HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04 Looking for consortium – Expertise in terrestrial biodiversity monitoring and conservation

The Biodiversity and Bioindicators (BiBio) research group is seeking to join a consortium preparing a proposal for HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04: Ensuring continuous effectiveness of protected areas in conserving habitats and species while facing intensifying drivers of biodiversity loss – Research field A: Research Field A: Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecosystems. BiBio has extensive experience in monitoring terrestrial biodiversity across Catalonia, combining long-term datasets from citizen science programs with advanced ecological analyses. The group focuses on multiple taxa, including butterflies, bats, small mammals, and other indicator species, providing robust information on population trends, habitat use, and responses to environmental change. BiBio specializes in identifying drivers of species decline, including habitat fragmentation, land-use change, agricultural intensification, climate change, and infrastructure development. The group also evaluates ecosystem services, such as pollination and pest control, and develops strategies to link biodiversity conservation with sustainable land management. BiBio can contribute: (i) long-term, high-quality datasets on terrestrial species and habitats; (ii) field-based monitoring protocols and ecological assessment methods, including standardized citizen-science approaches; (iii) analysis of drivers of species decline, enabling adaptive management strategies within protected areas; (iv) applied conservation measures, including habitat restoration and biodiversity-friendly management practices; (vi) integration with stakeholders and local authorities, ensuring data informs practical conservation policies and management in protected areas. Potentially, other units at BETA Technological Center, such as the Applied Ecology & Global Change unit, may contribute to the consortium by providing expertise in ecosystem functioning, habitat assessment, and ecological modelling, complementing BiBio’s species-level monitoring and applied conservation work. Projects related to this area of expertise include CBMS, Bat Monitoring programme, Common Small Mammals Monitoring Programme (SEMICE) and Dormouse Project. For more detailed information, take a look at the website: https://www.bibio.org/