Pensoft has been awarded the Seal of Recognition for the FAO AGRIS Active Data Provider of the Year for 2027. The seal is granted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations through its AGRIS initiative, and it recognises institutions that consistently share open-access agricultural research with the global community.
Notably, Pensoft joined the FAO AGRIS network back in 2024, and the organisation has renewed our seal every year since, a recognition we’re proud to have kept.
What has changed is the scale of our contribution. In 2024, Pensoft’s records on AGRIS numbered just under 15,000. Today, that figure has doubled to nearly 30,000, drawn from all 51 of our journals that fall within the scope of FAO AGRIS. The subjects covered are wide-ranging, spanning taxonomy, biodiversity, conservation and biogeography – these are all areas that feed directly into sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.
Through AGRIS, this research travels well beyond our own journals to researchers, policymakers and practitioners worldwide, adding to the shared pool of open knowledge that supports global food security and environmental sustainability. We’re glad to keep contributing to that effort, and look forward to continuing our work with FAO AGRIS in the years to come.
About FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its goal is to achieve food security for all, ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 194 members, 193 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
About Pensoft
Founded in 1992 “by scientists, for scientists,” Pensoft is an academic open-access publishing company well known worldwide for its cutting-edge publishing tools, workflows and methods for text and data publishing of journals, books and conference materials. In 2010, Pensoft became the first scientific publisher to introduce semantic enrichments in scholarly publications. Through its Research and Technical Development department, the company is involved in a range of research and technology projects.
Between 6-10 July, more than 850 participants from 25 countries gathered in Leiden, the Netherlands, for the 8th European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) 2026.
The congress was organised by the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) and hosted at Leiden University (FWN/CML), in partnership with Hortus botanicus, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and NIOO-KNAW, with support from the Leiden Biodiversity Network.
Opening ceremony of ECCB 2026
Head of PR and Journal Development representing Pensoft at ECCB 2026.
Exhibitor and poster hall at ECCB 2026.
Effective Biodiversity Conservation
Under the theme “Effective Biodiversity Conservation,” the congress brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore how biodiversity can be safeguarded over the long term. Its core message was that effective conservation cannot rest on the efforts of conservationists alone. It requires coordinated, multidisciplinary, science-based action across society.
Opening ceremony of ECCB 2026.
Prof. Dr. Geert de Snoo and his “1% of GDP for safeguarding nature!” presentation
Dr. Laura Bosco, President of SCB Europe, opened the congress and set the scene for the week ahead. Prof. Dr. Geert de Snoo, one of the congress’s co-organisers, followed with the presentation: “1% of GDP for safeguarding nature!” – a call to set aside 1% of global GDP to help close the biodiversity funding gap, given that half of the world’s GDP depends on natural ecosystem services, and to protect 30% of the Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.
From there, the programme ran packed with symposia, roundtables, and workshops covering policymaking and effectiveness, conservation planning, new methods for measuring and quantifying biodiversity, eDNA for conservation, citizen science, and remote sensing, alongside a poster session held each day.
Pensoft at he 8th European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) 2026.
Our stand stood out with professionally designed booth walls and enjoyed a strong flow of visitors throughout the congress. Delegates met Pensoft’s Head of Journal Development and PR, Iva Boyadzhieva, who answered questions about publishing opportunities and scholarly resources, including Advanced Books, Pensoft’s platform for publishing open-access monographs, edited volumes, and other book-length scholarly works.
People spinning Pensoft’s Fortune Wheel to win prizes.
People signing up to Pensoft’s newsletter and spinning the wheel.
For the first time, our booth also ran an interactive game, where visitors could spin a wheel to win some prizes. The game rules were simple: visitors filled out a subscription form for one or more journals, spun a wheel featuring the names of journals relevant to the congress, and won a sticker matching the journal they landed on.
Visitor at Pensoft’s booth at the 8th European Congress of Conservation Biology, interacting with the wheel.
Curiously, the illustrations on the vivid stickers are not coincidental: each features a scientific illustration by Denitsa Peneva of a species discussed in a publication from across Pensoft’s scholarly portfolio – a nod to the authors who chose one of our journals to share their research.
Individual-Based Ecology and Agricultural and Environmental Modelling on focus at ECCB 2026.
A particular highlight was our trio of diamond open-access journals, free to publish in and free to read, that drew considerable interest from attendees:
Individual-Based Ecologypromotes a distinctive individual-based perspective on ecology, aiming to bridge individual behaviour and broader ecological patterns.
Advances in Pollinator Research covers the full spectrum of pollinator science, from pollination ecology to conservation, designed as an innovative platform for the full spectrum of pollinator science, from pollination ecology and pollinator-plant interactions to molecular ecology, conservation and more.
Agricultural and Environmental Modelling, meanwhile, offers an innovative approach to publishing, dedicated to advancing both the science and practice of modelling across Agriculture, Food Systems, Natural Resources, and Environmental Sciences.
Familiar faces at the stand
Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nature Conservation, Dr. Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth, at Pensoft’s booth at ECCB 2026.
Prof. Davy McCracken, Subject Editor at Nature Conservation.
Dr. Niels Raes, project coordinator of Biodiversity Meets Data at ECCB 2026.
Martina Viti and Annika Zuleger, authors that have published across Pensoft’s journal at ECCB 2026.
Our booth was visited by Nature Conservation’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth. Earlier that week, she also co-organised a symposium, “How can Wildlife Detection Dogs contribute to effective biodiversity conservation in Europe?” As well as one of Nature Conservation’s Subject Editor, Prof. Davy McCracken and Dr. Niels Raes, the project coordinator of Biodiversity Meets Data.
