Biodiversity is one of the most cited terms in the contemporary discourse and yet its meaning strongly depends on the speaker’s background of knowledge and role in society. None of these is self-sufficient for conservation and management of biodiversity in the present times. The winter school on biodiversity intends to provide definitions and tools for the understanding and management of the different components of the biodiversity as observed by the biologist, the climatologist, the social scientist, the economist and others.
January 27th - February 1st, 2025
Corinna Guerra, Assistant Professor in History of Science and Technology at Ca' Foscari University
Programme overview
Loss of biodiversity affects the functioning of natural ecosystems and threatens human well-being. In the current times of global biodiversity crisis, the word ‘biodiversity’ has become pivotal for conservation and management. Yet, biodiversity is often used only as a catchphrase in political, societal and even scientific debates.
The loss of biodiversity or its increase is not a simple sum of recordable data. Rather, it is a complex result of quantitative and qualitative aspects, socio-ecological systems, cultures, anthropogenic drivers and assets. This is the reason why a deep understanding of biodiversity is difficult to reach. Thus, communication can fail, and decision-making is often less efficient than needed. This winter school aims to assist students in building an all-round idea of biodiversity, which includes contents and competencies from the humanities, natural and social sciences in a fruitful interaction. If we look at the planning for the restoration law, it seems that to preserve habitats is not sufficient anymore.
How did the European Union reach this huge conclusion? Because, according to this law, quantifying biodiversity in agricultural areas, will require measuring three different biodiversity indicators
- The grassland butterfly index
- The organic carbon stock in soils
- The percentage of agricultural land with highly diverse landscape features.
Which are the other possible systems for measurement of biodiversity? What is biodiversity? What are the different biological levels of biodiversity? How can it be measured nowadays, and its changes determined with respect to the “natural” state of the environment? What are the ecosystem services provided by the biota and their effects on human health, food production and energy supply? How is biodiversity conservation regulated by law? Our Winter School aims to investigate and discuss all these questions through an interdisciplinary approach so that students are able to listen to the biodiversity of others, feeling it as complementary to their own.
This programme is organized in the Venetian lagoon, a unique treasure chest of biodiversity. Participants will visit a natural protected area by boat, and will have the chance to get an insight on the MOSE system and its technical, landscape, environmental and social implications.
Partner institutions
This programme is organized by Ca' Foscari University in collaboration with CNR ISMAR (Istituto di Scienze Marine), and funded by the National Biodiversity Future Center.
Applications
The programme will enrol a restricted group (up to 30) of young researchers, graduate or postgraduate students, who will be selected by a Teaching Committee based on the selection criteria outlined in the Call for Applications.
All details on requirements, selection criteria, fees and so on can be found in the Call for Applications on this webpage. Please read the document thoroughly and apply through this application form.
Applications are open until November 7th, 2024!
N.B The Call for Applications is being updated: we will not require students to submit a Declaration of Value.
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Call for Applications | 230 K |
Tuition Fees
Tuition costs including field visits are covered for all selected students.
Accommodation
Accommodation costs - which will be arranged at a student residence within the larger Venice area - will be covered for the 24 highest ranked students. Students who do not need accommodation can specify this in the application form.
Travel
Twelve of the highest ranking students applying from outside of Italy will be provided airfare. Check the Call for Applications to read our eligiblity terms and conditions!
