

project. It was also in charge of defining the

indicator plants, the assessment of visible injury

methods of bioindication and communication,

symptoms, the supply of air pollution and mete-

supplying manuals and materials, training of local

orological data as well as the implementation of

working groups, performing the chemical and mi-

the communication concept. 6

Bioindicator stations of the EuroBionet

Keyword Standardisation: Manual and Training on site A high degree of standardisation and reproducibil-

as well as for assessing the effects was developed

ity of methods is a prerequisite for the compara-

based on already existing national guidelines and

bility of the results obtained. It is also crucial for

other regulations. It was binding for all partners.

the acceptance of this biological method of envi-

Quality control was done by organising courses

ronmental monitoring. An instruction manual for

and training working groups on site.

the cultivation and exposure of bioindicator plants

Keyword Ozone: A Gradient through Europe The tobacco variety Bel-W3 is highly sensitive to

emission conditions and large-scale atmospheric

elevated ambient ozone concentrations. The ex-

transport processes additionally influenced the

periments with tobacco plants demonstrated a

degree of ozone pollution at the individual sites.

very clear gradient of ozone impact, with increas-

The analysis of air pollution data from automated

ing plant injury levels from the North and North-

measuring stations documented that the thresh-

west of Europe to Central and Southern regions.

old and target values of the World Health Organi-

The lower intensity of solar radiation in the United

sation (WHO) and the EU were clearly exceeded

Kingdom, Denmark and North-western Germany

in most of the cities. As climatic factors influence

resulted in reduced atmospheric ozone formation

the response of plants to ozone, there are no

and consequently in only weak to moderate

generally accepted relationships between ambient

ozone-induced injuries on tobacco leaves. The

ozone pollution and the degree of ozone-induced

climatic conditions in Central and Southern

plant damage. Overall, however, a good corre-

Europe, however, favoured the ozone formation

spondence in the geographical distribution pattern

(summer smog) and hence the development of

of leaf injuries and atmospheric ozone concentra-

strong ozone damage in bioindicator plants. Local

tions was found. 7

% Leaf injury 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Ed

Sh

Co



Na

Kl

Ve

Ly

Ba

Ozone-induced injury on tobacco leaves exposed in different European cities (mean values 2001)

AO T 40 (ppb*h) 1800 0 161 73

EC Target Value

1500 0

WHO-Guideline EC Long-term Objective 1200 0

1 0644 9 392

900 0

575 7

600 0

58 66 4926

300 0 14 70 80

38 7

5 40

Ed

Sh

Co

0 Dü

Na

Kl

Ve

Ly

Ba

Va

Ozone pollution in different European cities (May - July 2001)

Keyword Mutagenic Substances: Successful Test Campaigns of a New Methodology In spiderwort, mutagenic substances cause chro-

this assay has now been tested over such a large

mosome damage in the pollen mother cells of cer-

geographical extension. The test campaigns not

tain development stages after a few hours of ex-

only helped to further improve and standardise

posure. The resulting formation of so-called mi-

the methodology, but also provided important

cronuclei can be scored microscopically and

hints on the occurrence of mutagenic substances

serves as a measure for mutagenic effects. The

in the urban environment. Elevated micronuclei

Tradescantia-Micronucleus-Test was originally de-

formation was found particularly along heavy-

veloped to study chemicals and environmental

trafficked roads, clearly suggesting the need for

samples under controlled laboratory conditions,

more detailed investigations on the genotoxic po-

but is increasingly being used also in environ-

tential of traffic emissions.

mental monitoring programmes. For the first time, 8

Micronuclei

©Pickl

Tradescantia: cultivation, exposure and assessment of micronuclei formation

Keyword Heavy Metals: Local Hot Spots due to Traffic and Industrial Emissions Standardised grass cultures using Italian rye grass

As opposed to the impact by photo-oxidants, no

are comparatively resistant to air pollutants, but

large-scale geographical pattern of heavy metal

very efficiently accumulate different toxic sub-

pollution was found. Moreover, the situation was

stances in their leaves. Based on the accumula-

characterised by a small-scale distribution of the

tion rates in rye grass, it is possible to draw con-

pollutants in the direct neighbourhood of local

clusions on the pollution load by sulphurous com-

emission sources. Compliance with the existing

pounds, heavy metals and organic substances

limit and target values for the levels of different

such as dioxin and on the potential risk these

elements (cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc) in

elements pose to the food chain.

feeding stuff was achieved at most of the sites. No limit values, however, have been established for the elements antimony and chromium.

