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 comprehensive 15-year study published in the Biodiversity Data Journal details the growing threat of extreme weather on White Storks in Bulgaria.
A comprehensive 15-year study published in the Biodiversity Data Journal details the growing threat of extreme weather on White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) in Bulgaria. Long considered a symbol of good fortune and the arrival of spring, white storks hold a cherished place in Bulgarian folklore – their nesting on rooftops traditionally seen as a blessing upon the household.
The research, which is part of the topical collection “Restoration of species of conservation importance,” analyzes the admissions and treatment outcomes of injured storks at the Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Centre (WRBC) of the Green Balkans NGO between 2010 and 2025.
Led by Rusko Petrov alongside Eva Pastir of Trakia University and Gradimir Gradev of the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, the study examines how extreme weather events, specifically sudden spring frosts and wildfires, affect White Stork survival.
Map of the locations where distressed birds have been found – in blue are the locations where White Storks from the first category were found, in red are the ones from the second category. The green dot is the location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre of Green Balkans. Credit to Petrov, Pastir & Gradev, 2026.
Of 3,690 storks admitted to the WRBC over the 15-year period, researchers focused on 158 cases attributable to storms, hailstorms, strong winds, snowfalls with low temperatures, and wildfires.
A Tale of Two Disasters
Percentage of storks admitted due to burnt and collapsed nests between 2010-2025. Credit to Petrov, Pastir & Gradev, 2026.
The results revealed a stark contrast in survival depending on the type of weather event. Overall, 49% of the extreme weather victims (77 birds) were successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild, while 51% (81 birds) of the cases were fatal. Only two birds remained permanently disabled and were transferred to other facilities.
Notably, juvenile storks are exceptionally vulnerable to extreme conditions because they are unable to flee the nest. This is particularly tragic during wildfires, which destroy nests and trap the flightless young while adult birds flee. Consequently, survival rates for fire-related incidents were strikingly low at just 33% (32 out of 97 cases). In contrast, storks affected by storms, hailstorms, and sudden snowfalls had a significantly higher rehabilitation success rate of 74% (45 out of 61 cases).
The Climate Change Connection
White stork. Photo via Canva.
The researchers identified distinct geographic and climatic patterns linked to these rescues. Wildfires primarily clustered in the warmer Upper Thracian Plain, driven by prolonged summer heatwaves and human factors. Meanwhile, cold-related rescues were prevalent in the Danubian Plain, where cold continental air masses invade during winter and early spring.
These geographic patterns are consistent with global warming trends.
Warmer winters are prompting storks to migrate earlier, exposing the returning adults to sudden, deadly spring frosts and blizzards.
explain the researchers.
Simultaneously, the increasing frequency of summer heatwaves is fueling the nest-destroying wildfires that threaten the juveniles. Petrov also notes broader implications for other species:
Our research is focused on White Storks, but the impact is similar to many other bird species and most sensitive to it are the migratory and endangered ones.
he explains.
To safeguard the White Stork, the authors underscore the urgent need for enhanced nest protection, improved wildlife rescue efforts, and proactive climate adaptation strategies to conserve the species.
Original source:
Petrov R, Pastir E, Gradev G (2026) Impact of extreme weather on White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) rehabilitation: admissions and outcomes (2010-2025). Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e182547. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e182547
A multi-institutional team of researchers have successfully conducted the first comprehensive exploration of the intertidal and subtidal rocky ecosystems of Inútil Bay.
At the icy, wind-swept tip of South America lies Inútil Bay, a remote marine environment in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago that has long guarded its underwater secrets due to severe logistical and meteorological challenges. A multi-institutional team of researchers have successfully conducted the first comprehensive exploration of the intertidal and subtidal rocky ecosystems of Inútil Bay.
Marine expedition at Intuil Bay. Credit: Mariano Rodríguez.
The findings from this survey, recently published in the Biodiversity Data Journal, provide a missing piece in the biogeographical puzzle of sub-Antarctic coastal environments. Benthic marine macroalgae act as important ecosystem engineers, modifying the physical structure of coastal habitats to create complex environments that support rich marine food webs and exceptionally high levels of biodiversity.
Beyond their role as local habitat providers, these extensive algal communities contribute significantly to global climate mitigation, while also serving as sensitive indicators of environmental health and human-induced disturbances.
