Soil organisms as bioindicators: methods, applications, and current research priorities
17-18 June 2010
lecturers
- Sina Adl, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Brian Griffiths, Teagasc, Environment Research Center, Ireland
- Elena Havlicek, Federal Office for the Environment FOEN (BAFU/OFEV), Switzerland
- Gwenaël Imfeld, Université de Strasbourg/ENGEES, France
- Sam James, The University of Kansas, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, USA
- Jan Roelof van der Meer, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
- Franco Widmer, Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART, Switzerland
objectives
- To understand the theoretical background and methods of bioindication, and its application to soil.
- To have an overview of soil bioindicators groups, and the methods used to study each of them.
- To get a multidisciplinary view on the advantages and limitations of using bioindicators in different environmental settings in soil.
- To get insights on new emerging research themes in the biology of soil organisms and their use in bioindication.
contents
- Keynote presentations by leading researchers in the field of soil biology.
- Organized mini-workshops based on relevant publications to discuss current research and open questions on
1) the use of different soil organisms groups as bioindicators, and
2) the use of bioindicators to address different questions in pure and applied ecology (soil pollution, farming practices, nature conservation, etc.). - General synthesis of the themes addressed during the workshop
Program (updated 9.06.2010)
pre-course assignment
Publications suggested for student presentations (2-3 publications per group of two students).
general information
Date: 17 and 18 June 2010
Schedule: 8.55 - 17.00
Location: University of Neuchâtel, Faculté des sciences, UniMail, Aula Louis-Guillaume (building F, 2nd floor)
Credit points: 0.5 credit point for attendance only, 1.0 credit point with poster presentation, 1.5 credit points with short oral presentation based on proposed papers (Scientific activities)
Evaluation: Active participation
Organizers: Thierry Heger, Pilar Junier, Claire Le Bayon, Edward Mitchell (University of Neuchâtel)
Information: Please contact the organizers for scientific questions or the doctoral program coordinator Christiane Bobillier for organisational matters
Travel expenses: participants of the doctoral program are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train (half-fare card, and 2nd class). Please send the original tickets (no copies, except for the general abonnement) with the reimbursement form to Dr. Christiane Bobillier. No reimbursement for bus, taxi or car travel expenses will be paid.
registration
This course is opened to all Ph.D. students and post-docs. No registration fee.
Maximum number of participants: 35. Course full.
Registration through the web only: closed.
Deadline: 7 June 2010.
NEW cancellation policy (CHF 50).
