1st INFOBIOM workshop

1st INFOBIOM workshop – Datasets and methods for biodiversity monitoring in forest ecosystems

Call for abstracts and welcome to the first workshop of INFOBIOM – The Nordic Network for Integrated Forest Resource and Biodiversity Monitoring, from 24th to 25th November 2022 at Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel, Oslo, Norway. A preliminary list of presentations is below. Please also note the keynote by Christian Frølund Damgaard.

The Earth's biodiversity suffers a catastrophic decline due to human impact on the environment. In response, a comprehensive, ambitious, long-term strategy for protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems, that includes actions and commitments to halt biodiversity loss, has been adopted by the European Commission. Forest ecosystems, including Boreal forests, represent one of the most species-rich habitat types worldwide. However, biodiversity is notoriously difficult to map and monitor. INFOBIOM will address the indicators used in assessment of habitat quality and hence the preservation of biodiversity.

INFOBIOM is a SNS-funded network of Nordic researchers that brings together experts in forest monitoring and biodiversity. The network is led by NIBIO and includes NINA, LUKE, SYKE, SLU, Uni Copenhagen and Uni Århus as partners. Our workshop is open to all genders and orientations as well as cultural/ethnic backgrounds. Non-inclusive language and behavior is unwanted.

This first workshop has primarily three topics: 1) Available datasets that are relevant for biodiversity monitoring in forests such as NFIs and similar programs; 2) Interesting methods and techniques for assessing biodiversity in the field such as meta-barcoding, acoustic devices, proximal sensing; 3) Innovative approaches for mapping biodiversity using remotely sensed data.

The two-day workshop includes refreshments, lunch, a social dinner, and is free of charge. The event starts at 10:00 on Thursday 24th and ends at 15:00 on Friday 25th of November 2022. Deadline for registration is 27th October. You will be asked to provide a max 150 words abstract of your contribution in the application form. Note that we have received a sufficient number of presentations and we cannot guarantee that further contributions can be added to the program.

Hotel and travel costs need to be covered by the participants. INFOBIOM partner organizations have funds to cover these costs. A limited number of researchers from the Nordic and Baltic countries and Germany that are not employees of INFOBIOM partner organizations can receive stipends. Especially young researchers are encouraged to apply for these. Besides the quality of the contribution (abstract), an even representation of the three main topics will be considered in the evaluation. Lastly, historically underrepresented groups, women, lgbt+ folks, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

We encourage all participants to travel in a way that minimizes the carbon footprint of the journey. The diet at the workshop will for the same reason be vegetarian.

Preliminary program

Thursday 24.11.
10:00 Welcome (Johannes Breidenbach, NIBIO)
10:15 Keynote (Christian Frølund Damgaard, Uni Aarhus)
11:00 Break
11:30 Large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs (Petteri Vihervaara, SYKE)
12:00 Large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs (Ulrika Jansson, NINA)
12:30 Large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs (Aksel Granhus, NIBIO)
13:00 Lunch
13:30 Lunch
14:00 Methods for assessing biodiversity (Mari Davey, NINA)
14:30 Methods for assessing biodiversity (Alexandre Changenet, SLU)
15:00 Methods for assessing biodiversity (Håvard Kauserud, UiO)
15:30 Break
16:00 Biodiversity mapping using remote sensing (Janne Toivonen, LUKE (15 min); Joel Kostensalo, LUKE (15 min)
16:30 Biodiversity mapping using remote sensing (Hans Ole Ørka, NMBU)
17:00 Biodiversity mapping using remote sensing (Ville Kankare, UEF)
17:30 Short break / leg stretch (15 min)
17:45 Biodiversity modelling (Alejandro Ordonez, Uni Aarhus)
18:15 Biodiversity modelling (Mari Myllymäki, LUKE)
18:45 Relocation
19:30 Dinner

Friday 25.11.
09:00 Large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs (Thomas Nord-Larsen, UCPH)
09:30 Large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs (Henrik Hedenås, SLU)
10:00 Break
10:30 Large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs (Helena Marta Stefánsdóttir, IFR)
11:00 Large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs (Sebastian Kepfer Rojas, UCPH (15min), Aapo Ahola, SYKE (15,min)
11:30 Lunch
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Methods for assessing biodiversity (Gediminas Brazaitis, VMUAA)
13:00 Methods for assessing biodiversity (Carolyn Rosten, NINA)
13:30 Break
14:00 Methods for assessing biodiversity (Brunon Malicki, NINA)
14:30 Biodiversity mapping using remote sensing (Mats Nilsson, SLU)
15:00 Final remarks (15 min) (Johannes Breidenbach, NIBIO)

Preliminary list of presentations