Working Groups
The scientific work will be carried out in five Working Groups (WGs), each adhering to specific Research Coordination or/and Capacity Building Objectives. The Action strives to follow the JEDI (Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion) principles and to increase the inclusiveness and diversity of the team, promoting gender, age, and geographical balance amongst WGs, EDC, Core Group and Management Committee.
GENOA strongly focuses on fostering interdisciplinarity, empowering young researchers and continuing collaborations by targeting inter-sectorial public-private and international mobility, contributing to dual-career opportunities with stakeholder groups. GENOA covers multiple professional stages and levels of expertise and members can join more than one WG based on their interests. Scientific tasks and objectives of WGs will be tightly integrated through sharing scientific data, researchers through STSMs, ideas and approaches through participation in meetings and workshops and creating new knowledge via training schools will enhance transversal working. The interplay of the working groups, tasks, and activities to foster genetic diversity knowledge is visualised in the image below.
The main role of a foresail is to stabilise and increase performance and illustrate how improved genetic diversity knowledge will significantly increase efficiency of biodiversity conservation by using the outcomes of the five working groups and activities as well as in close interplay and tuning with policy and stakeholders.
Working Group 1 “Policy”
Denmark
ch@zoo.dk
Italy
cristiano.vernesi@fmach.it
Romania
shoban@mortonarb.org
Informing and supporting emerging and future policy (links to RCO5 and CBO2,4). The WG will focus on better integrating the protection, management, and conservation of genetic diversity in EU, national and subnational policies, working in cooperation with policymakers in Europe. This will build on recent efforts that brought science to global policy commitments (Carroll et al., 2023). The success of this WG will be measured by the number of countries assisted in drafting CBD National Reports and the number of research-policy-practice hubs on genetic diversity at the national, regional, and pan-European levels.
Objectives
O1.1 Conduct a comprehensive evaluation and benchmarking exercise of how genetic diversity is included in national and in EU biodiversity policies similar to Hoban et al., 2021 and Laikre (2010), including existing, imminent and in draft legislation, such as the EU Nature Restoration Law.
O1.2 Evaluate, for at least 10 countries, the incorporation of genetic diversity conservation (including with indicators) within National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs, submitted to CBD) and aim to understand national and regional challenges and opportunities towards genetic conservation.
O1.3 Assist national governments in the drafting of at least 10 new country level CBD National Reports addressing genetic diversity and including genetic diversity indicators.
O1.4 Facilitate development of research-policy-practice hubs on genetic diversity at the national, regional, and pan- European levels, to foster comprehension and regular communication among stakeholders across Europe.
Tasks
T1.1 Series of workshops to learn about and evaluate EU and national policies for genetic diversity (O1.1, O1.2).
T1.2 Virtual workshops or STSMs for providing advice and guidance on CBD reports (O1.3).
T1.3 Regional workshops, held in the local language, to provide networking and drafting of coordination mechanisms for regional hubs (O1.4).
T1.4 Training School where scientists, conservation practitioners and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., IPLCs representatives, NGOs) can learn about relevant policies aiming at addressing genetic diversity loss and policy relevance at a regional and sub-regional level (O1.4).
Working group 2 “Indicators”
Sweden
linda.laikre@popgen.su.se
Belgium
joachim.mergeay@inbo.be
Use the scientific team to build capacity needed for successful implementation of genetic diversity indicators (links to RCO1,3,4 and CBO2). This WG will create simple but effective support tools and build the capacity to implement genetic diversity indicators that do not need DNA data. The success of this WG will be measured by the number of tools and videorecorded guidance produced and used at the national, regional, and pan-European levels.
Objectives
O2.1 Improve existing and emerging tools to facilitate genetic diversity indicator implementation for non-experts, including secure and easy-to-use data collection tools, data storage, and modular computer code that is easy to ‘mix and match’ for calculating indicators.
O2.2 Contribute to computational/ GIS tools to leverage citizen science databases such as iNaturalist and eBird to calculate the Populations Maintained indicator, by defining population boundaries and documenting loss of populations, based on scientifically tested rules (Hoban et al., 2023).
O2.3 Co-create written and video-recorded guidance for applying genetic diversity indicators,
including clear, standardised terminology as well as detailed and regionally relevant (e.g., tailored to different regions of Europe) test cases for easy understanding, all translated into local languages.O2.4 Elucidate the relationships between genetic diversity indicator values, inherent genetic diversity, national and global Red List and Habitats Directive threat status of species (and other, e.g., CITES, climate change vulnerability, EDGE), to clarify the distinct role of each approach.