Operating across six distinct sampling locations along both the northern and southern coasts of the Inutil bay, the research team deployed scientific diving techniques, including the use of 25-metre line transects and photo-quadrats to document all macroalgae species distributions.
Marine expedition at Intuil Bay. Credit: Mariano Rodríguez.
This field methodology culminated in the documentation of 72 distinct macroalgal taxa, providing a major expansion of the known phytogeographic characterisation of the Magellanic region (Chile). The survey recorded 32 taxa in the variable intertidal zone and 58 taxa in the subtidal depths, comprising a diverse assortment of green, brown, and red algae.
While canopy-forming kelp species such as Macrocystis pyrifera and Lessonia flavicans dominated the underwater landscape alongside widespread species like Ptilonia magellanica, the researchers also catalogued rare and highly unusual specimens, for example, Microzonia velutina, a little brown macroalga.
Microzonia velutina – a brown algal species. Credit: Mariano Rodríguez.
All collected specimens are preserved at the Rewilding Chile Herbarium in Puerto Varas, ensuring that this dataset remains available to support future monitoring of these ecosystems, the detection of invasive species, and conservation planning in southern Patagonia.
At the same time, we are making progress on a collaborative alliance with the National Museum of Natural History of Chile, where we have already deposited an icefish larva (Champsocephalus esox) collected on a previous expedition and the Microzonia velutina.
The Research Team
Cover image:
Marine expedition to Bahía Inútil (Intuil Bay). Credit: James Alfaro.
Original source:
Kaminsky J, Palacios M, Rodríguez M, Hüne M (2026) Sub-Antarctic subtidal and intertidal macroalgae in rocky ecosystems of Inútil Bay, Tierra del Fuego in Southern Patagonia. Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e183377. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e183377
Football fans and nature enthusiasts, welcome to our pre-match build-up!
The crowd is roaring, the floodlights are blinding, and the pitch is absolutely pristine. Football fans and nature enthusiasts, welcome to our pre-match build-up!
We are just days away from the kickoff of the biggest show on Earth. That’s right, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is commencing soon, and it is already breaking all the records. This year, we are looking at a historic 23rd edition of the tournament, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026. For the first time in history, three powerhouse nations – the United States, Mexico, and Canada – are teaming up to host across 16 spectacular cities.
But hold onto your hats, because at Pensoft, we are launching our very own tournament to run right alongside the World Cup. While the world’s best footballers are battling it out on the grass, we are hosting an equally fierce competition.
We’ve scouted our journals, drafted the top talent, and placed different incredible species into a head-to-head knockout tournament.
This biodiversity battle will rage throughout the World Cup season, with the grand finale taking place on the same week as the final. But who will lift the ultimate trophy of public affection? Only you can decide…
The Match Schedule: How to play your part
We need you, the fans, to act as the referee! Here is how the tournament layout looks:
Thursday kickoff: Every Thursday, head over to our Instagram page where the latest head-to-head match will go live on our stories. You’ll have 24 hours to cast your vote in our poll for the species you want to win.
Monday post-match analysis: Every Monday, we will announce who won their corresponding match on our Instagram Story.
Consider this your ultimate pre-match scouting report. While you’re backing your favorite species to lift the trophy, you’ll also get the inside track on some of the most fascinating species described in our journals.
Tournament disclaimer
Before we kick-off, it is noteworthy that this tournament is purely for entertainment and a bit of good-natured fun. Narrowing down our roster to just 16 species was tough and we acknowledge that we’ve left some spectacular creatures on the bench.
To ensure total fairness and transparency, our selection was based on the latest 2026 Altmetric data. This system tracks online mentions across news media, blogs, and social networks for articles published in Pensoft journals from 2010 onward.
We did our best to diversify the list as much as possible in terms of taxonomic groups. However, due to the visual-centric nature of social media, we gave preference to immediately attractive species.
Are you ready for the whistle?
Make sure you are following our Instagram page so you don’t miss out!
Two new caddisfly species have been described from Middle East and Caucasus ecoregions.
The newly described aquatic insects, belonging to the genus Hydropsyche, help close substantial knowledge gaps regarding the biodiversity of Azerbaijan, Iran, and Türkiye. Caddisflies (order Trichoptera) are vital components of freshwater ecosystems, and the Hydropsyche genus is among the most diverse and ecologically important, comprising more than 8% of all Trichoptera species recorded in the Western Palaearctic region.
