The project 'Conservation Biology in Europe'

Join the  Εrasmus Intensive Program Greek Summer School-2011 !

The project “Conservation Biology in Europe: building a coherent strategy for the future” is an ERASMUS Intensive Programme (Erasmus IP), in the field of natural environment and wildlife conservation, funded by the State Scolarship Foundation IKY. University professors from six University Departments in Greece, Denmark, Germany, Italy and UK will combine their expertise to offer a high quality multidisciplinary two-week programme to 15 undergraduate students in the rapidly evolving field of conservation biology. 

Zombie ant fungus: four species not one

10/03/2011 

 
Takes over ants' brains before sprouting through their headsMarch 2011: A bizarre so-called zombie ant fungi which takes control over the minds of ants before killing them and sprouting from the insects' heads, has been found to be four separate species, rather than the one originally thought.
The four species, which infect carpenter ants in the Brazilian rainforest, have been discovered and described by David Hughes and Harry Evans, after they noticed a range of different looking fungi emerging from ants' heads.
The fungus can infect an ant, take over its brain, and then kill the insect once it moves to a location ideal for the fungus to grow and spread their spores.
‘It is tempting to speculate that each species of fungus has its own ant species that it is best adapted to attack,' Hughes said. ‘This potentially means thousands of zombie fungi in tropical forests across the globe await discovery.'
'The fungus makes ants travel a long way in the last hours of their lives'In a parasitic death sentence worthy of a B-movie horror story, the fungus turns carpenter ants into the walking dead, gets them to die in a spot that's perfect for the fungus to grow and reproduce. Once infected by the fungus, an ant is compelled to climb down from the canopy to the low leaves, where it clamps down with its mandibles just before it dies.
‘The fungus accurately manipulates the infected ants into dying where the parasite prefers to be, by making the ants travel a long way during the last hours of their lives,' said study leader David Hughes.
After the ant dies, the fungus continues to grow inside it. Hughes and colleagues found that the parasite converts the ant's innards into sugars that help the fungus grow. But it leaves the muscles controlling the mandibles intact to make sure the ant keeps its death grip on the leaf. The fungus also preserves the ant's outer shell, growing into cracks and crevices to reinforce weak spots, creating a protective coating that keeps microbes and other fungi out.
Scientists have yet to discover how they exert such control over their hosts.

Amazing Species; Leptocereus quadricostatus

The Sebucan, Leptocereus quadricostatus, is listed as "Critically Endangered"on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This large, scrambling cactus was originally thought to be endemic to Puerto Rico, but another small population has recently been discovered on Anegada in the British Virgin Islands.

Cucumber Plant Time Lapse HD

International Year of Forests 2011

 

The International Year of Forests 2011 (Forests 2011) logo is designed to convey the theme of “Forests for People” celebrating the central role of people in the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of our world’s forests. The iconographic elements in the design depict some of the multiple values of forests and the need for a 360‐degree perspective: forests provide shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity; are a source of food, medicine and clean water; and play a vital role in maintaining a stable global climate and environment. All of these elements taken together reinforce the message that forests are vital to the survival and well being of people everywhere, all 7 billion of us.

Ecology by Robert E. Ricklefs

In the decade since the last edition of this classic text, vast changes have occurred in the ecological landscape.  There is increased awareness of the importance of scale, the role of disturbance, the necessity for conservation, the potential for restoration, and the power of genetics in understanding relationships among organisms.  Building on traditional foundations—evolution and adaptation, energy flow, population and community interactions, and behavioral ecology—the new edition of Ecology emphasizes modern concepts

Orchids of Greece

The self-sowing (wild) orchids are amongst the most admired plants of the world, with the Greek species numbering almost 200. Of these, a little more than half belong to the Ophrys genus, the only one in which the attraction of insect pollinators is accomplished through the sexual deception of certain species of male insects. The biological specialty, in conjunction with the optical result of the adaptation of the flowers so that they resemble insects, attracts the interest of biologists, botanists, photographers and naturalists. In this book, 124 species, subspecies and varieties of the Ophrys genus are presented, with descriptions which are accompanied by more than 650 photographs taken by the author and many friends and colleagues. The mode of presentation, with comparisons between similar species, emphasis on the main characteristics and photographic documentation of the above, defines the character of the book which constitutes a monograph on the genus and, at the same time, a useful field guide. It is also an aspiration that this book will constitute the basis for a better knowledge of the Greek selfsowing orchids, amongst which are some of the most beautiful and rarest species in Europe. This would have, as its consequence, the demonstration of the need for their protection and for their designation as an important component of our natural wealth. link

Archelon

ARCHELON

Since 1983, the primary objective of ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece has been to protect the sea turtles and their habitats in Greece through monitoring and research, developing and implementing management plans, habitat restoration, raising public awareness and rehabilitating sick and injured turtles.