Tasks
T2.1 STMs and a workshop or hackathon (rapid computer coding sessions in a collaborative environment) (O2.1, O2.2).
T2.2 Three workshops, which include stakeholders/ “users” e.g., National Focal Points and Red List personnel: to co-create written (guidelines, SOPs, PowerPoints) and recorded (videos) guidance for genetic diversity indicators (O2.3).
T2.3 Workshop on review of knowledge about effective population size relating to the indicators (O2.4).
T2.4 STSMs to perform simulations of the genetic diversity indicators and assess correlations to e.g., genetic diversity statistics, EBVs, Red List status (O2.4).
T2.5 Training Schools that will follow a cocreation process with stakeholders, nationally, regionally and at the European level, where stakeholder relevant needs will be identified; the school will cover SOPs for how to measure genetic diversity and the genetic indicators (O2.3).
Working group 3 “Genes to ecosystem”
France
myriam.heuertz@inrae.fr
France
ivan.paz-vinas@univ-lyon1.fr
Improve conservation management of species and ecosystems using genetic diversity knowledge (links to RCO1,2 and CBO1). This WG will complement Working Group 1 on policy by engaging with different species and habitat management stakeholders.
The WG will assess the degree to which species (e.g., IUCN threatened species) and habitat management plans and actions have or have not incorporated genetic diversity concepts (e.g., population genetic structure, effective population sizes, hybrids, genetic connectivity, etc.) and co-construct strategies for integrating genetic diversity information for improved management.
This will enhance case-anchored practitioners and community engagement (through links with Ecosystem Services). The success of this WG will be measured by the number of reports and publications resulting from STSMs and workshops and the number of species and area assessments, conservation and restoration plans supplemented with genetic diversity knowledge.
Objectives
O3.1. Assess national, regional, European Red Lists and conservation/restoration plans, including interconnections between in situ and ex-situ conservation plans, for key European species to determine the extent to which genetic diversity data, knowledge, approaches, and opportunities could be and are already integrated. Identify strategies to refine these assessments and species plans for improved genetic diversity conservation.
O3.2. Assess the National reports on the EU habitats and bird directives, and Red List of Ecosystems (headline indicator A.1 of the KMGBF) assessments in Europe, to determine the extent to which genetic diversity data, knowledge, approaches, and opportunities could be and are already integrated. Identify strategies to refine these assessments and area management plans to incorporate genetic diversity with little or no additional cost.
O3.3. Examine how genetic diversity in key European species is interconnected with genetic and functional diversity across species within ecosystems and where relevant, provide strategies to improve genetic diversity conservation across species.
O3.4. Identify and examine strategies to improve the management of biological systems using genetic information when indicators are not applicable or difficult to apply, e.g., hybridization, clonality.
Tasks
T3.1 Workshop to analyse Red List of species assessments and relevant species conservation and restoration plans (O3.1).
T3.2 Workshop to harvest and analyse reports on the EU habitats and bird directives and Red List of Ecosystems assessments (O3.2).
T3.3 STSMs and/or VMGs to digest and report on the extent genetic diversity is included (O3.1, O3.2, O3.3).
T3.4 Workshop together with key stakeholders, such as IUCN CPSG Europe, EEA, and IUCN European regional Office, based on STSM/VMG reports, to identify strategies for refining species and area conservation and restoration plans (O3.1, O3.2, O3.3).
T3.5 STSM or VMG to review information and suggest genetics-informed management action in systems (O3.4).
Working group 4 “Engagement”
Slovenia
elena.buzan@upr.si
Germany
gernot.segelbacher@wildlife.uni-freiburg.de
Use of multidisciplinary approaches to bridge the communication divide and increase public awareness about the relevance of genetic diversity. (links to RCO4 and CBO3,5). By integrating social and behavioural sciences, we aim to identify and address challenges in communicating the relevance of genetic diversity by conservation managers, policymakers, and the public.
The effectiveness of this WG’s initiatives will be gauged by the extent to which these targeted audiences gain a clearer understanding of genetic diversity’s importance. Key performance indicators will include increased participation in genetic conservation workshops, positive shifts in public awareness, and the implementation of informed policies by decision-makers. Feedback loops will be established, ensuring continuous improvement based on real-world results and stakeholder input. Ultimately, the success of WG4 lies in effectively bridging knowledge gaps, promoting the assessment of genetic indicators, and facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations.