We also met one of our authors, Andra Neagu, in person. We recently ran a PR campaign on her and her team’s research analysing more than 1,100 media reports from 2007 to 2024 to uncover patterns in wildlife poaching across Romania, which you can read here.
Andra Neagu, an author at Nature Conservation at Pensoft’s booth at ECCB 2026.
Andra Neagu next to her scientific poster at ECCB 2026.
Looking ahead
Closing ceremony of ECCB 2026.
Closing ceremony of ECCB 2026.
It was a pleasure to be part of ECCB 2026 and to connect with so many researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working toward effective biodiversity conservation.
Save the date: SCB’s 33rd International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2027) will be held in Puebla, Mexico, at the end of June or beginning of July 2027.
Between 14-19 June, the 4th World Biodiversity Forum (WBF) brought together ~1,100 participants from 70 countries in Davos, Switzerland. This highly regarded event was held under the theme “Leading Transformation Together,” and united science, arts, society, and business across generations and fields to build the leadership and networks essential for effective biodiversity protection and resilience.
The event spanned 10 thematic tracks, covering topics such as biodiversity-ecosystem functioning, legislation and biodiversity, connecting science, society and practice, and many more.
The opening ceremony at the 4th World Biodiversity Forum in Davos, 2026.
Pensoft had the largest exhibition stand at the forum, and throughout the week it saw a steady flow of attendees interested in the company’s work across EU-funded projects and scholarly publishing, with dissemination materials for both on display.
Pensoft’s stand at the World Biodiversity Forum 2026
Pensoft’s stand at WBF 2026.
Pensoft’s stand at WBF 2026.
At the heart of Pensoft’s presence at the forum were four EU Horizon-funded projects working to turn biodiversity science into action on policy: BioAgora, OBSGESSION, B-Cubed, and OneStop.
As an active consortium partner in each, Pensoft draws on decades of experience in science communication, stakeholder engagement, and data management to help move that work forward. The stand also featured two further policy-oriented projects, CO-OP4CBD and RESPIN,
Attendees also had the chance to learn more about the ARPHA Platform, Pensoft’s self-developed end-to-end publishing solution that streamlines the entire editorial workflow – from manuscript submission and peer review through to editing, publication, and archiving – ultimately making research easy for both people and machines to access, cite, and reuse.
Brochures for Pensoft’s journals featuring the beautiful illustrations by Denitsa Peneva.
Attendees were able to speak directly with members of the Pensoft team, who were on hand to walk them through the journals’ scope, submission processes, and the broader vision behind the diamond open-access model – publishing that is free for both authors and readers.
Journals and brochures published by Pensoft featuring illustrations by Denitsa Peneva.
Aleksandra Korcheva presenting at World Biodiversity Forum 2026
Aleksandra Korcheva presenting at World Biodiversity Forum 2026
Desislava Raykova presenting at WBF 2026.
The presentation explored how a shared narrative can drive collaboration and increase impact among policy-oriented projects working at the science-policy interface, showing how such efforts can be brought to life through policy briefs, illustrations, and interactive science-policy events. The talk drew on communication successes from B-Cubed, OBSGESSION, OneStop, BioAgora, RESPIN and CO-OP4CBD.
This year’s forum offered an opportunity to forge strong networks across policy, science, arts, and business – catalysing future action and, in doing so, to leading transformation together. The next World Biodiversity Forum will be in 2028, so stay tuned to learn more from us!
A new study published in Nature Conservation reveals that threatened amphibian species are being sold under incorrect names in online amphibian trade marketplaces.
When we first began this work, our original aim was to study the evolutionary history and divergence time of the genus Hoplobatrachus using genetic data. The traded specimens we collected were intended to support this phylogenetic analysis, not to investigate the legality of the amphibian trade. However, during samples verification, we found that some frogs sold as Quasipaa were genetically Hoplobatrachus, highlighting mismatch between trade labels and actual species identity.
This discovery led us to take a closer look at species identification in amphibian trade. Like many researchers in wildlife biology, we initially assumed that most trade labels were generally reliable, even if not perfect. What we found turned out to be more complicated and the results have been published in the open-access journal Nature Conservation.
A simple verification revealed unexpected results
Left: Quasipaa spinosa, right: Hoplobatrachuschinensis, photos by Amaël Borzée, via iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.org/), licensed under CC BY-NC.
Our study focused on frogs traded under the name Hoplobatrachus chinensis, a species commonly recorded in commercial markets. To verify their identity, we used genetic tools and the results were clear: specimens labelled as Chinese edible frogs (Hoplobatrachus chinensis) were in fact Chinese spiny frogs (Quasipaa spinosa), a different species entirely and one that is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. At first glance, this might appear to be a minor taxonomic issue. However, it raises an important question: how reliable is species identification in wildlife trade once animals enter real-world commercial systems?
Why do these mistakes happen?
One of the main challenges in amphibian trade is that many species are very similar in appearance. Even for experienced handlers, distinguishing between certain species based on morphology alone can be extremely difficult. In most trade contexts, identification is based solely on external characteristics, without genetic confirmation. This creates room for both unintentional misidentification and potential substitution errors. Once specimens move through multiple steps in complex supply chains, their original identity may become increasingly uncertain.
Is this an isolated case?
