Field Trip Investigation

11-12 July 2025

Louis Nusbaumer, Dr., University of Geneva & Conservatoire et Jardin Botanique Genève

Louis Nusbaumer, Dr., University of Geneva & Conservatoire et Jardin Botanique Genève

For 2 days (1 night) a small group of PhD will go hiking around the Simplon Pass (Valais, Switzerland) accompanied by one specialist in the alpine flora. Students will study plants in connection with their PhD projects or the research conducted in their laboratories, and will prepare a short field presentation for the group on a publication, related to their research and the plants observed during the hike. Topics such as plant-insect coevolution, plant adaptations to freezing in high-altitude environments, rhizosphere observation, plant parasitism, relationships between soil acidity and plant composition, and morphological variations of plants due to environmental pressures and climate change will be presented and discussed. Students can reach the Simplon Hospitz (2000 m) by train and bus. The participants of the Field Trip Investigation will then hike to the Monte Leone Hut (2848 m), where we will identify plant species and take a rest.

A moderate fitness level and adapted clothes (hiking shoes, waterproof jacket, ..) are required.

Meeting place:

Friday 11 July : bus stop Simplon Hospitz, 08:57

*** If public transport between your home and the station does not allow you to arrive early enough, you can organise accommodation in the Valais close to the Meeting place for the night of Thursday 10 July (max. reimbursed 100CHF/night). In case of questions, please contact Debora Zoia at plants[@]cuso.ch.

The detailed Program will follow.

Monte Leone Hut, Valais, CH

Reimbursements for CUSO MPS Students:

> Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity.
> Night of Thursday 10.07.25 up to max 100CHF/night

A reimbursement form will be provided before the weekend.
Participants must keep their original receipts/tickets (Train/bus/Hôtel) in orther to get the refund.

For any question concerning reimbursement please contact the CUSO MPS coordinator Debora Zoia

Deadline for registration: 05.06.25

12 places available.
First come, first served !

*For cancellations after the deadline of registration or no-show: 75 CHF fees

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