Arrival of all participants in Ceske Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic

Accommodation in the dormitory of the University of South Bohemia

Morning: 

• Programme and organisation (v. Wrangell) and
• Introduction in the topic of the IP “Soil & Water” (Santruckova) (1 h)
• Basic Introductions to soil water relations (Kazda) (2 h)

Afternoon:

• Introduction in soil zoology (Wanner) (2 h)
  - Soil biology - definitions and overview
  - Organismic components of the soil
  - Soil organisms as decomposers
• Seminars related to soil water relations (2 h)

Morning:

• Soils and ecosystem dynamics in south Bohemia (Picek) (2 h)
• Protection and sustainable use of soils (Astover) (2 h)

Afternoon: 

• Roots and the use of soil water (Kazda) (1 h)
• Introduction to excursion topics “Sumava mountains” (Santruckova, Urbanova)
  (1 h)
• Seminars related to “Bayerischer Wald / Sumava mountains” (2 h)

Two whole day excursions in Sumava Mountains. Topics:

• Historical dynamics and human impact
• Plants and soils in forests and wetlands
• Forest damage through biotic and abiotic factors
• Climate change impact on ecosystems
• Nature protection strategies and conflicts with forest management
• Seminars on related topics and discussion panels by participants

Morning:

• Soils under drought (Baldy) (2 h)
• Plant stress biology I (Niinemets) (2 h)

Afternoon:

• Plant stress biology II (Niinemets) (1 h)
• Interactions in plant-soil-systems (Astover) (1 h)
• Seminars related to plant stress (2 h)

Morning:

• Litter decomposition (Baldy) (2 h)
• Soil animals, practical exercises (Wanner) (2 h)
  - Introduction:
        Short profiles of important soil animals
        Essential methods: field sampling, laboratory procedures
  - Practical exercises:
        Determination of soil micro-, meso-, and macrofauna

Afternoon:

• Excursion to Hluboka castle (obligatory cultural activity) (Urbanova)

Free day, facultative tour through the historical city centre of Ceske Budejovice

Morning:

• Plant growth in wetlands (Kazda) (2 h)
• Microbial processes in wetlands (Santruckova) (2 h)

Afternoon: Excursion “Wetlands in Trebon area”. Topics:

• Vegetation, animals and soils
• Vegetation dynamics under differing impact
• Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions
• Constructed wetlands for waste water treatment

Morning:

• Plants under drought I (Reiter) (2 h)
• Soil degradation (Reintam) (1 h)

Afternoon:

• Plants under drought II (Reiter) (1 h)
• Seminars related to drought (2 h)

Whole day excursion to Lower Austria, Wachau area (Leitgeb). Topics:

• Soils and plants under limiting water supply
• Soils build on loes deposits and soil erosion
• Management options at diminishing water supply
• Danube River as a historical backbone in Europe (cultural topic)

Morning:

• Soil degradation and soil compaction (Reintam) (2 h)
• Soil degradation, disturbance, and organismic succession (Wanner) (2 h)
  - Definitions and concepts
  - Case studies:
        Post-mining landscapes in Eastern Germany
        Military training areas in Eastern Germany

Afternoon:

• Seminars related to soil degradation (2 h)
• Seminars related to soil zoology (2 h)

Morning:

• Synthesis from Erasmus IP “Soil & Water” (Santruckova) (2 h)
• Outlook for the activities 2013 and 2014 (v. Wrangell, Reintam, Reiter) (2 h)

Afternoon:

• Mobility within Erasmus programmes (v. Wrangell) (1 h)
• “Why should you go to ... as an Erasmus-student?” (Students) (2 h)

Evening:

• Farewell party

Departure