Millions for Species Conservation: LIB Joins Europe-Wide Biodiversity Genomics Initiative to Combat Biodiversity Loss

The Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) is participating in a groundbreaking major European project. As the lead partner in the ‘Biodiversity Genomics Europe plus’ (BGE+) initiative, the LIB coordinates funding from the European Union (EU). The aim is to establish a continent-wide, DNA-based network. Through state-of-the-art genomic research and DNA-based monitoring, Europe’s threatened natural environment is to be protected more effectively than ever before.

The LIB as a driving force in Europe: €2.75 million for research

As part of BGE+, the LIB is mobilising a network of researchers across Europe. It plays a central role as a distribution centre for funding, thereby enabling even smaller institutions to access EU funds. A total of 2.75 million euros is available to fund at least 42 projects. Calls for proposals are expected to open in early 2027. The aim of this initiative is to generate and utilise significantly more DNA barcode and genome sequence data in future. This step will broaden the diversity of the regions and species groups studied, in order to gain new insights into species and their genetic diversity. This is regarded as a crucial milestone towards a unified European system for biodiversity genomics.

Data gaps as a problem for biodiversity conservation

Europe’s biological diversity is dwindling at a rapid pace. Policy-makers often fail to develop conservation strategies due to incomplete data. Although two million species have been officially described worldwide, an estimated millions more remain completely unknown. This is problematic, as one can only protect what one knows. New, cross-border approaches are needed to bring nature monitoring into line with the pace of the environmental crisis.

The solution: a technological revolution

Biodiversity genomics is currently undergoing a revolution and could provide decision-makers with exactly the data they need. Never before has it been so cost-effective and efficient to identify species via their DNA and monitor ecosystems on a large scale. At the same time, researchers know that discovering and documenting species is only part of the work. They also need to understand how species respond to environmental changes. To this end, BGE+ combines taxonomic expertise and advanced data systems with two key technologies:

- DNA barcoding: enables the rapid and precise identification of species

- Genome sequencing: provides deep insights into the adaptation, evolution and resilience of organisms in the face of environmental changes.

This opens up entirely new possibilities for understanding and protecting nature, as simple samples – for example, from the soil, air or water – are sufficient to record the biodiversity of a habitat and monitor changes via the DNA traces left behind.

Historic alliance for a shared infrastructure

To make these technologies available on a large scale, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA), the International Barcode of Life Europe (iBOL Europe) and the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF) have signed a historic agreement on biodiversity genomics in Europe. Together, they are establishing a coordinated European infrastructure. This will enable experts to collaborate within a networked system of shared resources, technologies and data.

Political backing from Brussels

BGE+’s vision aligns with the European Commission’s environmental objectives. Costas Kadis, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, recently emphasised the urgent need for common protocols and comparable data. An infrastructure in Europe specifically geared towards biodiversity genomics is key to achieving this goal. The long-term aim of BGE+ is to firmly embed these services, standards and infrastructure within European research, monitoring, management and restoration of nature. Unlike its predecessor, the BGE project, BGE+ is therefore explicitly concerned with the practical application of scientific findings.

Quotes from those involved in the project

“At BGE+, the LIB is, so to speak, the gateway to a whole host of fantastic projects across Europe.”

– Sarah Bourlat, Head of the Metabarcoding Section at LIB Bonn

“With BGE+, we are taking the next step towards Europe-wide biodiversity genomics. What’s exciting here is that the LIB will be working directly with many new partners and projects and supporting them in contributing to species conservation.”

– Astrid Böhne, Head of the Comparative Genomics Section at the LIB in Bonn

“We are entering a new phase. Europe already possesses exceptional expertise in the fields of taxonomy, genomics, bioinformatics, biodiversity collections and environmental monitoring. The challenge now is to pool these strengths in such a way that we can work on a large scale within a networked system that transcends geographical and political boundaries.”

– Dimitris Koureas, Director of BGE+

“To tackle the current challenges in the field of biodiversity, we need effective collaboration between our communities across Europe, an open exchange of knowledge, a robust technical infrastructure, harmonised processes and, above all, a shared vision. BGE+ brings these elements together, thereby enabling and strengthening the work of communities in the field of biodiversity genomics in Europe and beyond.”

– Gabriela Dankova, Project Manager at BGE+