2nd Forum Carpaticum conference will be held in Slovakia, 2012

The Forum Carpaticum is an open meeting of the Science for the Carpathians (S4C) initiative, which is a regional network targeting at mountain research in the Carpathians. In 2011 the
S4C network connects almost 400 scientists in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and the Ukraine.

The objectives of the S4C are:
· Develop and implement the Carpathian Research Agenda
· Promote research collaboration across disciplines and national boundaries
· Coordinate research on the Carpathians throughout the region
· Produce peer-reviewed papers and synthesis articles
· Foster dialog between research and practice
· Serve as an information and communication platform in the Carpathian region

See here the Scientific Steering Committee of the S4C !

Activities: 
the 1st Forum Carpaticum dedicated to the “Integration of nature and society towards sustainability” was held in Kraków at the Jagiellonian University from 15 to 18 September 2010. One of the conference’s products, the Research Agenda for the Carpathians was presented to third conference of parties –COPIII- of the Carpathian Convention in Bratislava 2011.

The Science for the Carpathians (S4C) initiative invites scientists, representatives from policy, economy, and management interested in the Carpathian mountains to the

2nd Forum Carpaticum
From data to knowledge, from knowledge to action
Stará Lesná, Slovakia, 30 May – 2 June 2012

The 1st FC2010 identified the need for better information on data generation, availability, and accessibility in the Carpathians, especially related to pan-Carpathian datasets. FC2012 will address this need by covering the whole Data-Knowledge-Action cycle, i.e. focusing on how data are generated and transformed into useful knowledge, how the knowledge is transferred to policy and practice, and how it can feed back to research planning. Apart from identifying the recent state of the art, the FC2012 wants to discuss and propose measures to improve the Data-Knowledge-Action cycle.

For more information
· about the conference (http://www.forumcarpaticum.org/);
· about S4C (http://mri.scnatweb.ch/mri-europe/carpathians/);

Student activities in SCB Europe Section - join the Student Affairs Committee!

The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is a society of conservation professionals, striving to protect the Earth's biodiversity. SCB gathers researchers, practitioners, policy makers and students. The Student Affairs Committee is the link between the Society and its student members.

The goal of the Student Affairs Committee of the European Section is to be the voice of students within the section board, and to provide opportunities for students' interaction with the European community of conservation biologists as well as resources for career development and information regarding scholarships, courses, meetings and other events.

 We want to motivate students to take more active roles in the Society and in conservation biology in general. For this, we are actively creating specific opportunities for students such as meetings with professionals, workshops on particularly relevant topics (e.g., grant writing, publishing, paper reviewing, teaching, etc), awards and scholarships for students, as well as facilitating student participation to SCB meetings. You can follow us at http://scb-students.wikispaces.com/ were you will find all the latest news and resources for European conservation biology students. The wiki is open also to your contributions, so feel free to join the wiki and use it to share information! Student’s contribution is much needed to keep improving the wiki!

 We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate to the 3rd European Congress of Conservation Biology that will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 28 August to 1 September 2012.
Details on deadlines are posted on the congress website: http://eccb2012.org/.

This cornerstone international event will bring academics, students, policy makers, natural resource managers and NGO representatives from all over Europe to address all aspects of conservation biology from research to application, from terrestrial to marine issues. We have already four renowned plenary speakers confirmed: Ian Boyd, Ilkka Hanski, Hugh Possingham and Peter Vitousek. There will be ~50 contributed sessions, 35 symposia, 13 workshops and 10 courses and 2 poster sessions. In total 890 talks will be given. ECCB will be the most student-friendly conservation biology conference ever organized with plenty of courses, workshops, awards and networking events for students.

We would be grateful if you could forward this message to your contacts and we look forward to see you at the next ECCB.

Piero Visconti and Nuno Curado
SCB Student Affairs Committee - Europe Section

SCB Europe Section Elections - President Elect Candidates - Vote by 30th November!

