Karst regions, covering 21.8% of Europe, are rich in unique biodiversity but are notoriously difficult to monitor due to their inaccessibility and the need for specialized equipment. While some European countries have developed cave monitoring protocols, there is no standardized method for tracking rare species or trends in subterranean biodiversity.
Dr. Maja Zagmajster, from the University of Ljubljana (Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology), presented on the first day of the ICSB conference the Sub-BioMon project, which aims to revolutionize the way we monitor biodiversity in karst ecosystems.
Officially launched in April this year (2024), the Sub-BioMon project brings together six partner organizations under the European Commission’s Biodiversa Plus program, which is financed by national research agencies from participating countries and project partner.
The central focus of Sub-BioMon is the unique biodiversity found in caves. These subterranean habitats are home to specialized species, and EU countries are required to maintain and promote a favourable conservation status of subterranean habitats (caves) under the EU Habitats Directive. However, monitoring these ecosystems to determine their health and identify changes remains a significant challenge.
Dr. Zagmajster explains: “Caves host a unique fauna, but we currently lack effective methods to monitor the condition of these ecosystems. Without standardized monitoring tools, we can’t reliably assess whether these environments are stable, improving, or experiencing negative impacts due to surface activities or other changes.”
The project aims to address this gap by developing standardized protocols for long-term monitoring of subterranean biodiversity. The goal is to create reliable methods that will allow researchers to detect changes in cave ecosystems and respond effectively to any negative developments. “If you don’t have a method to monitor it, you’re always in a state of uncertainty,” Dr. Zagmajster adds. “We need standardized methods, not only to identify when things go wrong but also to confirm when things are stable or improving.”
The Sub-BioMon project stands out because it brings together diverse experiences from six different countries, enriching the research and allowing for a more comprehensive approach to monitoring karst ecosystems. The team will also employ cutting-edge techniques such as eDNA and DNA barcoding to identify species in the field, aiming to find the most efficient and accurate methods to monitor these habitats in a short amount of time.
Dr. Zagmajster emphasized that the success of the project relies on collaboration and the sharing of knowledge, as well as the development of practical, standardized tools that can be implemented across different regions. “Our challenge is to bring all the existing knowledge together in one place, verify it, and establish a standardized approach that can be used across Europe to monitor subterranean biodiversity effectively.”
The Sub-BioMon project is committed to using the latest technologies to ensure the best results, creating a solid foundation for long-term conservation efforts in karst ecosystems.
To follow the progress of the project and access the latest results, visit the project’s website: https://www.sub-biomon.net
On the 9th of September, 2024, partners of the DarCo Project gathered in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, for their midterm meeting. This event, designed as a workshop open to all participants, fostered an inclusive atmosphere that encouraged broader dialogue and the introduction of fresh perspectives into the ongoing research.
Held just before the 26th International Conference on Subterranean Biology, the timing of the workshop allowed the DarCo team to engage with global researchers and stakeholders attending the conference. Stefano Mammola, a researcher at the National Research Council of Italy and the project’s lead, shared his reflections on the event:
“We had the midterm workshop of the DarCo project, which brought together our consortium of 13 team members from 11 countries. It was an open meeting, so we invited participants from the Subterranean Biology conference to join us. In total, we had over 60 attendees, half of whom were part of the project and the other half from the conference.”
The workshop offered a platform for updating one another on the progress of the project, particularly the first phase, which focused on collecting data about subterranean fauna across Europe. Mammola highlighted the success of the workshop:
“We updated each other on data collection, publications, and dissemination activities. The next phase will focus on modeling and understanding how to better protect subterranean biodiversity in Europe. We identified challenges, but also saw great progress in data collection, giving us a strong chance of success.”
One of the key aspects of the meeting was the participation of stakeholders such as Sarah Johnson from the European Bureau, who provided valuable insights on how to translate scientific findings into actionable policies, particularly concerning groundwater ecosystems. According to Mammola, the open discussion was fruitful, with many people interacting and contributing valuable feedback.
The DarCo Project: Protecting Subterranean Ecosystems
Subterranean ecosystems, including caves, groundwater systems, and fractured rocks, are home to an incredible diversity of specialized and endemic organisms. These ecosystems are crucial to global biodiversity, contributing significantly to taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity. They also provide essential services, such as potable water, to more than half of the world’s population. Despite their importance, these ecosystems are often overlooked in global biodiversity and climate change strategies, with only 6.9% of known subterranean ecosystems overlapping with protected areas.
The DarCo Project seeks to address this gap by advancing knowledge about subterranean biodiversity in Europe and integrating it into broader conservation efforts, particularly the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Led by a multidisciplinary team of scientists from 11 countries, the project focuses on compiling comprehensive data on species distribution, traits, and phylogenies across major subterranean animal groups. Using this data, the team aims to predict species’ responses to human threats and map biodiversity patterns, providing the foundation for a strategic plan to protect subterranean ecosystems.
The project’s ultimate goal is to ensure that these often-overlooked ecosystems are included in Europe’s protected areas network. By intersecting biodiversity maps with human threats and existing protected areas, DarCo will help shape a conservation plan that complements the current EU network.
In addition to research, DarCo emphasizes public awareness and stakeholder engagement. The project will culminate in the creation of the Subterranean Biodiversity Platform, an open-access database that will support future conservation and monitoring efforts, ensuring that subterranean ecosystems are protected for generations to come.
