Ecology and biodiversity at the IX Biodiversas

Marine Sources

Rey Juan Carlos University is celebrating the ninth edition of the Biodiversas Ecological Symposium (BES), which will take place on October 7, 8, and 9 at the Móstoles Campus. This symposium, organized by the URJC's Institute for Global Change Research (IICG-URJC), has established itself as an open and multidisciplinary space where young researchers in ecology and biodiversity can discuss ideas, receive feedback, and collaborate with colleagues from different institutions.

An expanding forum

According to Carlos Celdrán Fernández, a member of the organizing committee, “the BES was initially organized as a way to share research within the department and create an intra-university network. This year, we wanted to go a step further and create an inter-university network in the Community of Madrid.” For Celdrán, the participation of young researchers is key: “It allows us to acquire professional and networking tools that only come with experience, and it gives us the freedom to learn from the mistakes of a young professional.”

The symposium has also become a meeting point that fosters networking among scientists beyond professional collaboration. “These networks not only facilitate future collaborations, they also allow for friendships within the scientific field, something I consider very important,” adds Celdrán, who also emphasizes that these local connections can expand to other parts of Spain and the world.

Conferences and multidisciplinarity

This year's program includes three plenary lectures given by Ignacio Peralta (University of Granada) on October 7, Nuria Sánchez (Complutense University of Madrid) on October 8, and Miguel Berdugo (Complutense University of Madrid) and Ciro Cabal (IICG-URJC) on October 9. These lectures will be accompanied by nearly 30 oral presentations on plant community ecology, soil biodiversity, flora-fauna interactions, and the impacts of environmental change.

Celdrán also highlights the symposium's multidisciplinary approach: "The BES has always embraced different areas of ecology, and this year we're including talks that reflect on how we generate theory or on the idiosyncrasies of technicians. These types of presentations combat ultra-specialization and highlight the richness of human interests."

Attendees will enjoy a young, relaxed, and participatory professional environment, with opportunities to discuss during coffee breaks and meals, and to put their presentation skills to the test. "I hope it will be an enriching experience for everyone, with learning, collaboration, and, above all, enjoyable for all participants," Celdrán concludes.

Diversity and inclusion as axes

Finally, the organizing committee calls for diversity and inclusion, supporting human rights and promoting cultural, gender, and ethnic equality. With the support of the IICG-URJC, BES 2025 consolidates its position as a leading forum for the training of researchers in ecology and biodiversity, fostering collaboration between universities and research centers in the Community of Madrid.

For more information and details of the program, you can consult the official website of the symposium and the social networks of the Global Change Research Institute on LinkedIn and Instagram (@iicg_urjc) and Bluesky (@iicg-urjc.bsky.social).