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Biodiversity Newsflash 153
January 2026
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1 · Get ready for the Biodiversity Spring Market 2026!
We're delighted to announce the return of our Biodiversity Spring Market, this time taking place in the beautiful setting of the Institute of Natural Sciences.
🗓️ 23 March 2026
📍 Institute of Natural Sciences 🦕
Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels
💻 information & registration
This year’s focus centres on the timely and increasingly relevant theme of Business & Biodiversity, coinciding with initiatives such as the release of the Biodiversa toolkit (see article below) and aligning internationally with the launch of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment at IPBES-12 in early February.
What’s on the Programme?
The event will start in the morning with a series of presentations on Business & Biodiversity, featuring contributions from a variety of stakeholders.
In the afternoon, the Marketplace opens. This is where standholders have the opportunity to present their project or organisation, and engage with other participants.
The full programme will be announced soon, so keep an eye on the Spring Market 2026 webpage.
How can I take part in this exciting event?
☞ Register now!
You can also apply to have a stand for your organisation or project. Interested?
☞ Indicate this in the registration form. Deadline for stand applications: 23 February 2026, 23:59 CET.
Please note that space for stands is limited, and a selection will be made from the applications received.
We look forward to welcoming you at the Biodiversity Spring Market 2026!
📧 For more information, contact Lison Cowez, Science-Policy Officer. |
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2 · Neobiota 2026: open registrations & call for abstracts
From 7 to 11 September 2026, Belgium will host Neobiota 2026, the 14th International Conference on Biological Invasions. This edition will also welcome the final event of the LIFE RIPARIAS project, themed “Biological Invasions: From Data to Management”.
🗓️ Mon, 7 Sept 2026 - Fri, 11 Sept 2026
📍 Tour & Taxis, Brussels, Belgium
Neobiota 2026 offers a rich and diverse programme, including:
- Keynote lectures
- Thematic Sessions
- Speed talks and posters
- A full day of cultural and IAS-related excursions
- Networking opportunities
The conference’s Thematic Sessions cover a wide range of topics, such as invasive species management and prioritisation, invasion impacts and dynamics, biosecurity, ecosystem resilience, innovation in invasion informatics, One Health perspectives, aquatic and reptile invasions, socio-economic dimensions, and policy and governance frameworks.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this unique international event around cutting-edge science, groundbreaking ideas, and new connections in the heart of Europe!
Neobiota invites submissions of abstracts for posters, speed talks, or presentations, before 15 April 2026.
☞ Check out all the details on the Neobiota 2026 conference page
Contact: neobiota@inbo.be
📧 For more information, contact Sonia Vanderhoeven, Science Officer and Biodiversity Expert.
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3 · BBPf at the BELVIR Symposium
Last December, BBPf One Health expert Dominique Vandekerchove was invited to present a poster at the BELVIR Symposium in Brussels. 
BELVIR, the Belgian Society for Virology, serves as a forum for scientists active in virology and hosts an annual symposium to share insights from virological research from Belgium and abroad.
The title of Dominique’s poster was “Prevention at source of emerging zoonotic diseases in Belgium – WG PREZODE”, which highlights the PREZODE initiative.
The poster was co-authored with Maud Istasse (FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment) and Hein Imberechts (Sciensano).
Want to know more?
☞ View the PREZODE poster
☞ Read the PREZODE abstract
☞ Learn more about the PREZODE initiative
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4 · BBPf at the CEBioS workshop on “Indicators for Policies”
Last month, Science Officer and Biodiversity expert Sonia Vanderhoeven was invited by CEBioS to join their team in Benin for a workshop focused on “Indicators for Policies” .
credit: CEBioS/Université de Parakou
The workshop convened 26 experts, including scientists, biodiversity managers, policy makers, and national CBD focal points from Benin, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The goal was to enhance capacity in developing policy-relevant biodiversity indicators, which are central to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Together, the participants explored the concept of the science-policy interface, focusing on how to effectively mobilise existing data and knowledge to inform policy indicators. They examined how to optimise workflows to better align with broader biodiversity conservation objectives at national and regional scales. In addition, the workshop also delved into specific topics such as biological invasions, bushmeat, and the application of remote sensing technologies to the Red List of ecosystems and the monitoring of degraded areas.