This will lead to a heightened awareness and utilisation of genetic indicators in strategies aimed at conserving genetic diversity.
Objectives
O4.1 Assess policymakers’, conservation professionals’ and other key actors’ understanding and valuation of genetic diversity, to explore positions and reasons for obstacles.
O4.2 Collaborate with social scientists, communication specialists and design professionals to improve, refine and innovate dialogue strategies pertaining to genetic diversity conservation (e.g., a dedicated web-based, optimising existing policy briefs, region-specific examples for each country, and multilingual and visually engaging infographics, comics, cartoons, videos, and other media).
O4.3 Identify opportunities for engaging young people by establishing synergies with prominent youth movements around themes of climate change, conservation, and socioenvironmental justice, including student/youth representatives in the leadership team.
O4.4 Develop accessible synopses of advancements in conservation genetics tailored for the public via dedicated blogs or video series on YouTube.
O4.5 Broadly advertise paradigmatic, engaging case studies in conservation genetics (e.g., Iberian lynx) by leveraging partnerships with conservation agencies, zoos, botanical gardens, and museums (and their organisations e.g., botanic garden and zoo associations) and other organisations that have broad reach to the public.
Tasks
T4.1 Focus groups and active participation forums in different countries with conservation key actors (O4.1, O4.2).
T4.2 VMGs to develop, guide and launch interviews and questionnaires on knowledge, perceptions and practices concerning genetic diversity in different countries, in particular ITCs (O4.1, O4.2).
T4.3 Workshop for connecting with youth (O4.3).
T4.4 Establish a Young Professional Group for empowering and retaining young researchers (O4.3).
T4.5 Develop set of cartoons, comics, blogs, and videos via virtual mobility grants (O4.4).
T4.6 Two workshops with zoos, botanic gardens, museums, and other organisations to discuss and learn from case study examples (O4.5).
T4.7 Actively engage during events like the European researchers’ night (see also 3.2.2) (O4.3).
T4.8 Utilise Scientific Cafe and Online Breakfast for increasing the level of collaboration between researchers, and the public; collaborate with existing citizen science projects (with the help of platforms like SciVil) (O4.2, O4.3).
T4.9 Training School to explain the most effective methods on how to gain insights about the general perception of genetic diversity concepts across different stakeholders (O4.2, O4.3).
Working group 5 “Communication and collaboration”
Bosnia & Herzegovina
belma.kalamujic@ingeb.unsa.ba
Norway
alexander.kopatz@nina.no
Multifaceted networking in the biodiversity monitoring community and beyond (links to CBO4,5). This WG will enable networking and coordination with other biodiversity and nature conservation organisations in the COST countries, including Biodiversa+, AHTEG, EuropaBON, IPBES (including ONet), Society for Conservation Biology, Coalition for Conservation Genetics, IUCN, and ERGA to promote collaboration across the
biodiversity pillars (genes, species, ecosystems). Consequently, the Action stays current on scientific and applied developments and remains flexible to incorporate these into its activities.
This WG will also ensure consistent, timely and clear communication among WGs and the Action management. To
ensure an uninterrupted workflow, information delivery, and completion of tasks, an Executive Dissemination Committee (EDC), consisting of experts and YPGs from each WG, will be formed. EDC will also strive to include local communicators to help break hub language barriers by using some of the available online management tools to facilitate the internal work and allow continuous updates to the progress track.
EDC will provide inputs for the Action’s website, social channels, news editions, and reports. The news editions containing all relevant information about the Action’s various activities will be sent biweekly to the action participants.
Objectives
O5.1 Strengthen the involvement of conservation geneticists in broader biodiversity conservation initiatives by tracking and attending pertinent meetings/ conferences (e.g. EBR in March 2024: https://www.biodiversity.be/6008), calls for proposals, and coordination activities, and ensuring proactive representation (especially IPBES and EuropaBON).
O5.2 Enhance the involvement of non-geneticist conservation stakeholders and/or professionals in conservation genetics initiatives by strategically providing access and integration points to major conservation genetics conferences and related endeavours.
