About CONFERENCE

Join us in Varna, 14–16 October 2026, for the LTER-BG International Scientific Conference 2026 that will bring together scientists, environmental experts, practitioners, decision- and policy-makers, stakeholders, and LTER site and platform coordinators and team members. The conference aims to share findings and explore challenges in whole-ecosystem studies characteristic for the European Long-Term Ecosystem Research Network, critical zone, and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI), as well as to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthen the science–policy–society interface.

The conference will provide a platform to reflect on past achievements, discuss current challenges, and explore future perspectives for long-term ecosystem research in the context of global environmental change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability transitions. Contributions addressing terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, critical zone, and socio-ecological systems are welcome. Particular emphasis will be placed on studies that leverage long-term data to examine ecosystem dynamics, resilience, and responses to environmental change.

The conference is organised by the Bulgarian Long-Term Ecosystem Research network (LTER-BG), which celebrates 20 years of coordinated long-term ecosystem observation and research, with the support of eLTER RI and Pensoft Publishers.

LTER-BG receives funding from the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure, financially coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria.


Scientific Committee


Organising Committee

SPEAKERS
LTER-BG INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE 2026
You have an opportunity to meet leading researchers and scientists, explore a wide range of ecosystem research topics, and be part of a landmark scientific event — 20 years of LTER-Bulgaria as part of eLT
  • Dr Michael Mirtl - PLENARY SPEAKER
    senior research professor at HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Restoration Ecology Group, Hungary.
    Prof. Török graduated as a biologist, specialized in vegetation science and worked as a field botanist, ecologist for four decades. She has led multiple research projects regarding the restoration of degraded dry grasslands in the Pannon region. She has been a member of the Hungarian LTER team since the early phase, dating back to 1995, and is still one of the engines of the national process for extending the network and improving the visibility of the results of eLTER at a European scale. Prof. Török has initiated the development of the idea of building a Restoration Topic Centre within the eLTER Research Infrastructure. Prof. Török has been a member of the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel of IPBES for two cycles. Presently, she is coordinating the ecosystem service assessment and green infrastructure development at her institute in the frame of a national, multisector project.

    Tentative title: How can eLTER site experiments help to overcome some challenges in ecosystem restoration?
  • Dr. Steffen Zacharias
    KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
    UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Germany
    Dr. Zacharias is a soil hydrologist and, since 2007, а senior scientist at the UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Germany. He leads a working group on soil research at the UFZ and is coordinator of the TERENO observatory Harz/Central German Lowland. Dr. Zacharias has many years of experience in international science affairs with a specific focus on the soil-water nexus and contributution to large EU FP7 and Horizon 2020 projects dedicated to integrated environmental research, monitoring and exploration. 
    Tentative title: Steffen Zacharias et al. Achieving harmonized and integrated long‐term environmental observation of essential ecosystem variables – The eLTER framework of standard observations
  • Prof. Jaana Bäck
    KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
    University of Helsinki (UHEL), Institute for Atmosphere and Earth System Research INAR
    Prof. Bäck is а professor in Forest-Atmosphere interactions, working on biogeochemical cycles and terrestrial ecology linked to climate change in boreal regions. She received her PhD in Physiological plant ecology from the University of Oulu, Finland in 1994. Her expertise is in forest management, ecosystem-climate feedbacks and ecosystem services. She has been involved in the development of national, European and global research infrastructures for integrated, long-term observations of Earth Systems, in particular eLTER RI. Prof Bäck is author of >140 peer review papers in journals and books and a member of the Finnish IPBES panel. She is a member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters and Academician in the International Academy of Eurasian Studies (IAES) and has been awarded with the Pro Scientia and Open Science Awards and granted a decoration for Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland.
  • Prof. Dr. Nikolaos Nikolaidis
    KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
    School of Environmental Engineering and has served as the Deputy Rector for Financial Planning and Development of TUC; Director of HersLab.
    Prior to joining TUC, Prof. Nikolaidis was a professor and director of the Environmental Engineering Program at the University of Connecticut, USA. His areas of expertise include: Watershed Scale Studies and Modelling, Heavy Metal Site Assessment and Remediation, and Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Development. He is using a "holistic" approach in solving environmental problems by conducting field studies, laboratory experimentation and mathematical modelling. Prof. Nikolaidis has over 300 peer-reviewed journal papers, conference proceedings, books and book chapters, more than 9700 citations and an h-index of 56.