This collaboration exemplifies the synergy between two complementary projects, CEBioS and the Belgian Biodiversity Platform, both dedicated to strengthening the science-policy interface. Together, they aim to foster a more effective exchange of knowledge between the scientific community, decision-makers, and practitioners, ultimately supporting more robust and evidence-based biodiversity conservation strategies.
📧 For more information, contact Sonia Vanderhoeven, Science Officer and Biodiversity Expert. |
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5 · Launch of the Flemish Biodiversity Portal
As announced in the Summer 2025 edition of our Newsflash, the Flemish Biodiversity Portal (VBP - Vlaams Biodiversiteitsportaal) is being launched as the new gateway for biodiversity data in Flanders.
The portal brings together historical and recent observations with valuable scientific data and information in one central location. This creates an overview of biodiversity in Flanders that can support researchers, policymakers, nature managers, and nature lovers.
Built on the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) technology and powered by GBIF data, it integrates information from research, monitoring programmes, citizen science, species lists, and GIS layers.
The Portal makes extensive use of GBIF datasets from Belgium and Flanders. Beyond being an important data contributor given our involvement in GBIF, we, the Belgian Biodiversity Platform, are also a member of the VBP steering group.
The INBO will officially launch the Portal on 11 February 2026 during an afternoon of presentations and live demonstations at the Herman Teirlinck Building in Brussels.
Anyone interested is warmly invited to join, but prior registration is required.
Visit the event page for the full programme and registration details.
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6 · Important fungi dataset published on GBIF
At the end of 2025, Data Officer Tobias Musschoot published an important dataset to GBIF: Fungi of Belgium (Funbel), the chorological database of the Royal Flemish Mycological Society (KVMV).
The publication added 725,000 records to GBIF (from 180,000 to over 900,000), representing a major increase in the total number of fungi records from Belgium, all of which were verified and validated by experts and members of the Royal Flemish Mycological Society.
Funbel was launched in 1991 and includes observations dating back to the early 20th century. Its geographical scope covers all Belgium, but focusses mainly on Flanders and the Brussels-Capital region.
You will find the dataset on GBIF.
Further information on Funbel and the KVMV can be found on the Royal Flemish Mycological Society website.
📧 For more information, contact Tobias Musschoot, Data Officer.
7 · GBIF Stakeholder Day - Mark your agendas!The date is set for the Belgian GBIF Stakeholder Day:
🗓️ 5 October 2026
📍 Institute of Natural Sciences 🦕
Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels
Expect a full day of presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities during this event welcoming Open Data and Open Science stakeholders. Stay tuned! More details to come...
8 · GBIF Graduate Researchers Award: call for nominations
The 2026 edition of the GBIF Graduate Researchers Award is open for applications!
Once again, GBIF will reward two excellent early-career researchers with two €5,000 prizes (typically, one Master’s student and one PhD candidate) whose works demonstrate outstanding research making use of GBIF-mediated biodiversity data.
How to apply?
Candidates must be formally nominated by their national GBIF Node. For Belgium, students must respond to the Belgian GBIF Node call for applications.
Up to two applicants will be nominated, and a jury led by the GBIF Science Committee will review the nominations to select two winners.
Applicants should submit the following documents to the Belgian GBIF Node:
- Curriculum vitae
- Summary of their research project using GBIF data
- Short description of how GBIF-mediated data support their work
- Any additional material they consider relevant
- Submission email: contact@biodiversity.be
Deadline: 15 May 2026
If your research uses and depends on open biodiversity data, this is your chance to get it recognised!
More info? See the full call for nominations on GBIF.org.
9 · GBIF Ebbe Nielsen Challenge open for submissions!
The Ebbe Nielsen Challenge is back! This GBIF annual prize rewards innovation of new and existing tools that leverage biodiversity data from the GBIF network to advance open science, research and policy.