ppm Cr 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Site

Chromium accumulation in rye grass cultures due to industrial emissions

9

The exposed rye grass cultures revealed a local

exhibited the highest chromium, copper, iron, and

hot spot of heavy metal pollution due to industrial

lead concentrations. The accumulation of anti-

emissions in one of the EuroBionet partner cities.

mony, a semi-metal released from the brake lin-

More than fiftyfold increased chromium concen-

ings of cars, proved to be particularly characteris-

trations and elevated levels of several other heavy

tic of traffic-influenced sites. The lead levels in

metals at a single bioindicator site were very

grass cultures, on the other hand, were normally

probably ascribed to the emissions of neighbour-

very low; this demonstrates the positive environ-

ing heavy industry facilities. This example demon-

mental consequences of introducing unleaded

strates that screening studies with bioindicator

petrol in the EU. In accordance with the only re-

plants are very useful to determine local hot spots

cent ban of leaded petrol in Spain in 2001, the

of air pollution, which can then be investigated in

lead levels in grass cultures remained relatively

more detail.

high in the Spanish cities until summer 2001 and rapidly declined by 2002. This example proves

In most of the other local networks, by contrast,

that bioindicators are adequate means to assess

the heavy metal accumulation in the grass cul-

and demonstrate even short-term changes of the

tures was dominated by traffic emissions. Sites at

pollution situation. Details of the results are avail-

roads or crossings with intense traffic generally

able at www.eurobionet.com.

ppm Sb 4,0 3,5 3,0 2,5 2,0 1,5 1,0 0,5 0,0 Suburban

Reference

Suburban

Street

1

2

3

4

Urban

Street

Urban

Suburban

Suburban

5

6

7

8

9

Site

Accumulation of antimony in grass cultures exposed at roads with intense traffic (above)

ppm Pb 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Drop in lead levels in Spain (right)

Ban of leaded petrol in Spain

0 Aug. 01

Sept. 01

10

Oct. 01

Nov. 01

May 02

June 02

Keyword Hydrocarbons: A Broad Range of Different Pollutants Curly kale accumulates organic air pollutants such

the values were in an intermediate range, compa-

as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in its

rable to data from other studies in urban agglom-

waxy leaves. In the EuroBionet project, twenty

erations. The highest values of total PAH com-

different PAH compounds were analysed in kale

pounds as well as of the tracer substance

samples, among them the potentially carcinogenic

benzo(a)pyrene were again detected at sites with

benzo(a)pyrene. Similar to the results with heavy

heavy traffic. This indicates that, in urban areas,

metals, a clear distinction was found between

traffic emissions are an important source of this

PAH levels of urban and rural sites. In general,

pollutant category as well.

1400

Coronene

ppb PAH

Anthanthrene Benzo(ghi)perylene *

1200

Dibenz(ah)anthracene* Indeno(1.2.3.cd)pyrene * Perylene

1000

Benzo(a)pyrene * Benzo(e)pyrene

800

Benzo(k)fluoranthene * Benzo(b)fluoranthene*

600

Triphenylene + Chrysene * Benz(a)anthracene * Pyrene *

400

Fluoranthene * Anthracene *

200

Phenanthrene * Fluorene * Acenaphthene *

0 1

2

3

4

Urban

Urban

Urban

Urban

5

6

7

Suburban Suburban Suburban

Acenaphthylene *

8 Rural

Naphthalene

PAH concentrations in curly kale exposed at urban, suburban and rural sites

Bioindicators as Green Ambassadors For publicity campaigns, a modular, centralised

the starting point for further communicative ac-

communication concept was developed for the

tivities.

decentralised implementation in the partner cities. Notwithstanding the common objectives of the

The sheer size and colour of the box attracts at-

network, this approach ensured adequate consid-

tention. In the same way that a construction wall

eration of the locally different budgets and staff

arouses the curiosity of passers-by, the big green

resources as well as local and regional differences

box induces people to come a little closer to find

in the perception of environmental problems.

out what might be going on behind the green walls. Once their attention has been gained, so

The “local experience idea” is a central element of

much the better information can be offered. Peep

EuroBionet’s communication concept. It aims at

holes in the walls allow a look inside the pavilion.

establishing central sites in the partner cities

There, the observer recognises an entire bioindi-

where current environmental problems can be

cator station, i.e. bioindicators at work, informa-

rendered visible and comprehensible for layper-

tion boards and posters explaining the objectives

sons. This concept has been implemented in the

and methods of the project as well as local envi-

form of a green cubic information pavilion (‚Green

ronmental problems and their possible solutions.