    Tentative title: Socio-techno-ecological approaches for strategic planning to address desertification in the Mediterranean – Case studies from Greece and the Middle East
  • Prof. Dr. Katalin Török
    KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
    Senior research professor at HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Restoration Ecology Group, Hungary
    Prof. Török graduated as a biologist, specialized in vegetation science and worked as a field botanist, ecologist for four decades. She has led multiple research projects regarding the restoration of degraded dry grasslands in the Pannon region. She has been a member of the Hungarian LTER team since the early phase, dating back to 1995, and is still one of the engines of the national process for extending the network and improving the visibility of the results of eLTER at a European scale. Prof. Török has initiated the development of the idea of building a Restoration Topic Centre within the eLTER Research Infrastructure. Prof. Török has been a member of the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel of IPBES for two cycles. Presently, she is coordinating the ecosystem service assessment and green infrastructure development at her institute in the frame of a national, multisector project.

    Tentative title: How can eLTER site experiments help to overcome some challenges in ecosystem restoration?

  • Prof. Dr. Miglena Zhiyanski
    KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
    Prof. Zhiyanski is head of the Forest Ecology Department at the Forest Research Institute - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and a recognized expert in forest ecology, soil science, ecosystem restoration, and long-term monitoring. Her research focuses on understanding ecosystem processes and resilience, and on translating scientific knowledge into policy-relevant frameworks. Actively engaged in European initiatives such as MAES and SEEA-EA, in long-term ecosystem research (LTER, ICP Forests), and in policy-oriented projects including forestry sector reform in RNM, she contributes to the implementation of ecosystem restoration and environmental policies. Her work also addresses critical loads and ecosystem sensitivity to environmental pressures, advancing monitoring as a cornerstone for effective, evidence-based environmental decision-making.

    Title: Restoration as a Process, Not a Product: Why Monitoring Defines Success

  • Dr. Tomáš Rebok
    KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
    Senior researcher at the Institute of Computer Science, Masaryk University, head of Tom Rebok’s Research Group
    Dr. Rebok focuses on digital infrastructures and services for data management, automated processing, and scientific analysis. He has extensive experience with large scientific infrastructures for computing and data processing, including the Czech national e-infrastructure e-INFRA CZ. His work is strongly interdisciplinary, connecting IT experts with domain specialists, particularly in environmental sciences. In close cooperation with the Czech environmental research community, he is actively involved in the research and development of digital solutions supporting the management, integration, automated processing, analysis, and reuse of environmental data. He is the architect of the eLTER CyberInfrastructure and leads its core development team, contributing to the digital foundations of the emerging European long-term ecosystem research infrastructure. He also heads the selected eLTER Topic Centre for Data Management of the emerging eLTER ERIC.

    Tentative title: Emerging Technologies in Ecosystem Research, Data Management and Open Science in eLTER
  • Prof. Dr. Daniel Orenstein
    PANELIST
    Full Professor in the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

    Prof. Orenstein is working at the intersection of environmental policy, landscape planning, and socio-ecological systems. His research focuses on how people perceive, value, and shape ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on cultural ecosystem services and their implications for planning and policy. Prof. Orenstein has been deeply involved in the development of the European and international LTER networks for over a decade, contributing to the conceptual and institutional evolution from ecological to socio-ecological research, including work on impact assessment, ethics, and transdisciplinary collaboration. His work spans from local case studies in Israel to international comparative research, with the broader aim of strengthening the role of science in sustainability transitions.

SPECIAL SESSIONS
15.10. 2026
Half day
3.5–4 hours
Special session 1
The Special Session aims to bring together representatives of long term ecological research, environmental observation, biodiversity, climate, and data infrastructures to exchange experiences, identify synergies, and explore opportunities for future collaboration at national, regional, and European levels.

