National and International Nature Conservation

Section: Conservation Biology

Responsible staff: Axel Hochkirch

Research strategy: Understanding and Preserving Nature, Society and Natural History

The aim of the project is to provide scientific support for nature‑conservation initiatives in Luxembourg and internationally within the framework of the IUCN (particularly for insects).

In 2023 and 2024, intensive exchanges took place with nature‑conservation projects worldwide. The Ecology Section supports the implementation of conservation measures for various threatened insect species in France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Spain and Portugal.

Axel Hochkirch is also Chair of the IUCN SSC Invertebrate Conservation Committee and a member of the advisory board of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. In this capacity, the Ecology Section coordinates and supports nature‑conservation projects for invertebrate species worldwide. In cooperation with international conservation experts, the section also develops new standards for nature conservation. It also contributes to the development of the global Red List.

Recent publications:

Spiliopoulou K., Rigal F., …, Hochkirch A., et al. (2024): KBAscope: Key Biodiversity Area identification in R. Ecography 2024: e07061

Farwig N., Sprenger P.P., …, Hochkirch A., et al. (2024) Identifying Major Factors for Success and Failure of Conservation Programs in Europe. Environmental Management 10.1007/s00267-024-02086-x

Hochkirch A., Bilz M., Ferreira C.C., et al. (2023) A multi-taxon analysis of European Red Lists reveals major threats to biodiversity. PLOS One 18: e0193083

Harvey J., Tougeron K., …., Hochkirch A., et al. (2023): Scientists’ warning on climate change and insects. Ecological Monographs 93: e1553

External collaborators : Lisa Reiss, Sarah Gronefeld