Working Groups

Overview:

This working group will focus on the dissemination of genetic expertise into the applied conservation management. This is done in-situ by identifying the most common and relevant EU conservation and management themes and then characterising those topics where genetic/genomic tools provide a solution or for which genetic diversity is a relevant consideration (and is practical, affordable and reliable), specifically in relation to managing species and ecosystems under the Habitat Directive and Natura 2000 network.

WG1 Specific Objectives

• Identify major conservation themes relevant on an EU-wide scale.
• lineate areas where genetic/genomic tools can be most practical and relevant.
• Identify guidelines for harmonizing and standardizing protocols across EU.

WG1 Leader: Philippine Vergeer (philippine.vergeer@wur.nl)
WG1 Co-Leader: Robert Ekblom (robert.ekblom@naturvardsverket.se)

Overview:

This working group will develop potential indicators and monitoring protocols for monitoring genetic diversity across time and space. The suitability of these indicators will then be evaluated and guidelines for a standardized monitoring protocol developed (identification of key species, sampling protocols, long term storage, data analyses). This will include informatic evaluation with simulated and large open access datasets.

WG2 Specific Objectives

• Identify effective and simple indicators of genetic diversity.
• Determine best practice for monitoring genetic diversity in time and space.
• Bioinformatic testing of indicators through simulation.
• Identify the most relevant species and areas across EU for genomic monitoring

1. Adi Habul
2. Adriana Vella
3. Alberto Pallavicini
4. Alejandro Valdecantos
5. Aleksandra Biedrzyzcka
6. Alexander Kopatz
7. Alexis Marchesini
8. Alla Aleksanyan
9. Amir Szitenberg
10. Ancuta Fedorca
11. Andrew Lucas
12. Anna Maria Bonettini
13. Anna Papadopoulou
14. Aris Janson
15. Arnar Palsson
16. Arzu Karahan
17. Barbora Rolackova
18. Barry McMahon
19. Belma Kalamujić Stroil
20. Branislav Cvjetković
21. Buki Rinkevich
22. Carles Vila
23. Carlos Fonseca
24. Charalambos Neophytou
25. Christina Hvilsom
26. Craig Primmer
27. Cristiano Vernesi
28. Dainis Rungis
29. Daniela Csencsics
30. Diana Krajmerova
31. Diana Posledovich
32. Dusan Gomory
33. Eirini Sarroy
34. Elena Buzan
35. Eleni Abraham
36. Emina Šunje
37. Eric Verspoor
38. Erkinaro Jaakko
39. Federico Sebastiani
40. Fedor Čiampor
41. Felix Gugerli
42. Filippos Aravanopoulos
43. Frank Zachos
44. Gernot Segelbacher
45. Giulia Magoga
46. Helena Cotrim
47. Hojka Kraigher
48. Ilaria Fracasso
49. Ilhan Altinok
50. Ino Curik
51. Ivana Drzaic
52. Ivaylo Tsvetkov
53. Jitka Uhlíková
54. Joachim Mergeay
55. Joerg Kleinschmit
56. José Godoy
57. Josef Bryja
58. Joshua DĂ­az Caballero
59. Joukie Buitevled
60. Julia MI Barth
61. Katja Sonnenschein
62. Kristine Bohmann
63. Laura Iacolina
64. Laura Schuerz
65. Linda Laikre
66. Luca Cornetti
67. Lydia Alvanou
68. Maciej Konopinski
69. Margarida Lopes Fernandes
70. Maria Glushkova
71. Marija Spehar
72. Marjana Westergren
73. Marko Bajc
74. Matteo Brunetti
75. Matteo Montagna
76. Melekşen Akin
77. Merit Otsus
78. Mihajla Djan
79. Mike Bruford
80. Milomir Stefanovic
81. Mirjana Sijacic-Nikolic
82. Myriam Heuertz
83. Natasha De Vere
84. Nevena Veličković
85. Nina Ciocarlan
86. Nir Stern
87. Noel Vella
88. Ovidiu Ionescu
89. Pamela Burger
90. Paulo Cèlio Alves
91. Per Sjogren-Gulve
92. Peter Galbusera
93. Peter Klinga
94. Peter Pearman
95. Philippine Vergeer
96. Piotr Robakowski
97. Rigers Bakiu
98. Rita Verbylaite
99. Rob Ogden
100. Robert Ekblom
101. Rolf Holderegger
102. Sabrina Trager
103. Santiago González-Martínez
104. Sean Hoban
105. Seán Kelly
106. Shirli Bar-David
107. Snaebjörn Pálsson
108. Srdan Keren
109. Srdjan Pejovic
110. Srdjan Stojnic
111. Steve Smith
112. Szilvia Kusza
113. Tamer Albayrak
114. Teele Jairus
115. Tine Grebenc
116. Tomaz Skrbinsek
117. Tsipe Aavik
118. Vaeceslav Ghenov
119. Vladimir Maletic
120. Vlatka Cubric Curik
121. Walter Salzburger
122. Zolt Beckei
123. Zophonias Jonsson

