Biodiversity and Global Changes: A Conservation Perspective
2nd Conference of Conservation Biology for Early Career Researchers
L’Aquila (Italy)
6 – 9 May 2025
*For poster sessions: posters for the first session can be put up from Tuesday morning and removed by Wednesday, while posters for the second session can be put up from Thursday morning and removed by Friday.
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Social Trip Key Information
Field Excursion – Val Chiarino (Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park)
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Departure: 08:00 | Return: 16:30
Route: From Lago di Provvidenza to Rifugio Fioretti and back.
We will explore the scenic Val Chiarino, starting from Lago di Provvidenza and hiking up to Rifugio Fioretti. The trail follows the Chiarino stream through ancient beech forests and alpine meadows, offering insights into the area’s rich biodiversity.
• Distance: Approximately 14 km round trip
• Elevation Gain: Around 700 meters
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: 5–6 hours of walking, including breaks
• Protected Area: The entire route lies within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, one of Europe’s largest protected areas, covering over 2,000
Biodiversity Highlights:
Flora:
The park boasts over 2,600 plant species, with 229 endemics. Along the trail, you’ll encounter:
• Ancient beech forests (Fagus sylvatica)
• Hopefully, if the wheatear will be good enough, in the upper part we will reach the the alpine meadows with Crocus vernus flowering.
Fauna:
The area is home to diverse wildlife, including:
• Apennine chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata)
• Wolves (Canis lupus italicus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)
• Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos)
• Various amphibians and reptiles, such as the Orsini’s viper (Vipera ursinii)
This excursion offers a unique opportunity to observe and discuss conservation efforts within a rich ecological context.
What to Bring:
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layered clothing suitable for variable mountain weather
• Waterproof jacket
• Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• At least 1.5 liter of water
• Packed lunch and snacks (no food provided)
• Small backpack
• Optional: trekking poles, binoculars, camera.
Please be punctual; we will depart at 08:00 sharp. Return to the starting point is scheduled for approximately 16:30. Please, if you have a bus right after the hike, make sure to bring all your things with you — we can drop you off at either of the main bus stops.
About the Conference
The Society for Conservation Biology Italy Chapter (SCB Italy), in collaboration with the University of L’Aquila, is pleased to present the second conference for Early Career Researchers (ECR), which will take place in L’Aquila from 6 to 9 May 2025.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet new friends and spread your research.
Registrations closed!
Woskhops selection closed!
Click below to check more details about the workshops:
Travel grant application closed!
Keynote Speakers
We are pleased to announce the keynote speakers of the Conference, featuring esteemed experts who will share their insights on different facets of conservation biology topics.
- May 6th – Afternoon: Emiliano Trucchi, Marche Polytechnic University
- May 7th: Trevor Willis, Anton Dohrn Zoological Station
- May 8th: Luigi Maiorano, Sapienza University of Rome
- May 9th: Costanza Geppert, University of Padova
General Conference Plan
Abstract submission is closed!
Notifications for acceptance will be communicated approximately by January 2025
Who is considered an early career researcher
Early Career Researchers (ECR) are Conservation Biologists who are at the beginning of their career and have obtained a master’s degree no more than 10 years ago (without age limits). ECR are bachelor’s degree graduates, master’s degree students, recent graduates, PhD students, and research fellows, basically all non-tenured researchers. Applications from bachelor’s degree students who have not yet graduated are not admitted.
Deadlines:
12th December 2024
Abstract Submission
15th January 2025
Travel Grant Submission
15th February 2025
Earlybird Registration
1st April 2025
Late Registration
Conference Fees:
| Member | Non-member | |
|---|---|---|
| Earlybird Registration | Students 80€ Post-Doc 100€ Senior 150€ | Students 120€ Post-Doc 140€ Senior 230€ |
| Late Registration | Students 100€ Post-Doc 150€ Senior 200€ | Students 140€ Post-Doc 180€ Senior 300€ |
Student bachelor’s degree graduates, master’s degree students, recent graduates, PhD students.
Post-Doc including RTD-A and all not-tenured researchers.
Senior any conservation biologist who does not fall within the previously mentioned categories.
Conference Venue (Centro Congressi Zordan, P.za S. Basilio, 3, 67100 L'Aquila AQ)
Official Endorsements of the Conference
Frequently asked questions
How to reach L’Aquila?
From Rome Airports (Fiumicino/Ciampino) it is possible to reach L’Aquila by bus traveling with Gaspari Bus or FlixBus arriving at the Hotel Amiternum (Via Amiternum – Strada Statale 17 Ovest).
From Rome Tiburtina Station you can reach L’Aquila by bus traveling with
Gaspari Bus or with Flixbus arriving at the Hotel Amiternum (Via Amiternum – Strada Statale 17 Ovest), or with TUA (Trasporto Unico Abruzzese) arriving at the Terminal Bus “Lorenzo Natali” (near the Basilica di Collemaggio).
From the Adriatic side (Giulianova / Pescara) you can reach L’Aquila mainly by bus traveling with TUA (Trasporto Unico Abruzzese).
From the two major bus stations (Hotel Amiternum and Terminal bus “Lorenzo Natali”) to reach the city center you can take the city buses (Lines and Timetables HERE) or you can even walk (15 min / 20 min walks).
How to reach the Conference Venue?
By walk: if you book a room in the city centre you can easily reach the conference venue by walk.
By bus: from the two major bus stations (Hotel Amiternum and Terminal bus “Lorenzo Natali”) there are several city buses (e.g. 1 – 4 – 6S/6D – 11T) that stop near the conference venue (stop at Viale Gran Sasso).
By car: the Conference Venue ‘Centro Congressi Zordan’ is located in the city center (P.za S. Basilio, 3, 67100 L’Aquila AQ). Near the venue, there is a free parking area but it is usually a bit crowded. If you want to park easily your car we strongly suggest to use the free parking area located below the terminal bus “Lorenzo Natali”, or some spots in the surrounding streets (10 min walks to reach the Conference venue).
Click here to see location on Google Maps.
I am not a biologist but my research concerns the field of conservation biology, can I participate?
Absolutely! Biodiversity conservation is by its very nature a broad and cross-disciplinary subject, so any professional figure intending to present a work related to the topic is welcome.
What is the official language of the Conference?
Oral presentations, speed talks, and posters will be in English. Anyhow, don’t worry if you are not proficient in English, Q & A as well as discussions in both languages (Italian and English) are warmly welcomed!
Can I get credit for attending the conference?
Yes. A certificate will be issued at the end of the conference. Please contact your secretary to find out how to validate your participation in the conference.
Can I participate remotely?
No, the event will be held entirely live and it will not be possible to connect remotely. However, you will be able to attend the presentations and plenary sessions that will be recorded and made available on Youtube after the event.
Can I ask for a refund for the excursion if I no longer wish to participate?
No, a refund can no longer be requested, but you can exchange your participation in the excursion with other interested participants who did not choose to participate initially.
If you need further information, please send us an e-mail:
info@scbitaly.org
Comitato organizzativo
Emanuele Berrilli, Francesco Cerasoli, Viviana Cittadino, Mattia Di Cicco, Michele Di Musciano, Mattia Iannella, Lorenzo Ricci, Davide Serva
Volontari
Nathan Delcour, Giovanni Pascucci, Andrea Valeri, Marilyn Giancola, Karyn Noelle Chichi, Domenico Amantea, Gilda Perri, Fabiola Durante, Andrea Monachino
Comitato scientifico
Carlo Rondinini, Moreno Di Marco, Francesca Raffini, Valeria Mendez, Gentile Francesco Ficetola
Society for Conservation Biology 
