‘Exploring the intricate relationships between humans and the environment’

The Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, Critical Zone, and Socio-Ecological Research (eLTER) is currently hosting its first physical exhibition in Sofia, Bulgaria from June 4th to 18th. The exhibition, located at Lover’s Bridge, features 58 photos that highlight the important work conducted by eLTER scientists in addressing significant societal challenges.

The exhibition, titled the Grand Campaign, was meticulously prepared by authors Evgeni Dimitrov and Kaloyan Konstantinov. The duo traveled to over 30 sites in 23 countries within 88 days, capturing nearly 3000 photos and 50 videos along the way. Each photo is accompanied by a description of the national network, site, and platform, emphasizing the significance of eLTER’s scientific endeavors for both Europe and the global community.

This exhibition is part of the annual consortia meeting organized by the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Pensoft Publishers. Nearly 100 scientists from all 26 eLTER countries are gathering for the event, which runs from June 3rd to 7th. The Sofia Municipality is a partner in this endeavor, with the official opening scheduled for June 6 at 11:30 am local time.

eLTER is dedicated to understanding the intricate interactions between people and nature over the long term. By leveraging state-of-the-art research infrastructure and transdisciplinary expertise, eLTER aims to generate empirical evidence necessary for identifying and mitigating human impacts on ecosystems. This research initiative also seeks to develop evidence-based solutions for the benefit of current and future generations.

The mission of eLTER extends to investigating the combined impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, pollution, and unsustainable resource use on various European ecosystems and socio-ecological systems. Through this research, eLTER aims to enhance our understanding of the critical zone in which we reside.