TRANSMOUNT - Transitions in Mountain Environments

It follows three thematic axes and one methodological objective: Axis 1: Hydrogeomorphological processes and risks, Axis 2: Landscape changes in agro-sylvo-pastoral mountain systems, Axis 3: Mountain heritage and tourism economy. Methodological objective - combining remote sensing and field research in mountain areas. Virtual courses are organized between the three axis mentioned, being combined with virtual workshops/webinars in order to enhance the transfer of knowledge for students in an interactive formula (depending on themes). Our goal is to search for an optimum balance between classical lectures (interdisciplinary approach of theoretical background for all students) and practical workshops, where trainers intention is to integrate notions/terminology/classification/models etc. with the presentation of an author research paper(s) as a mean to explain the already presented aspects. Students interact by questions and finding complementary examples regarding the use of methodologies/techniques etc. in mountain research subject with a potential to apply in the physical part of the CIVIS BIP course. Virtual meeting will focus on practical significance subjects for searching feasible solutions in mountain environmental and even social-economical specific issues in the context of local and regional sustainable decision making process for planning and management. Planning of Virtual Component activities TRANSMOUNT CIVIS BIP – Trainers and Schedule Proposal by Week Week 1 – B. Mihai (UB) and the CIVIS BIP team. Date 01-04 October 2024 Introductory lecture. Environmental and territorial issues in mountain areas. Specific issues in the Alps, Carpathians and Mediterranean mountains. Presentation of the BIP. N. Evelpidou (NKUA)- Geomorphological risks in mountains. Processes. Week 2 – L. Zaharia and G.I. Toroimac (UB). Date 07-11 October 2024. Hydrological processes, risks and river management in mountains. Processes. Week 3 – C. Randin (UNIL). Date 14-18 October 2024. Climate change impacts on mountain ecology. Week 4 – M. Hirczak (AMU). Date 21-25 October 2024. Territorial dynamics in mountain areas. Week 5 – E. Vassilakis (NKUA). Date 28 October – 01 November 2024. Field techniques and photogrammetry to study mountain processes. Week 6 – field workshop in Sinaia, Romanian Carpathians, Upper Prahova Valley. Date 04-08 November 2024. Week 7 – B. Mihai and M. Vîrghileanu (UB). Date 11-15 November 2024. Remote sensing and GIS to cope with mountain territorial issues. Week 8 - A. Arnaud (AMU). Date 18-22 November 2024. Mountain risks: management and perception. Week 9 – C. Georgiadis (NKUA). Date 25-29 November 2024. Mountain ecology: fauna. Week 10 – B. Talon (AMU). Date 02-06 December 2024. Mountain pastoralism. Week 11 – E. Reynard (UNIL). Date 09-13 December 2024. Mountain geoheritage and tourism. Week 12 – M. Clivaz (UNIL). Date 16-20 December 2024. Mountain landscapes: trajectories and perception. Last week in February 2025 (all CIVIS BIP team UB-UNIL-AMU-NKUA). Online workshop – project presentation by participants. Explore the dynamic mountain environments and territories in a multidisciplinary formula, between climate change, globalization and sustainability issues.

Application Deadline

Virtual Part starting date 2024-10-01

Virtual Part closing date 2025-02-28

Total student workload 127

Specific field of studies Environment and agriculture - Agroeconomy, Agroecology. Natural sciences and mathematics - Biology, Geology. Environmental sciences, urbanism and geography - Environmental Science, Ecology, Environmental Assessment and modelling, Physical geography, Human and economic geography, Tourism geography, Urban, regional and territorial planning.

Pre-requisite for selection CV Motivation Letter

Academic pre-requisites for applicants CIVIS BIP TRANSMOUNT is an interdisciplinary course addressed to Master of Science students in first or second year but we encourage PhD students from the first year to attend courses as well. Participants can have complementary academic training but the main condition is to be oriented to spatial and temporal analyses of natural, environmental and socioeconomic phenomena. English language is mandatory with skills in using scientific terminology/concepts and writing scientific documentations/texts of the requested projects for final assessment. All participants can use a selection of dictionaries/glossaries from reliable sources, recommended by trainers, as the themes of virtual courses/webinars/workshops and field component as the CIVIS BIP course address to students with complementary training covering different fields of knowledge like geography, geology, biology, ecology, social sciences, economics etc.

Physical Part starting date 2024-11-04

Physical Part Description The activity schedule tries to adapt to the topics presented above, following the three main axes of the CIVIS BIP TRANSMOUNT program. This formula is organized between the five days eight hour time slot, with short field trips and field work in the morning and workshop activities at the research facility in the afternoon. As the autumn weather could change we are aware that the activities could be adapted but fulfilled according to the CIVIS BIP initial plan. AXIS 1 Day 1 (4 November 2024). Geomorphology and risks. Lecture - theoretical aspects and examples (4 hours); fieldwork on Bucegi Mts. plateau (2000-2300 m) at Babele geosite, - land degradation, tourism impact - photogrammetric survey, soil sampling and erosion intensity assessment (4 hours). Day 2 (5 November 2024). Hydrology, water resources and risks. Lecture on theoretical issues (4 hours), fieldwork on Prahova River floodplain (4 hours, focusing on confluence areas, selected hydrometric point data processing and prognosis, anthropogenic changes and power station impact. AXIS 2 Day 3 (6 November 2024). Biodiversity, forestry and sustainability. Lecture on theoretical aspects and examples (4 hours); fieldwork (4 hours) in Valea Rea, Baiu Mts. - biogeography observations on zonation and canopies, including fauna, logging effects and deforestation etc.; land cover remote sensing mapping and GNSS survey + a possible meeting with one Bucegi Natural Park representative or a forestry inspector. Day 4 (7 November 2024) Mountain agriculture, from tradition to the latest challenges. Theoretical issues lecture, examples (4 hours); fieldwork on a mountain pasture in Baiu Mts. above 1400 m, near Sinaia or Azuga (4 hours), with observations on impact and sustainability + mapping. AXIS 3 Day 5. (8 November 2024). Mountain heritage and tourism. Lecture (4 hours) on geosites and tourism, fieldtrip on urban planning with Sinaia town urban authorities (4 hours). Development of sustainable urban planning scenarios for local issues mitigation in GIS environments.

Physical Part closing date 2024-11-08

Language level required B2

Field of studies related to the course Environment and Agriculture Natural Sciences and Mathematics Environmental Sciences Urbanism and Geography

Course location Sinaia Research Resort, University of Bucharest, Romanian Carpathians, Upper Prahova Valley

Course language English