Scope: Aquatic ecosystems play a crucial role in human health and well-being as a source of drinking water and food (irrigation, fisheries, and aquaculture), recreation, and tourism. Aquatic systems also provide diverse habitats, support high levels of biodiversity and vital ecosystems services and play a vital role in the global carbon cycle and in various nutrient cycles. Aquatic ecosystems, however, are under severe anthropogenic pressure such as urbanisation, eutrophication, inorganic pollution, acidification, invasive species, extraction of upstream water, and climate change. Unprecedented rates of global change add a sense of urgency to study the impacts of anthropogenic pressures, and to develop ways to restore and improve the robustness of urban aquatic ecosystems against these pressures. 

In this 5-day course we will provide a multifaceted overview of the science on aquatic ecosystems and the means by which its robustness can be restored or even improved. The course will consist of a combination of lectures provided by a team of international expert scientists, followed by plenary discussions. In addition, the participants will be working in small teams on specific group work projects. Aside from updating and deepening your scientific knowledge in the field of aquatic ecology, this course also offers an excellent opportunity to broaden your network and to interact with world-class scientists in this field! 

Target group: The course is aimed at PhD candidates, postdocs, and other academics 

Course duration: 5 days 

Contact: WIMEK Office: wimek@wur.nl 

Registration of interest: You can register your interest HERE (note: this is not an official registration).