Peter Klinga homepage

I am a conservation biologist trying to understand the evolutionary processes that in hand with environmental factors shape the population dynamics of species. My research spins around the problematics of small often isolated populations threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation using population, conservation, and landscape genomic tools and methodologies. My research interests include the impact of historical glaciation processes on the phylogeography of species. However, the wildlife biology is still attracting me and thus collaborating on Life projects dealing with lynx (Lynx lynx) reintroductions into Palatine Forest (Germany) and Dinarides (Slovenia, Croatia) I worked on capturing, camera-trapping, and GPS telemetry monitoring of large carnivores. I am used to handling large datasets of genetic, genomic, and spatial data. I reviewed manuscripts for scientific journals such as Ecology and evolution, Conservation biology, Conservation genetics, Mammal biology etc. I am a member of the Society for Conservation Biology, expert group for capercaillie conservation under the State conservation agency in Slovakia and a member of the Slovak hunter’s association.

Research stays

2018: 3-months stay:  Evolutionary and Biology Centre, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, Norbywägen 18D, Uppsala University, Sweden

2013: 6-months stay: Evolutionary and Biology Centre, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, Norbywägen 18D, Uppsala University, Sweden

2011: 3-months stay The Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (Austria)

2009: 6-months postgradual course Ecology and Conservation Biology, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences (Hedmark University college, Norway

CC publications

1. Formenti, G., Theissinger, K., Fernandes, C., Bista, I., Bombarely, A., Bleidorn, C., Ciofi, C., Crottini, A., Godoy, J. A., Höglund, J., Malukiewicz, J., Mouton, A., Oomen, R. A., Paez, S., Palsbøll, P. J., Pampoulie, C., Ruiz-López, M. J., Svardal, H., … Zammit, G. (2022). The era of reference genomes in conservation genomics. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 37(3), 197–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2021.11.008
2. Kunz, F., Klinga, P., Sittenthaler, M., Schebeck, M., Stauffer, C., Grünschachner-Berger, V., Hackländer, K., & Nopp-Mayr, U. (2022). Assessment of drivers of spatial genetic variation of a ground-dwelling bird species and its implications for conservation. Ecology and Evolution, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/ECE3.8460
3. Mueller, S. A., Prost, S., Anders, O., Breitenmoser-Würsten, C., Kleven, O., Klinga, P., Konec, M., Kopatz, A., Krojerová-Prokešová, J., Middelhoff, T. L., Obexer-Ruff, G., Reiners, T. E., Schmidt, K., Sindičič, M., Skrbinšek, T., Tám, B., Saveljev, A. P., Naranbaatar, G., & Nowak, C. (2022). Genome-wide diversity loss in reintroduced Eurasian lynx populations urges immediate conservation management. Biological Conservation, 266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109442
4. Klinga, P., Mikoláš, M., Delegan, I. V., Dănilă, G., Urban, P., Paule, L., & Kaňuch, P. (2020). Temporal landscape genetic data indicate an ongoing disruption of gene flow in a relict bird species. Conservation Genetics, 21(2), 329–340.
   https://doi.org/10.1007/S10592-020-01253-X
5. Kubala, J., Gregorová, E., Smolko, P., Klinga, P., Iľko, T., & Kaňuch, P. (2020). The coat pattern in the Carpathian population of Eurasian lynx has changed: a sign of demographic bottleneck and limited connectivity. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 66(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-019-1338-7
6. Klinga, P., Mikoláš, M., Smolko, P., Tejkal, M., Höglund, J., & Paule, L. (2019). Considering landscape connectivity and gene flow in the Anthropocene using complementary landscape genetics and habitat modelling approaches. Landscape Ecology, 34(3), 521–536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00789-9
7. Klinga, P., Smolko, P., Krajmerová, D., & Paule, L. (2017). Landscape genetics highlight the importance of sustainable management in European mountain spruce forests: a case study on Western capercaillie. European Journal of Forest Research, 136(5–6), 1041–1050. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-017-1034-7
8. Klinga, P., Mikoláš, M., Zhelev, P., Höglund, J., & Paule, L. (2015). Genetic differentiation of western capercaillie in the Carpathian Mountains: The importance of post glacial expansions and habitat connectivity. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 116(4), 873–889. https://doi.org/10.1111/bij.12643

Research projects

Academic/Basic research

Principal investigator:

2021-2024 VEGA 1/0328/22 The implication of conservation genomics in genetic rescue programs of fragmented vertebrate populations.

2017-2020 VEGA 2/0077/17 Evolutionary ecology of umbrella and flagship species of vertebrates in Slovakia.

Collaborator:

2018-2023 COST action CA18134 - Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BIKE)

Applied research

Principal investigator:

2022–2023 ITMS: 310011BDH4 “DNA analysis of western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) biological samples in Horná Orava region.” Scope: Abundance estimates of western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in Horná Orava protected landscape area.

2022-2023 ITMS: 310011BKH4 “DNA analysis of western capercaillie biological samples (Tetrao urogallus) in Western Carpathians (excluding Horná Orava region).” Scope: genetic inventory of the entire Western Carpathian population.

2018-2019 Genetic inventory of ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) population in Slovakia.

Collaborator

2017–2024 LIFE16 NAT/SI/000634 Preventing the extinction of the Dinaric-SE Alpine lynx population through reinforcement and long-term conservation.

2017-2021 Identification of subspecies status and breeding recommendation for western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) captive breeding program in Beskydy mountains.

2015–2021 LIFE13 NAT/DE/000755 Reintroduction of lynxes (Lynx lynx carpathicus) in the Palatinate Forest Biosphere Reserve

2013-2015 Brown bear genetic inventory in Slovakia