Sino-Swiss Summer School in Alpine Ecology Zurich/Piora, 2011 · Part 2 Schedule (17.-31. July...
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Sino-Swiss Summer School in Alpine Ecology Zurich/Piora, 2011 1 © Gianmarco Contini
Transcript of Sino-Swiss Summer School in Alpine Ecology Zurich/Piora, 2011 · Part 2 Schedule (17.-31. July...
Sino-Swiss Summer School in Alpine Ecology
Zurich/Piora, 2011
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© G
ianm
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Con
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Part 1 Participants and Contacts
Teachers Affiliation Email
Prof. Bernhard Schmid University of Zurich [email protected]
Barbara Brändli [email protected]
PD Dr. Pascal Niklaus University of Zurich [email protected]
Dr. Zhiheng Wang University of Denmark [email protected]
Prof. Jingyun Fang Peking University [email protected]
Dr. Kechang Niu Nanjing University [email protected]
Dr. Zhiyao Tang Peking University [email protected]
Students
PhD Yonghui Wang Peking University [email protected]
MSc Yue Shi Peking University [email protected]
MSc Yuanyuan Huang Peking University [email protected]
PhD Xiaoting Xu Peking University [email protected]
PhD Luying Tang Peking University [email protected]
PhD Xia Zhao Peking University [email protected]
PhD Xiulian Chi Peking University [email protected]
PhD Zejin Zhang Peking University [email protected]
PhD Juliette Chamagne University of Zurich [email protected]
PhD Camille Guilbaud University of Zurich [email protected]
PhD Enrica de Luca University of Zurich [email protected]
PhD Luise Olbrecht ETH Zurich [email protected]
PhD Nadia Castro Izaguirre University of Zurich [email protected]
PhD Tobias Zuest University of Zurich [email protected]
PhD Matteo Brezzi University of Zurich [email protected]
PhD Janielle Porter University of Zurich [email protected]
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Part 2 Schedule (17.-31. July 2011)1
Date Schedule
17. July Evening - Arrival of Chinese participants and transfer to the housing of their Swiss counterparts
18. July MorningLocation: University of Zurich, Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU)- Introduction to the IEU and the ABC Lago Cadagno- Introduction to the Course Schedule
AfternoonLocation: University of Zurich, Botanical Garden (14:00 - 16:00)- Lecture (small lecture hall of the Botanical institute) with Elena Conti
(to be confirmed) and Caroline Weckerle (to be confirmed).- Visit of the botanical garden of the University of Zurich
19. July MorningLocation: University of Zurich, IEU- Preparation of field projects and collection of field equipment
AfternoonLocation: Zoo Zurich (14:00 - 15:00)- Visit of the Zoo Zurich and guided tour through the Masoala Hall
20. July Morning- Travel to the Alpine Biology Center Departure Zurich main station at 08:31Arrival in Piora at 11:27
AfternoonLocation: Alpine Biology Center- Hike to lake Tom- Introduction to the Field Site
21./22. July All dayLocation: Alpine Biology Center- Field work
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1 Visas: All Chinese participants need passport and visaID card: All Swiss participants need ID Card and Halbtax/GA if availableCosts: Flights are covered by Chinese side, accomodation and travels paid by Swiss side
Date Schedule
23. July Morning- Train ride to Pollegio, Infocentro Alp Transit- Visit of the NEAT (engl: NRLA New Railway Link through the Alps)
(3 hours)
Afternoon- Train ride to Bellinzona- Accomodation at Bellinzona Youth Hostel (double room)
24. July Morning- Sightseeing in Bellinzona, including Castelgrande, Montebello and the old town (3 hours)
Afternoon- Travel back to Alpine Biology Center
25./26. July All dayLocation: Alpine Biology Center- Field work
27. July Morning- Check out Alpine Biology Center (cleaning)
Afternoon- Travel back to ZurichDeparture Piora: 13:30Arrival at Zurich main station: 16:49- Housing organized by Swiss counterparts
28./29. July All dayLocation: University of Zurich, IEU- Data analysis- Preparation of presentation and report- Presentation
30. July Morning- Organized sightseeing in Zurich, including Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof, St.Peter church, Weinplatz, Niederdorf, Grossmünster (outside), Fraumünster (outside), Paradeplatz (3 hours)
31. July Morning - Departure of Chinese participants from Zurich Airport
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Part 3 Goals
The major goal of the course is to carry out a small project in a team of two. The idea is that you learn 1) to ask an interesting question 2) to formulate it as a testable hypothesis 3) to design a study that allows you to test the hypothesis 4) to carry out the study 5) to analyzed the data 6) to interpret the data in the light of the original hypothesis and possible new hypotheses developed during the project 7) to present the results to the other 8) to write a report in the format of a scientific paper
It would be a good idea if you can think about interesting questions already now and present them to the students of the other country (see e-mails above). Like this you may already find out with whom you might pair up to carry out the project during the course. For your inspiration read the description of the field site below.
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Part 4 Introduction to Alpine Biology Center Piora, Switzerland
Val Piora
Val Piora, located in the Gotthard massif (central Swiss Alps), is a landlocked alpine valley
whose scientific value has been recognized for more than two centuries. The small,
picturesque Piora valley may be reached with the cable railway of Ritom (one of the steepest
in the world) or by car up to the Lake Ritom dam. The Val Piora is an alpine valley at 1800 – 2000 m and about 8 kilometers long. It comprises about 20 small lakes, the biggest being the
artificial Lake Ritom and the Lake Cadagno, close to which there is the Alpine Biology Center
Piora.
For the last fifteen years the area has been increasingly used for scientific purposes, both for
teaching and researching various environmental subjects. In view of stimulating educational
and scientific activities at a university level, the Alpine Biology Center (ABC) has been set up by the State of Canton of Tessin, in cooperation with the universities of Geneva and Zurich.