Box’), which has been staging the otherwise unimposing bioindicator plants and thus served as 11

Broadly understandable indicator columns using a

ject in all cities while permitting local variations in

five-stage classification system ensure the compa-

pavilion design, the kind of information policy, the

rability of air quality in the different cities of the

opening hours and in the intensity of support to

network. This Green Box concept guarantees the

visitors.

uniform and recognisable appearance of the pro-

The ‚Green Box’: Concept and Reality

The scientific investigations and the presentation

present otherwise complex and abstract issues

of goals, methods and results in the green infor-

like air pollution and air quality in a visually at-

mation pavilions have been accompanied by in-

tractive and emotive way. Hence, the publications

tensive press campaigns yielding numerous publi-

on experiments with bioindicator plants frequently

cations in newspapers, magazines and radio pro-

became the peg to hang on more detailed reports

grammes. Using the bioindicator plants and par-

dealing with “Air Pollution and Mobility”, issues

ticularly the heavily ozone-damaged tobacco

that clearly exceed the restricted field of bioindi-

plants enabled the journalists to illustrate and

cation research.

12

Numerous activities and events called attention to

component of the communication concept. For

the issue of urban air quality and related topics.

this purpose, a pilot school project was initiated at

According to the “local experience idea”, most

the City of Ditzingen. Here, students of different

events were organised at or near the information

age groups from all local schools participated un-

pavilion. Examples include the participation of

der the scientific coordination of the University of

EuroBionet in the EXPO2000 at Hannover, the

Hohenheim and with technical assistance offered

European Car Free Day at Ditzingen and Lyon, the

by the municipality. Depending on the age group,

World Environment Day and the Noise Day at

the classes were variously involved in different

Klagenfurt, the Highland Show at Edinburgh, the

project activities. The students took care of the

Environmental Festival at Copenhagen, the “Fête

indicator plants exposed at stations on school-

des Sciences” at Lyon or the JobOrienta Fair at

yards, performed growth measurements and as-

Verona.

sessed air pollution-induced injuries. Thus, for the first time the detrimental effects of air pollution

Stimulating the environmental awareness of chil-

on plants became visible and comprehensible in

dren and teenagers has been another important

the youngsters’ own environment.

Environmental education with bioindicator plants – experience gained in Germany and Spain

The issue of air pollution was included in the sub-

Ditzingen during the Europe-wide campaign “In

jects and activities particularly of the higher gra-

town – without my car” (European Car Free Day).

des. For example, data were analysed using

An entire bioindicator station was erected there.

computer software, the results were further eva-

On poster walls, the population was informed

luated during the school lessons and discussed in

about the harmful effects of ozone and its forma-

the framework of “Environment and Mobility”, and

tion from precursor substances emitted by motor

poster exhibitions were organised to inform the

vehicles. This underlined the responsibility of each

schoolmates.

individual for maintaining and improving air quality. Besides the self-made posters, the bioindica-

In a further step, the students acted as multipli-

tor plants as “living measuring instruments” were

ers. On various occasions, the methods, results

instrumental in calling the attention of the citi-

and conclusions of the school project were pre-

zens. All the activities conducted by the children

sented to the public. Students organised their

and teenagers found public approval and were

own information stand on the town hall square of

accompanied by an intensive publicity campaign. 13

The publications in official bulletins and in news-

served as a basis for debates on this topic and on

papers

potential solutions. The contact with plants, as liv-

created

positive

feedback

and

thus

ing organisms, proved to be very suitable to

boosted the educational effects.

demonstrate the relationships between traffic, air The experience gained with these activities con-

pollution and environmental damage to young

firmed that bioindicator plants are a very ade-

people. This approach seemed to leave much

quate tool to pick out different aspects of air pol-

more lasting impression than abstract technical

lution and their consequences for humankind and

statistics on pollutant concentrations. The con-

the environment as a central educational theme

vincing success of the Ditzingen school project

for children and teenagers of all age groups. The

motivated other partner cities like Klagenfurt,

students’ own experience of the harmful effects of

Lyon, Nancy, Valencia and particularly Verona to

air pollution provoked personal concern; this

also involve schools in implementing the project.

