The first conference on Conservation sciences in the Mediterranean basin took place from 8 to 10 December, 2011 at the Tour du Valat, and was attended by 55 young researchers from more than ten Mediterranean countries. The principal objective of this conference was to improve scientific exchange around the Mediterranean basin on questions relating to conservation biology.
The first cycle of conferences was organised in partnership with the most important research centres focussing on conservation biology: the CEFE-CNRS (Montpellier) and the IMEP (Marseille). The conference was directed by Jacques Blondel (president of the Tour du Valat Scientific Council), and targeted young scientists working in various fields of conservation sciences, such as biology, remote sensing, and the social sciences. The young scientist had the opportunity to present their research to three top scientists:
- PEDRO JORDANO is a Research Professor at the Doñana Biological Station in Spain. His research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary consequences of mutualistic interactions between animals and plants, with specific attention on how mutualisms have shaped the web of life. More information is available at: http://ebd10.ebd.csic.es [1]
- MARIE-CHRISTINE CORMIER-SALEM is Director of Research in geography at the IRD/MNHN in Paris, France. Director of Research in social sciences at the IRD, and Deputy Director of UMR 208 ‘Local Heritage’ (IRD / MNHN, Paris). She is currently based at the UCAD-IRD International Research Campus in Dakar, Senegal), where she coordinates a team studying ecosystem services and how the benefits of biodiversity are shared. More information is available at: www.paloc.ird.fr [2]
- ANA RODRIGUEZ is a Researcher at the CEFE-CNRS Montpellier, France. Her work focuses on spatial biodiversity models, at the crossroads between ecology and conservation biology. More information is available at: http://www.cefe.cnrs.fr/dynamique-des-paysages-et-de-la-biodiversite/ana-rodrigues [3]
This first conference enabled the 55 young scientists present to participate in seminars, poster sessions, and field trips, and gave them the chance to exchange meaningful information with their colleagues.
You can find more information on this event at: www.medconservationsciences-conference.org [4]