ARCHELON is a Partner to the UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan, a member of the European Union for the Conservation of the Coasts (EUCC). Members of ARCHELON participate in the IUCN/Marine Turtle Specialist Group and contribute to the formulation of the international strategy for the conservation of sea turtles.

ARCHELON works closely with state agencies, the local authorities, institutions, other NGOs, fishermen and local inhabitants in order to mitigate and reverse population reduction of sea turtles. Certain projects are co-funded by the European Commission. Priority is given to the elaboration and implementation of integrated management plans in the major loggerhead nesting areas in Greece (Zakynthos, Bays of Kyparissia and Lakonikos, and Crete). On Zakynthos ARCHELON conducts its projects under an agreement with the National Marine Park. Pilot sand dune restoration projects have been carried out behind nesting beaches.

• ARCHELON relies heavily on voluntary work. Every year over 500 volunteers from all over the world are invited to help with the work on the nesting beaches and the Rescue Centre.
• Every summer the major nesting areas in Greece (Zakynthos, Peloponnesus and Crete), around 75 kilometres are daily monitored.
• Every year over 2,500 nests are protected against human threats, predation and sea inundation.
• Every year around 300 turtles are tagged in order to monitor their movements in the sea. Recently satellite transmitters have been used.
• Over 50 injured sea turtles are treated every year at the Rescue Centre at Glyfada (Athens).
• Three permanent and 10 seasonal stations are operated by ARCHELON on Zakynthos, Peloponnesus and Crete. There are also working two First Aid Stations in Rethymno and in Amvrakiko Bay.
• About 200,000 tourists are directly contacted through ARCHELON's diverse programmes every year
• Over 15,000 students participate every year in the educational programmes.
• ARCHELON participates in four Management Agencies of protected areas (National Marine Park of Zakynthos, Amvrakikos Bay, Mesolonghi Lagoon and Strofylia-Kotychi Lagoons) where sea turtle habitats are found.
• Volunteers Training Centre has been established for the environment, where seminars and presentations are taking place.

 

International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies

The Master of Science programme : 

            TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR THE ACADEMIC YEARS 20010-11& 2011-12   

European Geoparks

42 European zones working together to conserve and valorise their geological heritage through the integrated and sustainable development of their  territories, are pleased to welcome you to the website of the European Geoparks Network. link       

Nature Scholarship Provides Chances for Young European Conservationists

Publish date: 02.02.2011

The Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarships 2011 are now open for applications! The award provides three young European conservationists with €3000 to undertake a study visit to one or more protected areas in European countries other than their own. It is given by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation and the EUROPARC Federation.

The deadline for applications is Friday 20 May 2011.

The €3000, donated by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation (D), gives successful scholars the chance to gather experience and strengthen their networks. The Scholarships enhance international cooperation and advance the quality, innovation and European dimension of the management of natural areas, such as national parks. At the end of their study visit the scholars should produce a report on their findings which will be shared with practitioners in charge of managing Europe’s natural heritage.

Applicants must be under 35, of European nationality and themes for applications must be connected to the management of natural areas. Some guidelines to what these should be are provided. Applications can be filled in online at www.europarc.org . All organisational aspects, such as the selection of candidates, are carried out by the EUROPARC Federation.

Erika Stanciu, president of the EUROPARC Federation, believes ‘that the Scholarships are a great opportunity for the winners to see how protected natural areas are managed in other parts of Europe. The results of the studies are not only beneficial to the Scholars but to the many other practitioners managing Europe’s landscapes and wild places’.

The Academic Phrasebank

The Academic Phrasebank is a general resource for academic writers. It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological "nuts and bolts" of writing organised under the headings to the left. It was designed primarily with international students whose first language is not English in mind. However, if you are a native speaker writer, you may still find parts of the material helpful. link

Bee Hexagon

Bee Hexagon, the personal website of  the bee product scientist Stefan Bogdanov.link

I had the privilege to work for 26 years with these products, mainly on honey, at the Swiss Bee Research Centre, www.apis.admin.ch

The bees have chosen the hexagon as a building cell for their combs. One reason is that it is especially economic in regard to expenditure of energy and material and has a maximal strength, able to store heavy honey in it: a comb of 100 g weight can hold in it up to 4 kg of honey!
And may be also, because the bees want to show us, that they offer us six magic products: honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax and bee venom.
I would like to offer here some fascinating and useful facts on the “six magic things”.
This website was born in March 2008 and new information will be updated regularly, as many fascinating facts about the bee products remain to be discovered.

What do Ecologists Do?

Learn how ecologists entered the field and read their advice for students (sources: Ecological Society of America).

The Focus on Ecologists Projects offers a glimpse of life through the eyes of individuals trained in ecological science who have brought that experience into all sorts of different careers, many of which are still evolving.

Call for grants for foreign students applying for a master's degree programme at the UdL.

Call for grants for foreign students applying for a master's degree programme at the UdL. 2011-12

www.udl.cat

The purpose of the programme is to provide financial aid for foreign students applying for a master's degree programme at the UdL.