Everything you always wanted to know about bioindicators A prerequisite for a better acceptance of bioindication as a biological method for environmental monitoring by authorities, decision makers and the broad public is a high degree of methodological standardisation. This pertains to the methods of cultivation and exposure of bioindicator plants, as well as to the assessment and evaluation of pollution effects. Based on existing guidelines, e.g. of the VDI (German Association of Engineers) and of scientific publications, a detailed and richly

Participants of the first project conference

illustrated instruction manual was developed for internal use by the project partners. This manual is available in Danish, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The scientific audience at universities, research

The lectures, poster contributions and presenta-

institutes and public authorities was informed in

tions given on the occasion of the first conference

the framework of congresses and several scien-

were published in a proceedings book with ac-

tific papers. For this purpose, two international

companying CD-ROM. The abstracts of the contri-

conferences on urban pollution, bioindication and

butions to the final conference were printed as a

environmental communication were organised in

booklet; the publication of a book with the com-

March 2001 and November 2002 with more than

plete papers is being prepared. Special aspects

100 representatives of municipalities, research in-

were published in research papers in scientific

stitutes, public authorities, private enterprises and

journals and conference proceedings.

media from many countries participating.

14

The broad public, in turn, was addressed by ge-

(www.eurobionet.com) is directly linked to the

neric leaflets and posters in different languages.

homepages of the local working groups of the

Moreover, information on the goals of the project,

partner cities. A German and an English version

the methods and the most important results were

(supplemented by short versions in other lan-

communicated by hundreds of press articles,

guages) offer information on the methods and re-

internet publications and radio programmes.

sults of the project, provide addresses of other bioindication programmes and of environmental

The homepage on the internet serves as a plat-

authorities, and contain publicity material that can

form for scientists and laypersons interested in in-

be downloaded. A further effort to create an

formation on bioindicators in general and on the

internet portal for bioindication and to link differ-

EuroBionet project in particular. This website

ent local school projects is being planned.

And the Benefit for the Environment? For the first time, extensive information on the ef-

Thus, they enable an efficient verification of the

fects of urban air pollution on bioindicator plants

success of emission reduction measures, as was

has been obtained in a coordinated and highly

demonstrated based on the declining lead pollu-

standardised way. This has yielded a broad data

tion in Spain. Moreover, EuroBionet has decisively

collection on the pollution load of European cities

helped to standardise methods on a European

by a wide range of air pollutants. The bioindica-

level and thus permanently establish this biologi-

tion methods used proved to be a very suitable

cal method of environmental monitoring. This has

tool to document the spatial and temporal distri-

promoted the development of European stan-

bution of the pollution impact as well as short-

dards in the field of bioindication.

term modifications of the pollution situation.

15

The modular communication concept enabled us

central theme and intensively discussed by inter-

to successfully draw public attention to urban air

ested citizens, schools, public authorities and par-

pollution as a key environmental problem in

ticularly by the press and radio programmes. This

Europe. Hence, the tasks and activities of Euro-

communication concept provided the participating

pean environmental authorities came to the public

cities with a useful communication tool for public-

eye. Environmental topics were identified as a

ity and environmental awareness campaigns.

EuroBionet as an Example EuroBionet was in all aspects a European demon-

The model character of EuroBionet is particularly

stration project. It serves as an example for the

obvious in the fields of environmental communi-

use of bioindicator plants in environmental moni-

cation and education. The modular communica-

toring and environmental communication inside

tion concept may easily be transferred to other

the European Union, but has great potential in

regions (after amendment to local needs if re-

accession and third countries as well. The high

quired) or used for different purposes. It is

degree of standardisation achieved in this project

equally applicable in air quality programmes and

demonstrates that a Europe-wide use of such bio-

in other areas of environmental communication.

logical methods of air quality monitoring is feasi-

The educational concepts and methods of bioindi-

ble and recommendable. The methods applied in

cators – as developed in the frame of the pilot

EuroBionet – based on national guidelines and

project for the Ditzingen school system - have al-

scientific recommendations - may in slightly modi-

ready been adopted by various schools in Italy,

fied form serve as a basis for future European

Spain and Germany. These concepts designed to

guidelines. Corresponding recommendations were

stimulate the environmental awareness of chil-

adopted by the participants of the final confer-

dren and teenagers will be applied beyond the

ence in November 2002. Since then, the EuroBio-

duration of financial support by LIFE.

net methods have been incorporated by other projects. The East Hungarian Biomonitoring Network (also backed by the LIFE Environment Programme) and an ozone biomonitoring network in Poland serve as examples. The methods and experiences of EuroBionet are also a component in environmental

monitoring

programmes

being

planned or already established in third countries such as Ethiopia, Brazil or China.

16