Based on our findings, we suspect this is not an isolated issue. Instead, our results likely represent only the “tip of the iceberg.” Amphibians are traded in large numbers, often through complex and poorly traceable supply chains. In such systems, even small identification errors can accumulate and go unnoticed. Because genetic verification is rarely applied in routine monitoring, similar cases may be more widespread than currently documented.
Why does it matter?
Four Quasipaaspinosa purchased online under the false visual of Hoplobatrachuschinensis, a farmed species. Panels correspond to individual specimens that were bought. Credit to Zhang et al., 2026
At first, species misidentification may seem like a technical detail. However, it has direct consequences for conservation and wildlife trade regulation. If traded individuals are incorrectly identified, trade data may not accurately reflect which species are being exploited. This can lead to biased assessments of population pressure and potentially mask risks for threatened species. In other words, what is recorded in trade databases may not always match biological reality.
What can be done?
One of the key implications of our study is the importance of incorporating molecular tools into wildlife trade monitoring. DNA-based identification provides a reliable way to confirm species identity, particularly in cases where morphology alone is insufficient. While it may not be feasible to genetically test every traded individual, targeted or random sampling could significantly improve the accuracy and transparency of trade data.
A broader perspective
Beyond amphibians, our findings highlight a more general issue in wildlife trade: hidden uncertainty in species identification can quietly distort our understanding of biodiversity exploitation. Improving traceability and verification is therefore not just a technical improvement, but an essential step toward more effective conservation decision-making.
Original source:
Zhang, X., Borzée, A., Gill, S., & Othman, S. N. (2026). Hidden or inadvertent illegal amphibian trade? Genetic analyses reveal Quasipaa spinosa misidentified as Hoplobatrachus chinensis in the trade. Nature Conservation, 63, 247-257. DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.63.183849
Once again, Pensoft joined the ESP conference as an open-access scholarly publisher, publishing services provider, and a partner at Horizon Europe consortia.
Conference Organising Committee’s Davina Vačkářová thanks the ESP2026EU’s sponsors, exhibitors and partners. Photo courtesy of the ESP.
From 18 to 22 May 2026, the historic city of Prague, Czechia, hosted the 6th European Conference of the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP). Set against a backdrop of global turning points, such as biodiversity declines and climate uncertainty, the event served as an important forum for discussing how ecosystem services can cultivate a sustainable and equitable future.
This year’s ESP European conference ran under the theme “Advancing ecosystem services knowledge for achieving a nature- and people-positive Europe.” Photo courtesy of the ESP.
The conference ran under the theme, “Advancing ecosystem services knowledge for achieving a nature- and people-positive Europe.” Attendees focused on how to translate major policy frameworks, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the new Nature Restoration Law, into inclusive and effective action that respects both nature and healthy ecosystems. A major talking point at the event was also the new path ahead of the ESP as it officially becomes an independent international community later in 2026. An election of a new Steering and Executive Committee has already been scheduled for October 2026.
For Pensoft, the ESP 2026 European conference was not only a wonderful occasion to meet once again many long-time partners and friends, including the ESP team itself; editors and loyal authors of our journals; and members of the international project consortia, where we are involved, but also an exciting opportunity to talk with new members of the ESP community and learn about the needs, interests and passions of a new generation of researchers in a rapidly changing scientific field.
Pensoft’s stand at the ESP 2026 Europe conference in Prague, Czechia.
As an open-science publisher well embedded in environmental research through its dozens of journals covering ecology, biodiversity conservation and other related fields, Pensoft Publishers also actively participated in the week’s dialogues, contributing unique perspectives on scientific communication.
The Karolinum: the seat of Prague’s Charles University hosted the pre-conference training sessions, the Opening ceremony and the Welcome reception on Monday. Photo courtesy of the ESP.
The sixth European installment of the conference kicked off on Monday, 18 May, at the Karolinum, the historic seat of Charles University. The energy of a dynamic, highly engaging week was set perfectly by a lavish evening ceremony filled with speeches from renowned local figures, traditional music, and cultural performances. Yet, long before the opening notes played, the Karolinum was already buzzing, having hosted a full slate of pre-conference training sessions throughout the day.
A get-together for the editors and loyal authors of the open-access peer-reviewed One Ecosystem – the Ecology and Sustainability Data Journal took place on Monday at the Karolinum (Prague, Czechia).
Just ahead of the opening ceremony, our team at Pensoft hosted a semi-formal get-together for the editors and loyal authors of the open-access peer-reviewed One Ecosystem – the Ecology and Sustainability Data Journal. This year, the scholarly outlet, launched in collaboration between Pensoft, the ESP and the ESMERALDA Horizon 2020 project, now succeeded by the Horizon Europe-funded project SELINA, celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Chaired by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Benjamin Burkhard and Pensoft’s Head of Journal Development and PR Iva Boyadzhieva, the meeting recapped the best moments from One Ecosystem’s first decade and inspired discussions and ideas for the journal’s future. They also referred to the recently published editorial titled “Ten years of innovation and the way ahead in scientific publishing in One Ecosystem”. The piece reflects on the journal’s journey since its 2016 launch and addresses modern challenges in academic publishing, such as reviewer fatigue and the rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence.
Over the last ten years, One Ecosystem has established itself as a unique journal in the field, thanks to its commitment to openly sharing the research data underpinning each publication. It also offers a versatile range of article types. These include traditional formats (e.g. Research Article, Review Article, Data Paper), innovative options (e.g. Software Description, R Package, Single-media Publication), as well as ones specifically devised for the community, such as Ecosystem Inventory, Ecosystem Service Mapping and Ecosystem Accounting Table.