The Two New Caddisfly Species
Hydropsyche fitesa, credit to Dr. Halil Ibrahimi
Hydropsyche hindrajab, credit to Dr. Halil Ibrahimi
Both new species were found in habitats characterized by stone, pebble, and fine sediments with sparse riparian vegetation. Hydropsyche fitesa was discovered in Iran, specifically near the Shalmash Waterfalls on the Chamyaman River, a tributary originating in the Zagros Mountains; the epithet fitesa honors the first author’s wife, in recognition of her lifelong support of caddisfly research. Hydropsyche hindrajab was found across multiple river localities in Azerbaijan, Iran, and Türkiye, and was named in honor of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl whose life was lost amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Authored by Halil Ibrahimi (University of Prishtina, Kosovo) and Dora Hlebec (University of Zagreb, Croatia), the study highlights the challenges of identifying morphologically similar species. Because both new insects belong to the Hydropsyche guttata species cluster, a group whose members look strikingly alike, the team employed an integrative taxonomic approach.
By combining traditional morphological examination with advanced DNA analysis (specifically, sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, or COI gene), the researchers confirmed that H. hindrajab represents a distinct evolutionary lineage. H. fitesa was distinguished based on unique morphological differences in its physical structure compared to its closest relatives.
Future Explorations
Distribution of Hydropsychehindrajab sp. nov. (red squares), Hydropsychefitesa sp. nov. (green square), Hydropsychesciligra (yellow squares) and Hydropsychetigrata (green squares), based on data used for the current study. Credit to Ibrahimi and Hlebec, 2026.
The discovery underscores how much of the region’s aquatic life remains undocumented. The authors note that the type localities in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, are known for harboring rare aquatic insects, and they believe the area likely holds additional undescribed species yet to be found. Currently, 23 Hydropsyche species are known in Iran, 67 in Türkiye, and 12 in Azerbaijan, but the potential for new discoveries remains high.
Original study:
Ibrahimi H, Hlebec D (2026) Two new species of the genus Hydropsyche Pictet, 1834 (Trichoptera, Hydropsychidae) from the Middle East and Caucasus ecoregions. Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e191076. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e191076
A new study suggests that spider webs can serve as natural, non-destructive collectors of fungal material in agricultural ecosystems.
A new study published in the open-access Biodiversity Data Journal suggests that spider webs – particularly those incorporating environmental debris – can serve as natural, non-destructive collectors of fungal material in agricultural ecosystems. The findings show that viable fungi can be recovered from these structures, including lineages that may represent previously undocumented diversity.
“Spider webs are often overlooked structures in the environment, yet they can function as natural collectors of biological material. Our findings suggest that they can be used as a complementary approach to access microbial communities without disturbing the surrounding ecosystem.”
Thanakron Into (Student at Thammasat University)
Researchers from Thammasat University and the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand, investigated whether the adhesive and particle-trapping properties of spider silk could be used to capture and culture fungi associated with airborne and environmental particles. Unlike DNA-based methods, which detect genetic material regardless of viability, this approach allows for the recovery of living organisms that can be further studied.
The study focused on tropical rice fields, using webs of the orb-weaving spider Cyclosa mulmeinensis, a species known for constructing distinctive “trashline” decorations – linear accumulations of plant fragments, insect remains, and other debris within the web. These structures can intercept a variety of particles, some of which may carry fungal propagules.
Representative orb webs of Cyclosamulmeinensis illustrating web architecture and debris decoration. Image credit: Thanakron Into et al.
Webs were collected from rice-field embankments in Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok, and Phetchaburi provinces using sterile techniques. In the laboratory, material retained on the silk was gently removed and cultured, yielding 112 viable fungal isolates. These isolates were grouped into 23 taxa across six genera, including Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Talaromyces.
“We were particularly surprised that many of the fungi recovered from the webs remained viable and could be cultured. This enables further investigation beyond presence or absence, including their biological characteristics.”
Thanakron Into
Locations of paddy fields where Cyclosamulmeinensis spider webs were collected in Thailand (left). Composition of culturable fungal taxa across genera in individual sampled webs, expressed as the number of taxa recovered per web (right). Image credit: Thanakron Into et al.
