The BIP program “Biodiversity of Mountain Ecosystems,” part of the UNITA alliance, promotes international collaboration and innovation in education. It addresses the need to train individuals to assess and preserve biodiversity in mountain ecosystems, which are highly sensitive to climate change and human impact. Serving as natural laboratories, these areas reveal complex interactions between species, habitats, and soils. This summer school highlights challenges and opportunities for diverse stakeholders, including scientists, authorities, and businesses, in balancing conservation and development. Despite the complexities, it embraces the dynamic potential of shaping a sustainable energy future.
Program
In a nutshell :
This program aims to train students to assess the biodiversity of mountain ecosystems, combining approaches from biological, agricultural and animal sciences. It provides practical and theoretical tools for analyzing biodiversity components (plants, soils, fauna) and understanding ecosystem services, with a focus on the specificities of mountain ecosystems such as the Pyrenees and the Alps. The program also promotes the international exchange of knowledge and the development of interdisciplinary skills, while stimulating scientific and educational collaboration within the UNITA alliance.
Program
Monday, June 2nd
- Morning : Welcoming coffee at UPPA / Departure to Gavarnie, picnic in mountains
- Afternoon : Study of biodiversity (flora and fauna)
- Evening : Evening in Gavarnie (Pyrénées Mountains)
Tuesday, June 3rd
- Morning : Short hikes around Gavarnie: study of biodiversity (flora, fauna, soils)
- Afternoon : Wildlife faeces collection
- Evening : Evening in Gavarnie (Pyrénées Mountains)
Wednesday, June 4th
- Morning : Short hikes & bird watching
- Afternoon : Wildlife faeces collection
- Evening : Evening in Gavarnie (Pyrénées Mountains)
Thursday, June 5th
- Morning : Return to Pau, picnic
- Afternoon : Laboratory activities: pollen identification, environmental DNA
- Evening : Evening in Pau
Friday, June 6th
- Morning : Laboratory activities: soil analysis and wildlife faeces analysis
- Afternoon : Laboratory work: interpretation of results and database use
- Evening : Farewell Cocktail
Speakers / Scientific experts
- Gipsy Peltier, professor, UPPA
- Luca Pietro Casacci, professor, Université de Turin (UNITO - Italy)
- Michele Freppaz, professor, Université de Turin (UNITO - Italy)
- Joana Nery, professor, Université de Turin (UNITO - Italy)
- Inigo Virto, professor, Université publique de Navarre (UPNA - Spain)
- Cristina Acin, professor, Université de Saragosse (UNIZAR - Spain)
How to apply
This BIP is open only to UNITA students. If you’re interested to apply, contact the International Office or UNITA office at your home university.
Pratical information
Discover UPPA, and its 5 campuses (Anglet, Bayonne, Mont-de-Marsan, Pau, and Tarbes)
How to get to Pau ?
You can get to Pau by plane or by train.
The nearest airport to get to the university is Pau-Pyrénées Airport (PUF). It is located on Rte de l’Aéroport (64230 Uzein), 13km away from the university.
The nearest train station is Pau train station. It is located on Av. Jean Biray (64000 Pau), 5km away from the university.
Flight from Paris to Pau (approx. 1h30 trip)
Paris (ORY) ✈ Pau (PUF) with Amelia Company
Paris (CDG) ✈ Pau (PUF) with AirFrance Company
Train from Paris to Pau (from 4 to 6 hours trip)
Best option : Book a TGV INOUI train
from “Paris Montparnasse 1 et 2” - 4h30 (no transfer)
or
from “Paris Aéroport Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle” - 6h (1 transfer)
Other option : Book a TGV INOUI train to Bordeaux and from there transfer to a TER train to Pau
We advise you to be careful with the name of the airports and train stations as there are many of them in Paris, and it can be a bit tricky
How to get to around ?
The IDELIS bus network serves the whole city of Pau. You can find all the bus’ maps and timetables or search for the best routes to get to your destination on the website www.idelis.fr
- The network's main bus line is Line F: Fébus. It serves 14 stations from the François Mitterrand hospital to Pau train station. To get to the university, get off at the "Condorcet-Université" station, which is next to the Leclerc shopping mall.
Monday to Thursday : 6 AM until 11 PM
Friday to Saturday : 6 AM until 1AM
Sunday : 9 AM until 11.30 PM
- The Temporis bus lines provide access to the city's busiest neighborhoods, as well as to neighboring towns: Lons, Lescar, Jurançon, Billère, Bizanos...
Monday to Saturday : 6.30 AM until 9.30 PM
Sunday : 9 AM until 11.30 PM
- At night : IDELIS offers an evening network. Lines F, A, B, C, D and E run from 9.30 PM to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 1.10 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Connections are provided at “Pôle Bosquet”
From 9 PM to 1 AM, you can ask the driver to stop between 2 stops, except on the F line. Be sure to anticipate your request - only thedriver can validate it, to guarantee your safe descent!
