Video of Summer School out now!

This summer school is designed for PhD candidates and postdocs from a variety of research fields focusing on forest ecosystems. During the summer school, a poster session was organized on the participants’ current research interests, and the work stimulated open exchange and discussion between students and trainers.

by Della Dominic Padinjaremury

The increasing rates of changes in environmental conditions put higher pressure on science to provide robust estimates of future ecosystem development. Robust approaches are necessary to measure the current state, understand the processes and then accurately predict the development of forest ecosystems. In this view, the members of three COST Actions joined their forces to develop research and training activities to link forest dynamics models with modern technologies and comprehensive biodiversity data. The Summer School was conducted from July 10, 2023 to July 14, 2023 at Slovenian Forestry Institute Ljubljana.

In this video, we delve into a joined summer school organized by three Cost Actions:

  • 3DforECOTECH: Advancing forest ecosystem monitoring through terrestrial-based technologies.
  • BottomsUp: Enhancing forest management sustainability with a focus on biodiversity preservation with joined datasets and protocols.
  • PROCLIAS: Employing simulation models to study climate change's impact on forests.

This summer school provided an opportunity and an arena to discover how these networks teach students to harmonize data, share knowledge, and collaborate across different scientific domains. It demonstrated the potential of interdisciplinary thinking in research. Young researchers learned to integrate diverse approaches and achieve a comprehensive understanding of forest ecosystems. The importance of effective communication, inquiry, and openness to unfamiliar disciplines was emphasized when collaborating. It is about recognizing individual strengths, embracing others' expertise, and fostering a supportive community.

It can be seen in the video how these emerging scientists forge enduring connections and cultivate a shared knowledge base, setting a precedent for interdisciplinary cooperation in environmental scientists' expertise, and fostering a supportive community. This summer school is a step forward to break down disciplinary barriers, to promote collaboration, and to prepare the next generation of scientists to address complex global challenges together.

For more details, click here.