Some genetic lineages – particularly within Cladosporium and Talaromyces – did not match currently described species in available databases, indicating that additional, undocumented diversity may be present in these systems.
Conventional approaches to fungal monitoring typically rely on soil, air, or plant sampling, or on molecular methods that may not distinguish between living and non-living material. In this context, spider webs may provide a useful supplementary sampling surface for capturing biologically relevant particles.
Because spider webs are naturally maintained and, in some species, periodically rebuilt, this method can be applied with minimal disturbance to both the organisms and their environment. Importantly, the spiders themselves were not harmed during sampling, as only small sections of the web were collected.
“The ability to recover living fungi from these naturally occurring structures adds a practical dimension to biodiversity studies. It provides a way to link environmental sampling with downstream biological work.”
Thanakron Into
The idea that something as familiar as a spider web could quietly capture a hidden layer of biodiversity highlights how much of the natural world remains overlooked in plain sight.
While further work is needed to evaluate how broadly this approach can be applied, the study demonstrates the potential of spider webs as an additional tool for exploring microbial diversity in agricultural landscapes.
Diagram displaying an overview of the study. Image credit: Booppa Petcharad.
Original source:
Into T, Petcharad B, Boonyuen N, Chanklan R, Pannanusorn S, Mongkolsamrit S, Kobmoo N, Nuankaew S, Kwanthong P (2026) Spider webs as reservoirs of culturable fungal diversity: evidence from orb-weaving Cyclosa mulmeinensis spider in Thai rice agroecosystems. Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e187035. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e187035
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.
A new inventory of over 300 amphipod species from Italian seas offers an updated picture of their distribution and biodiversity.
Guest blog post by Prof. Sabrina Lo Brutto
What if some of the most important clues about marine biodiversity were already collected but never fully shared?
That’s the question that motivated this study, published in Biodiversity Data Journal. It brought together over 40 years of unpublished data on marine amphipods – ecologically crucial crustaceans – from across Italian waters. By unifying scattered records and making them openly accessible, researchers have assembled comprehensive and up-to-date inventories of these species for the Mediterranean.
Satellite image of the Mediterranean Sea with Italy and Sicily. Image provided by Prof. Sabrina Lo Brutto.
Researchers analysed 4,344 previously unpublished records spanning from 1980 to 2025, identifying 302 amphipod species across the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, and Ionian Seas. Interestingly, they found that the Tyrrhenian Sea harbours the highest taxonomic richness (258 species), while the Adriatic Sea accounts for the greatest number of records due to intense historical sampling.
A Number of species per sea; B Venn diagram illustrating the distribution and shared amphipod species across the three areas, Tyrrhenian Sea (light blue), Ionian Sea (red), Adriatic Sea (blue). Credit to Badalucco et al., 2026.
This work not only updates the Italian inventory but also reinforces the country’s central role as a biodiversity hotspot in the Mediterranean.
noted Prof. Sabrina Lo Brutto of the Department of Earth and Sea Sciences (DiSTeM) at the University of Palermo, the coordinator of the study.
Why amphipods matter
A female hyalid amphipod species (Serejohyale sicilia) with eggs. Image credit to Prof. Sabrina Lo Brutto.
Amphipods are small, often just a few millimeters long, but they play an outsized role in marine ecosystems. They recycle nutrients, connect food webs, and serve as prey for fish, birds, and mammals. Because they respond quickly to environmental stress, they are also powerful bioindicators, helping scientists detect pollution and ecological changes.
Yet despite their importance, our knowledge of where these species live has been fragmented. In some cases, outdated or incomplete records have even led to cascading misidentifications in the scientific literature.
A collaborative effort across Italy
Map showing the distribution of the georeferenced species records. Points were differentiated by colours, based on the sea upon which they lie: Tyrrhenian Sea (light blue), Ionian Sea (red) and Adriatic Sea (blue). Credit to Badalucco et al., 2026.
This study represents a collective effort coordinated under the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC). Researchers from universities, environmental agencies, and research institutes across Italy contributed data spanning more than four decades.
By harmonizing these datasets under the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), we ensured that the information was not only scientifically robust but also openly available for future research.
commented the first author of the study, Dr. Antonina Badalucco (Dept. DiSTeM, University of Palermo).
The full dataset is now accessible via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), making it a resource for scientists worldwide.
