Fruitful collaborations- Resbios publications

Throughout the ResBios project, our partners have been using this opportunity to mutually learn from each other, both to help each other develop robust RRI initiatives in their respective research institutes, but also using the opportunity to combine their expertise and conduct and publish research papers across the field of biosciences.

Recently our partners from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture (UNIZG-FAZ) in Croatia, and the University of Primorska in Slovenia, have collaborated on a number of papers focusing on ecology and sustainability, combining their expertise in genetics, ecology and the environment to conduct research on chamois, key stone species of even-toed ungulates (related to antelopes, sheep, and goats) that play a role in maintaining the ecosystems of the Northern Dinaric Mountains of Croatia, a region that is of great environmental significance. Chamois, as iconic alpine species, play a crucial role within its niche, by helping to maintain grassland through grazing activities, providing suitable habitats for many plant, insect and bird populations, as well as being an important prey species.

However, the Balkan chamois subspecies, which inhabit Dinaric Mts, is endangered. Populations are isolated and their numbers are critically low due to many treats such unsustainable management and illegal poaching. Preserving their genetic diversity is crucial to allow future adaptation to climatic and landscape changes in mountain environments.

Through this collaboration, we can learn more about the genetic health and distribution of the Balkan subspecies, and help protect the environment they call home.

Find out more about this research below:

As well as this, the team at UNIZG-FAZ has also been researching the introduced species of aoudad, an ungulate native to the mountain ranges of North Africa, but introduced to several locations in Europe for hunting purposes. With the hope of understanding the sustainability of all European populations, they analysed their population structure and genetic structure. Based on the results they were able to reconstruct probable introduction routes and origins of European aoudad populations.

Stay tuned for more updates and publications!

More information: comms@resbios.eu