So far, the journal has published over 200 papers authored by scientists from all continents, accumulating more than 1,500,000 views, 600 citations, and 6,000 online mentions. Today, the journal’s editorial board comprises 50 experts representing diverse geographies and professional fields. One Ecosystem is indexed in over 60 relevant scholarly databases, including Scopus and Web of Science, and holds a Q1 ranking on Scopus. Authors also benefit from a swift turnaround time, with an average of just 2.5 months from submission to acceptance, and articles typically published within three months of submission.
Keynote speeches at the first conference day were delivered by Jakub Kronenberg (University of Lodz), Alessandra La Notte (Senior consultant on natural capital accounting) and Ben Delbaere (LIFE Programme).
On Tuesday, the main schedule opened with inspiring keynote speeches, with Jakub Kronenberg (University of Lodz) examining the transition towards relational values of nature, Alessandra La Notte (Senior consultant on natural capital accounting) sharing two decades of insights into natural capital accounting, and Ben Delbaere (LIFE Programme at ELMEN EEIG) demonstrating how the European LIFE Programme supports a nature- and people-positive society.
Later in the day on Tuesday, Pensoft’s Iva Boyadzhieva, Head of Journal Development and PR, gave a talk on the topic of scholarly communication as part of a session organised and hosted by the Early Career Researchers (ECR) division of the ESP: Young Ecosystem Services Partnership (YESS) and focused on building practical skills and fostering careers for young researchers.
Pensoft’s Iva Boyadzhieva gave a talk titled “Scholarly Communication: Lessons from the publisher’s kitchen” as part of the YESS session “The Early Career Lab: Skills, Identity, and Growth for the Next Generation of Ecosystem Services Researchers”.
Boyadzhieva shared insights into how authors and publishers can work collaboratively to transform scholarly publications into scientific knowledge that is accessible to everyone, everywhere, regardless of professional background or expertise, by drawing on real-life examples and automated publication processes.
One Ecosystem’s Editor-in-Chief Prof. Benjamin Burkhard.
One Ecosystem’s Editor-in-Chief Prof. Benjamin Burkhard at the ESP session “The Changing Landscape of Academic Publishing on Ecosystem Services Research: Editors’ Perspectives.”
The One Ecosystem journal took center stage once again on Friday afternoon during a panel session titled, “The Changing Landscape of Academic Publishing on Ecosystem Services Research: Editors’ Perspectives.” The event brought together the Editors-in-Chief of the three ESP-associated journals for an engaging open discussion about the shifting dynamics of scientific literature. Sharing insights gained from One Ecosystem’s 10-year journey, Burkhard highlighted how authors of research who work closely with their publishers can support knowledge sharing and empower researchers. In the case of One Ecosystem, this collaboration translates to increased visibility, discoverability, reusability and citability of the published work, as well as rapid and hassle-free authoring and peer review experience, all thanks to the automated workflows and human-centric approaches provided through the publishing solutions of the ARPHA publishing platform.
It is worth issuing a reminder that manuscripts submitted in 2026 and accepted for publication in One Ecosystem journal are eligible for a 10% discount on the article publication charge (APC).
Despite excellent on-site organization, many sessions struggled to accommodate the massive turnout.Photo courtesy of the ESP.
Throughout the week, the daily program featured eight parallel session tracks covering a wide range of topics, many closely aligned with ESP Working Groups and National Networks. A dedicated poster session took place on Wednesday afternoon.
One of the field excursions offered ESP 2026 Europe delegates the challenge of an intense, half-day climbing experience in a nature park just outside Prague. Photo courtesy of ESP.
On Thursday, delegates had the opportunity to join one of several field excursions. These ranged from a visit to the unique rewilding reserve located in the former military area in Milovice, to a walk through the Prague Pasture: one of the city’s most remarkable natural sites, and an intense climbing experience just outside Prague.
Zdeněk Ent was awarded Best Poster for his poster, “Experiencing Ecosystem Services: Art, Sensory Engagement and Transformative Learning in Peri-Urban Landscapes”. In a yearly tradition, part of the award includes a free publication in the One Ecosystem journal.
Following an ESP tradition, the three highest-voted posters were recognised during Friday’s closing ceremony, with the first-prize winner receiving a free publication in One Ecosystem, sponsored by Pensoft. This year, the Best Poster Award went to Zdeněk Ent from Prague Institute of Planning and Development for the poster “Experiencing Ecosystem Services: Art, Sensory Engagement and Transformative Learning in Peri-Urban Landscapes”.
During the week, Pensoft’s exhibition stand welcomed dozens of inquiries regarding the publisher’s tailored journal portfolio. Visitors also expressed keen curiosity about the publishing services and self-developed platform available to journal owners, book authors, and conference organizers. Meanwhile, delegates showed notable interest in several titles, both well-established journals like Nature Conservation, NeoBiota, Metabarcoding & Metagenomics and One Ecosystem, and newly launched ones, including Individual-based Ecology and Advances in Pollinator Research.
A lot of Pensoft stand’s visitors were also pleased to see that there was a new player amongst the journals of Pensoft aimed at an emerging field in ecology. The recently rebranded Agricultural and Ecological Modelling (AEM) provides a unique scholarly outlet thanks to its modern approach to publishing by increasing transparency, giving credit to research objects across the entire modelling research lifecycle. This is achieved through publishing specialised article types, such as: Formal Model, Model Testing and Calibration, Model Implementation and Documentation, Data Papers and Software Descriptions. These new publishing formats are designed to keep pace with advances in Modelling research and to make it FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) by enabling scholarly credit for diverse research outputs, often created by different groups of authors. For the time being, AEM remains a Diamond Open Access journal, meaning that it will not charge authors for open-access publication.