A changing Mediterranean
Percentage of the amphipod species per substrate/habitat categories. *The species Dendropoma petraeum is now accepted as Dendropoma cristatum. Credit to Badalucco et al., 2026.
The presence of non-indigenous species is a reminder that marine ecosystems are rapidly evolving. The study identified 11 alien species primarily concentrated in ports, lagoons such as the Venice Lagoon, and aquaculture facilities. Increased shipping, aquaculture, and global connectivity are allowing these species to travel farther and establish themselves in new environments, sometimes with significant ecological consequences.
At the same time, researchers observed that sampling efforts have intensified dramatically in the last decade, driven in part by European environmental policies such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive – generating a surge in available data, while also highlighting how much earlier information had remained underused.
Why this matters now
Understanding where species live is the foundation of conservation. Without accurate distribution data, it’s nearly impossible to track biodiversity loss, identify vulnerable habitats, or design effective protection strategies.
Prof. Lo Brutto explained
By filling long-standing gaps in knowledge, this research supports broader efforts – such as the EU’s and National Biodiversity Future Centre’s shared goal to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 – and provides a baseline for monitoring future environmental change.
Looking ahead
This is not the end of the story; it’s a starting point. Our study shows the immense value of unlocking existing data and making it accessible. We hope it will inspire similar efforts across other regions and taxonomic groups, helping to build a more complete picture of life in our oceans.
Prof. Lo Brutto concluded
Original study:
Badalucco A, Auriemma R, Balistreri P, Baratti M, Bonifazi A, Capillo G, Cimmaruta R, Coccia I, D’Amore A, Desiderato A, D’Iglio C, Grech D, Iaciofano D, Lattanzi L, Lezzi M, Lionello M, Macaluso E, Mancini E, Martino C, Marusso V, Mercurio M, Mucciolo S, Prato E, Pulieri M, Puthod P, Scipione MB, Scirocco T, Sirchia B, Specchiulli A, Targusi M, Trabucco B, Vannucci A, Rosati I, Lo Brutto S (2026) A contribution to the inventory of marine amphipod species from Italian waters based on unpublished sources and FAIR principles. Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e189256. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e189256
A new checklist published in the Biodiversity Data Journal sheds light on the diversity of diatoms in the Salish Sea.
Invisible to the naked eye, phytoplankton play a critically important role at the base of marine food webs, yet their diversity continues to be underestimated. Recently, the UN Global Compact released “The Plankton Manifesto,” highlighting how these microscopic organisms are crucial for addressing the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Diatoms, a major group of photosynthetic microalgae, are particularly powerful in driving roughly 20% of global photosynthesis and forming the very base of marine food webs.
Yet despite their monumental importance, microalgal ecosystems remain largely unexplored and poorly mapped. That is why a recent major scientific undertaking in the Northeast Pacific is so significant.
A First-of-its-Kind Baseline in the Salish Sea
Map of sampling locations. A Distribution of sampling sites throughout the Salish Sea (green markers).Red frame: area of enlargement around Galiano Island (1B); B Sampling sites around Galiano Island (green markers). Map credit to Webber et al., 2026.
Diatom records of the Salish Sea bioregion have historically been fragmentary, dating back to early inventories in the 1800s, and with only scattered surveys filling the gap across the 20th and 21st centuries. As Andrew Simon, PhD student at the University of Alberta, president of IMERSS, and one of the study’s researchers, puts it:
The Salish Sea has long been studied for its rich marine biodiversity. Yet, until now, the history of research on its primary producers has been fragmented, and we have lacked a consolidated baseline record.
Now, for the first time, researchers have taken a significant step toward closing that gap. A team of Canadian researchers — Mark Webber (University of Victoria; IMERSS), Elaine Humphrey (UVic; IMERSS), Arjan van Asselt (IMERSS), Alice Chang (UBC), Evan Morian (Hakai Institute; UBC), and Andrew Simon (IMERSS; University of Alberta) — has published anew checklist of 924 diatom taxa alongside a curated dataset of 11,469 records in the open-access journal Biodiversity Data Journal, providing a long-needed foundation for environmental monitoring across this region of the northeast Pacific Ocean.
Trigonium quinquelobatum, external valve view. SEM. Scale bar: 20 µm, Credit to Webber et al., 2026.