For this purpose, two 16th century buildings of the Alpe Piora have been turned into a
laboratory and lodgings. The Microbiology Institute of the canton of Tessin is responsible both
for managing the center and coordinating its activities. The ABC is located at 1960 meters
above sea level near Lake Cadagno.
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Fig.1: Overview of the Val Piora (red border) and the Alpine Biology Center (ABC) (dotted circle in the middle).
Geology
The valley comprises of basic dolomite containing gypsum that is surrounded by acidic gneiss (metamorphic granite containing SiO2). Dolomite rock is similar to limestone but
contains an additional magnesium atom in its mineral composition. Limestone is a calcium
carbonate, which contains mainly CaCO3, whereas dolomite is mainly built by an MgCaCO3-
mineral. Dolomite rock is, compared to the valley’s dominating gneiss, easily eroded with acid
water i.e. CO2-containing rainwater dissolves the dolomite. It is this unique compilation that determines the chemistry of the lake’s water. The lake basin itself was formed by glacial
erosion during quaternary glacial period.
Lake Cadagno
Lake Cadagno (1923 m a.s.l.) is a rare example of crenogenic meromixis. Its waters show a permanent stratification due to a natural geological phenomenon. The lake is governed by the
geology of the valley and it is separated into three distinct layers, the oxic mixolimnion, the
anoxic monimolimnion and a narrow chemo-cline in between. The three layers are
maintained by density differences which remain undisturbed throughout the year. The lower
layer contains dissolved mineral salts (sulphate, magnesium, calcium, carbonates) leached by rain water from the dolomite rocks and these are then fed into the lake by sub aquatic
springs. As a result this is the densest layer because of this high salt content.
Anaerobic phototrophic bacteria – among them Chromatium okenii – thrive between the two
layers where they find the ideal conditions for their development. Such an ecosystem
provides a good opportunity to study the metabolisms connected with eutrophication on a stable model, as it is well-known that one of the advanced stages of eutrophication is
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Fig.2: View on the lake Cadagno (dark blue), lake Ritom (light blue) and the Alpine Biology Center (ABC) (dotted circle on the left) (Photo: Mauro Tonolla).
biogenic meromixis. Universities from all over the world visit lake Cadagno to study this
natural phenomenon.
Biodiversity
The lush alpine pastures generally feature an interesting flora and fauna and also some very particular botanic species. From mid June to the beginning of August the whole region turns
into a unique mountain garden that blooms with a myriad of colors and aromatical scents.
The ravishing and extended pastures, summarily referred to as Alpe Piora, cover the vast
majority of the valley's territory.
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Fig.4 and 5: Plant and insect identification at Alpine Biology Center Piora (ABC).
Fig.3: Stratification of lake Gadagno.
9Fig.6: Biodiversity impressions from the field course in July 2008.
Alpine Alpine Biology Center Piora (ABC)
The accomodation provides all commodities but is very simple. Right next to the lab there is a
large bedroom with 15 double deck beds. These have two blankets each, but we suggest that
you bring your own sleeping bag as well as a towel. During bad weather conditions there
might be some snowfall, even in July and August, so be prepared for cold and wet weather concerning cloths and boots. For hikes, sturdy hiking boots are required. Other useful items
include a flash light, Swiss army knife and a binocular. Usually, there are approximately 300
cows (each with a bell!) right next to our lab to provide milk for the cheese factory. Therefore,
ear-plugs for the night are a very useful item. As we are at 2000 m a.s.l., the sun may be
very bright with high UV, it is a good idea to bring sun lotion, sun glasses, and a hat with you. For the weekend trip to Bellinzona you may also want to bring swimming gear and light
clothes for hot weather.
Regarding the laboratory infrastructure of the research station, computer facilities, internet
access (very slow), a little library and a copying machine is available. In addition, the lecture
room will be equipped with a beamer for presentations. Some basic laboratory material is available at the field station. In addition you could bring 2:
- Paper- Pencils- Laptop- Labels and paper bags- Sample vials and tubes- Measuring tapes, rulers- Strings and nails to mark the plots- Pocket knife- Stopwatch- Hand lens- Camera- Insect net- Insect needles- Identification keys for larger groups of animals- Drinking bottle- Lunchbox
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2 Note: If you have special requirements, please let us (Bernhard Schmid / Philippe Saner: [email protected]) know before the course so we can organize accordingly.
Meals3
The ABC is equipped with a kitchen. Breakfast (self-service) and dinner will be prepared. For
lunch, a picnic style lunch will be available as the participants will spend all day in the field.
Jörg Stich is our "kitchen manager" and will cook for all participants. We ask all participants to
actively participate with the kitchen work during the week and cleaning the kitchen, the labs,
and the bedrooms before leaving.
First aid kit
A basic first aid kit will be provided. However, our university policy does not allow us to
provide medicines. You may want to bring some medicines yourself, for example against
headache, as this may be caused by the high altitude during the first days. In case you need special attendance (e.g. for certain allergies), please advise us before the course.
Further information
Should you be interested to get some information on the ABC and the Piora region you can
take a look at the following websites:www.cadagno.ch (in Italian and English)
www.ritom.ch (in German, Italien, French, English)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Cadagno (in English)
Part 5 Appendix (Val_Piora_Biodiversity2010.xls)
A 48 hours survey of the biodiversity of the Val Piora was done in July 2010. About 1500 species were described. The survey covered vertebrates, invertebrates, vascular plants, mosses, fungi and lichens. Please see the attached Excel file for an overview.
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3 Note: If you have a special diet please let us know in advance so we can change the meal plan accordingly.
