20. Coastal Summer School 2023
Aquatic sediment archives as records of the past and indicators for future biodiversity
17.10.2023 - 25.10.2023
at Hiddensee Island
Topic of the school
Traces of past life are archived in aquatic sediments over thousands of years. Using these archives, past environmental conditions and past biodiversity can be reconstructed. By analyzing proxies for environmental conditions and ancient DNA in deep sedimentary layers, the evolutionary adaptation of species to past and present environmental conditions is being studied by scientists in marine and freshwater systems. Species responses to environmental changes in the past are analysed to predict the future based on these signatures from the past. Biologists, geologists and modelers use an integrative approach that combines the newest advances in environmental DNA time series, paleo-genomics, molecular organic proxies, resurrection ecology and ecological modelling.
The coastal summer school 2023 will give an interdisciplinary overview from topics related to the geological development of the Baltic Sea, aquatic sediment layers as archives of past biodiversity, methods of analyzing physiological adaptations of organisms in past times, predicted climate change scenarios and implications for present and future environmental assessments. Experienced geologists, biologists, physical oceanographers and authorities representatives will share their knowledge and teach participants by providing state-of-the-art information and hands-on training during the course at Hiddensee island.
Who can apply?
The coastal summer school addresses advanced Master of Science students, PhD students and early-phase postdocs with a background in marine sciences such as geology, oceanography, biology, coastal zone management or similar. The language of the school is English.