Cocconeis kerguelensis, SV. LM. Scale bar: 5 µm. Photo credit to Webber et al., 2026
Neocalyptrella robusta, live, girdle view. LM. Scale bar: 50 µm, Credit to Webber et al., 2026
The findings include some curious discoveries. Several taxa are reported for the first time on the Pacific coast of North America, including Trigonium quinquelobatum, while others, such as Cocconeis kerguelensis (previously known only from the Indian Ocean) and Neocalyptrella robusta (previously confined to California), suggest a range expansion into cooler waters.
Ecologically, the genus Tabularia stands out as a dominant presence on eelgrass and macroalgae, despite having few species. In contrast, genera like Auliscus, Biddulphia, and Mastogloia are surprisingly scarce in the Salish Sea compared to other regions, leaving open questions about what limits their occurrence there.
This dataset also directly answers a key recommendation from the UN Plankton Manifesto, which urges the scientific community to strengthen plankton research and develop comprehensive plankton atlases to biomonitor the health of marine ecosystems.
Bacteriastrumhyalinium, valve view. LM. Scale bar 20 µm. Credit to Webber et al., 2026.
The Salish Sea — the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples — is home to roughly nine million people and is experiencing rapid growth in urbanization, industrial activity, and marine shipping.
Because diatom populations respond quickly to changes in water quality and environmental conditions, they serve as highly effective early-warning bioindicators for shifts in ecosystem health and pollution levels.
Without a clear picture of what the base of the food web looks like today, it is impossible to understand the impact of tomorrow’s environmental changes.
Attheyalongicornis, girdle view. SEM. Scale bar: 10 µm. Credit to Webber et al., 2026.
“We are fortunate to have had a dedicated group of academic researchers and community scientists contribute to this work over many years,” says Mark Webber, IMERSS’ resident diatomist. “Drawing from the literature, microscope analysis, and molecular sequencing, we now have a better picture of the diatoms present in the Salish Sea. Diatoms are vital to the health of countless organisms — from shorebirds and shellfish to fish and mammals. This baseline provides a reference point for understanding changes that could ripple across the entire web of life.“
Local Research for Global Solutions
Actinoptychusadriaticus var. pumila, exterior valve view. SEM. Scale bar: 5 µm. Credit to Webber et al., 2026.
The UN Plankton Manifesto stresses that understanding and managing plankton communities can unlock “Plankton-Based Solutions” to support fisheries, clean waters, and climate change mitigation.
Our work demonstrates how sustained collaboration between community scientists and research institutes can bridge these gaps, through partnering community expertise and observation with access to microscopy and molecular technologies,
the team concludes.
The new checklist and dataset will support researchers and policymakers in environmental assessments of the Salish Sea, as the team continues to refine and analyze the data to support ongoing regional research.
Original source
Webber M, Humphrey E, van Asselt A, Chang A, Morien E, Simon ADF (2026) Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) of the Salish Sea, Northeast Pacific: annotated checklist and new species reports. Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e189060. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e189060
IMERSS, or the Institute for Multidisciplinary Ecological Research in the Salish Sea, is a non-profit society based in Galiano Island, British Columbia, Canada. IMERSS joins scientific researchers, citizen scientists, and Indigenous communities to conduct multidisciplinary ecological research, monitor biodiversity and the environment, and communicate results to better understand and respond to change in the Salish Sea bioregion.
Protecting the deep sea, the largest and least explored habitat on Earth, requires collaborative effort.
May 7th marks Deep Day, a global day of awareness and action dedicated to the deep sea. Founded by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, it aims to raise awareness of the deep sea’s immense ecological importance and call for its protection against threats like deep-sea mining and destructive fishing.
To celebrate the wonders of our oceans and raise awareness of the incredible biodiversity of the deep sea, we at Pensoft Publishers would like to highlight some of the remarkable marine studies that have recently been published in our scientific journals.
A Global Collaboration to Uncover Deep-Sea Amphipods
The 24 newly described deep-sea amphipod species. Image credit to: Eleanor Frost, National Oceanography Centre
Demonstrating the power of global teamwork, an international group of experts recently discovered 24 new deep-sea amphipod species in the central Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). Researchers from institutions worldwide, including the University of Lodz and the National Oceanography Centre, came together for a coordinated taxonomy workshop to achieve this. Their work revealed a completely new evolutionary branch with the discovery of a new superfamily, Mirabestioidea.