GBIF is inviting submissions of individuals, teams, companies and government agencies.
An expert jury will judge entries on their relevance, novelty and quality to select winners to share a prize pool of €20,000. Winners be announced at the 33rd GBIF Governing Board meeting in Oslo, Norway in September 2026.
Interested?
For questions, please contact enchallenge@gbif.org
📧 For more information related to GBIF, contact Maxime Coupremanne, Biodiversity Data Officer.
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10 · Biodiversa+ Business & Biodiversity toolkit
Biodiversa+ has released a package of three guides addressing the Business & Biodiversity challenge from complementary perspectives.
- The "Mapping of the Business and Biodiversity Landscape for European Research & Innovation" explores the fast-evolving business and biodiversity landscape, identifying key actors, initiatives, and policy frameworks.
- The "Guide to using public biodiversity data in the private sector" examines how companies actually use biodiversity and nature-related data in practice, highlighting both progress and persistent gaps.
- The "Guide on best practices sharing biodiversity data for private companies" provides practical guidance for companies willing to share biodiversity data responsibly and efficiently, aligned with existing standards and platforms.
These guides are all intended to help organisations mobilise biodiversity data for nature-positive action and ensure a strong link between science, policy, and business practice. The release comes at a pivotal moment, aligned with major global discussions on biodiversity and nature-related risks, including the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting ( 19-23 January 2026) and the IPBES-12 Plenary ( 3-8 February 2026), where IPBES will adopt and launch its landmark Business and Biodiversity Assessment. All three reports are part of the Biodiversa+ Business & Biodiversity toolkit.
11 · BioAccess projects database
Biodiversa+ has launched BioAccess, a new open library of Biodiversa+ projects and related research outputs. BioAccess showcases the work carried out by Biodiversa funded-projects and makes it easier to explore their outputs (articles, books, papers, publications, workshops…). This open catalogue is accessible to everyone and will be particularly useful for researchers and decision-makers. For now, the platform features projects funded under Biodiversa+ calls only, but it will be progressively enriched with projects from previous Biodiversa calls.
12 · Three new Biodiversa+ pilot projects for 2026
To meet the ambitious targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration Regulation, Europe needs harmonised, high-resolution data on its ecosystems. In response, Biodiversa+ will launch three new pilot projects, using innovative technologies to monitor insects, ponds, and forests across the continent.
- MetaBug will address gaps in insect monitoring by combining Malaise traps with DNA metabarcoding, enabling the detection of thousands of species in a sensitive, repeatable and low-impact way.
- BiodivPond will focus on small water bodies, using field surveys, environmental DNA and acoustic monitoring, alongside a citizen science programme, to better capture freshwater biodiversity.
- SenseForest will apply advanced remote sensing technologies, from drones to Sentinel satellites, to generate comparable, landscape-scale data on forest biodiversity.
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13 · New online course on IPBES and IPCC
On the first day of the IPBES-12 Plenary, the RESPIN project launched its first online course on IPBES and IPCC: Bridging Science, Policy and Practice on the UNDP Learning For Nature e-learning platform.
The course is designed to support IPBES and IPCC stakeholders, experts, knowledge holders, and National Focal Points in getting familiar with core insights of both intergovernmental bodies.
It covers the history, goals, activities, and processes of the IPCC and the IPBES, and provides guidance on engagement opportunities, expected outcomes, and defined roles for various participating groups.
The course is self-paced, structured into five modules, and takes overall approximately 10 hours.
Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion.
We are very proud to have contributed to this initiative through our involvement in the RESPIN project.
To find out more and enrol, visit the IPBES and IPCC: Bridging Science, Policy and Practice online course page.
📧 For more information, contact Divija Jata, BBPf coordinator.
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 🌿 Biodiversity around the world! Each month we share a selection of news and events from across the globe.
╰┈➤ USA withdraws from IPBES
Early January, the United States of America announced its intention to withdraw from IPBES, the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, along with 66 other international organisations and scientific networks involved in biodiversity and climate research, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), etc.
