There is a great deal of topics that are of future interest to our institution in the short or medium term, in summary:
1. To provide an answer to the growing social needs based on solid decision elements, scientific and technical, into our research area. We aspire to become the benchmark of scientific and technical advice in the development of sustainable environmental management policies.
The MNCN is considered the Spanish leader in Systematics and Taxonomy with the capacity to coordinate institutional projects such as Fauna Ibérica. Morphological Taxonomy is essential for the description of biological diversity but it is a discipline that, unfortunately, tends to disappear and currently, classical techniques are combined with new multidisciplinary approaches as molecular techniques, SEM or CT- SCAN that are always in continuous update.
2. The knowledge and description of extant and extinct Eukaryote diversity on the planet, worldwide but with a special interest in our geographical surroundings, and at the same time the understanding of the patterns and causes of biological evolution are considered very important topics.
Further the knowledge on organisms’ adaptation to their environments and its community assembly, the analysis of the selective pressures than have shaped the evolution of biodiversity on the planet, and the processes by which contemporary populations can adapt to changes in the environment, particularly so those originated by anthropogenic action, are of deep interest for our institution.
We are also interested in multidisciplinary research on global change including its geological and biological aspects, by researching on climatic changes, fossilization and the evolution of biodiversity and of the continental palaeosystems.
In addition, we are also interested in basic research and contribution to the knowledge on the geological history of the Earth, by researching on relevant mineral, rock and meteorite specimens as key pieces for understanding the origin and history of Earth and the Universe. Other interesting topics include the conservation of environment and the sustainable use of mineral resources as well as the transmission to the Spanish society of the available knowledge on catastrophe risks and its prevention.
3. Preservation, management and access to natural history collections, physical and digital.
The MNCN have the oldest and largest natural history collections of Spain. The study of these collections is one of the core Services offered by the MNCN and dissemination of the knowledge generated by their study contribute to the national and international recognition of the MNCN. On the other hand, the Fauna Ibérica Office is internationally recognized for its long-standing commitment and efficiency to fostering the inventory of the Iberian fauna. It contributes to position Spain as one of the international leaders in recording the unknown diversity of our planet, as demonstrated by a notable tool like IBERFAUNA database.