O5.3 Identify opportunities for disseminating lessons learned on biodiversity monitoring, encompassing both genetic and non-genetic methodologies, across partners and stakeholders.
O5.4 Communicate in a timely manner across the working groups to efficiently work together, allow all members to join initiatives, and ensure inclusivity and transparency by soliciting people with different backgrounds to offer different/missing perspectives on a given topic.
Tasks
T5.1 Organise STSMs and VMGs for early career researchers to meet with crossdisciplinary researchers and support their attendance at conferences (O5.1, O5.2).
T5.2 Develop a help-line forum on the Action’s website to allow for ‘technical assistance’ on any question about genetic diversity and divide this forum into indicators, policy, management, communication etc. (O5.3).
T5.3 Develop a flowchart of the Action’s objectives, tasks, and deliverables and keep track of deadlines, using an online platform (O5.4).
T5.4 Ensure the updated information flow between different working groups, towards the chair and co-chair, and the whole community, through establishing an Executive Dissemination Committee and sending Biweekly News to inform participants on progress, actions, publications (O5.4).
Working Groups Members
| Country | Name | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | Fundime MIRI | Tirana University |
| Albania | Aida DERVISHI | University of Tirana |
| Armenia | Arsen GASPARYAN | INSTITUTE OF BOTANY AFTER A. TAKHTAJYAN OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA |
| Austria | Pamela BURGER | University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna |
| Austria | Berthold HEINZE | Federal Research Centre for Forests |
| Austria | Erich GRIESSLER | Institut Fur Hohere Studien – Institute For Advanced Studies |
| Austria | Elisabeth FRANKUS | Institut Fur Hohere Studien – Institute For Advanced Studies |
| Azerbaijan | Elvira TAHMAZLI | Baku State University Llc |
| Belgium | Fleur VISSER | University of Liege |
| Belgium | Joachim MERGEAY | Research Institute for Nature and Forest |
| Belgium | Karen COX | Research Institute for Nature and Forest |
| Belgium | Caroline MOUTON | Research Institute for Nature and Forest |
| Belgium | Io DEFLEM | Eigen Vermogen Van Het Instituut Voor Natuur- En Bosonderzoek |
| Belgium | Peter GALBUSERA | Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Gordana DJURIC | Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Dragana ŠNJEGOTA | Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics University of Banja Luka |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Emina SUNJE | University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Natural Science – Faculty of Natural Science |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Adi HABUL | Environmental Fund of the Federation of BiH |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Belma KALAMUJIĆ STROIL | University of Sarajevo – Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Lada LUKIĆ BILELA | University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science |
| Brazil | Sibelle TORRES VILACA | Instituto Tecnológico Vale |
| Bulgaria | Maria KACHAMAKOVA | Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences |
| Croatia | Vlatka CUBRIC-CURIK | University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture |
| Croatia | Lucija ŠERIĆ JELASKA | Faculty Of Science University Of Zagreb |
| Croatia | Andrea REZIC | Sveuciliste U Zagrebu Agronomski Fakultet |
| Czechia | Eva POKORNÁ | Forestry and Game Management Research Institute |
| Czechia | Lubos VOSTRY | Czech University of Life Sciences Prague |
| Czechia | Jarmila KROJEROVÁ | Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences |
| Czechia | Barbora ROLECKOVA | Czech Academy of Sciences – Institute of Vertebrate Biology |
| Czechia | Branka BILBIJA | Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases – Veterinary University Brno |
| Denmark | Christina HVILSOM | Copenhagen Zoo |
| Denmark | Deon DE JAGER | University of Copenhagen |
| Denmark | Kristin LEUS | Copenhagen Zoo |
| Denmark | Christina RITZL VEJLGAARD | Copenhagen Zoo |
| Estonia | Tsipe AAVIK | University of Tartu |
| Faroe Islands | Sven WINTER | The University of the Faroe Islands |
