Human populations, like any other species, persist and thrive in natural landscapes. In contrast with most species, however, changes made by humans in ecosystems can be detected in a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Such changes result from two components. First, stress between ecosystem self-organization and the simplification associated with the human exploitation of natural resources. Second, shifts of the scale at which bio-physical factors, ultimate drivers of ecological functions, perform their controls. But relationships between humans and landscape dynamics are not unidirectional, and relevant feedbacks caused the former to incorporate, individual and culturally, opportunities and constraints posed by the latter. Those adaptations enable human persistence within a far from equilibrium system where land degradation must be precisely regulated.

Prof. Juan Puigdefabregas dedicated his scientific life to generate, lead and inspire research on relationships between humans and their natural landscapes, focusing his attention on a wide array of combinations of the components mentioned above: overmature landscapes in Tierra del Fuego that were only rejuvenated by natural catastrophes; alpine landscapes in the Pyrenees finely tuned to exploitation and physical drivers; and dryland landscapes in the Mediterranean showing clear symptoms of abuse and land degradation. This symposium is homage to his scientific legacy.

Drylands are largely controlled by physical factors and their interactions with organisms, are particularly vulnerable to human intervention, and their specific issues are addressed by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. For these reasons they make an ideal benchmark for this symposium’s aims and will be, with appropriate exceptions, the main focus of the discussions that will take place there.

EcoDesert is intended to identify and explore ground-breaking aspects derived from the core topics described above and their interactions, rather than to present state-of-the-art thematic contributions to individual disciplines. Contributions may be both conventional scientific studies and unfinished works or conjectures with a supporting basis.

The four thematic sections will occur sequentially during days 20 and 21 February. All sessions will be plenary to facilitate an integrative framework.

EcoDesert will be optimized to foster synergetic discussions from different perspectives. A small series of brief oral presentations will be selected for their potential to convene and centre the Sections described above, and to generate and lead discussions. Excepting them, all the remaining contributions will be considered as ePosters, which become that way the default type of contribution. ePosters will not have topic restrictions as long as they fit reasonably at least in one of the Sessions.

All posters will be encouraged to take ePoster format. An ePoster is simply an electronic poster that can be exhibited through smart screens available during the event, serve as support for short presentations, and of course printed on paper. Its preparation requires similar software and complexity to that of a conventional ePoster, but it is far more versatile and produces less residues. For practical purposes, ePosters can be taken as one-slide presentations. Appropriate instructions will be issued later this year.

Further to their exhibition in two dedicated screens, all ePosters will be subject to defence in plenary flash presentations of 4 minutes. Such defences will be certified as oral contributions by the event organization.

The event schedule will be planned to maximize time for organized and random discussions, rather than for listening to sequential presentations. ePosters, playing a substantial role in EcoDesert, will receive appropriate dedication.

A field trip will be made to Sierra de Gádor and the Tabernas badlands on the 22 February to discuss and interpret problem-oriented evidences. Some highlights include a tour by scenarios of inherited desertification associated with mining-ore processing in the XIX century, greenhouses as a syndrome of current desertification, hillslope water harvesting in traditional aljibes, and bio-hydrologic interactions. For the latter, a detailed visit will be made to an EEZA long-term monitoring site in a badlands area. Moderate walking in irregular terrain will be required.

The official language of EcoDesert will be English. Any issue requiring French will be helped by identified French-speakers of the organizing team.

Two days have been allocated for plenary sessions, and an additional day for the field trip. Each session day will deal with two of the EcoDesert sections, approximately separated by lunch. Each section will consist of three parts:

• Conveners key note papers in plenary hall
• Oral presentations and ePoster defences in plenary hall
• Plenary discussion (including questions and answers) of both key note paper and ePosters in plenary hall

All the ePosters will be available for later inspection in two dedicated screens located in the coffee break zone of the symposium. Further, there will be opening and wrap-up time slots at the beginning and end of the first and second day respectively.

Organizing Institution

Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC)

Organizing Committee

Gabriel del Barrio

Chairman

Roberto Lázaro

Vice Chairman

Rosario María Peregrín

Secretary

Alberto Ruiz

Committee Member

Almudena Delgado

Committee Member

Albert Solé

Committee Member

Francisco Domingo

Committee Member

Jaime Valderrama

Committee Member

Jorge Casinello

Committee Member

María E. Sanjuan

Committee Member

Yolanda Canton

Committee Member

Lourdes Luna

Committee Member

María Rosario Moya

Committee Member

Sergio Rodríguez

Committee Member

Jose Raúl Román

Committee Member

Consuelo Rubio

Committee Member

Borja Rodriguez Lozano

Committee Member

Emilio Rodriguez Caballero

Committee Member

Clement López

Committee Member

Sonia Chamizo de la Piedra

Committee Member

Scientific Committee