The USA is a founding member of IPBES and, according to IPBES Chair Dr David Obura “the scientists, policymakers and stakeholders – including Indigenous Peoples and local communities – from the United States have been among the most engaged contributors to the work of IPBES since its establishment in 2012”.
The IPBES regrets the deeply disappointing news of this withdrawal, adding that “unfortunately, we cannot withdraw from the fact that more than 1 million species of plants and animals face extinction (IPBES Global Assessment, 2019)”.
╰┈➤ VLIZ Marine Science Day 2026Registrations are now open for the VLIZ Marine Science Day 2026, taking place on 4 March 2026 at De Grote Post in Ostend, Belgium. The event welcomes marine science students, early-career researchers, and professionals for a full day of scientific exchange, networking, and inspiration within the Belgian and international marine science community. Whether you are presenting your research, exploring new collaborations, or looking to connect with peers across disciplines, this day will be an opportunity for engagement and knowledge sharing. ☞ For more information on the programme and venue, and to register for the event, visit the VMSD webpage.
╰┈➤ International Day of Insects 2026 Insect-Respect, an initiative advocating for protecting insects, is organising the first International Day of Insects in Leuven, Belgium, on 23 April 2026. Building on seven successful editions held in Germany and Switzerland, they now want to give insects a strong voice in Europe, by bringing together international experts, researchers, policymakers, and local partners to reflect on the future of insects and the actions needed to protect them. In the morning, national and international speakers will give presentations on the current state of insect populations and biodiversity, recent developments in Europe and beyond, and how systemic change can be realised. The afternoon will consist of nine parallel workshops in collaboration with local partners. The event is open to anyone involved in biodiversity and nature conservation, whether through work, education, or governance. ☞ Visit the Day of Insects 2026 page to:
- register for the event
- consult the full programme and list of speakers
- access information and documents from previous editions
╰┈➤ Symposium: Ecology & Evolution in the AnthropoceneOn 29 and 30 April 2026, the Biodiversity Section of the Earth and Life Institute of UCLouvain will host a Symposium on the topic of: “ Ecology & Evolution in the Anthropocene”. With a selection of keynote speakers, an open call for talks and posters, and a concluding debate, the Symposium will offer an educational and stimulating programme addressing this exciting but complex scientific topic. Registration and abstract submission are open, with deadlines of 16 February 2026 for abstracts and 31 March 2026 for registration. Registration fee: 80€ ☞ Full details on the programme, speakers, and organisers are available on the Ecology & Evolution in the Anthropocene page.
╰┈➤ ANB Natuur Futuur DayOn 17 September 2026, the ANB (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos) will organise the first edition of “ Natuur Futuur”, a conference and networking day on the Nature of tomorrow in Flanders. This inaugural edition will focus on three core themes: innovation, alternative financing, and data collaboration, guided by a central question: “ How can we create tomorrow’s Nature together in a smarter and quicker way?” To prepare for the day, a series of six in-depth webinars titled “ Een Uur Natuur Futuur” is planned. Starting on 5 March 2026 at 11:00, and continuing every two weeks, experts will present practical examples, success stories, and interactive Q&As, related to the main challenges for Nature’s future. The organisers invite interested participants to suggest session topics and/or apply for hosting a session linked to the conference theme (deadline: end of February 2026). An exhibition floor will also be available allowing organisations to showcase their work related to the core themes. ☞ Registration and contact forms, as well as full details on the venue and programme can be found on the Natuur Futuur webpage. Please note the event and webinars will be held exclusively in Dutch.
╰┈➤ JUSTNature Final Conference The University of Malta and the JUSTNature Consortium invite participants to the final conference of their project JUSTNature: Towards Just and Sustainable Urban Transformations. The event will feature a collection of talks, interactive workshops, and discussions based on real-world experiences of delivering nature-based solutions. The event will take place on 10 February 2026 in the Food & Art Gallery – Atelier 29 in Brussels. On 11 February 2026, a guided visit to innovative projects will take place in Leuven. ☞ All details on the JUSTNature Final Conference page.
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