Pierre L. Ibisch

Pierre L. Ibisch, biologist, doctor of natural science with habilitation in botany. Since 2004 professor for Nature Conservation with Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. Founding director of the international Master Study Programme Global Change Management (MSc; 2005-2006), former dean of the Faculty of Forest and Environment (2006-2009). Research champion of the faculty; in 2009 he was awarded one of the university’s first research professorships (first phase 2009-2012; denomination “Biodiversity and natural resource management under global change”). Founding co-director of the Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management (since 2011). Speaker of a collaborate post-graduate programme on adaptive nature conservation under climate change(since 2009). Since 1991, research and work experience in several countries Europe, Asia, Central and South America (e.g., 9 years in Bolivia, context of German development cooperation, among others as Director of Science Department of a major conservation NGO, 1997-2003; projects and activities, among others, related to biodiversity inventory and policy, protected area management, ecoregional planning and impact assessments). Member of various national and international commissions and advisory groups (e.g., Conservation Chair Bromeliad Society International, 2005-2010). Since 2004 active involvement in activities of the Europe Section of the Society for Conservation Biology: member of the Policy Committee (chair 2007-2008 and since 2011; active participation in initiative of promotion of roadless areas as conservation target) and Board of Directors (2005-2007 and since 2011). Member of the Scientific Committees of 1st European Congress on Conservation Biology, Eger, Hungary (2005-2006), 2nd in Prague, Czech Republic (2008-2009) and 3rd in Glasgow, Scotland (organizer and chair of various symposia and workshops; promoter of policy and ‘footprint activities’ in Prague, among others, special event related to ecological footprint, ‘footprint project initiative’).

Barbara Livoreil

I joined the Policy committee of the European Section of SCB in 1998, and pursued as a member of the Board of Directors (2 mandates) and as chair of the Communication Committee. My background is in animal behaviour & behavioural ecology (France, Canada) and currently evidence-based conservation and systematic reviews in environmental management (UK). I am very interested in promoting good science and efficient practices by working with all sorts of stakeholders.
The Europe Section has proven to be successful in many ways thanks to the dedication of a few dedicated persons (ECCB, publications, networking, summer school, coordinator…). In the future, we must build up the capacity of the Section(s) in order to be more influential at the policy, education and communication levels. The impact (and, sometimes, usefulness) of science is questioned in these times of financial turmoil. Scientists are asked to give their advice, opinion to support major decisions, but face problems to make themselves understood and heard by decision-makers. Regularly, the independence of scientist is questioned, which jeopardizes the core values of good science as an objective, bias-minimizing, innovative discipline.

The messages conveyed by the Europe section on its recent booklet is to promote better science, better practices. Those cannot be mere wishes. It is time for action. To my opinion, the current structure of the Section is not enough to convey these messages. We cannot expect you, members, to be more committed and involved in our activities based on such broad theme such as Edudation, Communication or Policy (our committees). Task forces, working groups, thematic actions, do. So what am I proposing? With your support, I would like to prepare, as President elect, the ground for a more efficient SCB Europe. To organise, in close concertation with the Executive office and the other Sections, a pilot experiment where the Europe Section would develop itself based on the equivalent of the famous UICN’s specialists’ groups, except that SCB’s mission is not to focus on individual species as such, but on the role science plays in their conservation and management. The pilot working groups would provide guidance about good methodologies to address various questions of policy and practice relevance, would appraise and support tools to communicate about why conservation sciences are indeed scientific disciplines, why a scientific approach is needed, where to find the experts and best advice, how to get access to the most up-to-date knowledge and synthesize it, how to develop critical thinking and assertiveness when facing pressure groups and difficult situations. Encouraging education programmes to support this, in universities and schools but also through continuous professional development, has already been envisioned and must benefit from an increased commitment. Europe has its own challenges, due to the variety of its cultures and histories, to make it an asset, we need to strengthen the Section. With your help.

