DELTANET INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Impacts of Global Change on Deltas, Estuaries and Coastal Lagoons
Research, observation and management
Ebro Delta, Catalonia, Spain
June 6-10, 2011

SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT
CALL FOR PAPERS

Introduction
Deltas, estuaries and coastal lagoons are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems. In the same time, they are intensively exploited and impacted by human activities that strongly modify habitats and fluxes of water, sediments and nutrients. Increasing alteration of river basins together with threats of climate change, energy scarcity and biological invasions put these systems at risk. The complexity and vulnerability of this type of system in terms of natural functioning and human impacts makes urgent the definition and implementation of new ways to conduct research, observations, and management to mitigate the impacts of human activities and natural hazards in the coastal zone. Deltas are also excellent areas to study future impacts of global change because most are subsiding and thus are often already experiencing rapid rates of relative water level rise predicted for the near future eustatic sea-level rise.

Objectives
Our overarching objective is to analyze and synthesize the main impacts of global change on estuarine systems from the perspective of research, observation, management and governance. Our intention is to understand the state-of-the-art and discuss future perspectives and strategies for collaboration between networks. The meeting will consider the main specific problems of deltaic systems, in particular water and sediment management under a scenario of increasing sea level and flooding risks, in order to discuss solutions based on an integrated and systematic approach. Another goal of the DeltaNet Symposium will be to involve other international networks on deltas, to hold a summit of world delta networks that will chart future collaboration avenues.

DeltaNet
DeltaNet is a network of European deltas and estuaries ( http://www.deltanet-project.eu ). The principal objective of DeltaNet is to set up a learning and policy network of European delta regions. The European delta regions are geographically sensitive areas sharing many similar characteristics, problems and challenges. The delta and estuarine regions are faced with a dynamic development and are often characterized by both high density of population and economic activities, and natural and cultural heritage values. The many spatial and economic demands often threaten sustainable development. Delta regions are becoming a laboratory where different stakeholders, regions and countries are working together to achieve a sustainable spatial, economic and social development
The planned exchange of best practices activities are organised around 5 successive sub-themes: (1) Integrated delta approach, (2) Flood & sediment management, (3) Environmental healthy deltas, and (4) Delta awareness. The 5th phase of activities will gather the results of the sub-themes and integrate them into Sustainable Coordinated Delta Policy (5). Global climate change and energy scarcity will be integrated into these themes.

Location and Program
Location
The Symposium will be held in the Ebro Delta ( http://www.deltaebro.com/en/ ), one of the most important and endangered Mediterranean coastal wetlands. The Ebro Delta is located in Catalonia (Spain), some 150 Km South of Barcelona. With a surface of 330 km2, the Delta contains protected wetland areas rich in waterfowl and fisheries. These natural values support important economic activities associated with tourism, hunting, fishing and aquaculture. A majority of the surface area of the Delta, however, is devoted to agriculture (mainly rice fields), which occupies 60% of the delta. The city of Sant Carles de la Ràpita (town of the event) is famous for its fishing port, seafood gastronomy and touristic resorts.

Program
June 6, Monday. DeltaNet Project Workshops (only by invitation).
10 h – 13 h. Workshop 3, Integrated Delta Approach (theme 1)
10 h – 13 h. Workshop 1, Healthy Delta Environment (theme 3)
13 h – 14 h. Lunch
14 h – 17 h. Workshop 2, Flood Risk and Sediment Management (theme 2)
17 h – 17.30 h. Coffee break.
17.30 h – 19.30 h. Steering Committee of the DeltaNet Project.

June 7, Tuesday. Conference registration, study visit and Deltas Summit
9 h. – 18 h. Conference Registration.
9 h. – 11 h. Meeting of DeltaNet partners (responsible theme partners).
11.30 h – 17.30 h. Study visit to the Ebro Delta. Visit to the main research, restoration, management and observation projects taking place in the Delta (includes lunch).
18 h. – 19 h. Summit of Delta Networks. Presentation of the goals and activities of the networks working on deltas and estuaries.
• Robert Christian, GEO Coastal Zone Community of Practice
• James Stefanov, Delta Research and Global Observation Network
• Reginald Uncles, Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association
• Wim van Driel, Delta Alliance
• Liesbeth Vernaeve, DeltaNet
19 h. – 20 h. Meeting of Delta Networks.

