Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Ecohydrology

The International Centre for Coastal Ecohydrology (Associação ICCE) is a category II centre under the auspices of UNESCO located in Faro, Portugal. The Centre establishes a link between freshwater and coastal waters, still not addressed by other UNESCO centres, promoting the development of ecohydrology-based solutions addressing anthropogenic impacts and climate change scenarios and dynamics at both regional and international levels. The team has been developing advanced courses in ecohydrology and has a long experience in these themes and as supervisors for different kind of students. Examples of events organized by ICCE team are: Workshop “Managing the Guadiana Estuary – The Ecohydrology and Phytotechnology Approaches“ (UNESCO-BRESCE)- University of Algarve, Faro – Portugal, September 2004 (31 participants from 10 different countries), International Advanced study course “Ecohydrology & Coastal management from catchment to coastal areas“ (UNESCO-BRESCE;UNEP)- University of Algarve, Faro – Portugal, September 2002 (22 students from 15 different countries. The Centre has a structure with a designated director, permanent research staff, office support staff and as well as various PhD and post-doctoral positions. The facilities comprise laboratories, field stations and administrative buildings.

www.icce.com.pt

CRM is an association of experts in the fields of ecology and economy promoting modern environmental management in coastal areas by providing science-based planning and decision tools. The independent office of marine biologists and geologists CRM was founded in 1994 by former staff members of the Institute of Marine Sciences in Kiel (Germany). CRM has elaborated a multitude of studies for private and public customers and conducted scientific investigations for the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) and within EU-funded projects on national and international level. In the years 2009 to 2011 CRM / O-Well will expand its aquaculture activities and will increase its production about 10 fold. A new water site has been acquired and new technologies for better growth and a more economic handling will be employed. The overall philosophy of CRM is the development and promotion of the sustainable use of coastal marine systems and resources, combined with the protection and conservation of its natural treasures and beauties.

The range of CRM activities encompasses the fields: Consulting: Impact assessments and studies related to the environmental effects of constructions, dredging, disposal of dredged material and other anthropogenic impacts in marine ecosystems; Marine science and studies of aquatic ecosystems such as analysis and evaluation of water quality, rehabilitation and remediation of water bodies as well as project planning and management of national and international marine research programs; Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) according to international standards, concepts for eco-tourism etc.; Aquaculture: development and operation of Germany's first open water algae farm (Saccharina latissima), research on polyculture of by combining mussel (Mytilus edulis) and algae farming; Marine Biotechnology: Research and development on extraction and potential of sustainably harvested marine active compounds, e.g. for cosmetic and medical applications, including product development.

www.crm-online.de

On the 8 March 2006, the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, signed with the Minister of Science and Education of Poland, Mr Michał Sewerynski, an agreement on the establishment of the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology, under the auspices of UNESCO (ERCE), in Lodz, Poland.The International Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology under the auspices of UNESCO (ERCE) was established on the basis of the International Centre for Ecology Polish Academy of Sciences and Department of Applied Ecology of the University of Lodz (DAE-ULO), based on the agreement between these institutions. The European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology under the auspices of UNESCO was officially launched on the 30th -31st of May 2006 at the Opening Symposium held in Lodz, Poland. The Centre carries out transdisciplinary ecohydrological research on sustainable management, protection, and restoration of aquatic resources at the catchment scale. Research areas covers: limnology, hydrology, phytotechnology, ecotoxicology, landscape processes, urban water management, mathematical modeling, environmental chemistry, environmental socioeconomy, hydroacustics. Master Studies in the field of ecohydrology: Education is one of the three main pillars of the ERCE activity. In close cooperation with the UOL, the Centre is responsible for the program and teaching of ecohydrology courses at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, and at the Faculty of Geography. Actually, programme of the two years master studies in the field of Ecohydrology has been prepared and this study will start from 2010 year. International Trainings and Advanced Study Courses led by ERCE:The team of ERCE and DAE-ULO have organized several Advanced Study Courses for young scientists in which 82 participants from 36 countries were represented. International postgraduate students in ecohydrology and experts exchange (visitors to ERCE): based on UNESCO fellowship programme for Young Scientists. So far the following scholarships were funded by UNESCO and the Government of Poland for 10 students. Scientific degrees: Habilitation (1), PhD (4), Master (20)

www.erce.unesco.lodz.pl

IPIMAR is the governmental research organization in Portugal in the area of fisheries and marine resources, integrated in the National Institute for Biological Resources (INRB) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries. IPIMAR aims to promote and support a sustainable and competitive fishing industry and aquaculture, to manage fish stocks in order to maintain maximum sustainable exploitation, to contribute for the protection of marine environment, and to monitor and upgrade the quality of fishery and aquaculture products. IPIMAR has about 200 researchers and technicians with permanent positions distributed by four Departments: Marine Resources and Sustainability, Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity, Aquaculture and Fish Products, and 60 graduated students, PhD and post-doc. The Institute is responsible for providing the scientific recommendations for the assessment of the commercial marine stocks to the European Community and the respective Regional Management Bodies (e.g. IPIMAR is the national delegate institution at ICES and ICCAT). The Institute has three research vessels aimed at providing information on the state of the living marine resources. IPIMAR undertakes a wide range of research projects and monitoring activities financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, National Research Council, European Community and Public and Private Companies. The IPIMAR has an annual science budget of 12 million euros.

http://ipimar-iniap.ipimar.pt/

The Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries founded in 1930. Scientific activities conducted in the IOF are interdisciplinary, encompassing all aspects of sea exploration: physical, chemical, geological and biological parameters and fisheries. Fundamental research activities are directed towards gaining knowledge about flora and fauna of the Adriatic Sea and their relationship with the abiotic and biotic factors that influence ecosystem structure and function. Research of open-sea and coastal waters, is emphasized on possible changes induced by climatic and anthropogenic impacts to the ecosystems (toxic and red tide blooms, mucilagine, hypoxia, invasive species ..).

International cooperation at IOF has been developed in a variety of ways. The scientists at the Institute have participated in the work of the International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean (CIESMM). Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries recently became Associated Member of the EC FP6 Network of Excellence MarBEF on Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function and was thereby recognized for its research potential. Furthermore, the Institute works with various organizations of the United Nations. These include: the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

www.izor.hr

Águas do Algarve, S.A. it’s a regional enterprise of 200 employees owned by Águas de Portugal, SGPE, and by the municipalities of Algarve. Is responsible to manage the multimunicipal water supply system (bulk water supply) and for providing a reliable supply of safe drinking water, from four water treatment works (up to 5.6 m3/s) and responsible to manage the sanitation system (main interceptors and 70 sewage plants) to approximately 1 million people in the Algarve region (southern of Portugal) covering around 5000 km2.

www.aguasdoalgarve.pt