Owen Nevin

I am Head of the National School of Forestry and Principal Lecturer in the Forestry, Conservation and Applied Science at the University of Cumbria. I am a behavioural and population ecologist specialising in the conservation and management of large mammals and forest ecosystems. I joined the SCB as a PhD student and I am a Life Member. I was elected to the European Board of Directors in 2004 and served for 6 years as Secretary; in 2010 I was elected to the Society’s global Board of Governors. I am currently Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the 3rd ECCB.
I believe that I am an ideally qualified candidate for the position of President-Elect bringing experience from both the European Board of Directors and the Society’s Board of Governors to the leadership of the Europe Section. 10 years on form the foundation of the Section we have established our identity through both the ECCB and our action on policy but it is now time for the Section to begin to mature in its role within the Global Society.
One of the greatest challenges which will face the Section (and professional societies generally) in the coming years will be retaining membership. We must be visible to the membership and effective in our actions. I believe that I can bring the skills of academic leadership to the activities of the Section and help us grow and develop as we continue the task of promoting science based conservation action among policy makers, practitioners and the scientific community.

SCB Europe Section Elections - Cast your ballots by 30th November!

Introduction of the Nominees (Board Members)

Raphaël Arlettaz

Raphaël Arlettaz' scientific background is in population biology, community ecology, eco-physiology and behavioural ecology. Since his nomination at the head of the first chair of Conservation Biology in a Swiss University (2002), he has re-oriented his research activities towards applied conservation biology and restoration ecology. Arlettaz also leads a field station of the Swiss Ornithological Institute in the Alps of Valais, a biodiversity hotspot. Raphaël has wide interests in biodiversity preservation. His studies aim at providing the necessary, rigourous evidence-based guidance to maintain and restore ecosystems and their typical emblematic species, especially vertebrates and invertebrates occurring in agro-ecosystems and Alpine ecosystems. He is also very committed to bridging the great divide that exists between research and action in conservation biology, developing integrated research-implementation programmes, mostly in Switzerland. Since 2011, Raphaël serves as the chair of the Membership-Chapter committee within the Europe section of the Society for Conservation Biology. He is currently stimulating the creation of regional chapters across Europe. In Raphaël’s opinion, such chapters might contribute to strengthen the Europe section of SCB while bridging the research-implementation gap that also prevails in Europe.

Sarah E. Dalrymple

Being a plant ecologist and conservationist at the Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Bangor University, my research revolves around the effectiveness of conservation interventions, having undertaken research-based management of threatened plant species and extensively reviewed the global use of reintroductions. Consequently, I joined the IUCN’s Task Force on Moving Plants and Animals for Conservation Purposes, to revise and expand the existing IUCN Reintroduction Guidelines. We have the heavy responsibility of enabling policy-makers and practitioners to negotiate controversies such as assisted colonisation and novel ecosystem construction within the context of local socio-economic conditions. This interdisciplinary approach is continued in my research on student engagement in environmental education, and the impacts of conservation interventions on human wellbeing.

In 2004 I became the first student member of the British Ecological Society Council. In the following four years I initiated student conferences, developed membership services and maintained the BES’ profile at international meetings. I am also on the IUCN’s Young Professional’s Leadership Team and we are building a global inter-generational network of conservationists to create a resilient and adaptable conservation community.

I hope to use my knowledge of policy- and practice-relevant conservation in combination with the experience of serving the members of academic and conservation-focused organizations to further build SCB-ES. The Section has the potential to provide tangible benefits to individual members whilst becoming an influential voice in European conservation and given the energy apparent at recent ECCB meetings, it is timely to seek to strengthen the Section through greater membership involvement and service provision.

