CREAF researcher and scientific director of the Catalan Institute of Ornithology (ICO), Sergi Herrando, has been elected as the new President of the European Bird Census Council (EBCC), succeeding Verena Keller, who had chaired the organization in recent years. The election was formalized during the General Assembly of the EBCC, which brings together representatives from 48 countries involved in the monitoring and research of European birds.
As the new President, Herrando will take on the legal representation of the entity and coordinate the Board of Directors. His main tasks will include boosting strategic scientific projects, organizing the annual assembly and the EBCC’s triennial conference, and strengthening cooperation between countries.
The EBCC is a leading scientific organization in Europe that promotes the collection, analysis, and integration of ornithological data to inform biodiversity conservation and management policies. Among its key initiatives are the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS) and the European Breeding Bird Atlas (EBBA). These projects collect data on population trends of breeding species in Europe and track their distribution changes over time. All of this is made possible thanks to the work of more than 100,000 volunteers coordinated by dozens of research centers, NGOs, and museums across Europe. Another flagship project is the EuroBird Portal, which allows real-time tracking of bird observations across Europe by integrating national portals, updating millions of observations daily, thanks to a collective and voluntary effort across the continent.
Two Kentish plovers in a dune habitat. Image: Marta Josa
Several CREAF researchers, including Lluís Brotons, Sara Fraixedas, and David Martí, as well as Gabriel Gargallo and Marc Anton from the ICO, among many others, are actively involved in these initiatives.
A presidency facing new challenges
As President of the EBCC, Herrando takes on his responsibilities in a shifting geopolitical landscape, posing challenges for the continuity of existing projects and the launch of new initiatives.
In a context that is not always favorable for environmental policies, I believe we must work hard to demonstrate that the knowledge generated by the EBCC and all collaborating institutions is key to understanding and conserving Europe’s biodiversity.
"It is an honor to receive this support from the national delegations. The EBCC is a network of people and organizations committed to nature," says Herrando. "In a context that is not always favorable for environmental policies, I believe we must work hard to demonstrate that the knowledge generated by the EBCC and all collaborating institutions is key to understanding and conserving Europe’s biodiversity."
Among the major future challenges, Herrando highlights ensuring the continuity of the pan-European monitoring and the EuroBird Portal in the coming years, emphasizing the need to convince European institutions of the strategic value of these information systems. He also stresses the importance of improving geographical coverage in regions such as the Western Balkans, Southeastern Europe, and conflict-affected areas like Ukraine and Russia.
We need to incorporate data that have not yet been fully integrated into European observation systems, such as those for seabirds and waterbirds. It is essential to find new information flows and encourage the sharing of currently isolated datasets.
"Birds and nature know no borders, and neither should our response to environmental challenges. Understanding the diversity of cultures and situations is our starting point to make this task possible," he adds.
Another key goal is to broaden the representation of species and habitats: "There are still many gaps, both taxonomic and ecological. We need to incorporate data that have not yet been fully integrated into European observation systems, such as those for seabirds and waterbirds. It is essential to find new information flows and encourage the sharing of currently isolated datasets."
Indicators for European policies
Pan-European bird monitoring has proven crucial for generating key indicators, such as the Farmland Bird Index, which warns about the impacts of intensive agriculture, or new indicators like the Urban Restoration Index, linked to the recently adopted Nature Restoration Law. Work is also underway on an indicator for alpine environments, based on population trends of high-mountain birds.
"Birds tell us a great deal about the state of ecosystems, and we have the opportunity to turn this knowledge into tools for decision-making," Herrando concludes.
As in all associations, the role of President of the EBCC is not remunerated, and Herrando will combine it with his scientific activity at CREAF and ICO, two Catalan institutions that have become key players in European ornithology.
