Reversing the loss of biodiversity in the world’s terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems is one of the greatest challenges we face. However, effective biodiversity conservation requires not just the efforts of conservationists alone, but also relies on contributions, commitment and cooperation across many disciplines and sectors. In Europe, governments, NGOs, citizens and businesses are already working alongside ecologists and conservationists in response to the biodiversity crisis.
8th European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB)
Welcome to the 8th ECCB in Leiden, where researchers, policymakers, and practitioners will have the opportunity share knowledge and exchange ideas. Not only will this congress present exciting scientific research, but we will also showcase successful collaborations and build bridges between stakeholders and disciplines. The meeting will provide an important opportunity to tackle the issues that we all face in everyday life, including how to communicate the biodiversity conservation message effectively, and how to maintain a dialogue in difficult political or social circumstances.
During this week we will try to find answers to our key question: how can biodiversity be safeguarded effectively in the long term?
Effective biodiversity conservation
At this ECCB 2026 congress in Leiden, our goal is to promote effective biodiversity conservation by addressing the following main questions:
- What do we mean by effective biodiversity conservation in Europe? Should the focus be on protecting species, ecosystems, landscapes, people’s wellbeing and social equity or something else?
- What are our goals, and how far away are we from reaching them?
- What are the most effective conservation strategies in terrestrial habitats, in freshwater and in the marine environment?
- How can scientific advances and new techniques contribute to effective biodiversity conservation in Europe?
- How can the complementary skills and contrasting perspectives of the different academic, practitioner and stakeholder communities work together to enable effective biodiversity conservation?
The 8th European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) is organised by the Europe Region of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) and Leiden University (FWN/CML), this year’s host, in collaboration with the organising partners Hortus botanicus, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), NIOO-KNAW and supported by the Leiden Biodiversity Network.
Sponsors
NWO (Dutch Research Council)