Tibor Hartel

I was born in 1978, in Sighisoara, Romania. My PhD (2008) was about amphibian ecology and conservation in a traditional rural landscape from Central Romania. I am a landscape ecologist with increasing interest toward the social aspects of biological conservation. My current research funded by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation address the ecology of the ancient wood-pastures from Transylvania and the attitudes of rural communities toward this human made ancient landscape element. What is the fate of this ecologically and culturally unique landscape element in a changing world? What are the limits and possibilities of protecting them? What are the ecological and social consequences of losing them? Such questions can be extended to other cultural heritages such are buildings, traditional crops which will likely have the same fate in the future. I feel that Eastern Europe is still underestimated in its importance for global conservation biology. In an ideal world I would see a more strong international focus on the Eastern European landscapes and societies. I especially encourage mixed teams made by natural-, social scientists, modelers and non-academic persons and institutions working together to address and develop solutions for the various and increasingly complex problems of Eastern Europe. I see the SCB-ES as a good platform for making lobby in this direction. I am in close collaboration with major local NGO`s and institutions and a number of international academic institutions. I particularly feel good in interdisciplinary teams, and consider my ability to bring good people and institutions together as strength.

Bengt Gunnar Jonsson

I am professor in Plant Ecology, with a focus on forest biodiversity and conservation policy. As a leading vision I wish to contribute to sustainable forest management in northern Europe. This includes not only providing relevant scientific knowledge and evidence, but also to make this available to forest stakeholders and policy makers. Since 2009 I have been a member of BoD of the Europe Section since. My main task has been the SCBs involvement in the new international science-policy interface (IPBES) where I have been the acting Head of the SCB global ad-hoc committee on the issue. I received my PhD at Umeå University, Sweden and have post-doc experience from Oregon State University, USA. Currently I hold a position as professor at Mid Sweden University in Sundsvall and am the project leader of the “Forest Biodiversity Group”. External activities include membership in the Swedish advisory board for the Convention for Biological Diversity. In addition I have participated in numerous national reference groups on protected areas, monitoring of forest biodiversity and Swedish environmental targets. As coordinator for the research network PRIFOR I have organised several workshops, symposia, conferences and excursions around forest biodiversity, forest history and sustainable forest management.

Guy Pe'er

I am conservation biologist, working on the interface between ecological theory and applied conservation.

My general interests include a) identifying factors that affect population dynamics and biodiversity in fragmented, heterogeneous and human-dominated landscapes; b) linking different ecological levels, from animal behaviour (primarily, movement, dispersal and connectivity), through population dynamics to community structures and biodiversity patterns; and c) developing of tools for nature conservation in light of land-use- and climate-changes, and ensuring their implementation on-the-ground.

While butterflies serve as a main focal group in my empirical work, I develop and utilise individual-based simulation models to study animal-landscape interactions for various hypothetical and real species, including (so far) butterflies, Eurasian Lynx, and birds.

My involvement in science-policy dialogues include serving as spokesman of the Lepidopterists’ Society in Israel (2005-2008) where I led, together with Mr. Dubi Benymini (president of the society), a successful campaign for the protection of butterflies in Israel; working within the EU FP7 project SCALES which seeks to identify means to match the scales of policy and management with the scales of ecosystem processes; and coordinating the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme in Israel (IL-BMS) since its launching in 2009 (together with Dr. Racheli Schwartz-Tzachor and Dubi Benyamini). I am a member of the SCB since 2002, and a member of the Policy Committee of the SCB-ES since 2010. Here, I wish to enhance the inclusion of scientific knowledge in decision-making and policy, and strengthen the capacity of the SCB to do so.

Roustam Sagitov

I was born in 1950 in Samarkand, former Uzbek republic of the former USSR. I graduated from the faculty of Biology and Soil Sciences of Moscow State University in 1972 with MSc diploma in biology, zoology. During 1972-1975 worked on the ecology of Anseriformes as a senior researcher in Institute of Biology, Siberian Center of Academy of Sciences of USSR, Novosibirsk. I received PhD diploma in 1979 with dissertation on “Breeding biology and population dynamics of Anseriformes in Chany Lake region (West Siberia)”. In 1984-1985 I was an exchange scientist at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. In 1989, I was elected as associate professor at the Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Leningrad University. 

In early 1990s I started research and practical activities in the field of nature conservation. I co-supervised a joint program of Hamburg and St.Petersburg Universities – “Ecological basics of nature conservation”. I developed a new course “International legislation in Nature Protection” which I still teach for university graduate students. 

