Course ‘Advanced methods to study litter decomposition’

COURSE

‘Advanced methods to study litter decomposition’

13 – 17 July 2020

Coimbra, Portugal

It has been estimated that the percentage of carbon flowing through detritivore pathways is nearly 70%. The decomposition of organic matter is, therefore, an important ecological process in all ecosystems, from soil to estuaries, lakes and rivers. This course introduces several techniques used in litter decomposition studies. The course is aimed at post graduate students, young researchers and all those interested in the study of litter decomposition. Established researchers will conduct hands-on lab sessions based on the new edition of the Springer book 'Methods to Study Litter Decomposition' (eds: Bärlocher F., Gessner M.O. & Graça M.A.S.).

Subjects:

1. Measurement of enzymatic activities (b-glucosidase, phenol oxidase, phosphatase) in leaf microbial decomposers;

      2. Extraction and quantification of fatty acids from microbial decomposers in leaves;

     3. Manipulation of resource quality for invertebrate detritivores and stoichiometry;

     4. Use of qPCR to monitor fungal taxa during litter decomposition;

     5. Determination of temperature-normalized decomposition rates;

    6. Use of meta-analysis in litter decomposition studies.

Program

Group A and B: students will be divided into two groups that will carry out protocols in parallel.

Sessions will be given in English and participants are required to bring their own laptops.

Registration and payment

You can register for the course by filling the online registration here

The number of vacancies is limited and registrations will be admitted on a first come first serve basis; registrations will be considered complete after due payment of the registration fee (see below). The registration deadline is on 15 March 2020.

Regular registration fee: 500 euros

Special registration fee*: 400 euros

*Members of the Iberian Limnological Association and partner associations (Asociación Argentina de Limnología, Asociación Colombiana de Limnología, Asociación Ecuatoriana de Limnología, Asociación Mexicana de Limnología, Associação Brasileira de Limnologia, Asociación Española de Ecología Terrestre, Centro Ibérico de Restauración Fluvial, Sociedad Chilena de Limnología, Sociedad Ibérica de Ictiología), members of the Iberian Ecological Society (SIBECOL) and participants at the 9th Plant Litter Processing in Freshwaters Congress. In all cases, proof of affiliation or registration at the PLPF9 needs to be provided by email.

The registration fee includes the new edition of the Springer book 'Methods to Study Litter Decomposition' , access to all lab facilities and a writing kit; travel and accommodation will be at the participants’ expenses.

The payment of the registration fee should be made by bank transfer (see below), and the proof of payment should be sent by email to veronica@ci.uc.pt. Invoices and receipts will be issued using the information provided in the registration form.

Information for bank transfer:

Recipient name: PROAQUA - Associação para a Promoção do Conhecimento em Ecologia Aquática

Recipient address: Rua da Matemática, nº 49, 1º andar, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal

Recipient VAT: 514 039 906

Bank information:

Bank name: Santander Totta

Bank address: Balcão da Universidade de Coimbra, Pólo I, Rua Larga S/N, 3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal

Account number: 0003.45868718020 31 PT

NIB: 0018 0003 45868718020 53

IBAN (international transfers): PT50 0018 0003 45868718020 53

SWIFT/BIC code (international transfers): TOTAPTPL

Mandatory transfer reference: decomp2020

Note: any bank expenses associated with the payment should be supported by the participant.

Information on the course venue, accommodation and travel can be found below here

For inquiries, please contact

For inquiries, please contact Verónica Ferreira (veronica@ci.uc.pt).