AEM also has a focus on open science and reproducibility; it is currently archived in four databases (CLOCKSS, Zenodo, Portico, and Zendy) and indexed in over 40 services, including AGRICOLA, CABI, ChronosHub, CNKI, FAO AGRIS, ResearchGate, and Swisscovery, among others. You can learn more about AEM in the latest editorial.
For those who missed the opportunity to sign up for the journals’ newsletters at the stand, they can do this by filling in their email address from the homepage of the journal they are interested in, or by updating their profiles in the Pensoft system.
Undoubtedly, amongst the greatest highlights at the Pensoft’s stand was the Horizon Europe-funded GREEN TALENT project, where our Project Department leads the project’s Work Package dedicated to Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation.
The conference delegates were intrigued to learn about the international initiative’s aim to build biodiversity and climate capacity at national, trans-European and global levels, with a focus on Widening Countries. The partners at Green Talent: both from academic and non-academic backgrounds, are to contribute expertise, training, and secondments and connect pilot projects to broader EU and global networks. One of the ways the GREEN TALENT consortia does this is by designating four Demonstration Pilots (a.k.a. Demo Hubs) in four Widening countries: Malta, Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria, where secondees can benefit from real-world experience and foster partnerships across sectors, while working on scalable solutions to climate and biodiversity challenges, acting as collaboration hubs between academic and non-academic sectors.
Members of the Horizon Europe-funded GREEN TALENT project consortium. Photo courtesy of ESP.
Having only kicked off a year ago and set to run for four years in total, there are many new developments and results yet to be announced from GREEN TALENT, including a Capacity-Building Platform that will allow users to browse various opportunities and events meant to help them improve their skills; to get in touch and foster collaboration with other experts; and to learn about best practices from across different institutions and relevant companies. This is why we strongly recommend visiting the GREEN TALENT, signing up for the project’s newsletter and following the initiative on BlueSky and Linkedin.
GREEN TALENT’s project coordinator, Prof. Dr. Mario V. Balzan, presented at a session dedicated to sustainable and inclusive approaches to ecosystem services tailored to the needs of islands.
In addition to the various GREEN TALENT information brochures and promo materials present at the Pensoft stand, people at the conference could spot quite a few of the project’s members around the ESP venue. There were several talks by GREEN TALENT representatives, including the project’s coordinator: Prof. Dr. Mario V. Balzan (Ecostack Innovations). His talk, part of the session “Islands at the forefront of sustainable and inclusive ecosystem services approaches” examined governance and knowledge gaps in pollinator ecosystem services on small islands, where he used Malta as a case study.
The signature journal stickers by Pensoft were once again a common sight at the ESP conference in Prague. Photo courtesy of ESP.
Ultimately, the conference successfully highlighted the tools needed to drive sustainable development across Europe. Through active contributions to both the overarching policy discussions and the targeted skill-building sessions for the next generation of researchers, Pensoft continued its commitment to making environmental science open, transparent, and globally accessible.
New research reveals that schools with mountain-related lyrics in their anthems are significantly more likely to utilize nearby green spaces for environmental education.
The natural environment provides human society with essential non-material values – such as cultural symbolism and local attachment – known as “cultural ecosystem services.” But can these abstract cultural values actually influence how communities behave? According to a new study focusing on public schools in Hachioji City, Tokyo, the answer is yes.
In a study published in the journal Nature Conservation, researchers Kazuki Miyauchi and Associate Professor Takeshi Osawa from the Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences at Tokyo Metropolitan University investigated the relationship between nature-related vocabulary in school anthems and actual environmental education practices.
Why school anthems?
Empty classroom. Photo by 2y kang via Unsplash.
Lyrics serve as a vital medium for expressing nature within a cultural context. However, because popular or general songs are sung in many different places, their references to nature tend to be abstract and often lack a strong connection to a specific region.
In contrast, school anthems are deeply rooted in specific schools and communities and are characterized by being sung regularly and repeatedly. Consequently, how local nature is depicted in school anthems can provide insightful clues into the relationship between the school, the community, and the environment.
What the data showed?
Researchers analyzed the official anthems of all 104 public schools in Hachioji City, Tokyo – where the surrounding mountains and iconic Mt. Takao serve as powerful natural symbols – surveying them simultaneously about nature-based programs and use of local green spaces. Of the 63 schools that provided valid responses, a clear pattern emerged.
Distribution map of elementary and junior high schools in Hachioji City, and those that responded to the questionnaire. Credit to Miyauchi and Osawa, 2026
Mountain trail in Hachioji. Photo by Markus Winkler via Pexels.
Surprisingly, anthems referencing “高尾” (Mt. Takao) by name showed no significant correlation with nature-related programs, nor did lyrics correlate with broader outdoor school programs involving overnight trips to distant locations. But schools whose anthems included general mountain terms – such as “山” (mountain) or “峰” (peak) – showed a statistically significant tendency to utilize nearby green spaces for educational activities.
This finding suggests a potential link between symbolic cultural representations embedded in school traditions and the actual practice of nature-related education.
the researchers note in the study
Research Significance and Potential Impact
Schoolchildren on a trip. Photo by Stephanie Hau via Unsplash.
