(Photo by E. Stlouakal)

Feedback from the first edition (2008) made it clear that participants expect a clear central theme for the EDIT Summer School, and plenty of interaction and discussion. We set an ambitious theme for this 2nd Summer School, as reflected in its title :

"From Field to Web - Studying biodiversity with the taxonomist's toolbox"

covering the full work flow from specimen dataset to biodiversity insight (knowledge ?).

This should provide ample ground for interesting topics for theory lessons, practical exercises, discussions, lab work and field work. The final result will of course depend on the participants' (students and teachers) enthousiasm and contribution - but we're quite confident about that since the first Summer School...

The central theme : from Field to Web

We've broken down the full work flow from specimen dataset to biodiversity insight into 5 broad topics : preparation, field work, processing, safekeeping and sharing. Training providers can address any of these issues, and plenty of ongoing "hot topic" discussions can be linked to them. We provide some possible ideas for discussions/lesson topics here, but this list is by no means limiting. Actual activities may or may not cover all of these topics.

1/ preparation

• practical preparations for the field (material : vials, preservatives, collection equipment, GPS,..., permissions)
• design of the sampling protocol
• print labels for samples and specimens
• numeric codes and barcodes
• coordination of teams : who is collecting what, when & where
• preparing data and metadata registration and storage (notes, forms, database, spreadsheet)
• technical setup for storing data and specimens afterwards

possible lesson topics :

• practical preparation for the fieldwork (materials, considerations)
• searching for maps of the region (paper maps & GIS maps)
• preparing the data storage (preparing a database or spreadsheet structure, making field note forms)
• obtaining permits : how and where and when ?
• property and moral issues : who gets the specimens ?

possible discussion topics :

• bio-piracy
• countries shielding their natural resources, making their permits very expensive
• "Eurocentrism" : how would we feel about 3rd world country people gathering fish in our rivers ?
• why are some (detailed) maps so very expensive ? Issues of financing for geological surveys, differences between EU and America. Free and open mapmaking (OpenStreetmap)

2/ field work

• field collection of specimens and related environmental data
• different field techniques (botany, zoology, ... )
• different types of traps for catching specimens (malaise traps, ...)
• specimen fixation, techniques for DNA conservation

possible lesson topics : 

• trapping techniques for different taxonomical groups (insects, mammals, birds,...) 
• data and metadata registration in the field 
• temporary storage and labeling
• GPS use
• how to preserve specimens in good condition for later DNA analysis ? 
• impact of collecting on populations

possible practical work :

• setting up traps
• ecological surveys
• botanical gathering
• GPS walks & searches, mapping areas

possible discussion topics : 

• ethics : do's and dont's of collecting (even when not actually forbidden, some actions are not very proper) 
• protection of endangered species
• trapping with minimal animal suffering

3/ processing

• back to the lab with specimens and data
• specimens data offload after fieldwork
• GPS offload, quick maps of the day's gathering
• quick data checks
• sorting out specimens
• specimen determination

possible practical work :

• sorting specimens 
• determination of specimens, use of identification keys 
• overview of most important characteristics for determination of higher taxa
• lab work, microscopes, binoculars
• usefulness of digital imaging
• dispatching of material to specialists responsible for one or several taxa

4/ safekeeping

• conservation of specimens and data
• long-term conservation
• storing data & making backups (different media)
• specimen conservation techniques
• labeling specimens

hot topics :

• virtual collections : what's the use of museum specimens in a virtual world ? Shall we digitise it all and then "chuck it all in the bin ?"
• specimens or data : what is most important ?

5/ sharing

• sharing data, specimens and insights with the world
• sharing of raw data through the web (GBIF and other such initiatives)
• publishing results, what are the possibilities (paper & online), eg. PLoS
• knowledge sharing : EU exchange schemes, study grants
• issues with sharing (lending) collection specimens and data
• loan management of the specimens with database : who has what ?

hot topics :

• IPR issues : whose data is it (when paid with taxpayer's money) ?
• online publications vs. paper publications
• sharing or shielding your data ?