The ERGA Data Analysis Committee is thrilled to kick off 2025 with the launch of a new working group focused on Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs). The EBVs serve as metrics for capturing biodiversity across genes, species, and ecosystems. They facilitate our understanding of the changes that are taking place on our planet by bringing biodiversity data together in a consistent and meaningful way.
This working group aims to conduct a meta-analysis of publicly available genomes from diverse ecosystems to estimate genomic-informed EBVs. All ERGA members interested in participating in this working group are welcome to join our next DAC committee meeting, taking place on Monday, 24th of February at 11:00 AM. Hurry up because the registration will close at the end of February!
Following a small literature review on the topic of EBVs, the working group is now collecting information on public genomic datasets, possibly linked to phenotypic records. The following step will be to divide participants into different focus areas, including:
Aquatic environment (freshwater and marine)
Terrestrial environment
Bioeconomy (e.g., pollinators)
Dark/extreme habitats, whereby ‘dark’ we mean understudied/uncharacterised habitats
The data analysis step will be coordinated among the 4 focus areas and will be carried out following the development of open pipelines made available through Galaxy, ensuring its openness and reproducibility. Results will be collected in a scientific publication led by the DAC committee.
If you would like to join this task force, follow these steps:
Make sure you are a registered ERGA member. If not, please register here.
Write an email to analysis@erga-biodiversity.eu introducing yourself and expressing your interest before the 24th of February 2025.
You will be added to the DAC mailing list to receive any updates on the upcoming meetings and will be asked to actively participate in the data gathering and subsequent steps.
We look forward to your participation!
Important links:
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