Bridging Science and Art
Mammola also revealed that he would be presenting his own research later in the week, connecting art and science to further the mission of the DarCo project. As part of this initiative, he has invited artist Jagoba Malumbres-Olarte, who is illustrating the conference and creating a piece that visually summarizes the DarCo project.
“I’ll be presenting on Thursday, focusing on the intersection of art, conservation, and subterranean science. Jagoba Malumbres-Olarte, the artist I’ve invited, is also working on an illustration that represents the DarCo project. We hope to use it for dissemination, connecting ideas, and communicating the importance of subterranean biodiversity in a more engaging way.”
With a successful midterm meeting behind them, the DarCo team looks forward to the next stages of the project, confident that their collaborative approach and cutting-edge research will make a significant impact on subterranean biodiversity conservation.
For more information on the DarCo project, visit the official website and stay tuned for updates on the Subterranean Biodiversity Platform.
The ICSB and ISAE events are about to begin, and we have prepared a special conference kit for each participant, which includes a unique T-shirt. While providing T-shirts may be common at events like these, we are particularly proud of this year’s design, created by Jagoba Malumbres-Olarte. His illustrations are already well-regarded within the scientific community, and we believe his remarkable contributions should not go unnoticed.
Having had the pleasure of meeting Jagoba during these past few days, we took the opportunity to sit down with him for an interview.
Welcome to Cagliari, Jagoba. We appreciate you finding time for this interview, we couldn’t just let you go. Your design for the ICSB conference t-shirt is captivating.Tell us about your design, what was the inspiration for it?
Jagoba: Thank you! It’s a pleasure to be here. Well, the illustration was inspired by the intricate ecosystems of subterranean environments and the different questions or activities related to their research. I wanted to portray the beauty and complexity of underground life, while showing how these hidden worlds contribute to biodiversity and science.
But, this is not your first illustration, we have seen many of your artworks. What drove you to start creating designs focused on science?
Jagoba: As a researcher and ecologist, I understand how essential it is to communicate scientific work effectively, both inside and outside academia. My work is about blending art and science – creating illustrations that make complex research visually accessible to everyone. This is particularly important in fields like subterranean biology, where much of the subject matter is hidden from everyday view.
Q: It’s clear that your passion goes beyond just the artwork. How do you approach your scientific illustrations?
Jagoba: I work with a wide range of media and styles, tailoring my approach depending on the subject, audience, and purpose. For example, I create highly realistic portraits for taxonomic publications, schematic diagrams for process-based research, and creative illustrations to promote scientific projects or communicate to non-specialists. The key is to find the best visual method to convey the take-home message, whether it’s a summary of a scientific seminar or an educational image for a broad audience.
Your illustrations seem to be everywhere, from conferences to publications. What other roles do your illustrations play in the scientific community?
Jagoba: My illustrations serve many purposes. They can promote conferences like this one, advertise research, or even help explain findings to a non-academic audience. I work on graphic facilitation for scientific workshops, create visuals for conference proceedings, and even contribute with illustrations for awards recognizing outstanding research. It’s all about making science more engaging and easier to understand.
One of my recent work was for the 34th European Congress of Arachnology where I created six illustrations to summarize four plenary sessions and two symposia. For example, in one illustration for the symposium on arachnid genomics, I used a DNA spiral to represent key research areas like adaptation, phylogenetics, and predation. Another piece focused on the defense strategies of arachnids, visualizing a diverse range (a cornucopia) of mechanisms like camouflage and mimicry. My aim was to visually summarize these complex topics, making them easy to understand for both attendees and the broader public, and to promote the congress itself.
I have many excellent examples. I believe that my portfolio summarises good the things that I can communicate.
Why do you think it’s important to communicate science to non-scientific audiences?
Jagoba: Science impacts everyone, so it’s crucial that we make it accessible and understandable to the general public. Engaging non-scientific audiences fosters greater appreciation and support for research, which can influence policy, funding, and public attitudes toward critical issues like conservation and climate change. As scientists, we have a responsibility to share our discoveries with the world beyond academia, and illustrations are an effective way to do that—they can simplify complex concepts, making them more relatable and engaging.
In today’s digital age, science needs to embrace social media by being engaging, accessible, and even humorous at times. A captivating illustration can influence public opinion and help bridge the gap between academia and the general public. By collaborating on visuals that resonate with wider audiences, we can inspire future generations of scientists and potentially make important messages go viral. In ecology, raising awareness about key issues through compelling imagery would help us achieve our mission more effectively. We really need to explain what scientists do and why they do it if we want to support science. After all, we all support such of it through our taxes.
What advice would you give to researchers who might want to use illustrations to promote their work?
Jagoba: I always encourage researchers to consider how visuals can enhance their communication. Whether it’s explaining complex data or engaging the public, an illustration can be a powerful tool. If anyone is interested in this, I’m always open to collaborating on new topics – you can see more examples of my work in my online portfolio.
As an artist and designer, I truly value when people acknowledge my work, just as in research, where scientists cite previous publications. And just like in scientific research, this is crucial because it not only shows respect for our contribution but also an understanding that creators deserve recognition and compensation for their efforts. Proper credit reflects appreciation for the work and the time invested in it.
Thank you, Jagoba! We are looking forward to seeing more of your work, and hopefully from ICSB conference.
Jagoba: Oh, you’re welcome. I look forward to this event too.
You can meet Jagoba during the event and if you wish to have your talk illustrated just talk to him.