June 8, Wednesday. Conference Sessions
9 h. Opening Ceremony.
Dr. Josep-Enric Llebot, Secretary of Environment and Sustainability, Government of Catalonia.
Mr. Leonard Carcolé, Director of the Water Agency of Catalonia.
Mr. Miquel Alonso, Mayor of Sant Carles de la Ràpita.
9.30 h – 11.00 h. Plenary Session
Responses of deltas, estuaries and coastal lagoons to sea level rise and extreme climatic events (including responses of natural and human systems)
Chair: Dr. James Stefanov
• Agustín Sánchez-Arcilla, Politechnical University of Catalonia, Spain. Coastal retreat in deltas: sea level rise versus sediment deficit.
• Liviu Giosan, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA. Climate and human impacts in deltas: lessons from past civilizations.
• Pierluigi Viaroli, University of Parma, Italy. Changing hydrological conditions and nutrient loadings in the Po River: possible impacts on its delta and coastal lagoons.
11.00 h. – 11.30 h. Coffee break & poster session.
11.30 h – 13.30 h. Plenary Session
Sediment imbalances and management solutions (from local to watershed scales)
Chair: Dr. Enrique Reyes
• James Syvitski, University of Colorado, USA. Geology, geography and humans battle for dominance over the delivery of sediment to the coastal ocean.
• Carles Ibáñez, IRTA Aquatic Ecosystems, Spain. Sediment imbalances in European deltas and estuaries. The case of the Ebro Delta.
• Yoshiki Saito, Geological Survey of Japan, Japan. Sediment imbalances in Asian deltas.
• Boris Hochfeld, Hamburg Port Authority, Germany. Sediment management in the Elbe estuary.
13.30 h – 15.00 h. Lunch
15.00 h – 17.00 h. Parallel Sessions
- Responses of deltas, estuaries and coastal lagoons to sea level rise and extreme climatic events (including responses of natural and human systems)
- Sediment imbalances and management solutions (from local to watershed scales)
17.00 h – 17.30 h. Coffee break & poster session.
17.30 h – 19.30 h. Parallel Sessions, continuation
21.00 h. Conference Dinner

June 9, Thursday. Conference Sessions
9 h – 11.00 h. Plenary Session
Observation, monitoring and modelling of coastal systems
Chair: Dr. Jordi Corbera
• Robert Christian, East Carolina University, USA and Gregory Steyer, US Geological Survey, USA. International initiatives for the observation and monitoring of coastal areas.
• Josep Lluís Colomer, Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya, Spain. Earth observation of coastal areas in Catalonia.
• Jimmy Adegoke, University of Missouri, USA.Observation and monitoring of environmental changes in the Niger Delta.
• James Morris, University South Carolina, USA. Modelling the response of coastal wetlands to changing sea level and sediment inputs.
11.00 h. – 11.30 h. Coffee break & poster session.
11.30 h – 13.30 h. Plenary Session
Low-energy and low-carbon management and planning of coastal areas (including urban and natural areas)
Chair: Dr. Rhoda Ballinger
• John W. Day, Louisiana State University, USA. Managing deltas and coastal areas under a scenario of climate change and energy scarcity.
• Jordi Galofré, Ministry of Environment, Spain. Coastal planning, restoration and management in the Ebro Delta.
• Iulian Nichersu & Adrian Constantinescu, Danube Delta Research Institute, Romania. Flood mitigation by restoring river floodplain functions in the lower Danube River and Delta.
• Alejandro Yáñez-Arancibia, INECOL, Mexico. Sustainable management and planning of Latin-American deltas and estuaries.
13.30 h – 15.00 h. Lunch
15.00 h – 17.00 h. Parallel Sessions
- Observation, monitoring and modelling of coastal systems
- Low-energy and low-carbon management and planning of coastal areas
17.00 h – 17.30 h. Coffee break & poster session.
17.30 h – 19.30 h. Parallel Sessions, continuation

June 10, Friday. Optional excursions.
9 h. – 18 h. Day-excursions to the Ebro Delta and Barcelona.

