Training School_2015_Advanced Aerobiology Course

 COST Action “Sustainable management of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe” (SMARTER) Training School on Controlling Common Ragweed by Vegetation Management, 2015 In the frame of Task 5 on Training, knowledge and technology transfer the COST Action “Sustainable management of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe” (SMARTER) launches this call to participate in a Training School -­‐ 8th Advanced Aerobiology Course 16-­‐22 August 2015 – Šiauliai University, Šiauliai, Lithuania SMARTER is an interdisciplinary network of experts working on the invasive plant common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). It includes professionals involved in the control of common ragweed, health care professionals, aerobiologists, ecologists, economists, and atmospheric and agricultural modellers. Nearly 200 participants from 33 countries participate. SMARTER provides a forum for discussing long-­‐term management and monitoring options for Europe. We aim to develop new innovative management solutions, such as a synergy between biological, physical and chemical control measures and vegetation management. We also develop a framework to assess their cost-­‐effectiveness in mitigating the effects of ragweed. SMARTER Working group 4 aims to evaluate the management options developed in working groups 1, 2 and 3 in terms of: Presence and spread of Ambrosia in Europe; Economic Impacts of Ambrosia; Health impacts of Ambrosia (e.g. spectrum and severity of allergic diseases). WG4 now offers this training school on Advanced Aerobiology in collaboration with the International Association for Aerobiology, the European Aerobiology Society and Šiauliai University. Organiser: prof. Ingrida Šaulienė (Chairperson of the Organising Committee), Department of Environmental Research and Physics, Šiauliai University, Šiauliai, Lithuania Objectives: Course theme, “From phenology to sophisticated forecasting“, calls on us to look back at some of the problems (phenology, invasive plant species, data analysis and quality, etc.,) and, more importantly, force students to shed new light on issues to do the credible aerobiology. The Course will focus on applying the up-­‐to-­‐date associated data -­‐ mycological, phenological, botanical (with particular focus on Ambrosia), in aerobiology and on developing advanced modelling skills using climate/meteo or land use databases. Course participants will work on the real data provided by the course teachers or will be given a chance to use their own (important to themselves) data. The course will combine a variety of lectures and practical sessions (including field work in nature) with the aim to explore and analyse aerobiological data from the different point of view. One day (in the middle of the course) will be designed for participants to explore Lithuania. Participants: the training school is aimed at researchers and young scientists who are interesting in deepening their knowledge and skills in aerobiology. The number of participants is limited to 20. Page 1 of 3 COST Action “Sustainable management of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe” (SMARTER) Training School on Controlling Common Ragweed by Vegetation Management, 2015 Grants: each participant that is eligible according to the COST regulation is offered an individual grant by the COST-­‐Action SMARTER of € 800 after completion of the training school. Participants need to be professionally affiliated to any of the parties of SMARTER (note: people from COST International Partner Countries cannot be granted). Procedure for participation Application for participation: by sending documents Ingrida Šaulienė (pollen.lt@gmail.com) until 5th May 2015. Applicants should consult the SMARTER homepage to become familiar with the aims and activities of SMARTER, specifically WG4. Application for a grant: in case you are eligible for a grant from the COST Action SMARTER, state in your motivation letter if you are interested in obtaining a grant for participating in this Training School. Selection and preliminary acceptance of applicants by the organizers via e-­‐mail by 14th May 2015. Registration & registration fee: to get finally accepted the selected participants have to 1) become a SMARTER member 2) send APPLICATION FORM to above mentioned mail address AND 3) pay a registration fee of € 450 to the organizer (see bank details below) by bank transfer, both before 25th May 2015. Bank details: Owner : Lithuanian Union of Scientists IBAN number : LT857300010002402865 SWIFT numer: HABALT22 Transfer title: 8th Advanced Aerobiology Course: First Name, Surname Programme The 8th AAC scientific programme will include: 1. Mycology day (outdoor-­‐ and indoor moulds, airborne moulds sampling and identification, moulds and health impact). 2. Botany day (modern phenology, plant invasions – challenges for routine aerobiology, plant investigation (field work) in different habitats). 3. Vegetation day (application of air pollution and aerobiological data in land management, pollen dispersion modelling). 4. Climate day (influence of climate on pollen behaviour, application of meteodata in aerobiology, modelling). 5. Data handling day (quality control, new technics, data dissemination of aerobiological information). Page 2 of 3 COST Action “Sustainable management of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe” (SMARTER) Training School on Controlling Common Ragweed by Vegetation Management, 2015 Details of procedure: Registration will be open on 16th August afternoon between 17.00-­‐19.00. Start: Monday, 17th August at 9.00 End: Sunday, 22th August (afternoon) Arrival to and from Šiauliai must be arranged by the participants. The closest airport is Riga international airport. The participants are asked to pay the registration fee in advance. It includes: Course materials, Meal, Social events. For further information please visit the official SMARTER website (http://ragweed.eu/) or contact the local organizers of the event: pollen.lt@gmail.com Course website: http://ekomokslas.lt/aac2015 Page 3 of 3