Karl-Olof Bergman

Karl-Olof, or Kalle, is a dedicated conservation biologist with a deep commitment to preserving biodiversity. His research spans a wide range of organisms, including plants, lichens, butterflies, beetles, and frogs, all aimed at enhancing our understanding of how to protect species and ecosystems. Kalle completed his PhD on the conservation of the threatened Woodland Brown butterfly (Lopinga achine), focusing on habitat selection, host plant choice, dispersal ability, and the impacts of landscape changes. He now leads ongoing projects on biodiversity conservation in boreal forests, particularly studying how forest management practices in Sweden affect species like saproxylic beetles and cryptogams. His work also investigates habitat thresholds, exploring the minimum requirements needed to sustain diverse species populations, especially in fragmented landscapes. Kalle and his team focus on wood-living beetles and lichens on old trees, as well as butterflies and plants in semi-natural grasslands, to understand the critical role of suitable habitats in preventing biodiversity declines.