Fungal Conservation in Europe: Evidence to Action

In this meeting we will bring together researchers, conservation professionals, policymakers, citizen scientists, and students to explore how scientific knowledge of fungi – from red-list assessments and metabarcoding – can be effectively implemented in conservation practice and policy. Two pre-congress sessions will be devoted to hands-on-red listing on a global scale. 

The meeting focuses on how we move from evidence to action: how research, monitoring and red-listing can inform site protection, management, and national strategies for fungal biodiversity. 

We particularly welcome participation from early-career scientists, non-professional mycologists, and anyone involved in mapping, assessing, or conserving fungal species and habitats.

Location:
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Campus Ultuna, Uppsala, Sweden

The program includes:

• Case studies on how red-listed fungi have led to concrete conservation measures
• Sessions on fungal mapping, habitat protection, and monitoring
• Sessions on using metabarcoding for mapping and conservation
• A citizen science session to share ideas and experiences 
• Discussions on policy integration and red-listing practices across Europe
• Field excursions and networking opportunities

Preliminary program

Monday 13 April 09.00-16.00: Pre-meeting workshops on red-listing with a global focus for a limited number of participants.

Tuesday 14 April 09.00 – 18.00: Opening of conference. Topic of the day: Implementation of fungal conservation in practice. Perspectives of fungal conservation in Europe. Lecture sessions, posters and exhibition. Welcome reception.

Wednesday 15 April 09.00 – 18.00: Topic of the day: Mapping and monitoring fungal communities and hot spots. Indicator species in fungal conservation. The importance of citizen science in fungal conservation. DNA-sequencing and metabarcoding. Lecture sessions, posters and exhibition. JoNef parallel meeting.

Thursday 16 April 08.30 – 16.30: Field excursion and demonstrations in the field. Conference dinner. 

Friday 17 April 09.00 – 16.00: Topic of the day: Moving from red-listing to conservation action. Implementation of red-listing, fungal conservation activities and lessons learned. Lecture sessions and discussions. Final panel and closing session.

Registration

Registration with the link below (from 15 January 2026). On registration you will get an automatically generated e-mail acknowledging that we have received your registration. You will then receive a personal confirmation e-mail with details of payments of congress fee. 

Registration period: 15 January – 25 February 2026

Congress fee

SEK 2000 (includes conference activities, field excursion, lunches and congress dinner) to be paid to the Swedish Mycological Society once you have received a confirmation e-mail from the organising committee. 

Call for Abstracts

We warmly invite submissions focusing on translating scientific research into practical conservation action for fungi. The meeting brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and citizen scientists to explore advances in fungal ecology, monitoring, and fungal conservation in practice. 

Abstract submission is open:  15 January - 25 February 2026
Notification of acceptance: 27 February 2026

Types of contributions

Participants are welcome to submit abstracts for:

• Oral presentations (15 minutes)
• Poster presentation
• Exhibition stand

During the submission process, authors will be asked to indicate their preferred presentation type and the thematic track that is most relevant to their contribution. An abstract should be submitted at the latest 25 February 2026. 

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts should:

• be 250–300 words, excluding title and author information
• be written in English
• follow a clear structure including background, aim, methods, main results or expected outcome, and relevance for fungal conservation
• include title, authors, affiliations, and corresponding author contact information
• indicate the primary thematic track

Review Process

All submissions will be evaluated by the Scientific Committee according to 

• relevance to the meeting theme scientific quality
• clarity of objectives and results
• potential contribution to conservation practice

Themes for oral presentations and posters

• The four-day program offers a rich combination of scientific sessions, workshops, and hands-on experiences.
• Fungal Conservation in Practice
• Indicator Species and Fungal Mapping for Protection
• Citizen Science Engagement in Fungal Monitoring
• Metabarcoding for Fungal Conservation
• Fungal red-listing

Contact

For questions about the abstract submission or the scientific program, please contact:

Elisabet Ottosson: elisabet.ottosson@slu.se

Mikael Jeppson: jeppson@svampar.se

Travel grants

To promote broad and inclusive participation, a limited number of travel grants will be available for early-career researchers, conservation practitioners, and citizen scientists who may lack institutional funding. The grants are intended to support attendance at ECCF 2026 and will cover the conference registration fee and reasonable travel costs.

Applicants will be selected on a competitive basis, taking into account relevance to fungal conservation, motivation to participate, and potential benefit from attending the meeting. Priority will be given to applicants who would otherwise be unable to attend.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Uppsala.

FCIE organizing committee

Elisabet Ottosson, SLU Swedish species information centre

Mikael Jeppson, Swedish mycological society