Crucially, their findings form part of the International Seabed Authority’s Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI) and its ‘One Thousand Reasons’ project, which aims to formally describe 1,000 new species by the end of the decade.
Highlighting the importance of this joint effort, Dr. Anna Jażdżewska from the University of Lodz shared:
This was a truly collaborative process that allowed us to achieve the ambitious goal of describing more than 20 species new to science within a year – something that would not have been possible if each of us worked independently. The team’s findings provide information that is crucial for future conservation and policy decisions.
😯Fascinating new #study recorded 108 morphotaxa from 4,500m down to the #hadal depths of 9,775m, revealing the hidden life of the NW Pacific trenches. 🎥They analyzed 460 hours of video from landers & submersibles across the Japan, Ryukyu, and Izu-Ogasawara trenches. 👇Full study here: https://doi.org/10.3897 /BDJ.14.e182172 📗You can read all about it on Pensoft’s blog 👇 https://blog-pensoft.blogs.awt-2.arphahub.com/2026/04/06/what-lives-10-km-below-the-surface-a-new-look-at-life-in-japans-deepest-ocean-trenches/ Research center: Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre. Main funders of the expedition: Inkfish, Caladan Oceanic #deepsea#sciencetok#research
Photo and video credit to Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish, Caladan Oceanic, Jamieson et al., 2026
Another recent expedition provided a profound look at life up to nearly 10 kilometers below the surface in the Japan, Ryukyu, and Izu-Ogasawara trenches, cataloging at least 108 distinct organism groups. The research captured rare footage of species interactions at extreme depths – and one baffling, unidentified animal that has left taxonomists worldwide perplexed.
The unknown organism or Animalia incerta sedis. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, o Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
Rather than using traditional trawls that can damage fragile organisms, the team utilized crewed submersibles and free-fall baited landers. Explaining the value of this non-destructive method, the research team noted:
This combination enabled us to build the most comprehensive visual baseline yet for abyssal and hadal megafauna in the Northwest Pacific to date.
They added that the study aims to establish a foundation for the future, emphasizing that:
More than anything, the hadal zone remains one of Earth’s least-explored and most intriguing frontiers.
Learn more: Jamieson AJ, Swanborn DJB, Bond T, Cundy MC, Fujiwara Y, Lindsay D, Stott MS, Kitazato H (2026) Faunal biodiversity of the lower abyssal and hadal zones of the Japan, Ryukyu and Izu-Ogasawara trenches (NW Pacific Ocean; 4534-9775 m). Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e182172. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e182172
Finally, highlighting a unique way the public can engage with science and taxonomy, a recently found deep-sea chiton was named by the internet after science YouTuber Ze Frank featured it in an episode of his “True Facts” series. Originally discovered in 2024 within the Izu-Ogasawara Trench at a depth of 5,500 meters, this new species belongs to the genus Ferreiraella, a rare and specialized group of mollusks that live exclusively on sunken wood in the deep sea.
From over 8,000 suggestions submitted across social media, the research team selected the name Ferreiraella populi. The epithet populi is a Latin singular noun in the genitive case meaning “of the people”.
Prof. Dr. Julia Sigwart, co-chair of the Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA), emphasized the broader significance of this public discovery:
Ferreiraella populi exemplifies the overwhelming biodiversity of the oceans, the vast majority of which remains unexplored. Many species go extinct before we even know they exist – this is especially true for marine invertebrates.
Learn more: (SOSA) SOSA, Chen C, Frank H, Kraniotis L, Nakadera Y, Schwabe E, Sigwart JD, Trautwein B, Vončina K (2026) Ocean Species Discoveries 28–30 — new species of chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) and a public naming competition. Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e180491. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e180491
These studies highlight the vastness of the unexplored frontier that our deep seas and oceans offer. Revealing this hidden life – from entirely new evolutionary branches of amphipods to records of unknown organisms – requires global collaboration, cutting-edge exploration technologies, and the involvement of the general public.
Ultimately, this shared pursuit of discovery provides the fundamental knowledge crucial for conservation and policy decisions. As Deep Day reminds us of the encroaching threats from deep-sea mining, human-derived debris, and destructive fishing, we must work together to understand these fragile habitats so that we can effectively protect them and #DefendtheDeep.
