DOI: 10.3897/rio.11.e164067

Authors: Sara Klingenfuß, Manuel John, Tuulikki Halla, Theresa Klara Loch, Philipp Mack, Barbara Meyers, Ronja Mikoleit, Taru Peltola

Abstract: The forest understory plays a central role in ecological processes and human experiences of forests, yet it often remains overlooked in forest management and conservation. In this interdisciplinary workshop, researchers from Finland and Germany came together to explore the understory through multiple lenses—ecological, cultural, social, and sensory. The participants acknowledged and discussed diverse forms of knowledge related to the understory, from scientific to traditional and place-based, to better understand the many ways people relate to it. Through shared readings, discussion, and direct engagement in the forest, we reflected on how the understory shapes foraging practices, sense of place, human–nature relationships, and alternative forest economies. We discussed what it means to "know" the understory, who holds this knowledge, and how it influences forest governance. This report brings together the key themes, questions, and ideas that emerged, highlighting the understory not only as a biological layer, but as a space where ecological, cultural and political dimensions meet. In doing so, we aim to provoke rethinking dominant forest perspectives and encourage more inclusive and relational ways of valuing and managing European forests.

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.2.e11321

Authors: Florian Leese, Florian Altermatt, Agnès Bouchez, Torbjørn Ekrem, Daniel Hering, Kristian Meissner, Patricia Mergen, Jan Pawlowski, Jeremy Piggott, Frédéric Rimet, Dirk Steinke, Pierre Taberlet, Alexander Weigand, Kessy Abarenkov, Pedro Beja, Lieven Bervoets, Snaedís Björnsdóttir, Pieter Boets, Angela Boggero, Atle Bones, Ángel Borja, Kat Bruce, Vojislava Bursić, Jens Carlsson, Fedor Čiampor, Zuzana Čiamporová-Zatovičová, Eric Coissac, Filipe Costa, Marieta Costache, Simon Creer, Zoltán Csabai, Kristy Deiner, Ángel DelValls, Stina Drakare, Sofia Duarte, Tina Eleršek, Stefano Fazi, Cene Fišer, Jean-François Flot, Vera Fonseca, Diego Fontaneto, Michael Grabowski, Wolfram Graf, Jóhannes Guðbrandsson, Micaela Hellström, Yaron Hershkovitz, Peter Hollingsworth, Bella Japoshvili, John Jones, Maria Kahlert, Belma Kalamujic Stroil, Panagiotis Kasapidis, Martyn Kelly, Mary Kelly-Quinn, Emre Keskin, Urmas Kõljalg, Zrinka Ljubešić, Irena Maček, Elvira Mächler, Andrew Mahon, Marketa Marečková, Maja Mejdandzic, Georgina Mircheva, Matteo Montagna, Christian Moritz, Vallo Mulk, Andreja Naumoski, Ion Navodaru, Judit Padisák, Snæbjörn Pálsson, Kristel Panksep, Lyubomir Penev, Adam Petrusek, Martin Pfannkuchen, Craig Primmer, Baruch Rinkevich, Ana Rotter, Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber, Pedro Segurado, Arjen Speksnijder, Pavel Stoev, Malin Strand, Sigitas Šulčius, Per Sundberg, Michael Traugott, Costas Tsigenopoulos, Xavier Turon, Alice Valentini, Berry van der Hoorn, Gábor Várbíró, Marlen Vasquez Hadjilyra, Javier Viguri, Irma Vitonytė, Alfried Vogler, Trude Vrålstad, Wolfgang Wägele, Roman Wenne, Anne Winding, Guy Woodward, Bojana Zegura, Jonas Zimmermann

Abstract: The protection, preservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems and their functions are of global importance. For European states it became legally binding mainly through the EU-Water Framework Directive (WFD). In order to assess the ecological status of a given water body, aquatic biodiversity data are obtained and compared to a reference water body. The quantified mismatch obtained determines the extent of potential management actions. The current approach to biodiversity assessment is based on morpho-taxonomy. This approach has many drawbacks such as being time consuming, limited in temporal and spatial resolution, and error-prone due to the varying individual taxonomic expertise of the analysts. Novel genomic tools can overcome many of the aforementioned problems and could complement or even replace traditional bioassessment. Yet, a plethora of approaches are independently developed in different institutions, thereby hampering any concerted routine application. The goal of this Action is to nucleate a group of researchers across disciplines with the task to identify gold-standard genomic tools and novel eco-genomic indices for routine application in biodiversity assessments of European fresh- and marine water bodies. Furthermore, DNAqua-Net will provide a platform for training of the next generation of European researchers preparing them for the new technologies. Jointly with water managers, politicians, and other stakeholders, the group will develop a conceptual framework for the standard application of eco-genomic tools as part of legally binding assessments.

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