Laura Bertola
@lauradbertola.bsky.social
Scientist👩🔬/Biologist🦁/Conservationist🌍
Formerly @UniLeiden, @CUNY #hickerlab, @uni_copenhagen, currently @NCBS_Bangalore;
Chair #LeoFoundation;
she/her
Formerly @UniLeiden, @CUNY #hickerlab, @uni_copenhagen, currently @NCBS_Bangalore;
Chair #LeoFoundation;
she/her
Read more about this study in the press release below. Also keep your eyes open for the IUCN Issues Brief which will be released shortly!
November 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Read more about this study in the press release below. Also keep your eyes open for the IUCN Issues Brief which will be released shortly!
Our paper also outlines practical steps and guiding questions for testing and classifying hybrids in conservation contexts. The aim: evaluate evolutionary consequences — genetic diversity, adaptive variants, ecological roles — on a case-by-case basis.
November 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Our paper also outlines practical steps and guiding questions for testing and classifying hybrids in conservation contexts. The aim: evaluate evolutionary consequences — genetic diversity, adaptive variants, ecological roles — on a case-by-case basis.
We call for a science-based, reflective, and context-dependent framework for managing hybrids, shifting focus from definitions toward impact. Let’s assess potential risks and benefits, rather than defaulting to exclusion.
November 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
We call for a science-based, reflective, and context-dependent framework for managing hybrids, shifting focus from definitions toward impact. Let’s assess potential risks and benefits, rather than defaulting to exclusion.
Hybrids should therefore be assessed along two major axes:
1) impact: harmful vs. beneficial outcomes
2) origin: anthropogenic-driven vs. natural hybridisation
1) impact: harmful vs. beneficial outcomes
2) origin: anthropogenic-driven vs. natural hybridisation
November 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Hybrids should therefore be assessed along two major axes:
1) impact: harmful vs. beneficial outcomes
2) origin: anthropogenic-driven vs. natural hybridisation
1) impact: harmful vs. beneficial outcomes
2) origin: anthropogenic-driven vs. natural hybridisation
For example, there are well-known cases in which populations entered the extinction vortex due to inbreeding depression, but were successfully restored after new diversity was introduced, sometimes from a strongly diverged population ➡️ genetic rescue of the Florida panther.
November 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
For example, there are well-known cases in which populations entered the extinction vortex due to inbreeding depression, but were successfully restored after new diversity was introduced, sometimes from a strongly diverged population ➡️ genetic rescue of the Florida panther.
As genomic data expand, we increasingly see that boundaries between populations, subspecies, and even species are less clear than we thought. Yet, our legal frameworks rely on discrete units, leaving hybrids in a legal and management limbo.
November 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
As genomic data expand, we increasingly see that boundaries between populations, subspecies, and even species are less clear than we thought. Yet, our legal frameworks rely on discrete units, leaving hybrids in a legal and management limbo.
To help practitioners contribute to meeting the goals and targets of the KMGBF related to GD, we highlight guidance and decision-support tools for management based on several conservation genetic paradigms that have emerged from decades of research and applied conservation.
November 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
To help practitioners contribute to meeting the goals and targets of the KMGBF related to GD, we highlight guidance and decision-support tools for management based on several conservation genetic paradigms that have emerged from decades of research and applied conservation.
Then we discuss where and how GD is explicitly mentioned in, or relevant to, KMGBF targets, including where GD conservation or knowledge of GD are not mentioned but could help achieve a target. The most explicit mention of GD in the KMGBF is in Goal A | Target 4.
November 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Then we discuss where and how GD is explicitly mentioned in, or relevant to, KMGBF targets, including where GD conservation or knowledge of GD are not mentioned but could help achieve a target. The most explicit mention of GD in the KMGBF is in Goal A | Target 4.
Typically, the term “genetic resources” has been associated with physical specimens; however, policy discussions have examined how Digital Sequence Information (DSI) might be incorporated into access and benefit-sharing (ABS) mechanisms.
November 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Typically, the term “genetic resources” has been associated with physical specimens; however, policy discussions have examined how Digital Sequence Information (DSI) might be incorporated into access and benefit-sharing (ABS) mechanisms.
We first cover the history of the CBD, the major components of the KMGBF and similar multinational environmental agreements, and relevant terminology.
November 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
We first cover the history of the CBD, the major components of the KMGBF and similar multinational environmental agreements, and relevant terminology.
Adopted in 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) outlines a visionary roadmap guiding humanity’s relationship with nature. Genetic diversity, underlying adaptation and fitness, is a core tenet.
November 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Adopted in 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) outlines a visionary roadmap guiding humanity’s relationship with nature. Genetic diversity, underlying adaptation and fitness, is a core tenet.
About an hour before leaving, I realized that the backyard camera trap ran out of batteries. I charged 4 of them for an hour and then emptied all clocks and remote controls I could find. Hope this will do the trick for the next few weeks... 😬
October 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
About an hour before leaving, I realized that the backyard camera trap ran out of batteries. I charged 4 of them for an hour and then emptied all clocks and remote controls I could find. Hope this will do the trick for the next few weeks... 😬
📣📣📣 CONSERVATION GENETICS WORKSHOP -
Few more spaces left!
ConGen Population Genomic Data Analysis Course
🧬💻💡
University of Pretoria, South Africa 🌍
7-14 December + field trip to Kruger NP!
🦁🐃🐘🐆🦏
More info & registration here: www.umt.edu/congen/africa/
Few more spaces left!