This research is highly significant because it demonstrates that natural expressions embedded in school culture – specifically through school anthems – may be linked to concrete actions in actual educational activities.
It is well-established that childhood experiences in nature exert a strong influence on a person’s future environmental awareness. The fact that local nature “lives” within school culture via anthems and correlates with outdoor curriculum suggests that embedding local ecology into cultural traditions can be a catalyst for children to learn to value their immediate surroundings.
the researchers added
While the study establishes a strong correlation, its scope was limited to mountain-related terms. The researchers point out that future studies should explore other natural elements, such as rivers, forests, and wildlife. The researchers also note that further investigation is needed to determine causality – whether the expressions in the anthems directly influence educational activities, or whether a region’s overall pro-nature orientation is simply reflected in both the community’s lyrics and its curriculum.
By expanding on these findings, we expect to provide new insights into how environmental education and regional development can leverage the powerful connection between culture and nature.
Original source:
Miyauchi K, Osawa T (2026) Are cultural ecosystem services expressed in school songs associated with nature-related educational activities? Nature Conservation 63: 237-245. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.63.180492
Graceful, brown-eyed, and a staple of local folklore, the roe deer is one of Romania’s most iconic forest dwellers. But behind the serene image of these animals lies a hidden crisis: a new study reveals the roe deer is the most frequently poached mammal in the country, a finding made possible by turning to an unlikely source of scientific data: the local news.
Because Romania lacks a centralised official database for monitoring illegal hunting and fishing, researchers from the University of Bucharest analysed over 1,100 media reports from 2007 to 2024 to uncover the patterns of wildlife crime. The study, published in the journal Nature Conservation, found that ungulates and aquatic species are the primary targets of poachers, often driven by the lucrative trade in meat and animal products.
Taxa reported in mass media articles addressing poaching events from 2007 to 2024 in Romania. Photo credit: Neagu et al.
“We initially planned to map the scale of poaching in Romania using the data you would expect authorities to keep, things like police files, court records, and hunting inspectorate reports.”
“What we ran into was a gap no one really talks about, since there is no centralised database for poaching in this country. That forced us to rethink the question. Where were these stories actually being told? The answer was the press.”
Lead researcher Andra Claudia Neagu, a doctoral student at the University of Bucharest
The research identifies the roe deer as the most reported victim of illegal hunting, appearing in over 22 per cent of analysed articles, followed closely by the wild boar at 16 per cent. Fish and aquatic species also face high risks, making up nearly 34 per cent of poaching reports, with the highest concentration of incidents occurring in Tulcea County, home to the ecologically rich Danube Delta.
Bear caught in a snare in Covasna County. Photo credit: Silviu Chiriac (National Agency for Environment and Protected Areas, Vrancea County Environmental Directorate).
“A poaching incident in a forest outside a small village rarely makes it into a national statistic, but it often ends up in a local news brief.”
“On their own, these are footnotes. Put enough of them together and patterns emerge: where, which species, which season, which methods. What official records cannot capture, the local press often does.”
The Research Team
The study also highlighted a darker side of human-wildlife conflict: protected species like the brown bear and grey wolf are frequently targeted when they venture too close to human settlements. Researchers found that the poaching of these large carnivores is often fueled by a low tolerance among local communities and a lack of social acceptance.
Bear caught in a snare in Vrancea County. Photo credit: Silviu Chiriac.
Understanding the “why” behind these crimes is critical for reform. Neagu’s team found that poaching ranges from trophy hunting for status to subsistence fishing by families with few legal ways to earn a living.
“It changes almost everything, because there is no single ‘poacher’.”
“Trophy poaching needs stronger enforcement and real consequences. Subsistence poaching needs alternatives that break the dependence on an illegal catch. And casual poaching needs education far more than punishment. Treating these three as the same problem is one of the reasons anti-poaching policies so often fail.”
The Research Team
As technology advances, the team sees both new threats and new opportunities. While poachers use increasingly sophisticated trapping and online sales channels, researchers believe artificial intelligence could be a game-changer for conservation by scanning public platforms for evidence of illegal activities.
“Poachers adapt just as fast as we do. Some of the cases that made it into our dataset only came to light because someone online spotted an image, perhaps a trophy photo, and reported it. A tool trained to scan public platforms for exactly that kind of content could flag dozens more cases that slip through today.”
The Research Team
An improvised trap, often used by poachers (snares). Photo credit: Silviu Chiriac.
Ultimately, the study suggests that the most powerful tool for change is a shift in community mindset. Hotspots identified in the research, such as Tulcea for fishing and Bacau for ungulates, requires more public engagement.
“The biggest barrier to tackling it in Romania isn’t missing technology or weak laws. It is a quiet social tolerance.”
“If we had to pick one thing, it would be breaking the silence around poaching. If you care about wildlife, share what you know with the people around you. The more normal it becomes to treat poaching as a real problem, the less cover it has, and that is where real change starts.”
The Research Team
Research on the study, titled “Wildlife at risk: A media-based analysis of wildlife poaching in Romania,” was led by Andra Claudia Neagu, Steluta Manolache, and Laurentiu Rozylowicz. The work was supported by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS-UEFISCDI, project number PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-1119 (Harmonia).
A new study published in Nature Conservation shows that not all acoustic deterrent devices may be effective in protecting the Black Sea porpoise, Europe’s smallest marine mammal.
