Do you want to improve your knowledge about lakes ecological monitoring?

Take part in the 5th edition of the Summer School «Biomarkers for lakes ecological monitoring».

This training, proposed by the UMR CARRTEL (INRAE USMB), focuses on biomarkers and high frequency methods. The programme will be based mainly on field samplings and practical workshops to present and apply current approaches and cutting-edge techniques (genetics, isotopy, acoustics, etc.) to assess the functioning of lake ecosystems subject to several anthropogenic pressures.

The training is structured around three main application areas:

• Diagnosis of the ecological status of lakes:
  In situ measurements of physico-chemical parameters, sampling of certain commonly used biological indicators;
• Diagnosis of specific diversity:
  Using environmental DNA for ecological monotoring and bioindication, hydroacoustics for non-invasive fish monitoring, ZooScan, and automated image recognition for zooplankton population monitoring;
• Diagnosis of ecosystem functioning and biotic interactions:
  Principles of the use of stable isotopes as biomarkers of trophic transfer.

As part of the Summer School activities, the trainees have the opportunity to participate in the realisation of a short « video » on one of the topics proposed during the training. The « video » will then be published as an open access document for use by teachers and students for educational purposes.

Video example

The courses are taught by the UMR CARRTEL (INRAE-USMB) staff and are given in English in an international group.

Interested in acquiring or deepening your general knowledge of French still waters?

Come take part in the training course titled 'General Limnology'.

This training, listed in the OFB training catalog, is open to OFB staff as well as external participants whose missions are related to this field (e.g. staff from Parks, Nature Reserves, Water Agencies, State services such as DDT, DREAL, consultancy firms, etc.). It is developed and delivered by the ECLA R&D Unit (OFB-INRAE-USMB).

The training will provide an understanding of the functioning of French lakes and ponds, introduce the main components of their biodiversity, identify anthropogenic pressures and their impacts on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity, and offer an overview of monitoring and restoration methods for standing water bodies. The course combines theoretical presentations with hands-on practice through case studies, field sampling and data set exploration.

The training is structured around six modules:

• Introduction générale sur les plans d’eau :
  Integration of lakes and ponds into major cycles (the water cycle and biogeochemical cycles), morphological and biogeographical typology, and ecosystem services (regulating, material, and non-material services) provided by these ecosystems;
• Functioning of lakes :
  Physical aspects (e.g. stratification, mixing, etc.) and geochemical aspects (e.g. dissolved oxygen, nutrients, etc.) that influence the dynamics of lakes; principles of in situ use of various instruments (e.g. probes, sensors, phytoplankton and zooplankton sampling devices, etc.) to study some of the aforementioned aspects.;
• Biological communities and trophic networks of lakes:
  Benthic compartments, littoral/shallow zones (macrophytes, invertebrates, fish), pelagic zones (phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish), and laboratory observations of certain phytoplankton and zooplankton species;
• Anthropogenic pressures and strategies to reduce and prevent them:
  Impacts of climate change on the physico-chemical functioning and biodiversity, families of organic and inorganic stressors affecting biodiversity, as well as their sources and ecological effects; anthropogenic management of water levels and other pressures (navigation, overuse, invasive exotic species);
• < Surveillance of lakes:
  Water Framework Directive (WFD) regulations, Water Framework Directive (WFD) regulations; biological, hydromorphological, and physico-chemical indicators used for assessing the ecological status of lakes and ponds; innovative monitoring methods (eDNA, remote sensing, hydroacoustics); an overview of access to and visualization of stored data;
• Definition of the concept of ecological restoration:
  Definition of the concept of ecological restoration, typology of actions that can be implemented, and reflection on practical case studies.

The courses will be delivered by staff from the Pôle R&D ECLA and taught in French.