About Venice Winter School

Scenarios of land use change, climate change, and natural resources commercialization at a global scale are threatening the most unstable and fragile ecosystems, such as the wide arid and semi-arid areas of Earth.
Understanding the eco hydrological equilibra that allow survival in such habitats helps us predict and prevent irreversible shifts, that could possibly affect microclimate and water balance in the adjacent areas.
Monitoring these areas through remote sensing and digital images analysis allows us to assess the health status and reveal the first symptoms of change.
Observing soil-vegetation-atmosphere mechanisms that allow vegetation growth and persistance even in water scarcity conditions gives quantitative indications on possible sustainable agricultural practices in water limited conditions.

We aim at establishing a shared platform, through the participation of expert international lecturers coming from various  research  fields,  that  will  commit  to  teaching  not  only  by  traditional  lectures  but  also  by  proposing scientific questions to be developed by small groups of students during the stay in San Servolo.

Four modules will focus on:

1. Experimental analysis of soil and vegetation,
2. Satellite images and data processing,
3. Stability analysis of dynamical systems,
4. Biological and mathematical modelling of ecosystems.

TARGET GROUP

The course is open for 50 young researchers and  PhD candidates from various disciplines: ecology, hydrology, geography, soil science, biology, environmental science and engineering.
Participants should possibly have previous knowledge in mathematical biology, hydrological science, statistics.

AIM

Learn and critically reflect on processes and models for vegetation patterns.
Develop research on specific topics proposed by the lecturers
Discuss possible application for sustainable water management.

STUDY LOAD
The course is intensive, with concentrate lectures in the morning and afternoon of the first 4 days, and  assignments, discussions and working groups in the last two days.

The course is FREE, although we recommend booking a room at San Servolo conference centre where the school will take place.
San Servolo is a small island in the Lagune of Venice. It used to host a mental hospital in the past; recently, it was restored and transformed into a conference centre. Now it is a quiet, inspiring and modern research centre, hosting the Venice International University. Possibly this special environment will unite attendees in planning new research activity. Participants can be accommodated on the island, attend the lectures and spend their free time staying in the surrounding park, talking with each other, day and night time, in a quite and beautiful environment. Sports grounds and the Mental Asylum Museum are also available in the island.
Last but not least, it only takes 10 minutes by public transportation to get to S. Marco square (the city centre) from S. Servolo, thus, you will also get a unique opportunity to visit Venice.

Venice International University http://www.univiu.org/

For any question or issue with the application or the reservation, please contact the course leader Chiara Callegaro at chiara.callegaro@dicea.unipd.it 

Please, wait before booking  the hotel until you get an official invitation from the organizers.

Organizing institution: University of Padova

Period: 3 January 2016 - 9 january 2016
Location: Venice-S. Servolo Conference Centre http://www.sanservolo.provincia.venezia.it
Level: Phd level
Official language: English
Course leader:   Chiara Callegaro
                               chiara.callegaro@dicea.unipd.it

                               Nadia Ursino
                               nadia.ursino@dicea.unipd.it