In 1995 established Baltic Fund for Nature (BFN) as a structural sub-unit of St.Petersburg Naturalists Society (NGO established in 1868; affiliated with IUCN). BFN is one of the most effective environmental NGOs in NW Russia actively working on national and international conservation issues. In 2004 I was a winner of the International Baltic Sea Prize. In 2006, I was awarded the title “Honorary Nature Protection Expert of Russian Federation” by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia. During 2005-2010 I was a member of Environmental and Social Council of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In 2009, I was elected as a chairman of Russian IUCN National Committee. I am a member of WWF Baltic Program shareholders group, and Russian-Finnish working group on Nature conservation. I have been an author in more than 100 scientific publications and in several TV and radio programs.

Piero Visconti

I have served in the Student Affairs Committee of the Society for Conservation Biology from 2008 and I am a founding member of the Student Affairs Committee of the European Section. In these positions I have promoted and coordinated awards for students such as the Spotlight on Student Research and the wiki page for Conservation Biology students. I am also actively involved in making the next European Congress on Conservation Biology student-friendly by promoting discounted accommodation, travel grants, student awards, workshop and courses of interest for students. I believe in a direct involvement of SCB members into SCB decision-making through web-polls and open forums which the Student Affair Committee has successfully trialed to develop its mission and inform the design of the student programme at the next ECCB conference. I am also very supportive of the formation of local SCB chapters to bridge the divide between conservation science and practice and assist conservation practitioners in achieving their conservation goals through the aid of SCB. I look forward to serve in the European board to strengthen the link of the board with SCB members, especially students.

I did my PhD in Australia on systematic conservation planning in dynamic landscapes and global priority-setting for mammals. Back in Europe, I am now a post-doc at the Global Mammal Assessment programme where I conduct research on future scenarios of threats and distribution of terrestrial mammals.

How SCB Can Help IPBES?

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is slowly taking shape. A first session of a plenary meeting aiming to operationalize IPBES was held in Nairobi in October 2011. The task is to set up IPBES so that it becomes an important process, linking best available knowledge to political processes forming conservation policy. SCB as a leading learned society in the area of conservation needs to seriously consider its role and contribution to IPBES. A first step was taken when an ad-hoc committee on IPBES was formed in 2009. With representatives from all sections it has followed the process and participated in recent meetings, including the first IPBES plenary two months ago.

The current challenge for IPBES is to get the best science onboard and create a sense of common ownership with the scientific community. This is an ongoing process that SCB need to support by:

• -        Monitoring the formal process and participate in upcoming meetings
• -        Making strong links to the regional sections and support their involvement
• -        Seeking representation in the IPBES plenary and its executive body
• -        Developing and updating its expert of rooster with the needs of IPBES in focus
• -        Providing updated information to our membership and the scientific community at large on IPBES and its needs

If successfully established and operationalized, IPBES will open new ways for SCB to contribute to better conservation policy. With our regional structure, established policy committees and the wide expertise in our membership we can play a significant role on the science side of this new science – policy interface. Let’s do so!

Bengt-Gunnar Jonsson

BoD Meeting in Bern

The Board held its regular 2-day meeting in Bern hosted by Raphael Arlettaz, chair of the Membership and Chapters Committee. The first day of the meeting was dedicated to the upcoming ECCB2012. With the presence of the chair of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr Owen Nevin, the Board discussed several issues including: proposals for symposia and workshops, the structure of the congress, student activities, media representation and many more. 

In the second day, the BoD matters were raised and detailed: the current call for nominations and elections, the IPBES process, the Chapter Initiatives and so on. Besides the long discussions,  there was also  time to visit the beautiful town of Bern, to see the BearPark next to the river and to enjoy plenty of stodgy raclette meals. In Sunday a one-day excursion in the Alps closed the Board meeting for the delight of the bird watchers and mountainer conservation biologists.

Birdwatching in the Alps

Autumn