Joachim Mergeay
  • Gaverstraat 4

    9500 Geraardsbergen

    Belgium

20102025

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research expertise

My research focuses on applied population genetics, in particular the implementation of genetic criteria into the EU Habitats Directive, and using genetic principles to define and evaluate the conservation status of species and habitats. This helps to close the gap between policy, science and practitioners.

I'm actively involved in the IUCN SSC Conservation Genetics Specialist group, The IUCN Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe, the Central European Wolf consortium, the GEO-BON Genetic Composition Working group and EU COST Action 18134 G-BiKE. These act as bridge heads with national and international biodiversity policy (post-2020 biodiversity strategy development, policy briefs, development of genetic essential biodiversity variables) and practitioners / nature managers.

Education/Academic qualification

Doctor

External positions

Associate Professor, KULeuven

30-Sept-2018 → …

Thematic List 2020

  • Protected nature
  • Invasive species
  • Wildlife management

Taxonomic List

  • amphibians (Amphibia)

Policy

  • Habitats Directive
  • local conservation status
  • Natura 2000

Technological

  • experimental design
  • genetic technologies
  • statistics and modelling

Free keywords

  • Habitats Directive
  • Favourable Conservation Status
  • Environmental DNA
  • Population Genetics
  • Conservation Genomics

VODS 2023

  • Molecular evolution
  • Community ecology
  • Ecology not elsewhere classified
  • Animal biology not elsewhere classified
  • Plant biology not elsewhere classified

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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  • Advies over de herziening van de risicozones en schutkringen voor wolvenschade

    Gouwy, J. (Main author), Rutten, A. & Mergeay, J., 20-Feb-2025, Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek. (Adviezen van het Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek; no. INBO.A.4972)

    Research output: Book/ReportAdvices of the Research Institute for Nature and Forest

    Open Access
    File
    243 Downloads (Pure)
  • Advies over de in 2024 ontdekte populatie geelbuikvuurpad (Bombina variegata) in Voeren

    van Doorn, L. (Main author), Mergeay, J., Deflem, I., Halfmaerten, D., Van Breusegem, A. & Speybroeck, J., 21-Feb-2025, Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek. (Adviezen van het Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek; no. INBO.A.4878)

    Research output: Book/ReportAdvices of the Research Institute for Nature and Forest

    Open Access
    File
    168 Downloads (Pure)
  • Continuing recovery of wolves in Europe

    Di Bernardi, C., Chapron, G., Kaczensky, P., Alvares, F., Andren, H., Balys, V., Blanco, J. C., Chiriac, S., Cirovic, D., Drouet-Hoguet, N., Huber, D., Iliopoulos, Y., Kojola, I., Krofel, M., Kutal, M., Linnell, J. D. C., Majic Skrbinsek, A., Mannil, P., Marucco, F. & Melovski, D. & 17 others, Mengulluoglu, D., Mergeay, J., Myslajek, R. W., Nowak, S., Ozolins, J., Ranc, N., Reinhardt, I., Rigg, R., Salvatori, V., Schley, L., Sunde, P., Trajce, A., Trbojevic, I., Trouwborst, A., von Arx, M., Zlatanova, D. & Boitani, L., 25-Feb-2025, In: PLOS SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSFORMATION. 4, 2

    Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

    Open Access
  • Global meta-analysis shows action is needed to halt genetic diversity loss

    Shaw, R. E., Farquharson, K. A., Bruford, M. W., Coates, D. J., Elliott, C. P., Mergeay, J., Ottewell, K. M., Segelbacher, G., Hoban, S., Hvilsom, C., Pérez-Espona, S., Ruņģis, D., Aravanopoulos, F., Bertola, L. D., Cotrim, H., Cox, K., Cubric-Curik, V., Ekblom, R., Godoy, J. A. & Konopinski, M. K. & 37 others, Laikre, L., Russo, I.-R. M., Velickovic, N., Vergeer, P., Vila, C., Brajkovic, V., Field, D. L., Goodall-Copestake, W. P., Hailer, F., Hopley, T., Zachos, F. E., Alves, P. C., Biedrzycka, A., Binks, R. M., Buiteveld, J., Buzan, E., Byrne, M., Huntley, B., Lacolina, L., Keehnen, N. L. P., Klinga, P., Kopatz, A., Kurland, S., Leonard, J. A., Manfrin, C., Marchesini, A., Millar, M. A., Orozco-terWengel, P., Ottenburghs, J., Posledovich, D., Spencer, P. B., Tourvas, N., Unuk Nahberger, T., van Hooft, P., Verbylaitė, R., Vernesi, C. & Grueber, C. E., 29-Jan-2025, In: Nature. 638, 8051, p. 704-710 7 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

    Open Access
  • Perspectives on wolves after their recolonization in Flanders, Belgium

    Vervaecke, H., Van Dessel, T., Galbusera, P. & Mergeay, J., 19-Mar-2025, In: ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE. 12, 3

    Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

    Open Access