Invertebrates in the Urban Forest

Thursday 5 March 2026 (9.30am – 4.30pm)

Location: Hyde Park learning Centre

The Forest Invertebrate Special Interest Group (SIG), in collaboration with The Royal Parks, invites you to an illuminating meeting exploring the complex ecological relationships between urban trees and their associated invertebrate communities. This event will cover a range of interdisciplinary themes, showcasing current research, emerging challenges, illustrative case studies, evidence gaps, and conservation priorities within urban treescapes.

1. From soil to canopy – the value of invertebrates in the urban forest

We invite abstracts around the topics of invertebrate biodiversity, ecosystem services, monitoring and assessment, flagship species, veteran trees, and the reciprocal value of urban forests to invertebrates.

2. Challenges to urban trees and their invertebrates

We invite abstracts around the topics of anthropogenic pressures, urban connectivity, invasive species, changing climate, and habitat fragmentation. We would also welcome case studies dealing with competing priorities in the urban treescape and successful public engagement.

Optional field visit

Wednesday 4 March 2026 (10am – 2pm)

We invite registered attendees to join us for a field visit to historic Richmond Park on Wednesday 4th March, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. During the visit, we will see and discuss applied examples of research and conservation that illustrate key themes from the meeting, set within the context of one of London’s most ecologically significant urban treescapes.

Please wear warm and waterproof clothing, and sensible footwear. You may wish to bring lunch/snacks with you.

Please note this visit will be held the day before the main meeting, also the day of the Verrall Lecture and Supper. Places are limited so early booking is recommended to secure your place.

Call for Abstracts

The meeting will comprise a range of 15-minute presentations, 5-minute flash talks, posters, and ‘show and tell’ objects to illustrate work or studies being undertaken within the urban forest.

Please submit your abstract by 5pm, Friday 30th January or contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk with any questions.

SIG Convenors

Meet the Forest Invertebrate SIG Convenors: Forest Invertebrates – Royal Entomological Society