PROJECT
MYSTERIOUS RISING SUN SHELL
At the beginning of 2009 the Ecogreen Europe commenced with “The Solecurtus Project”, which aims to provide general public with a better understanding of rising sun shell (=rasp short razor, Solecurtus strigilatus), Mediterranean and Adriatic sand habitats.
The rising sun shell is a truly awe-inspiring bivalve, as anyone lucky enough to have seen them in their natural environment will confirm. They are buried deep in the sand, but their pinkish shells decorated with two conspicuous paler rays can be frequently found on the sea bed. Two holes in the sediment signal the presence of this amazing bivalve. This bivalve is a harmless filterer and its only protection is provided by the surrounding sediment. From time to time, they put out their watery, telescopic siphons which are their only contact with sea water enriched with nutrients. It is vital that we learn more about this mysterious bivalve so we can protect them and ensure their survival in the future.
Rising sun shell is a mysterious bivalve and difficult to find and research, so there are huge gaps in our knowledge in terms of their ecology, distribution and behaviour. If you are a zoologist, marine biologist, diver, fisherman or sailor you can help us to fill in some of these gaps. If you study this bivalve or you have seen two adjacent and perfectly round holes in the sand in your corner of Mediterranean or have any information of interest related to Solecurtus, please do not hesitate to contact us.
UNDERWATER WORLD OF THE PLITVICE LAKES - part 1
08.07.2009
We were floating right above Cousteau’s barrier in the middle of Kozjak Lake. We dived to its edge, from where like the wall of a twenty-storey building it fell away into the darkness below. For a while I floated weightless parallel to the deepest side of the barrier, which looked like a kind of underwater Taj Mahal, whose builders this time, instead of human hands, were travertine moss and blue green algae.
UNDERWATER WORLD OF THE PLITVICE LAKES - part 2
03.08.2009
Chub and pearl roach, species of carp that amongst other things eat the spawn of other fish, have forced out the trout from most habitats in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. But scientists have not yet found an answer to the question whether any species of fish is actually native to the lakes, or were they were all introduced by human hand during the 20th century. Research into their genetic origins may resolve this puzzle.
GREEN LIGHTHOUSE OPENED IN COPENHAGEN
16.11.2009
GREEN LIGHTHOUSE A BUILDING LIT BY DAYLIGHT; VELUX Model Home 2020 also intended to be a showpiece for the COP 15 (UN Climate Change Conference). Denmark’s first CO2 neutral public building that was opened at Copenhagen University on 20 October 2009. The partners in the project are The University of Copenhagen, The Danish University and Property Agency, The Municipality of Copenhagen and VELUX/VELFAC