Supporting Institutions

Institutional support
DeltaNet Network (Interreg IVC Program, European Union), Catalan Government, Spanish Government, City Council of Sant Carles de la Ràpita and UNESCO – Centre UNESCO de Catalunya.

Scientific support
Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), Coastal Global Terrestrial Observing System (CGTOS), Delta Research and Global Observation Network (DRAGON), Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA), Geo Coastal Zone Community of Practice (GCZCP), Global Land Cover Network (GLCN), Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya - Programa Català d’Observació de la Terra (ICC-PCOT), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS) RedMarismas Network.

Registration and call for abstracts
December 15 – May 10 - Early registration
May 10 – May 31 - Late registration
May 5, 2011 - Abstract submission deadline
May 10, 2011 - Confirmation of abstracts acceptance

Committees
Scientific Committee
Dr. John W. Day (President), Louisiana State University, LA, USA.
Dr. Jimmy Adegoke, University of Missouri – Kansas City, KA, USA.
Dr. Rhoda Ballinger, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
Dr. Nuno Caiola, IRTA Aquatic Ecosystems, Catalonia, Spain.
Dr. Jordi Corbera, Director of the Catalan Earth Observation Program, Catalonia, Spain
Dr. Robert Christian, East Carolina University, USA.
Dr. Victor de Jong, Institute of Estuarine & Coastal Studies, Netherlands.
Dr. Jordi Galofré, Director of the Coastal Management Service of Tarragona, Spain.
Dr. Liviu Giosan, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MA, USA.
Dr. Patrick Grillas, Tour du Valat, Research Centre for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands, France.
Dr. Boris Hochfeld, Hamburg Port Authority, Germany.
Dr. Carles Ibáñez, IRTA Aquatic Ecosystems, Catalonia, Spain.
Dr. Antoni Munné, Water Agency of Catalonia (ACA), Catalonia, Spain.
Dr. George Postma, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Dr. Enrique Reyes, East Carolina University, NC, USA.
Dr. Albert Rovira, IRTA Aquatic Ecosystems, Catalonia, Spain.
Dr. Yoshiki Saito, Geological Survey of Japan, AIST, Japan.
Dr. Agustín Sánchez-Arcilla, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Catalonia, Spain.
Dr. Xavier Simon, University of Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
Dr. Mircea Staras, Danube Delta National Institute, Romania.
Dr. James Stefanov, U.S. Geological Survey, MO, USA.
Dr. James Syvitski, University of Colorado, CO, USA.
Dr. Reginald Uncles, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK.
Dr. Wim van Driel, Delta Alliance, Netherlands.
Dr. Pierluigi Viaroli, University of Parma, Italy.
Dr. Alejandro Yáñez-Arancibia, INECOL, Veracruz, Mexico.

Honorific Committee
Secretari d’Universitats i Recerca, Departament d’Economia i Coneixement, Generalitat de Catalunya.
Secretari de Medi Ambient i Sostenibilitat, Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat, Generalitat de Catalunya.
Director General de Medi Natural i Biodiversitat, Departament d’Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca, Alimentació i Medi Natural, Generalitat de Catalunya.
Director General de Sostenibilidad de la Costa y el Mar, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Rural y Marino, Gobierno de España.
Delegat del Govern a les Terres de l’Ebre, Generalitat de Catalunya.
Presidente de la Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Rural y Marino, Gobierno de España.
Director de l’Agència Catalana de l’Aigua, Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat, Generalitat de Catalunya.
Alcalde de Sant Carles de la Ràpita.
President del Consell Assessor del Desenvolupament Sostenible, Generalitat de Catalunya.
President del Centre Unesco de Catalunya.
President del Consell Promotor de la Reserva de la Biosfera de les Terres de l’Ebre.
President de la Comissió per a la Sostenibilitat de les Terres de l’Ebre, Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat, Generalitat de Catalunya.

Organizing Committee
IRTA, Aquatic Ecosystems Program
Dr. Carles Ibáñez (Coordinator)
DeltaNet Network
Mrs. Liesebeth Vernaeve (Project Manager)