3rd Training School of the SUSTAIN COST Action
COST Action CA21144

3rd Training School of the SUSTAIN COST Action (CA22144): “Plant, Soil, and Water Capability Assessment”
It is with great pleasure that we announce the 3rd Training School of the SUSTAIN Cost Action (CA22144) titled: “Plant, Soil, and Water Capability Assessment” to be held at the Maremma National Park, Tuscany, Italy from the 26th to the 27th of March, 2025.
The deadline for the applications is 9th of February 2025.
3rd training school application
Title of the training session: Living with salinity: Assessing Plant and Soil Capability
Abstract
Saline intrusion is a highly significant phenomenon that, due to climate change, is increasing in both frequency and intensity, leading to the progressive salinization of previously highly productive soils. In Tuscany, particularly due to the exceptional water scarcity in recent years, there has been a significant increase in soil salinity in coastal areas, including those used for grazing and cultivation. Increasing levels of soil salinity are progressively affecting this area, affect plant growth, soil structure, and leading to a collapse in plant biodiversity with significant economic, social, and environmental consequences. The training activities will be conducted within the Maremma National Park, an important farming area, including farms where Maremma cattle are still bred in a semi-wild state. This area has however been severely affected by the phenomenon of saline intrusion which has resulted in great biodiversity loss and a greater risk of land abandonment and soil marginalization, with important socio-economic repercussions, in particular for Maremma cattle breeders.
This training school focuses on raising awareness about the issue of soil salinity (especially for areas where this is a recent phenomenon) with GIS mapping and field activities focusing on soil and plant capability assessment and ecosystem services valuation techniques for salt-affected lands.
Learning outcomes:
At the end of the training, students will:
- learn how to diagnose soil salinity using low-cost tools (e.g. the use of indicator species)
- learn of to monitor the impact of salinity on crops (with a focus on gas exchanges)
- learn how to evaluate ecosystem service
- hear from affected stakeholders on socio-economic repercussions of soil salinization processes.
Prerequisites needed: None
Skills/equipment needed: Computer for the salinity mapping training activity
Organizational details
- Up to 20 trainees will be selected and financially supported (long distance travel and daily allowance) by SUSTAIN according to the Annotated Rules (link). https://www.cost.eu/Annotated_Rules_for_COST_Actions_C
- Participants will be selected based on the COST inclusiveness criteria, ensuring gender balance, empowering young researchers, and achieving equal distribution of national representatives.
- For the field day and city tour: light clothes and closed shoes for fieldwork, sun protection including a hat and sunscreen.
Agenda
Day 1. 26/03/2025
13:30. Bus from Grosseto train station
14:00. Arrival+ registration
15:00. Welcome
15:30-19:00. Soil salinity mapping with GIS and ecosystem services valuation techniques for salt-affected lands. Activities conducted at the venue.
Day 2. 27/03/2025
8:00. Bus – Departure for saline fields
8:30-12:00. Training on evaluating soil, water and plant capabilities. Hands on activities including soil EC, Ph measurements and identification indicator species.
12:00. Bus bring everyone to Alberese for lunch
13:30. Bus return to venue
14:00 – 15:00. Poster presentations
15:00-17:00. Farmers caffè and tour de table for needs assessment session. The aim of the caffè is to bring together farmers and agricultural advisors to exchange experiences on issues with salinization in their region, to share information about the impact of salinization on soils and plant growth and give them the opportunity to raise concerns and questions they would like to discuss and bring to the table of policy makers.
17.30. Bus to Grosseto train station (cannot be any later – the last train to Pisa leaves at 18.30)
How to get there:
If you are arriving from outside Italy: Best airport: Pisa Airport.
Then:
From Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale:
- Take the Pisa Mover, a shuttle train connecting Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale station. It runs every 5-8 minutes, and the ride takes about 5 minutes.
- Tickets cost approximately €5.
From Pisa Centrale to Grosseto:
- At Pisa Centrale, take a train heading to Grosseto. Direct trains are available and operated by Trenitalia.
- Travel time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of train (regional or intercity).
- Ticket prices range from €10 to €20, depending on the train category.
A bus will depart at 13.30 to bring participant to the venue. For those arriving later, please let me know the time
All participants will stay at the Villa Fattoria GranDucale, Alberese (Price per room should be around 75/80 euro for a single room. Prices will be probably lower but definitive prices will be given once we have definitive number of participants. Each participant will pay directly at the venue at the arrival time):
- Single room with shared bathroom
- Share room (2 people) with shared bathroom