LTER Bulgaria Celebrates 20-year Anniversary with a Scientific Conference in October 2026
The Bulgarian Long-Term Ecosystem Research Network (LTER-BG) will celebrate 20 years of coordinated long-term ecosystem observation and research with an international scientific conference to be held from 14 to 16 October 2026 at the sea capital of Bulgaria - Varna (hotel "Cherno more").
Contributions addressing terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, critical zone, and socio-ecological systems are welcome. Emphasis will be placed on studies that leverage long-term data to examine ecosystem dynamics, resilience, and responses to environmental change.
Conference Topics
1. Monitoring and Understanding Ecosystem Dynamics
Long-term evidence of ecosystem change, resilience, and functioning under changing climate. Standardized observations, whole-system research and monitoring of pressures.
2. Ecosystem Services and Stakeholder Engagement in Long-Term Ecological Research: What We Lose When We Win
Trade-offs, synergies, and socio-ecological implications of ecosystem use. Co-creating knowledge, building trust, and linking science with decision-making.
3. Ecosystem Restoration and Nature-Based Solutions
From degraded landscapes to resilient futures: scientific foundations and practical pathways to alleviate biodiversity loss.
4. Emerging Technologies in Ecosystem Research, Data Management, and Open Science in eLTER
Remote sensing, sensors, AI, semantics, and other innovative tools. Standards, FAIR principles, interoperability, and the future of ecological data infrastructures.
In addition, there will be two special sessions:
5. Collaboration and co-location with other European research networks, with an emphasis on enhancing the impact of scientific results
6. Rethinking generational change in Long-Term Ecological Research: from mentorship to partnership
Target Audience
Embedded in the Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, critical zone, and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI) and the global ILTER, the event will bring together:
- Environmental researchers and ecologists
- LTER site and platform coordinators and team members
- Peers and environmental Ris
- Decision and policymakers
- NGOs and stakeholders involved in ecosystem management
- Practitioners, volunteers, and others involved in ecosystem research
Papers and Abstracts
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit abstracts and full papers related to the conference themes. All submitted abstracts will be evaluated by the respective session conveners. Accepted abstracts will be assigned a DOI and published upon receipt of proof of conference fee payment by the presenting author.
Authors of accepted full papers, following peer review, will be offered publication at a reduced fee.
Detailed information on registration, important dates, abstract submission, publication opportunities, fees, and special sessions will be provided in the Second Announcement.
For inquiries, please contact: 20lter.bulgaria@gmail.com
Follow LTER-BG !
Learn more about LTER-BG and two of their sites in the following videos:
Subscribe to the eLTER newsletter for updates on this and other topics!