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4th Tour du Valat Conference for Young Scientists – Conservation Sciences in the Mediterranean Region

NEW : A statistical workshop (initiation) will take place on 15th, organized by the Tour du Valat PhD’s students

The Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, in partnership with CEFE-CNRS (Montpellier University) and IMBE (Aix-Marseille University), is organizing the 4th conference on Conservation Sciences in the Mediterranean region for young scientists from 16 to 18 May 2018

The MAVA Foundation and the Friends of Tour du Valat Association will sponsor 8 students from Mediterranean countries outside EU; all information on the conference website [1].

CONFERENCE CONTEXT

At the crossroad of three continents and contrasting bioclimates, the Mediterranean basin is a truly unique area, featuring exceptional biodiversity and has been identified as one of the 34 world biodiversity hotspots. Several civilisations have settled and prospered through exploiting and shaping this biodiversity. There have been drastic upheavals in the relationships between society and nature in the last 150 years due to the strong demographic growth and constantly increasing anthropogenic pressure. Today, it is a region experiencing great economic, social, political, religious and environmental tension.The development of Conservation Sciences in the Mediterranean Basin is needed to find new approaches that allow the conservation of biodiversity to be compatible with the development of human societies.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this conference is to create a scientific dynamism around the Mediterranean basin about the stakes of conservation sciences and support young scientists from non-E.U Mediterranean. countries.

Exchange of scientific knowledge and experiences in order to face conservation challenges. This conference aims at scientific excellence by inviting high ranking lecturers and selecting high quality presentations.

Stimulating informal exchanges between young scientists and invited lecturers at the Tour du Valat estate, which has important biological value for the Mediterranean.

Creating exchange opportunities around the Mediterranean basin. by favouring access of young scientists from the south of the Mediterranean and by grouping the scientific and organisational committees from the two largest centres for Mediterranean ecology in France; IMBE in Aix-Marseille and CEFE/CNRS in Montpellier.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

The conference will be held at the Tour du Valat, located in the heart of the Camargue wetlands, in a nature reserve. The wetlands are walking distance from the conference room. Spring will be blooming during the conference and migration will be at its peak.

Daily field visits will allow discussion of conservation and management issues.

PREVISIONAL PROGRAMME

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

The cost includes documentation, lunch, coffee breaks, transport between Arles and the Tour du Valat each day.