The Laboratory of Ecology & Environmental Management is engaged in the implementation of European and national projects in the fields of environmental management, conservation and protection of biodiversity species and habitats, conservation and protection of freshwater ecosystems in accordance with the Water Framework Directive 60/2000, environmental governance, while it carries information and awareness campaigns at national, regional and local level. Also it acts as advisor on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in the NATURA 2000 network areas.
The great diversity and specificity of the ecosystems of Crete and the broader region, as well as the need to protect ecosystems and species, in a context that human activities cause consecutive and intense changes, have shaped within the NHMC a very active group of scientists involved in basic ecological research, but mainly in issues related to the management and conservation of biodiversity and the conservation and protection of freshwater ecosystems in accordance with the Water Framework Directive 60/2000.