Nikolai Pertsov White Sea Biological Station, Northern Russia opens registration for the Field speciality workshop in bentic habitat mapping on the White Sea.
Location: Nikolai Pertsov White Sea Biological Station, Northern Russia
Schedule time: 14–26 September 2014
Current status: Registration is open, First call
Critical deadlines:
15 April 2014 – Application deadline
1 May 2014 – Participants announcement
Official language: English
Group size: 10 students in group
Key institutions: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
Key lecturers:
— Prof. Alexander Tzetlin, invertebrate zoologist, polychaeta specialist, Lomonosov Moscow State University (LMSU), Russia;
— Dr. Vadim Mokievsky, invertebrate zoologist, meiobenthologist, head of Laboratory of ecology of coastal bottom communities, P.P.Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Russia
— Dr. Matt Frost, MBA Deputy Director, Marine Biological Association of the UK, United Kingdom;
— Dr. Mikhail Tokarev, LMSU Innovation Business High School Deputy Dean, senior lecturer of geophysics of LMSU Geological department, LMSU Oil and Gas Centre CEO, Russia;
— Dr. Anna Zhadan, invertebrate zoologist, polychaeta specialist, LMSU, Russia;
— Dr. Artem Isachenko, invertebrate zoologist, benthic ecologist, LMSU, Russia.
Short course description
Current speciality field course is focused on students studying biology, geology and ecology of marine habitats and willing to enhance their experience and knowledge in marine research. Course syllabus stands at the intersection of traditional oceanographical and modern remote sensing concepts of marine research and aims on:
— conceptualization of previously gained experience in marine research field;
— introduction to the White Sea marine flora and fauna;
— training and operational rehearsal of sampling and data processing techniques;
— implementation of complex data interpretation methodology for underwater habitat mapping.
Normally academic day would be 7–10 hours with lunch and tea breaks. This would include daily field excursions of variable duration (1–4 hours of walk or/and boat trips); lectures; guided work with collected animals and individual independent work.
Comparison and advantages
White Sea Biological Station (WSBS MSU) is a subdivision of Biology Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University. This station is an educational and research centre, created for conducting marine scientific research and field student practices on Marine Biology, Oceanography and Geology at the White Sea.
Unique wildlife and environment of Russian Arctics has great potential for scientific research and allows lifetime experience for students.
Modern equipment allows to conduct comprehensive scientific research. WSBS has its own fleet, marine laboratories, geophysical exploration equipment. Our specialists have access to satellites data.
Annual experimental observation of shoreline and open sea test areas allowed organizers to develop a high-quality training and choice of cases for workshop study.
Workshop programme overview
Speciality field course will include four general parts:
1. Theoretical course will focus on:
a. General questions of benthic habitat mapping and research,
b. Coastal zone eco monitoring techniques,
c. White Sea particular characteristics (hydrological regime, geological history, biodiversity and functional structure of coastal habitats),
d. Theoretical base of marine research (traditional oceanographycal methods and modern remote sensing methods, including ROV and satellite imagery)
2. Field practical course aims on mastering of students skills via marine test field complex research. This part of workshop will also include guided excursions to main coastal habitats of White Sea.
3. Cameral samples treatment will include laboratory study of collected biological and lithological samples and computer analysis of seismic, side-scan sonar and statistical data,
4. During final complex data interpretation students will get familiar with data overlaying concept via building of digital GIS database.
Results of workshop will be formulated as student report and will be published in White Sea Biological Station journal.
Prerequisites
The course is for students who have already taken a university course in general zoology or zoology of invertebrates. Skills of practical work with a microscope are an advantage.
Tultition fee (will be announced later) includes 12 days of instruction, boat trips and pedestrian guided trips & housing
Additional expenses
— Hot meals provided three times a day + hot tea on request; at ~400 RUR per day. Unfortunately, special meals, like Halal or Kashrut, or dietary meals like diabetic, low-cholesterol or gluten-free, etc. cannot be provided due to limited capacity. What is provided is a standard Russian cuisine. However, vegetarian meals could be provided on request (to be discussed ahead).
— Train tickets ~7500 to ~10000 RUR (from/to Moscow) depending on train class; additionally local taxi starting at 600 RUR per person might be required depending on route selected.
— Optional boat excursions (sightseeing, trained while whales, etc.) at ~1000 RUR per person available Limited selection of foodstuff and essentials might be delivered to the Biostation on request twice per week.
— Diving opportunities to be specially discussed ahead
— Optional one-night stay in Moscow to be specially discussed ahead
Contacts:
Artem Isachenko, Ph.D., Moscow state university, Russia. isachenko@wsbs-msu.ru
Denis Ilyushin, Ph.D., Moscow state university, Russia. denis.ilyushin@marine-rc.ru