| Finland | Aapo KAHILAINEN | Finnish Environment Institute |
| Finland | Kisun POKHAREL | Natural Resources Institute Finland |
| France | Ivan PAZ VINAS | Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL) |
| France | Myriam HEUERTZ | INRAE UMR BIOGECO |
| France | Santiago GONZALEZ-MARTINEZ | INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L’AGRICULTURE, L’ALIMENTATION ET L’ENVIRONNEMENT |
| France | Anouck CHAMPION | Université de Bordeaux |
| France | Pauline GARNIER-GÉRÉ | INRAE |
| France | Simon BLANCHET | CNRS – Délégation Occitanie Ouest |
| France | Iris LANG | Conservatoire Des Espaces Naturelsdu Languedoc Roussillon Association |
| France | frederic GRANDJEAN | UMR CNRS 7267 Ecologie Biologie des Interactions |
| Germany | Gernot SEGELBACHER | Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |
| Germany | Sabrina TRÄGER | Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg |
| Germany | Henri THOMASSEN | Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen |
| Germany | Julia GEUE | Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |
| Germany | Camila MAZZONI | FORSCHUNGSVERBUND BERLIN E.V. |
| Germany | Wiebke SICKEL | Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute of Biodiversity |
| Germany | Carlo PECORARO | Physalia-courses |
| Germany | Katharina Birgit BUDDE | Northwest German Forest Research Institute |
| Greece | Filippos ARAVANOPOULOS | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Aristotle Univrsity of Thessalonikie |
| Greece | Eleni ABRAHAM | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki |
| Greece | Maria KEROGLIDOU | University of Crete |
| Hungary | Szilvia KUSZA | University – University of Debrecen |
| Hungary | Bagi ZOLTÁN | Debreceni Egyetem |
| India | Laura BERTOLA | Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research*tifr |
| Ireland | Colin KELLEHER | National Botanic Gardens of Ireland |
| Ireland | Oliver STUART | University College Cork |
| Israel | Baruch RINKEVICH | National Institute of Oceanography |
| Israel | Gila KAHILA BAR-GAL | The Hebrew University of Jerusalem |
| Israel | Gal YAACOBI | The Agricultural Research Organisation Of Israel – The Volcani Centre |
| Israel | Shirli BAR-DAVID | Ben-Gurion University of the Negev |
| Italy | Cristiano VERNESI | Fondazione Edmund Mach |
| Italy | Massimiliano MORELLI | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante |
| Italy | Chiara GAMBARDELLA | Università Politecnica delle Marche |
| Latvia | Dainis RUNGIS | Latvijas Valsts Mezzinatnes Instituts Silava |
| Latvia | Jeļena OREHA | Daugavpils Universitate |
| Latvia | Solvita RŪSIŅA | The University of Latvia |
| Lithuania | Rita VERBYLAITE | Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry |
| Lithuania | Darius KAVALIAUSKAS | Vytautas Magnus University |
| Lithuania | Yanal ALKUDDSI | Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry |
| Lithuania | Yaqoob SULTAN | Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry |
| Luxembourg | Alain FRANTZ | Ministère de la Culture |
| Luxembourg | Anna SCHLEIMER | Administration de la gestion de l’eau |
| Malta | Dorita GALEA AGIUS | University of Malta |
| Moldova | Serghei SPRINCEAN | Institute of Social-Political Research “Democratia” |
| Netherlands | Philippine VERGEER | Wageningen University |
| Netherlands | Alice ALBERTINI | EAZA |
| North Macedonia | Cvetanka STOJCHEVSKA | Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics |
| North Macedonia | Renata ĆUŠTEREVSKA | Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |
| Norway | Joost RAEYMAEKERS | Nord Universitet |
| Norway | Lucia SAINZ ESCUDERO | Nord University |
| Norway | Xiatong CAI | Nord Universitet |
| Norway | Alexander KOPATZ | Stiftelsen Norsk Institutt For Naturforskning Nina |
| Palestinian Territories | KAMEL JEBREEN | Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie |
| Poland | Maciej K. KONOPINSKI | Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences |
| Poland | Aleksandra BIEDRZYCKA | Polish Academy of Sciences – Institute of Nature Conservation |
| Poland | Agnieszka OLSZANSKA | Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences |
| Poland | Agata PIETRZYK-KASZYŃSKA | Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences |
| Poland | Artur GURGUL | University of Agriculture |
| Poland | Martyna LASEK | Institute of Dendrology Polish Academy of Sciences |
| Poland | Joanna KOLODZIEJCZYK | Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences |
| Portugal | Margarida LOPES-FERNANDES | Instituto Da Conservacao Da Natureza E Das Florestas Ip |
| Portugal | Catarina NUNES SOARES SILVA | University of Coimbra |
| Portugal | Paulo Célio ALVES | Porto University – Faculdade de Ciências & CIBIO, Universidade do Porto |
| Portugal | Eduardo FERREIRA | University of Aveiro |
| Portugal | Sara LOURENÇO | UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA |
| Portugal | Filipa BORGES | Centre for Research in Anthropology |
| Romania | Mihai FEDORCA | Universitatea Transilvania Din Brasov |
| Romania | Ancuta FEDORCA | Institutul National De Cercetare Dezvoltare In Silvicultura Marin Dracea |
| Romania | Sean HOBAN | Institutul National De Cercetare Dezvoltare In Silvicultura Marin Dracea |
| Romania | Elena CIOCIRLAN | Universitatea Transilvania Din Brasov |
| Romania | Iulia BACIU | Institutul National De Cercetare Dezvoltare In Silvicultura Marin Dracea |
| Serbia | Marina NONIC | University of Belgrade – Faculty of Forestry |
| Serbia | Miroslav UROSEVIC | Univerzitet u Novom Sadu, Poljoprivredni fakultet Novi Sad |
| Serbia | Ivona KERKEZ JANKOVIĆ | Faculty of Forestry |
| Serbia | Milomir STEFANOVIC | University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences |
| Serbia | MIRJANA SIJACIC-NIKOLIC | Faculty of Forestry |
| Serbia | Filip MAKSIMOVIĆ | Institute for Multidisciplinary Research |
| Serbia | Ivana MATIC | Faculty of Sciences (University of Novi Sad) |
| Slovakia | Peter KLINGA | Technical University in Zvolen |
| Slovakia | Peter KAŇUCH | Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences |
| Slovenia | Irena MAČEK | University of Ljubljana |
| Slovenia | Elena BUZAN | UNIVERZA NA PRIMORSKEM UNIVERSITA DEL LITORALE |
| Slovenia | Marjana WESTERGREN | Slovenian Forestry Institute |
| South Africa | Jessica DA SILVA | South African National Biodiversity Institute |
| Spain | Marta VILA | Universidade da Coruna |
| Spain | Laura TORRADO-BLANCO | Universidade da Coruna |
| Spain | Carles VILÀ | Spanish National Research Council – Doñana Biological Station |
| Spain | Jose A. GODOY | Spanish National Research Council – Doñana Biological Station |
| Spain | Peter PEARMAN | Universidad del País Vasco |
| Spain | Laia PÉREZ SORRIBES | Estación Biológica de Doñana |
| Spain | Nuria SANZ BALL-LLOSERA | Universitat De Girona |
| Sweden | Linda LAIKRE | Stockholm University |
| Sweden | Robert EKBLOM | Naturvardsverket |
| Sweden | Henrik THURFJELL | Swedish University of Environmental Scienses (SLU) |
| Switzerland | Rea PAERLI | Eidgenossische Forschungsanstalt Wsl |
| Switzerland | Christine GROSSEN | Eidgenossische Forschungsanstalt Wsl |
| Switzerland | Alice BRAMBILLA | University of Zurich |
| Switzerland | Julia BARTH | Universitat Basel |
| Switzerland | Mathias CURRAT | Université de Genève |
| Switzerland | Robert WATERHOUSE | Sib Swiss Institute Of Bioinformatics |
| Switzerland | Alexandra Anh-Thu WEBER | Eawag – Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology |
| Switzerland | Chiara BORTOLUZZI | Sib Swiss Institute Of Bioinformatics |
| Türkiye | Tamer ALBAYRAK | Dokuz Eylul Universitesi |
| Türkiye | MEHMET KURSAT SAHIN | Hacettepe Universitesi |
| Türkiye | Mert KUKRER | Middle East Technical University |
| Türkiye | Rafet Cagri OZTURK | Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi |
| Türkiye | Hüseyin INCEER | Karadeniz Teknik Universitesi |
| Türkiye | Islam GUNDUZ | Ondokuz Mayıs University |
| Türkiye | Cengiz YÜCEDAĞ | Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi |
| United Kingdom | Isa-Rita RUSSO | Cardiff University |
| United Kingdom | Roberta GARGIULO | Royal Botanic Gardens Kew |
| United Kingdom | David O’BRIEN | NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage |
| United Kingdom | Alicia MASTRETTA-YANES | Royal Botanic Gardens Kew |
| United Kingdom | Alex CARR | Cardiff University |
| United Kingdom | Frank HAILER | Cardiff University |
| United States | Jill HAMILTON | The Pennsylvania State University |
