Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

FP7 EU Project WETLANET

Enhancing research potential by strengthening a local network of laboratories for studying wetland ecosystems functioning, restoration and management (WETLANET)

Project details

 
Project ID: 229802
Duration: 01.04.2009 - 31.03.2012
Total cost: EUR 1 050 560,40
EU contribution: EUR 936 748
Topic(s): REGPOT-2008-1-01
Funding scheme: CSA-SA - Support actions
 
Beneficiary: Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBER-BAS)
Project coordinator: DSc Boyko B. Georgiev

Concept

 
With the present project, we are aiming to enhance the research potential of the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, by strengthening a local laboratory network for studying wetlands ecosystem functioning, restoration and management (WETLANET laboratories). This laboratory network includes:
  • three remote field stations situated at wetlands of major ecological importance in the Lower Danube floodplain and at the Black Sea coastal area (Srebarna Lake Biosphere Reserve, Atanasovsko Lake Reserve, Sozopol)
  • specialised laboratory units at the headquarters of IBER-BAS in Sofia.
The aim is targeted by a set of support activities directed to the improvement of the capacity of IBER-BAS relative to the following aspects:
  • human research potential;
  • technical research capacity;
  • strengthening integrative connections of IBER-BAS in the European Research Area (ERA);
  • wide dissemination and promotion of the activities and results in the society in view of increasing their socio-economic impact.

Project objectives:

 
1. Improving the human capacity of IBER-BAS in wetland studies by the organisation of outgoing and incoming visits for exchange of know-how and experience, the recruitment by the WETLANET laboratories via employing incoming experienced researchers and organisation of training events.

2. Upgrading the existing technical capacity of the WETLANET laboratories by development and renewal of the research equipment and development of IT capacity, thus allowing CLGE-BAS to further improve its scientific potential and to strengthen the overall research performance.

3. Achieving better integration of CLGE-BAS in ERA by organising a conference, workshops and training courses and by exposing the research staff to international scientific environment, thus promoting research collaborations and establishment of multilateral partnership that can result in the formation of a consortium (consortia) carrying out high-level wetland research of socio-economic impact at regional and global scale (inter alia, targeting priorities of FP7).

4. Dissemination of achievements of wetland science (including recent developments in WETLANET laboratories) in the society (targeting mostly business, industry, authorities, nongovernmental organisations and educational establishments), by promotional events and publication activities, in view of increasing visibility of the research activities of CLGE-BAS and improving their response to socio-economic needs of the country.

Outputs:

 
Output 1: Better integration of IBER-BAS in ERA as an internationally-renown partner or an initiator of collaboration projects in the next FP7 calls. Turning IBER-BAS into a competent regional research centre in wetland science, with added value to the regional social and economic development.
 
Output 2: More adequate, improved scientific service of IBER-BAS to the society in order to meet its needs of knowledge of wetland functioning, management approaches and restoration activities aiming at the sustainable development. This includes the development of management decisions in nature conservation, scientific support of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and management decisions in preserving quality, quantity and durability of water resources, monitoring of important ecosystems and other problems of primary socio-economic importance.

Work packages

 
WP1: Project coordination (leader DSc Boyko Georgiev)
WP2: Transfer of know-how and experience (leader Dr Yordan Uzunov)
WP3: Recruitment of incoming experienced researchers (leader Dr Vlada Peneva)
WP4: Acquisition, development and upgrading of research equipment (leader Dr Ventzislav Karamfilov)
WP5: Organisation of a conference and workshops (leader Dr Luchezar Pehlivanov)
WP6: Dissemination and promotional activities (leader Dr Gergana Vasileva)
 

Final Report Summary

 
The main results of the project achieved in its entire duration are as follows:
  • WP2: In total, 64 research visits were carried out for exchange of know-how and experience. These were 23 short-term (up to 1 month), 13 middle-term (up to 3 months) and 1 long-term (up to 6 months) outgoing research visits of IBER-BAS staff members and PhD students to international research centres as well as 25 short-term and 2 middle-term incoming visits of foreign researchers to IBER-BAS.
  • WP3: In total, 6 researchers with international experience were recruited; their work diversified and strengthened the research capacity of the beneficiary in wetland studies: Dr Merlijn Jocque (Belgium), Dr. Caterina Casagranda (Germany), Dr Philippe Gil de Mendonça (Switzerland), Dr Elka Kraleva (Bulgaria), and Dr Pavel Zehtindjiev and Dr Georgi Daskalov employed as senior permanent staff members of IBER-BAS with the project termination.
  • WP4: Substantial improvements of the IBER-BAS technical and IT equipment was achieved, both by improving the technical capacity of three field stations for wetland studies and by improving the central laboratory unit at the headquarters in Sofia.
  • WP5: The International Conference "Wetlands: functioning, management and restoration", was organised by the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research and the WETLANET Project. It was held on 16-19th October 2011 at Albena Resort, Varna. In total, 76 participants from Bulgaria, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, Romania, Czech Republic, Turkey and Greece attended the event. Among them, 16 were PhD students. (Conference book with the programme and abstracts could be downloaded here).

Four workshops were organised aimed at increasing the transfer of knowledge, the possibilities for sharing the scientific results and potential for network building in priority areas at regional and European level. In total six training courses were organised in topics, which we recognise as requiring urgent development of our staff expertise. They are mostly targeting young researchers. For each course, we have planned the participation of 1-3 experienced invited lecturers, which are leading researchers with international reputation.

  • WP6: Two books were printed, "Ecosystems of the Biosphere Reserve Srebarna Lake" and "Mesta River: Biological Quality Elements and Ecological State". The books were addressed to wide range of scientists, experts, students, NGOs, etc. devoted to the biodiversity studies, and nature protection and conservation. Organisation of five open days stimulated the socio-economic integration of IBER-BAS. The aim of events was to increase the public awareness in the country regarding the importance of wetlands and their conservation. The public exhibition entitled "Bulgarian Ramsar Sites" was organised as a part of the WP6 public activities at the final phase of the project.

The full text of the WETLANET Final Report could be found at the website of the EU (link).