In Ukraine more than 120 mammal species are resident, but no one has an overal view of their distribution, let alone know how their populations are doing. The information is scattered in (note) books, data files and museum collections, or it is simply missing. Distribution data is of utmost importance for the conservation of mammals.
The Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, the Kiev Zoo and the Ukrainian Biodiversity Information Network are joining forces to gather all available information about the occurrence of mammals in Ukraine in one database. This database will form the basis for the first Mammal Atlas of Ukraine. It will also be the Ukrainian contribution to the new Atlas of European Mammals.
To start this endeavor, a conference will be held on the 28th and 29th of March 2019: the Ukrainian Mammal Mapping Conference (UMC). The main goal of this conference is to gather mammal researchers and mammal watchers in one place, discuss problems of mammal mapping in Europe and in Ukraine, collect mapping data, promote sharing data via biodiversity online-platforms and via citizen science projects, and to select the authors for the species accounts in the Mammal Atlas of Ukraine.
The main outcome of the conference will be in the form of datasets presented by contributors from different local universities, nature protection areas and amateur naturalists. During the conference, special attention will be paid to the verification of submitted materials. In theory, this should strongly improve our knowledge and fill as much squares as possible for every species of mammal of Ukraine.
Participants, that present the most valuable data on mammal presence and distribution will receive a book as a gift. For this we’re looking for sponsors who are willing to donate scientific literature on mammals. Click the ‘Donate books’ button for more information (a PDF file will open).
Registration for this conference is still open. Click here to be directed to the registration form: Registration form