Conservation Ecology

Jürgen Breuste examines what urban nature conservation should protect and how it should work. The talk contrasts safeguarding rare remnants with sustaining the many forms of nature through which residents experience cities. Wetlands surviving earlier development illustrate the importance of restoration, but inventories also show protected plants and animals throughout urban areas, beyond designated reserves. Their survival therefore requires conservation to engage with residents and the wider urban landscape. The IOER Forum also includes Gerd Lintz’s contribution on how ecological knowledge becomes urban-regional policy through the Multiple Streams Framework, followed by discussion. Hybrid attendance: IÖR-Saal, Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Weberplatz 1, 01217 Dresden, Germany, and online via the organizer page’s Zoom-Link. The forum is open to all, free, and requires no registration. English-language session, Friday 9 October, 14:00–15:30 CEST (Europe/Berlin).

Sanne Evers introduces the first forecasting challenge organized by the European Ecological Forecasting Initiative. The challenge uses long-running observations from Doñana National Park in southern Spain to support short-term predictions of vegetation indices and the abundance of multiple shrub species. Forecasting these changes can inform habitat management, productivity assessments and conservation decisions under climatic and hydrological pressures. The seminar explains why Doñana’s range of habitats and monitoring infrastructure offer a useful setting for comparing predictions before new observations become available. It also discusses lessons from developing the challenge and planned next steps, with participation encouraged across ecological disciplines and levels of forecasting experience.

Conduct independent research on South African flora, particularly systematic botany and geographical distribution, with a host at UCT or SANBI Kirstenbosch. The 12-month fellowship preferably starts in the first quarter of 2027 and provides up to ZAR 275,000 for the fellowship plus ZAR 75,000 for research costs. Applicants of any nationality may apply. Submit a single PDF with a cover letter, proposal of up to 2,500 words, CV, transcripts and degree certificates by 30 September 2026. Three referee reports and a host endorsement must also arrive by that date under the call’s separate submission instructions.

This FAPESP-funded position connects animal and comparative physiology with science education. The fellow will identify concepts suitable for young audiences, develop children’s or youth narratives about animals with extreme physiological capabilities, pilot the material in schools, and evaluate understanding and reception. Expected outputs include an educational work and an original science-education publication. Apply by 30 October 2026 using the instructions on the official advertisement, with a curriculum summary, recommendation, cover letter and research proposal of up to two pages.

An open transnational call studies novel ecosystems, their functioning, trajectories of change and equitable sharing of biodiversity benefits. UK researchers may collaborate with international partners under the Biodiversa+ joint call. Mandatory pre-proposals are due on 10 November 2026 at 12:00 CET (11:00 UTC); invited full proposals are due on 16 April 2027 at 12:00 CEST (10:00 UTC). The listed deadline is the mandatory first stage. UK costs may reach £375,000 at full economic cost, with NERC funding 80%, for up to 36 months; this is not a £375,000 cash award.

Jürgen Breuste examines what urban nature conservation should protect and how it should work. The talk contrasts safeguarding rare remnants with sustaining the many forms of nature through which residents experience cities. Wetlands surviving earlier development illustrate the importance of restoration, but inventories also show protected plants and animals throughout urban areas, beyond designated reserves. Their survival therefore requires conservation to engage with residents and the wider urban landscape. The IOER Forum also includes Gerd Lintz’s contribution on how ecological knowledge becomes urban-regional policy through the Multiple Streams Framework, followed by discussion. Hybrid attendance: IÖR-Saal, Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Weberplatz 1, 01217 Dresden, Germany, and online via the organizer page’s Zoom-Link. The forum is open to all, free, and requires no registration. English-language session, Friday 9 October, 14:00–15:30 CEST (Europe/Berlin).

Sanne Evers introduces the first forecasting challenge organized by the European Ecological Forecasting Initiative. The challenge uses long-running observations from Doñana National Park in southern Spain to support short-term predictions of vegetation indices and the abundance of multiple shrub species. Forecasting these changes can inform habitat management, productivity assessments and conservation decisions under climatic and hydrological pressures. The seminar explains why Doñana’s range of habitats and monitoring infrastructure offer a useful setting for comparing predictions before new observations become available. It also discusses lessons from developing the challenge and planned next steps, with participation encouraged across ecological disciplines and levels of forecasting experience.

Rufford accepts applications throughout the year for nature-conservation projects in eligible developing or emerging-economy countries. Its staged programme starts with grants up to GBP 7,000 and can progress through later grants to GBP 18,000. It is aimed at building early-career conservation experience through practical projects. There is no fixed application deadline; later grant stages have their own eligibility requirements.

An open transnational call studies novel ecosystems, their functioning, trajectories of change and equitable sharing of biodiversity benefits. UK researchers may collaborate with international partners under the Biodiversa+ joint call. Mandatory pre-proposals are due on 10 November 2026 at 12:00 CET (11:00 UTC); invited full proposals are due on 16 April 2027 at 12:00 CEST (10:00 UTC). The listed deadline is the mandatory first stage. UK costs may reach £375,000 at full economic cost, with NERC funding 80%, for up to 36 months; this is not a £375,000 cash award.