Overview:

The aim of this working group is to highlight the importance of genomic variation to adapt to ecosystems under a changing environment. Exchange between laboratories will be fostered to agree on species and data analyses especially for grasslands and forests, and providing practical examples. Meta analysis on the subject will be produced so to provide strong evidence about the timely need for incorporating genomic analyses when evaluating population and species viability.

WG3 Specific Objectives

• Providing the Practitioners community scientifically sound evidence of the importance of genomic variation for adaptation.
• Identification of major ecosystems to be genomically analyzed on a continental scale

1. Abdel Rahman Al-Tawaha
2. Adriana Vella
3. Alberto Pallavicini
4. Alejandro Valdecantos
5. Alexander Kopatz
6. Alexis Marchesini
7. Alla Aleksanyan
8. Amir Szitenberg
9. Barry McMahon
10. Berthold Heinze
11. Branislav Cvjetkovic
12. Buki Rinkevich
13. Carles Vilà
14. Dragana Šnjegota
15. Dragos Postolache
16. Eirini Sarrou
17. Eleni Abraham
18. Federico Sebastiani
19. Felix Gugerli
20. Galina Goranova
21. Giulia Magoga
22. Helena Cotrim
23. Ilaria Fracasso
24. Ilga Mercedes Porth
25. Ilhan Altinok
26. Joost Andre M Raeymaekers
27. Juan Galindo
28. Julia MI Barth
29. Malgorzata Gazda
30. Maria Glushkova
31. Matteo Brunetti
32. Melekşen Akin
33. Michael Bruford
34. Myriam Heuertz
35. Natasa Sibanc
36. Nir Stern
37. Noel Vella
38. Paul Hohenlohe
39. Pauline Garnier-Géré
40. Peter Pearman
41. Piotr Robakowski
42. Sabrina Trager
43. Sam Steyaert
44. Santiago Gonzalez-Martinez
45. Sean Hoban
46. Seyhan Dilruba
47. Silvia Carvalho
48. Tamer Albayrak
49. Tina Unuk
50. Tine Grebenc
51. Tsipe Aavik
52. Walter Salzburger

Overview:

Cloning and genome editing are among the technological developments increasingly invoked as effective tools for saving rare species, managing invasive species, and preparing species for climate change. This WG will examine the suitability of these tools and develop guidelines on the technical and ethical challenges for tackling the most important conservation issues. This WG will address the use of biotechnology in both natural ecosystems and in botanical and zoological gardens.

WG4 Specific Objectives

• Provide Scientists’ and Practitioners’ community an overview of the latest advances in biotechnology.
• Identify techniques most effective for solving practical conservation issues

1. Aida Dervishi
2. Alexander Kopatz
3. Ancuta Fedorca
4. Carles Vilà
5. Elena Buzan
6. Gernot Segelbacher
7. Ilga Mercedes Porth
8. Ivaylo Tsvetkov
9. Luca Cornetti
10. Pamela Burger
11. Rigers Bakiu

Overview:

This WG aims to disseminate knowledge beyond the typical Scientists’ and Practitioners’ communities in focusing on a citizen science approach and art-science symposia. Zoos and aquaria are in contact with millions of visitors each year and will provide an excellent educational platform for public outreach.

WG5 Specific Objectives

• Scientists’ and Practitioners’ communities devise future strategies for continuing momentum beyond the project in terms of working together.
• Present genetic diversity to an EU agenda on environmental policies

1. Adi Habul
2. Adriana Vella
3. Ancuta Fedorca
4. Angela Fuentes Pardo
5. Belma Kalamujić Stroil
6. Emina Šunje
7. Felix Gugerli
8. Ilaria Fracasso
9. Ilga Mercedes Porth
10. Ivaylo Tsvetkov
11. Katja Kavčić Sonnenschein
12. Kimberly Parke
13. Margarida Lopez-Fernandes
14. Natasha De Vere
15. Nevena Veličković
16. Peter Galbusera
17. Renata Ćušterevska