Biodiversity in Mountain Ecosystems
Overview
The Biodiversity in Mountain Ecosystems Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is organized by the University of Turin in collaboration with:
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (France)
- Universidad Pública de Navarra (Spain)
- Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain).
The programme represents a strong example of international academic cooperation within the UNITA alliance, combining field-based learning with structured academic training across multiple European higher education institutions. It offers students a shared educational experience that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills in a European alpine context.
Objectives and programme description
The BIP aims to train students to design and carry out an integrated biodiversity assessment in mountain environments. The programme focuses on understanding biodiversity patterns across multiple taxa—ranging from microorganisms and fungi to plants and animals—and their relationships with key environmental components such as soils and water.
A core objective of the programme is to promote a holistic and interdisciplinary perspective on alpine ecosystems, examining how abiotic factors influence biological diversity across different spatial and ecological scales.
Interdisciplinary approach
The programme adopts a strongly interdisciplinary framework, drawing on concepts and methods from:
- Pedology (soil science)
- Microbiology
- Vegetation science and phytosociology
- Zoology, with a focus on indicator animal groups
- River and aquatic ecology.
Teaching activities are delivered by an international team of professors and researchers from the participating universities, ensuring a broad range of scientific expertise and perspectives.
Teaching methods and learning outcomes
Virtual training component
The programme includes an online preparatory phase designed to establish a sharedmethodological and theoretical foundation among participants.
This component covers:
- soil diversity and ecosystem services;
- vegetation ecology and phytosociology;
- aquatic ecosystems, with specific reference to the ALPSTREAM research infrastructure;
- biodiversity indicators across multiple trophic levels;
- indicator animal groups (e.g. birds, amphibians, small mammals, insects);
- modern biodiversity assessment tools, including environmental DNA (eDNA);
- microbiological analyses of environmental samples;
- standard sampling methodologies for terrestrial and aquatic organisms (e.g. pan traps, sweep nets, pitfall traps, Malaise traps).
These online activities ensure that all participants are familiar with standard protocols for assessing mountain biodiversity prior to the fieldwork phase.
Field and laboratory activities
During a one-week physical mobility, students work in multidisciplinary teams to apply the acquired methods through coordinated field surveys and laboratory analyses. All activities follow standardized sampling and analytical protocols and take place in an authentic mountain environment.
Practical competencies
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
- conduct field surveys, including soil profiling, water sampling, and biological inventories;
- apply laboratory techniques for biodiversity analysis across different environmental matrices.
Technical experience
Students gain hands-on experience with advanced tools and methods, including:
- environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis;
- microbiological assays of soil and water samples;
- soil property analysis;
- ecological indicator metrics for biodiversity assessment.
These skills prepare participants to address complex biodiversity challenges using an integrated, interdisciplinary approach.
General information
Life Sciences
All teaching activities and materials are delivered in English.
3 ECTS
The BIP is intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in:
- Environmental Sciences
- Biology
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Veterinary Science
- Natural Sciences
- Earth Sciences.
Students from related disciplines with an interest in mountain ecology and biodiversity are also welcome.
Key dates and location
April – May 2026
The virtual preparatory module will run during April and May 2026 and includes online lectures and interactive training sessions focusing on standard methods for evaluating, sampling, and analysing mountain biodiversity.
1st – 5th June 2026
The in-person field course will take place in Ostana (CN), Valle Po, Italy, hosted at the Alpine Stream Research Centre (ALPSTREAM).
Provisional programme
- 1st June
Arrival in Turin and transfer to Ostana. Introduction to the ALPSTREAM research infrastructure, including the mesocosm concept and a dedicated experimental activity. River ecology fieldwork with demonstrations of fish sampling, aquatic macroinvertebrate collection, and water sampling for eDNA analysis - 2nd June
Morning: mountain vegetation surveys and soil profiling, including phytosociological surveys, soil description, and sampling.
Afternoon: pollinator sampling and study of additional key animal bioindicators - 3rd June
Full-day field excursion focused on wildlife ecology, including sample collection for diet analysis and parasitology (e.g. faecal samples) and monitoring of local ungulate populations - 4th June
Return to Turin in the morning. Laboratory activities on collected samples, including macroinvertebrate identification, stream health assessment, eDNA extraction and analysis, microbiological analyses, and basic soil analyses. - 5th June
Continuation of laboratory work, including analysis of animal diet samples, introductory parasitological analyses, identification of pollinator specimens, and further eDNA and microbial analyses.
Please note that the programme may be adjusted depending on weather conditions and logistical requirements.
Organising institutions
- Host University:
Università di Torino (Italy)
Programme coordination by: Dr Luca Pietro Casacci - Prof Michele Freppaz - Dr Joana Nery
- Partner Universities:
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (France) – Academic contact: Dr Gipsy Peltier
- Universidad Pública de Navarra (Spain) – Academic contact: Prof Íñigo Virto
- Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain) – Academic contact: Prof Juan Herrero Cortés
Students can contact the UNITA office at their home university for information on the application process and deadlines.