The endangered Black Sea harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta) is facing a critical fight for survival. As Europe’s smallest marine mammal, this isolated population is being pushed toward extinction by bycatch – the unintentional entanglement in fishing gear. The crisis is most acute in the Black Sea turbot fishery, where recent estimates reveal that more than 10,000 porpoises die annually.
Led by a strong motivation to address threats to this iconic species, a team of Bulgarian researchers has carried out a four-year trial study of 57 hauls seeking effective solutions to reduce porpoise mortality. The study, now published in Nature Conservation, found bycatch in 61% of all hauls, accounting for 189 cetaceans: 182 harbour porpoises, five bottlenose dolphins, and two common dolphins.
Bycaught Black Sea harbour porpoises. Photo credit to Dimitar Popov.
The trials did not begin promisingly, as the first two models of acoustic deterrent devices (pingers) tested, proved ineffective at reducing bycatch.
the researchers noted
This initial setback prompted the team to search for an alternative solution, eventually leading to a breakthrough with the PAL Wideband pinger, an acoustic deterrent device developed in Germany.
PAL Wideband pinger attached to a fishing net. Photo credit to Dimitar Popov.
Field trials demonstrated that this device can reduce harbour porpoise bycatch in the Black Sea by approximately 74%. Researchers believe the specific acoustic signals, namely the wider frequency band (between 10 and 150 kHz) emitted by the PAL Wideband model, contributed to its effectiveness, as it was the only one of the three pingers tested, that successfully deterred porpoises from approaching fishing nets.
Map of the conducted trials involving PAL Wideband pingers in 2020 and 2021. Credit to Popov et al., 2026
“Other recent studies have highlighted significant shortcomings in the conservation of harbour porpoise populations in European waters,” the researchers stated. This underscores the urgent need for effective strategies to reduce bycatch, the leading human-induced cause of mortality for the species.
Mitigation measures could include spatio-temporal closures of high-risk fisheries in areas where harbour porpoises are most abundant, as well as the adoption of alternative or modified fishing gear, including the use of acoustic deterrent devices.
the experts noted
Bycaught Black Sea harbour porpoise. Photo credit to Dimitar Popov.
Among the available options, the use of effective pingers, supported by appropriate financing mechanisms, is increasingly seen as one of the most practical and widely accepted approaches to reducing bycatch while maintaining profitable fishing operations.
Not all acoustic deterrent devices are equally effective in reducing the bycatch of the harbour porpoise in the Black Sea.
the researchers concluded
Their findings demonstrate that certain pinger models fail to mitigate porpoise bycatch in the bottom-set gillnets specifically used to target turbot.
The study underscores the importance of careful selection and testing of deterrent devices and emphasizes that this distinction must be explicitly taken into account in the development of targeted and effective strategies to reduce bycatch in Black Sea fisheries.
If you are interested in other marine research from Bulgaria, take a look at the topical collection “Black Sea ecosystem in the spotlight” which includes this study.
Original source:
Popov D, Meshkova G, Dimitrov H, Panayotova M (2026) Can pingers mitigate the bycatch of the endangered Black Sea Harbour Porpoise? Nature Conservation 63: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.63.183768
Ancient, massive coral reef colonies hold scientific treasures but remain largely unknown – now they are being mapped with the help of citizen science.
Coral reefs hide “scientific treasures” that have survived for centuries, yet many of these giant, ancient organisms remain largely unknown to science. A new study published in the journal Nature Conservation introduces “Map the Giants,” a pioneering citizen-science initiative launched by researchers from the University of Milano-Bicocca to find these giant coral colonies before they are lost to escalating global pressures.
Map the Giants® was born from a sobering yet stimulating realization by the research team: despite their centennial age and their remarkable sizes – defined by the project as colonies measuring at least 5 meters in length – these colonies lack formal recognition. This leaves them vulnerable to disappearance simply because we do not know they exist.
A Mission of Discovery
Coral giant, video credit to Map the Giants®
While these coral giants have withstood the elements for hundreds of years, the last century has brought unprecedented local and global threats. “We are in a race to recognize these organisms. They have survived for centuries, but modern pressures are increasing so rapidly that some colonies may disappear before they are even documented,” the authors emphasized the urgency.
The research highlights that identifying these giants is not just a scientific necessity, but a vital tool for fostering ocean literacy and raising awareness among local stakeholders and the broader community – a goal made possible through a standardized reporting protocol and multi-expert validation that ensures robust data collection regardless of the contributor’s background.
Secrets of Survival
Pavona cf. clavus from Vietnam, 195 metres in perimeter. Credits to Anuar Abdulla
Turbinaria sp. measuring 11m in diameter. Credits to Map the Giants
Pavona sp. from Indonesia measuring 78 m in perimeter. Credits to Easy Divers Bali
The team searched for more than just size; they also looked for vital clues to “coral resilience“. Long-lived giant corals act as high-resolution time capsules, archiving centuries of past climate and environmental conditions within their skeletons.
By locating and studying these ancient survivors, we hope to unlock the genetic secrets and traits that have enabled these specific individuals to resist and acclimatize to environmental changes.
researchers explained
Furthermore, the project aims to provide a validated sampling frame to support peer-reviewed studies on resilient “super-corals,” which could help future-proof and restore the reefs of tomorrow. Ultimately, by identifying these culturally and ecologically valuable colonies, the researchers plan to collaborate with stakeholders to explore protection measures and establish them as marine monuments.