Foreign students with a foreign degree are invited to apply for these grants.

All applicants must fulfil the following requeriments:

• Gain entry to the official master's degree programme with a degree issued by a university outside the Spanish higher education system.
• Enroll for a minimum of 60 credits in an official master's degree programme offered by the UdL.
• Not being a beneficiary, on the date of the application, from any other scholarship or financial aid offered by the UdL to subsidize the studies into which the beneficiary has been admitted.

Applicants already living in Spain cannot participate.

Master's degree programmes not developed at the UdL are excluded.
In the case of official interuniversity master's degree programmes, it will be a requirement that the UdL be the coordinating university.

Archipelagos - Institute of Marine Conservation

Action for the conservation of the Aegean

Archipelagos, Institute of Marine Conservation, is a Greek non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to conservation of the marine and terrestrial environments of the Greek seas and islands. Archipelagos has been active since 1998 in several parts of the Greek seas (Ionian, Sporades, Central Aegean, Lybian and Eastern Aegean). Since 2000, Archipelagos' field of action has focused on the eastern Aegean. Our main terrestrial research base is located on the island of Ikaria and our main marine research base is on the island of Samos, while we also provide research stations in 3 islets of the eastern Aegean.

You can read more about Archipelagos and our actions here.

Archipelagos also provides two research sailing boats Pinelopi and Nireas, as well as 2 small speedboats, for marine research and conservation work. These vessels are able to operate even in the difficult weather conditions of the winter. In this way we are able to extend our activities throughout the Greek seas and NE Mediterranean overall.

Seed Bank of Aegean Flora

Work of the Aegean Seed Bank

Throughout the year, Archipelagos’ researchers approach distant parts of the Greek seas on an ongoing effort to discover and collect seeds from local, traditional and endemic varieties. The collection process often brings us door-to-door in local communities, as locals and elderly persons in villages are often the people most knowledgeable of seed locations. They are also often the ones in possession of the important seeds.

In order to ensure preservation of Greek phytogenic material, it is also necessary to reproduce at the Aegean Seed Bank the preserved varieties. These reproduced seeds are distributed to responsible and aware farmers, so as to ensure continual cultivation of irreplaceable varieties, which have for centuries been supporting the food and nutritional needs of agricultural communities throughout Greece. The participating farmers collaborate with Archipelagos’ scientists in order to ensure that such cultivations are under safe conditions and protected from the dangers of contamination by foreign varieties. The farmers, in effect, propagate the local varieties with traditional-organic practices, free from the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Alongside these efforts, Archipelagos informs and raises awareness among island communities for the need to correctly preserve local varieties of agricultural plants, including information on farming methods that can help eradicate the dangers of contamination or the need for chemical additives and fertilizers.

Nature Scholarship Provides Chances for Young European Conservationists

Publish date: 02.02.2011

The Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarships 2011 are now open for applications! The award provides three young European conservationists with €3000 to undertake a study visit to one or more protected areas in European countries other than their own. It is given by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation and the EUROPARC Federation.

The deadline for applications is Friday 20 May 2011.

The €3000, donated by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation (D), gives successful scholars the chance to gather experience and strengthen their networks. The Scholarships enhance international cooperation and advance the quality, innovation and European dimension of the management of natural areas, such as national parks. At the end of their study visit the scholars should produce a report on their findings which will be shared with practitioners in charge of managing Europe’s natural heritage.

Applicants must be under 35, of European nationality and themes for applications must be connected to the management of natural areas. Some guidelines to what these should be are provided. Applications can be filled in online at www.europarc.org . All organisational aspects, such as the selection of candidates, are carried out by the EUROPARC Federation.

Erika Stanciu, president of the EUROPARC Federation, believes ‘that the Scholarships are a great opportunity for the winners to see how protected natural areas are managed in other parts of Europe. The results of the studies are not only beneficial to the Scholars but to the many other practitioners managing Europe’s landscapes and wild places’.

The Census of Marine Life

The Census of Marine Life is a global network of researchers in more than 80 nations engaged in a 10-year scientific initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the oceans.  The world's first comprehensive census of the past, present, and future of life in the oceans is being released in 2010.link

La campagne choc de FNE

15/02/2011

L'affiche du film "Kill Bill" revue et corrigée par FNE: les pesticides sont accusés de tuer les abeilles.

Crédit : France Nature Environnement

Les algues vertes apparaissent au large des côtes bretonnes lorsque le taux de nitrates dans l'eau est important. Les rejets de lisier des élevages porcins intensifs dans les cours d'eaux et nappes phréatiques sont accusés d'avoir considérablement augmenté la teneur en nitrates des eaux.

Crédit : France Nature Environnement 

France Nature Environnement appelle à l'application du principe de précaution sur les OGM dont les effets sur la santé humaine n'ont pas encore été établis scientifiqument