Development of research identified in the Biodiversity Priority Action Programme” project “High-resolution Biodiversity Quantification for Nature Conservation and Management: HiQBioDiv Project leader Aleksejs Nipers Team of project Betija Rubene Jānis Gailis Duration 2024 - 2026 Research focus 2. Preservation of biological diversity in agro- and forest biocenoses, ecosystem protection and services Source of funding National research programs Project partners Lead- University of LatviaPartner- Daugavpils University Description of project The aim of the project is to provide new knowledge and solutions to support the achievement of the goals set out in the European Union Biodiversity Strategy. The project focuses on in-depth research into the ecology, distribution, and threats to EU-protected species and habitats, with particular attention given to species with an unfavorable conservation status and unclear population trends.The project consists of five interrelated main tasks:Mobilization of species occurrence and ecogeographic data – collection, structuring, and processing of existing data to ensure its usability for subsequent research.Species distribution modeling and prioritization of areas for nature conservation – using the prepared data in quantitative ecological data analyses to create detailed and informative species distribution maps and to support nature conservation planning.In-depth ecological research – building, disseminating, and applying scientific understanding of the ecological needs of protected species and habitats, contributing to other tasks within this project and to the broader public.Integration of biodiversity into ecosystem service assessments and socio-economic impact analysis of various scenarios, using and expanding data and computational workflows developed within this and related projects.Synthesis and dissemination of project results – effective consolidation of outcomes from all tasks, ensuring open access for all stakeholders and reproducibility of the research process. Results The HiQBioDiv project will promote a balanced approach to biodiversity conservation by providing transparent, data-driven solutions to support decision-making. The obtained results will be openly available and suitable for wide application in ecological, conservation, and socio-economic assessments and studies. The project will also involve training for natural scientists and students in biodiversity modeling, thereby enhancing human capital in the field of nature conservation and strengthening public engagement and support. The developed materials and approaches will be freely accessible, offering opportunities for their use in future human capital development and capacity building.