Some #corals have been alive for CENTURIES – and scientists are just now racing to find them before they disappear. 🪸 “Map the Giants” is a new citizen science project tracking coral colonies 5+ metres long. In just 18 months, contributors from 22 countries have already added 133 verified entries to the global database. 👐Pretty incredible what a community can do. Photo and video credit to: Map the Giants, Luca Fallati, Federica Siena, Anuar Abdulla and Easy Divers Bali #coralreefs#science#marine#climatechange
The project has already seen remarkable success. In its first 18 months, the initiative received 195 submissions from 22 countries, resulting in 133 validated entries added to the public database. Most surprisingly, the project reports of an incredibly large Porites sp. coral measuring over 60 metres in linear length or a Pavona cf. clavus over 195 metres in perimeter, offering new inspirations for future scientific research.
Citizen science is pivotal. The sheer scale of coral reefs requires a concerted effort. Anyone with a camera and a snorkel can join us. A simple report of a giant’s existence is the first step in recognizing and studying them.
said the project lead Prof. Simone Montano
How to Join the Search
The project is designed for total accessibility. Through a dedicated website (www.mapthegiants.com) and social media presence, the public can contribute data and learn about the beauty and fragility of reef ecosystems. The adaptable protocol ensures that whilst data are robust, the background of the contributor will only affect the level of complexity of the data, not the report on its own. By turning divers and reef users into “coral seekers,” the project aims to bridge the gap between professional science and community-led conservation.
Original source:
Siena FM, Gabbiadini A, Fallati L, Galli P, Montano S (2026) Map the Giants: a new citizen-science portal to map, study and protect the largest coral colonies. Nature Conservation 63: 127-151. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.63.182923
Pensoft participated in this year’s 9th European Conference on Tropical Ecology (ECTE 2026) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Society for Tropical Ecology (gtö).
Under the theme ‘Species-Ecosystems-People,’ the conference offered a multidisciplinary perspective through 175 oral presentations and 42 posters across 17 thematic sessions, bridging the gap between fundamental ecological research and the sustainable restoration of vital ecosystems.
From the very first day and throughout the week, the Pensoft booth was buzzing with people and activities. Attendees had the chance to explore our diverse portfolio of journals, many of which align seamlessly with the ‘Species-Ecosystems-People’ theme, including:
Editors of existing or yet-to-be-launched Diamond and Gold Open Access journals were also invited to visit the Pensoft stand to learn more about the process and benefits of migrating to or launching a journal on the ARPHA Platform.
Developed by Pensoft to power its own well-renowned scientific journals, ARPHA is now a globally recognised end-to-end solution for innovative, technologically advanced scientific publishing that comes with multiple in-house human-provided services.
Beyond browsing journals and discussing publishing opportunities, visitors engaged with our interactive “Pin Your Favourite Species” board and took promotional materials and stickers featuring the stunning artwork of Pensoft’s in-house scientific illustrator Denitsa Peneva, which proved to be a major visual draw.
A milestone partnership
Dr. Katarina Sam, president of the Society for Tropical Ecology (gtö) at Pensoft’s booth.
On 24th of February, Dr. Katerina Sam (gtö) signed the partnership. This MoU aims to promote research activities and optimise the dissemination of scientific knowledge within the tropical ecology community to ensure that important research findings reach a global audience through robust publication support.
One major highlight of this year’s conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Society for Tropical Ecology (gtö) and Pensoft during the general assembly.
Keynote speakers
Our team on-site was delighted to meet several Pensoft authors who took the stage as keynote speakers to share their expertise.
On February 24th, Prof. Alexandre Antonelli of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew delivered a compelling lecture on “Illuminating Biodiversity Darkspots,” reminding us that over 90% of fungi remain unknown and 45% of plants are at risk of extinction.
Prof. Antonelli during his keynote talk at ECTE 2026.
Prof. Antonelli during his keynote talk at ECTE 2026.
That same day, Dr. Maria Fungomeli of the National Museums of Kenya presented her keynote on “Biodiversity Patterns in the Kenyan Coastal Forests,” highlighting the vital links between coastal ecosystems, culture, and community.
A valued author and reviewer for VCS, Dr. Fungomeli has also contributed to several journals powered by ARPHA Platform, including Pensoft’s Biodiversity Data Journal and ZooKeys, as well as Senckenberg’s Contributions to Entomology.
Dr. Fungomeli during her keynote talk.
Dr. Fungomeli at Pensoft’s booth.
On February 25th, Prof. Rob Marchant of the University of York, an author in our open-access journal African Invertebrates, delivered his talk, “Embedding the Past for Balanced Future Tropical Mountain Social Ecological Systems.”
He explored how shifts in human-nature interactions over the last 6,000 years can help researchers understand the complex transitions from original forest extents to our modern landscapes. See Prof. Marchant’s paper in African Invertebrates here.
Her presentation, “Aromatic delight: Revealing diversity and function of fruit microbiome in seed dispersal,” proposed a fascinating shift in ecological understanding.
During her talk, she suggested the potential that microbes co-evolved with animals and plants to support scent-driven seed dispersal effectively transforming a traditional bipartite interaction (plant-animal seed dispersal) into a tripartite one.
Dr. Chronopoulou received a waiver for a free publication in any open-access journal within the Pensoft portfolio.
After a fantastic week in Passau at ECTE 2026, Pensoft is now looking forward to the 10th European Conference on Tropical Ecology, which will take place in Aarhus, Denmark. There, Pensoft plans to establish further partnerships and continue its support for open science in insect research. See you there!
