The 6th ALTER-Net Summer School is entitled 'Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: An Interdisciplinary Perspective'. The summer school will be held at Peyresq, Alpes de Haute-Provence, France and is organized by the ALTER-Net Summer School Secretariat at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Germany.

About the Summer School

ALTER-Net will organize it´s sixth summer school from 7 to 16 September 2011 in Peyresq, Alpes de Haute-Provence, France. The topic this year is 'Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: An Interdisciplinary Perspective'. The school is a unique opportunity to explore this important issue with like-minded post-graduate students and young scientists mostly from Europe. About 20 speakers will give presentations on this subject.

The programme typically includes two talks in the morning and an aperitif talk in the late afternoon before dinner. All talks will include ample time for discussions. As the speakers usually stay for some days in Peyresq, informal discussions often go on till late at night. Tutors guide the working groups in the afternoons to focus on real world examples connected to the theme of the school. The working groups concentrate on the Var department and study the following sectors: agriculture, tourism, nature conservation and renewable energy. One delegate from each of these working groups joins a synthesis group summarizing the results in a synthesis report aimed at policymakers. A field trip illustrates land-use change in Provence. Of course there will also be opportunities to relax in the beautiful village of Peyresq and its surroundings.

The Summer School objectives

The ALTER-Net Summer Schools aim to contribute to the durable integration and spread of excellence within and beyond the network, with a view to promote interdisciplinary approaches.

The 2011 Summer School will focus on:

• Biodiversity and ecosystems in Europe;
• Ecosystem processes, function, services and benefits;
• Resilience of social and natural systems;
• Valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
• Linking biodiversity research with policy and the public.

How much does it cost?

A registration fee of 800 Euro is charged which includes the lectures, the excursion, accommodation (in double rooms) and meals.

Eligibility

The ALTER-Net summer schools are open to young graduate and post-graduate scientists from the network partners and universities in Europe. Two participants from developing countries can participate as well. Adequate English skills are required. All participants present a poster on their own research. The summer school is limited to 32 participants, who are selected with the goal of achieving an optimal mix among regions, disciplines and gender.

How to Apply

Online information and the application form is available at: http://www.pik-potsdam.de/alter-net/

Deadline

Please apply no later than 30 April 2011.

Further information

For any further information please contact the Summer School Director, Sabine Lütkemeier (Sabine.Luetkemeier@pik-potsdam.de)

A flyer is also attached (see below).

Conveners

Allan Watt, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh, UK; Wolfgang Cramer, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany; Uta Fritsch (Chair of the Tutors), EURAC Research, Bolzano, Italy; Sabine Lütkemeier (Summer School Director), Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany; Jiska van Dijk, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research-NINA, Trondheim, Norway.