1st International LIFE REWAT Summer School - Digital water management and water-related agroecosystem services: geostatistics, hydroinformatics and groundwater flow numerical modelling

The Summer School Digital water management and water-related agroecosystem services: geostatistics, hydroinformatics and groundwater flow numerical modelling is organized within the framework of the EU LIFE REWAT project (sustainable WATer management in the lower Cornia valley through demand REduction, aquifer REcharge and river REstoration; www.liferewat.eu).

The LIFE REWAT project takes place in the coastal Cornia plain (Tuscany, Italy). There, the aquifer system provides the only source of water for drinking, irrigation, industrial purposes and it also contributes to the water needs of the nearby Elba island.

Since 60 years, intensive exploitation of groundwater resulted in consistent head lowering and water balance deficit, causing subsidence, reduction of groundwater dependent ecosystems, and salinization of freshwater resources.

Rebalancing the water budget of the hydrologic system by means of innovative concepts (such as those of water-related agroecosystem services and Nature-Based Solutions - NBS) is the main objective of the LIFE REWAT project.

Five demonstration measures (river restoration; managed aquifer recharge; reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation; high irrigation efficiency scheme; leakage management in water distribution systems) are set in place for promoting water resource management, along with capacity building and participatory actions.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT; sensors and software use) are widely used in order to monitor the impact of such actions and to monitor quantitative and qualitative status of the groundwater resource.

Taking steps from the LIFE REWAT activities, the Summer School aims at proposing innovative ideas on water resource management by focusing on the concept of water-related agro-ecosystem services and on NBS and blue infrastructures. Digital tools (software applications) constitute the other pillar of the Summer School, aiming at preparing the participants to develop the skills for dealing with the management and analysis of water-related spatial data by using state-of-the-art ICT.

Date and venue

The Summer School will be held at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, in Pisa (Italy), on September 3rd - 14th

How to apply

Applicants shall submit their application on-line through this website no later than July 17th 2018 at 12:00 AM (GMT).

The online application requires a registration and login procedure.

Applicants are required to attach:

-an up-to-date CV in .pdf file

-a presentation and motivation letter (500 words maximum)

-other documents considered of interest (e.g., scientific publications, awards, etc.)

-a scanned copy of a valid passport/ID card

A Committee will evaluate the documents submitted by each applicant and will select the candidates eligible to attend the Summer School, by producing a ranking list. Successful candidates will be notified by e-mail with an admission notice.