Foreign species introduction versus biosphere evolution mechanisms – ZOO Malta educational visitor center.

I designed an educational center exploring the problem of introduction of foreign species. It clarifies general mechanisms of evolution of biosphere. The center includes permanent display, analysing changes in ecosystems, and temporary exhibitions, presenting objects and installations created during workshops or by invited specialists.

Invasions of foreign species of fauna and flora are currently some of the most difficult and complex problems in the field of environmental protection. Moreover, they pose threat to biological diversity, one of the least researched and the most difficult to predict. My personal aim was to get involved in a project that would enable me to learn new things about the world, including fields I am not familiar with. \nConsultations I am not a specialist in the field ecology, and the problem of introduction is not an obvious one. Having made the decision to tackle the matter, I made sure to be assisted by numerous scientists who established their careers investigating issues of biological invasions. This allowed me to gain access to knowledge and come up with the key for presenting processes determining changes in ecosystems. Together, we established educational center principles.\nEducational Center Principles Analyzing natural developments of biosphere, we can observe and describe mechanisms facilitating occurring changes. Interestingly, the same types of rules are active in the process of introduction of foreign species. Therefore, in order to understand the introduction process itself, one must look into more general ecological mechanisms – the ones enabling both; the natural changes of biosphere; and the rapid expansion of species brought by man onto new terrain. My project bases upon an analysis of those general ecological mechanisms.\nDesign principles I assumed that the shape of the building would be subject to its surroundings. Nature should be dominant. Educational exposition in the form of installations and puzzles should allow visitors to discover curiosities of nature through individual, unassisted exploration.