Ecology, Physiology and Control of Toxin-Producing Benthic Cyanobactery

5 & 6 September 2024

Dr. Diego Gonzalez, UNINE

o Susie Wood, Cawthron Institute, New Zealand (toxic benthic cyanobacterial proliferations)

o Hilary Snook, USEPA New England Regional laboratory, USA (cyanobacterial surveillance programs in the USA)

o Jean-François Humbert, INRAE, France (benthic cyanobacterial proliferations in France)

o Catherine Quiblier, Museum national d'Histoire naturelle de Paris, France (benthic cyanobacterial proliferations in France)

o Elisabeth Janssen, EAWAG, Suisse (cyanotoxins)

Invasive toxin-producing cyanobacteria pose a major threat to freshwater ecosystems. When environmental conditions become favorable or detrimental to their natural enemies, some cyanobacterial strains can multiply rapidly, forming so called "blooms". Cyanobacterial blooms can quickly degrade aquatic ecosystems, altering their trophic structure and functionality, and causing water column deoxygenation leading to fish mortality. They can also alter water quality and heavily impact the economic value of freshwater resources. Harmful blooms are not limited to one region or country, but are becoming fast a global issue with the number of reports increasing all over the world. Some cyanobacteria live suspended in the water column (planktonic cyanobacteria), while others form mats right under the surface (metaphytic cyanobacteria) or grow attached to algae, macrophytes or even other cyanobacteria (epiphytic cyanobacteria); finally, some of them colonize the rocky or sandy substrates of oceans, lakes, or rivers at variable depths (benthic cyanobacteria). While planktonic cyanobacteria have focused the attention of biologists and ecologists, research about primarily substrate-bound (benthic) species is lagging. By combining presentations by experts with a field activity in a study area in which blooms have been studied over three years, the goal of this activity is to provide the participants with the latest scientific knowledge in this issue, as well as discuss with them the role of combining field and experimental work to increase this knowled.

University of Neuchâtel, Room TBA

Reimbursements for CUSO MPS Students:
Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity 

Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO.

Registration open

Deadline for registration: 16.08.24

Late cancellation or "no show" administration fee of 50.-

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