Summer School H₂O'Lyon - ZABR

In June 2023, a cohort of young and inspiring researchers will get a chance to experience a week of theory and practice on gravel bed river functioning and management at the Ain River in France. Experts from different fields will contribute to a multi-layered program aiming to bridge theoretical knowledge and pratical issues. 

The teaching staff includes experienced researchers such as Hervé Piégay (CNRS, ENS de Lyon), Thibault Datry (INRAE), Nicolas Lamouroux (INRAE), Silvia Flaminio (Geneva University), Jérôme Lejot (University of Lyon 2). 


Program

A clever mix of field observations, data analysis, in situ and indoor presentations and informal discussions will immerse you in the reality of cutting-edge research in eco-hydro-morphology in relation to its territory and actors. Experts from different fields will present various sampling techniques and tools and their application. 

Participants will gain knowledge on the following topics:

• Multi-use management of water and perception by actors
• Ecohydrology and geomorphology of gravel-bed rivers
• Ecology of intermittent rivers
• Remote sensing for large scale studies

During the first day, shared experiences from managers and actors of the Ain River territory will help you to understand the multi-use management of water and its perception, in connection with the stakes of quantitative management. The next day, you will immerse yourself directly in the Ain River during a day of eco-hydromorphological observations from a canoe. This journey will be completed by a day of lectures and interactive activities on the mobility of sediments, the role of the alluvial forest and the influence of physical habitat conditions on invertebrate and fish communities. You will discover the amazing ecological adaptations of intermittent rivers by traveling along the Albarine. Finally, you will have the opportinuty to observe the River from air by familiarizing yourself with remote sensing to percieve the environment on a larger scale.

Full program (for details click on the cards)

• Gravel Bed Rivers Summer School Download the full programm
• Monday 26 June Analysing the geomorphology and hydrology of gravel bed rivers (theoretical part) The geomorphology-hydro-ecology day will provide an insight into how to carry out a geomorphological diagnosis of gravel-bottomed rivers, and the stages involved in monitoring restoration operations. It will also provide an opportunity to discover the consequences of geomorphological changes on various river compartments, such as groundwater and riparian vegetation. The day will provide an opportunity to discover the aquatic species adapted to this type of environment and the pressures to which they are exposed as a result of hydroelectric development. It will also provide an opportunity to learn about the hydraulic habitat modelling tools developed by ZABR.
• Tuesday 27 June Analysing the geomorphology and hydrology of gravel bed rivers (field) This field day, with around twenty kilometres of the river covered by canoe, will provide an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired the previous day (Day 1) to the reading of the Ain landscape from different disciplinary perspectives. In particular, we will be looking at the consequences of human activities, such as sediment deficit and paving, major variations in hydraulic conditions associated with hydropeaking, the development of bacteria, the effects of hydropeaking on sensitive life stages (eggs/juveniles) and approaches to monitoring the associated risks and mitigating the impact (restoration).
• Wednesday 28 June Quantitative management, dams and uses The "Quantitative management, dams and uses" day will provide an opportunity to learn about the history of development in the Ain valley, the technical aspects of the chain of dams (including a visit to one of the Ain dams) and their use for energy production, the impacts of hydraulic infrastructures and their management methods, and finally the different perceptions of aquatic environments transformed by dams (approached through a short practical project). The day will also enable participants to familiarise themselves with the methods used by the social sciences to understand the relationships between societies and an alluvial river that is subject to multiple and sometimes contradictory uses
• Thursday 29 June River's intermittence: a challenge for scientists and practitioners The aim is to introduce participants to the issue of intermittent watercourses and the challenges it poses for scientists and managers. The day will cover eco-hydrology, biodiversity, ecological functions, ecosystem services and perceptions of dewatering through short presentations followed by practical work on site. In particular, you will learn how to understand and characterise intermittence through participatory science, understand the causes and patterns of dewatering, how to adapt sampling methods, particularly for aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates in dewatered beds, and how to measure certain ecological functions (decomposition of litter, greenhouse gas emissions).
• Friday 30 June Remote sensing to study river environments The Ain River is a pilot site in the exploration of remote sensing techniques with more than 30 years of research projects and data acquired. The Remote Sensing Day will be an opportunity to present a range of techniques for the restitution of river facies on the scale of Ain and Rhône basin (bathymetry, sediment transfer, thermie, alluvial forest, restoration project...) by highlighting the variety of sensors and vectors used and the techniques that have emerged. This day will allow to discover different ranges of UAV and sensor equipment with exchanges on their advantages and disadvantages. A photogrammetry workshop by SFM is proposed to learn how to produce digital elevation models and estimate sediment volumes. A drone flight demonstration will be carried out over a restoration site.

 

Fees and eligibility

• The summer school is open to students in MSc and PhD water related programs and to post-doctoral fellows. The participant must be able to communicate fluently in English.
• The participation fee is 750€. It covers for: attendance to the school (including course material and field trips), breakfasts, breaks, lunches, dinners, accommodation (5 nights from Monday 26^th June to Saturday 1^st July).
• Participant fee for MSc and PhD students from the H2O'Lyon community are paid by H2O'Lyon
• After receiving the confirmation concerning your selection (by the end of April 2023), you will be asked to proceed for the payment of the participation fee.

Venue

• The summer school will be hosted by the Tour d'Oncin center, a suitable lodging and conference location near the Ain River. 
• Travel from Lyon to the Tour d'Oncin and back to Lyon is arranged by the organizers. Travel costs to and from the meeting point in Lyon are not included in the participation fees. 
• Room booking is included in the registration fees and arranged by the organizers. Please contact h2olyon@univ-lyon1.fr for any question regarding your accomodation. 

How to apply

To apply, interested candidates should submit a completed application form and their CV before April 3, 2023. For any question regarding your application please contact asso@graie.org. 

Download the application form

Submit your application

 

Organizers

• Sara Puijalon (CNRS, University of Lyon 1)
• Marylise Cottet (ENS de Lyon)
• Hervé Capra (INRAE de Lyon)
• Claire-Lise Meyer et Elisabeth Leniti (H2O'Lyon)
• Anne Clémens et Isabelle Costaz (ZABR)