Tuesday, July 7, 2026

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Room BE.0.10

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Details

Small mammals are often overlooked in conservation efforts, which tend to prioritise large, charismatic species. At the same time, Europe is home to many endemic groups and species of small mammals that do not occur anywhere else in the world. These species are not only unique to Europe, contributing significantly to the continent's (and the planet's) biodiversity, but their conservation status is often much worse than that of charismatic species. In our symposium, we will focus on efforts to conserve small species, which are often neglected and undervalued. Furthermore, these species are frequently associated with severely threatened habitats. This is particularly evident in the grasslands of Central and Eastern Europe. Grasslands are one of the most threatened habitats in Europe owing to the combined impacts of agricultural intensification, land abandonment, and habitat loss. As a consequence, many iconic, but frequently overlooked fauna, are in severe decline. Therefore, the fate of these habitats and the endemic but threatened small mammals that inhabit them is closely linked. The latest research findings relating to European ground squirrels, European hamsters, Hungarian birch mouse, steppe polecat and the recently identified species of European blind mole rats, among the many others, will be discussed, along with their potential applications in nature conservation. The symposium aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical conservation actions, fostering a collaborative framework for the long-term protection of small mammal biodiversity in Europe. Planned speakers from various European countries, especially from Central and Eastern Europe, will be able to authentically present information about not only the endangered species, but also the best practices and lessons learned in the effort to save them. Participants will gain valuable insights into the activities of Mammal Conservation Europe (MCE) regarding the long-term survival of these endangered mammal species in the region.

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Speakers and Presentation Titles

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Organiser