ConGen Population Genomic Data Analysis Course
🧬💻💡
University of Pretoria, South Africa 🌍
7-14 December + field trip to Kruger NP!
🦁🐃🐘🐆🦏
More info & registration here: www.umt.edu/congen/africa/
October 20, 2025 at 1:23 PM
📣📣📣 CONSERVATION GENETICS WORKSHOP -
Few more spaces left!
ConGen Population Genomic Data Analysis Course
🧬💻💡
University of Pretoria, South Africa 🌍
7-14 December + field trip to Kruger NP!
🦁🐃🐘🐆🦏
More info & registration here: www.umt.edu/congen/africa/
Few more spaces left!
ConGen Population Genomic Data Analysis Course
🧬💻💡
University of Pretoria, South Africa 🌍
7-14 December + field trip to Kruger NP!
🦁🐃🐘🐆🦏
More info & registration here: www.umt.edu/congen/africa/
Very interesting conference, discussing the state and future for lions in West, Central and North Africa, and the potential role for the royal lions of Morocco at Rabat zoo.
Also, this was the first time I actually had lions in the audience during my talk! 🦁
Also, this was the first time I actually had lions in the audience during my talk! 🦁
October 15, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Very interesting conference, discussing the state and future for lions in West, Central and North Africa, and the potential role for the royal lions of Morocco at Rabat zoo.
Also, this was the first time I actually had lions in the audience during my talk! 🦁
Also, this was the first time I actually had lions in the audience during my talk! 🦁
African lion conservation requires adaption to regional anthropogenic threats and mitigation capacity
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
African lion conservation requires adaption to regional anthropogenic threats and mitigation capacity
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Walnut season is starting, our garden badger can't wait!
September 13, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Walnut season is starting, our garden badger can't wait!
It was great catching up with folks from the European conservation genetics community GENOA COST Action, discussing how to apply indicators for genetic monitoring of biodiversity. Lots of challenges, but inspiring exchanges in the beautiful landscapes of Hautes Fagnes - Eifel National Park.
August 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
It was great catching up with folks from the European conservation genetics community GENOA COST Action, discussing how to apply indicators for genetic monitoring of biodiversity. Lots of challenges, but inspiring exchanges in the beautiful landscapes of Hautes Fagnes - Eifel National Park.
📢📢📢 Interesting Opportunity ✨
ConGen Population Genomic Data Analysis Course
🧬💻💡
7-14 December + field trip! 🦁🐃🐘🐆🦏
South Africa 🌍
More info here: www.umt.edu/congen/africa/
Note: there are scholarships for African participants!
ConGen Population Genomic Data Analysis Course
🧬💻💡
7-14 December + field trip! 🦁🐃🐘🐆🦏
South Africa 🌍
More info here: www.umt.edu/congen/africa/
Note: there are scholarships for African participants!
August 17, 2025 at 9:03 AM
📢📢📢 Interesting Opportunity ✨
ConGen Population Genomic Data Analysis Course
🧬💻💡
7-14 December + field trip! 🦁🐃🐘🐆🦏
South Africa 🌍
More info here: www.umt.edu/congen/africa/
Note: there are scholarships for African participants!
ConGen Population Genomic Data Analysis Course
🧬💻💡
7-14 December + field trip! 🦁🐃🐘🐆🦏
South Africa 🌍
More info here: www.umt.edu/congen/africa/
Note: there are scholarships for African participants!
Conflict between pastoralists and large carnivores is a huge problem. Automatic flashlights are known to deter lions and other predators, and contribute to coexistence. #LeoFoundation supports this technology to be tested in West/Central Africa. Read more below:
leofoundation.org/en/automatic...
leofoundation.org/en/automatic...
August 2, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Conflict between pastoralists and large carnivores is a huge problem. Automatic flashlights are known to deter lions and other predators, and contribute to coexistence. #LeoFoundation supports this technology to be tested in West/Central Africa. Read more below:
leofoundation.org/en/automatic...
leofoundation.org/en/automatic...
Looking forward to this event!
July 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Looking forward to this event!
Forecasting habitat suitability across large carnivore ranges with climate and land use change
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
July 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Forecasting habitat suitability across large carnivore ranges with climate and land use change
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Looking forward to joining again for this year's workshop!
To register, visit this link: lnkd.in/eZ9-3_ju
To register, visit this link: lnkd.in/eZ9-3_ju
July 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Looking forward to joining again for this year's workshop!
To register, visit this link: lnkd.in/eZ9-3_ju
To register, visit this link: lnkd.in/eZ9-3_ju
Onwards to the next conference! #ICCON2025, the Indian Conservation Conference, has started!
June 25, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Onwards to the next conference! #ICCON2025, the Indian Conservation Conference, has started!
The SCB Conservation Genetics working group is organizing a lunch meeting today (Tuesday), at 12:45 in Great Hall 2. It's listed as a business meeting in the program, but it's open to all who are interested. If you'd like to meet up, network and chat conservation genetics, please join us!
#iccb2025
#iccb2025
June 16, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The SCB Conservation Genetics working group is organizing a lunch meeting today (Tuesday), at 12:45 in Great Hall 2. It's listed as a business meeting in the program, but it's open to all who are interested. If you'd like to meet up, network and chat conservation genetics, please join us!
#iccb2025
#iccb2025
Second day of RADcamp Brisbane #iccb2025 is done! Thanks to all co-organizers and participants for their engagement, and to the University of Queensland for hosting!
June 15, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Second day of RADcamp Brisbane #iccb2025 is done! Thanks to all co-organizers and participants for their engagement, and to the University of Queensland for hosting!