LifeWatch

New versions of the Bio-Oracle dataset v2.2 and the R package sdmpredictors v2.10.0 are available

Bio-Oracle provides environmental data of the world ocean for present and future climate change scenarios. These data are mainly used by Lifewatch users to link biodiversity occurrence data to environmental conditions and predict the future distribution of marine species. Recently, this dataset is improved and offers better quality for the end users.

LifeWatch

First Detections of Culiseta longiareolata (Diptera: Culicidae) in Belgium and the Netherlands

Between 2017 and 2020, larvae, pupae, and adults of Culiseta longiareolata were found at distinct locations in Belgium and the Netherlands. A potential vector of bird pathogens.

LifeWatch

Porifera editors participated in the very first online organised WoRMS-LifeWatch editor workshop

In the week of June 7th 2021, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) – host of Aphia, the online platform behind WoRMS and its many sub-registered – organized the very first online editor workshop, in which 13 Porifera-editors enthusiastically participated.

LifeWatch

Coordinating the observation of biodiversity in the sea: a new collaboration

The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and the SCAR Antarctic Biodiversity Portal share a common vision on the building and coordination of a global ocean biodiversity observation system. The common goal is to systematically assess the state and trends in the ocean’s biodiversity, including biological resources and ecosystems, and how these will change in the future.

LifeWatch

PhD research reveals wild boar behaviour

Jolien Wevers successfully defended her PhD research on wild boar and roe deer ecology in a human-dominated landscape at Hasselt University.

LifeWatch

Southern Ocean UN Decade - ‘The science we need for the ocean we want’

We are at the start of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health. The initiative aims to globally strengthen the international cooperation needed to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society.

LifeWatch

World Strepsiptera Database launched!

A world list of Strepsiptera – twisted-wing parasitoids – is now accessible through their very own portal, as part of Aphia, the platform behind the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). The World Strepsiptera Database currently contains 605 accepted species, and will be updated to catch up with newly described species in the last 5 years.

LifeWatch

Awardees for the 2021 WoRMS Achievement & Early Career Researchers Award known

This year, the WoRMS Achievement Award goes to Chad Walter, and the WoRMS Early Career Researchers Award was granted to Ralf Cordeiro.

LifeWatch

Big Five conservation measures for diadromous fish

Five years of fish tracking research using the LifeWatch fish acoustic receiver network has generated key insights in how to save diadromous fish species from historically low numbers.

LifeWatch

WoRMS is being honored with new genus

For the first time, a genus has been named after WoRMS: Wormsina.