UHI Inverness launches online public seminars on scientific research shaping the future of environmental protection

RESEARCHERS from the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation (IBFC) at UHI Inverness are hosting a series of public online seminars exploring their impactful research on biodiversity and climate change.

The institute conducts internationally recognised research that has real-world impact and local relevance. The work tackles fundamental ecological questions and supports conservation and management strategies, including issues such as salmon management, rewilding, land-use change, landscape management and climate change.

The public seminars begin this week and will highlight the use of environmental DNA, the impact of climate change on the seasonal migrations of iconic species like Atlantic salmon and the surprising role of predators in conservation efforts to safeguard their prey.

IBFC’s director Professor Bernd Hänfling said: “Engaging with the public is essential because it raises awareness of scientific discoveries and empowers communities to actively participate in conservation efforts, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future for our planet.”

Professor Hänfling will lead the first seminar ‘Environmental Detectives: What can eDNA tell us about biodiversity?’ on Thursday, 27 February from 7pm to 8.30pm.

The other lectures in this first series of seminars are:

• Dr Samantha Beck, ‘Swimming against the clock: The genetics of salmon migration timing in a changing climate’ – Thursday, 27 March, 7pm to 8.30pm.
• Dr Cristian Navarro Waggershauser, ‘Can predators save prey? Evaluating the evidence of trophic cascades in wild ecosystems’ – Thursday, 15 May, 7pm to 8.30pm

Professor Hänfling is a Fellow of the Freshwater Biological Association and a founding member of the UK-DNA Working Group. He focusses his research on using molecular tools, particularly environmental DNA (eDNA), to study freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health. He has contributed to developing innovative eDNA techniques for monitoring fish and invertebrate communities, providing critical insights for conservation and management. This cutting-edge method detects traces of DNA left behind by animals and plants in water, soil, or air, allowing us to identify which species are present without needing to see or capture them directly.

His talk will explain how eDNA works in simple terms and he will share fascinating examples of how it is being used at the institute to study and protect nature.

Dr Beck’s research explores the evolution and preservation of biodiversity, with a focus on salmonid species. Her work investigates the genetic factors that shape migration patterns in Atlantic salmon and how these might be affected by climate change. This research has taken her from studying Arctic charr in Iceland to working on Atlantic salmon migration in Nova Scotia, and now to Inverness, where she continues to explore the connections between genetics, migration, and environmental change

Dr Beck said: “Everything is connected—our actions shape the future of salmon, and their health shapes our ecosystems. By working together and sharing our stories, we can inspire others to act, uniting in the fight against climate change and creating a collective force for positive change. Understanding the genetics behind Atlantic salmon migration timing is key to predicting how they will respond to climate change. By uncovering the genomic foundations of migration timing, we can better protect these populations and the ecosystems they support. Science gives us the tools, but true conservation success depends on people and the actions we take to secure their future.”

Salmon numbers are declining worldwide, and one likely reason could be that their migration timing is no longer lining up with the conditions they need to survive. Dr Beck’s lecture will focus on the need to understand how climate change might be impacting certain populations’ migration timing more than others to better inform conservation efforts and support the resilience of Atlantic salmon.

In the last seminar of the series Dr Cristian Navarro Waggershauser will explore the complex dynamics of trophic cascades – when predators affect the population of their prey – using research into the Yellowstone wolf reintroduction to frame similar work in Scotland. Dr Waggershauser is an ecologist with a background in forest management, biodiversity and the application of molecular tools to study species interactions. He currently supervises two PhD students exploring the role of feral pigs in Scottish landscapes and the combined effects of fire and peatland restoration on soil communities. Through these efforts, he aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of ecological systems and sustainable land management practices.

To find out more and to register to attend the seminars visit: Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation - Events and Seminars