From Genes to Conservation: Building the European Genetic Monitoring network
Abstract
Earth has entered an era of rapid environmental change. Species and ecosystems must adapt in order to survive, and adaptation potential is highly dependent upon genetic diversity. Many recent global conservation targets, including those from the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, include requirements for protection of genetic diversity within wild species. Therefore, there is an urgent need to catalog, protect, and monitor changes in genetic diversity. Despite the legal and biological necessity of these actions, and the recent acknowledgement of “genetic diversity indicators,” which are simple and scientifically-sound metrics that can be used to monitor diversity by a wide variety of stakeholders, the uptake of such monitoring programs has been slow. In this seminar, we aim to discuss the challenges and status of genetic monitoring programs in Europe and beyond, for use in both scientific and applied contexts.
The seminar will comprise three main goals within this framework:
1) Connect and strengthen the international network of researchers who are involved in genetic monitoring
2) Identify common challenges among this international network and discuss critical questions surrounding the topic of genetic monitoring
3) Develop a scientific journal article that synthesizes important aspects of international genetic monitoring, including the current status of [inter]national genetic monitoring and the challenges individual countries face in their implementation
Participants from diverse European countries are invited to join this discussion and bring their unique perspectives to the table. We expect that the distinguishing features of each country, including political and financial infrastructure as well as approaches to biodiversity protection, will be the basis for a fruitful and solution-oriented discussion that will help us to build and strengthen a diverse network of international scientists working to meet global biodiversity targets. Our dynamic schedule, focused mainly on discussion and active article development, with two keynote speeches that will be accessible to the public, will promote equal sharing of ideas among established researchers and next-generation scientists.
Confirmed keynote speakers:
Dr. Jessica Da Silva (South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa)
FRIAS Conference
When?
11 February – 13 February 2026
Where?
FRIAS seminar room
Albertstraße 19,
79104 Freiburg
Contact
E-Mail: kyra.vogt@frias.uni-freiburg.de
Organisation
- Dr. Julia Geue (University of Freiburg)
- Dr. Jill Sekely (University of Freiburg)
Time table
| Wednesday, February 11 | |
| 15:00-15:45 | Welcome (FRIAS Lounge) |
| 16:00-16:10 | Opening Remarks Welcome Address FRIAS Director Ralf von den Hof |
| 16:10-17:40 | Keynote Jessica Da Silva (FRIAS Lecture Hall) (South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa) (Talk 1 hour + Questions 30 min) |
| 18:00-21:30 | Welcome Reception (FRIAS Lounge) |
| Thursday, February 12 | |
| 9:00-9:15 | Welcome first conference day |
| 9:15-10:30 | Icebreaker and Introduction round |
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee break (FRIAS Lounge) |
| 11:00-12:30 | Discussion round I Input of participants centering around common challenges (policy based), critical questions (research based) in regards to their project/country/case study |
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch break (FRIAS Lounge) |
| 13:30-15:00 | Discussion round II Synthesis of challenges presented by organizers and discussion of those challen ges. Lessons learnt? |
| 15:00-15:30 | Coffee break (FRIAS Lounge) |
| 15:30-17:00 | Discussion round III Discuss potential solutions to challenges and a way forward. Discuss output for mat and content. Who is the target group? |
| 17:00-17:30 | Establishing writing groups |
| 17:30 | End |
| 19:00-22:00 | Conference Dinner (Blauer Fuchs, Metzgerau 4, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau) |
| Friday, February 13 | |
| 9:00-9:15 | Welcome second conference day |
| 9:15-10:30 | Writing Session I |
| 10:30-10:45 | Coffee break (FRIAS Lounge) |
| 10:45-12:00 | Writing Session II |
| 12:00-13:00 | Networking Lunch (FRIAS Lounge) |
| 13:00-13:30 | Wrap up and goodbye |
How to get to Freiburg?
- By train: Long-distance train connections to Freiburg are available at bahn.de.
- By bus: Long-distance bus connections to Freiburg are available at Flixbus.
- By car: Motorway A5 brings you to Freiburg, either from the direction of Basel or Karlsruhe.
- By plane: Frankfurt Airport is an airport where a lot of international flights arrive. Upon arrival in Frankfurt Airport, Freiburg can be reached by booking a long-distance train connection (takes approx. 2,5 h). Airport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (EuroAirport) is located in the South of Freiburg. An Airport Shuttle Bus can be booked here.