Research expertise

Jeroen Speybroeck is a biologist and researcher in the Monitoring and Restoration of Aquatic Fauna at INBO, the Flemisch Research Institute for Nature and Forest. He obtained his PhD degree in Zoology in 2007 (Ghent University). He is the coordinator of INBO research on amphibians and reptiles. Emphasis lies on sustainable conservation and management of the European and Flemish protected and priority species. Projects support the actions prescribed within several species protection programmes and management guidelines, including population research (including fire salamander Salamandra salamandra, which Jeroen has been studying intensively since 2008) and ex situ breeding and head-starting of the most endangered Flemish species (common midwife toad Alytes obstetricans and common spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus). Also invasive herpetofauna species, such as beauty rat snake Elaphe taeniura, are subject of research. Jeroen has been active in the field of herpetology for many years. He plays active roles in the European herpetological society Societas Europaea Herpetologica and the Flemish herpetological conservation task force Hyla. He is the first author of the currently most authoritative field guide of the European herpetofauna (2016, available in four languages) and numerous scientific publications.