Welcome and invitation to the 7th EUROLAG Symposium to be held on 1-4 March 2016 in Murcia (Spain)

Coastal lagoons and estuaries are unique systems that offer a large number of goods and services. They are highly productive and include important fisheries and aquaculture exploitations, playing an important role in biogeochemical cycles, protecting and promoting the genetic diversity of the species that inhabit or use them as refuge or nursery. They are ideal for water sports, having a high tourist and recreational value, and can also be used as mesocosm for scientific research and educational projects. But, for the same reasons, these environments are exposed to many human pressures that could affect their biodiversity, resilience or even the entire functioning of the ecosystems they represent.
Due to the high degree of heterogeneity and complexity of the hydrodynamic and the ecological processes that are inherent to these ecosystems, new research and experience gained through observation networks need to be strengthened to further develop, preserve and manage their potential.
This symposium seeks to bring together scientists, managers and stakeholders to discuss new scientific findings and experiences on the knowledge and use of coastal lagoons, from cold-fresh-water Baltic lagoons to the warm-hyperhaline lagoons in the Mediterranean.
After the first meeting in Ferrara in 2003, we have met in Klaipeda, Naples, Montpellier, Aveiro and, on the last occasion, in Lecce. Now we invite you to Murcia, where we hope to reach successful outcomes, and where the climate, culture, gastronomy and the friendliness of the people will certainly contribute to making this symposium at least as successful as previous editions.

Scope of the 7th EUROLAG

Scientific papers are hereby invited from Europe and other global regions. Emerging science, interdisciplinary approaches and managing tools based on empirical evidence will be given priority.
The symposium seeks to integrate ecological, economic and social aspects of coastal lagoons and transitional waters, and to facilitate interactive scientific, management and policy discussions.
Emphasis will be placed on innovative and broadly applicable approaches, including interaction with stakeholders in dealing with multiple management objectives.

Scientific themes

The symposium aims to cover the following topics:
Coastal lagoons evolution and functioning
– Paleoecology and geomorphologic processes
– Hydrographical variability and dynamics
– Biological and ecological processes and interactions
– Spatio-temporal variability of assemblages, life-stages, colonization process and connectivity at multiple scales
– Physiological adaptations to lagoon environments
Assessing coastal lagoon performance and tools for their management and conservation
– Implementing European Directives and international agreements
– Defining management objectives and criteria
– Red listing of lagoon ecosystems
– Coastal lagoon monitoring strategies
– Implementation of indicators and protocols
– Mapping of habitats, water bodies, species and human activities
– Modelling and forecasting complex systems at multiple spatio-temporal scales.
– Participatory mechanisms in coastal lagoons planning, management and conservation
– Bio-economic models for coastal lagoon management and conservation
Coastal lagoon goods and services: effects on biodiversity, climate and human economy
– The role of coastal lagoons in biogeochemical cycles and climate change process
– Their role on the genetic structure and biodiversity of marine populations
– Fisheries and aquaculture exploitation
– Tourism, recreation and urban development
– Socio-Economic values and implications- Blue Growth and blue infrastructures
Integrated management of transitional waters and their surroundings (promoted by BaltCoast project – www.baltcoast.net)
Coastal lagoons observation networks
– Monitoring programs as the basis for long term data recording, management and forecasting
– Future priorities in coastal water and lagoon research