Session title:
Enhancing collaboration among European environmental research infrastructures. Building bridges among long-term research and monitoring RI and networks
Objectives of the Special session
  • To present the scope, priorities, and activities of participating research and monitoring RI and networks
  • To identify complementarities and synergies among long-term observation and research initiatives
  • To discuss data interoperability, harmonization, and shared standards
  • To explore joint research, infrastructure, and funding opportunities
  • To strengthen regional and European collaboration frameworks (e.g. eLTER, ICP, Life Watch, AnaEE, ESENIAS, Danubius, EuroArgo, ESP…..)
Expected outcomes
•         A Collaboration Roadmap highlighting shared priorities and actionable initiatives
•         A network of contacts for ongoing coordination
•         Identification of joint opportunities for research, innovation, and policy support
Target audience
•         RI coordinators and scientific leaders
•         Ecosystem, biodiversity, and climate researchers
•         Data and digital infrastructure experts
•         EU policy stakeholders and research funding bodies
Significance
This session will contribute to strengthening the European research landscape, promoting integration, efficiency, and policy relevance, while enhancing the impact of environmental RIs on science and society. This approach ensures active participation, knowledge exchange, and the co-creation of tangible outcomes.
Preliminary half-day Programme
Duration: 15.10. 2026 - Half day (approx. 3.5–4 hours)
Proposed Structure:
1. Opening and Introduction (10 min)
  • Welcome and objectives of the Special Session
  • Overview of Bulgarian LTER and its role in RI and international networks
2. Network Presentations (90 min)
Short presentations (10 min each) by invited RI and networks, addressing:
  • Mission and scope
  • Key activities and infrastructures
  • Opportunities for collaboration
Coffee break (20 min)
3. Thematic Discussion Panels (60 min)
  • Co-location of the site-based RI and networks
  • Data and interoperability
  • Joint research and monitoring priorities
  • Joint publications
  • Science–policy–society interfaces
4. Strategic Round Table (45 min)
  • Future collaboration pathways
  • Joint initiatives, projects, and funding opportunities
  • Next steps and coordination mechanisms
  • Collaboration Roadmap
5. Wrap-up and Conclusions (15 min)
  • Key messages
  • Agreement on follow-up actions
Lunch
Further logistical details (date, venue, list of RI and network confirmed participation and format and programme detailed) will be provided in due course.

The Organizing Committee
Bulgarian LTER Network Conference


REGISTRATION OPENING DATE:
To be confirmed

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
15 July 2026

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
31 August 2026
OUR PRICES
Select your registration type and join us in Varna, 14–16 October 2026.
Full Registration
  • 3 days conference (14–16 October)
  • Lunch & coffee breaks
  • Welcome dinner
  • Certificate of participation
  • DOI assignment for the submitted abstract
350 €
One-Day Registration
  • 1 day of your choice
  • Lunch & coffee break
  • Certificate of participation
170 €
Young Scientist
  • 3 days conference (14–16 October)
  • Lunch & coffee breaks
  • Certificate of participation
  • Special EC&F sessions
250 €
Additional option
Conference dinner on 15.10.2026
55 €
Additional option
Excursion on 17.10.2026
price TBD
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Please register for the conference by completing the form below.
I WILL ATTEND THE CONFERENCE ON THE FOLLOWING DAY(S):
I WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE DINNER ON 15.10.2026 (55 EURO)
I WILL PRESENT
Submit your abstract(s) through the Arpha tool
Please submit your abstract(s) through the Arpha tool: https://arpha.pensoft.net/
I AM INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWING SESSION(S)
I PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL eLTER NETWORK
I AM INTERESTED IN PUBLISHING IN THE OPEN-ACCESS JOURNAL ONE ECOSYSTEM AT A PREFERENTIAL FEE OF 600 EUR
I REQUIRE AN INVOICE:
I NEED A CERTIFICATE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE CONFERENCE
I NEED A VISA INVITATION
please send it to my e-mail address
I AGREE THAT MY PERSONAL DATA MAY BE USED
I AGREE TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED/RECORDED DURING THE EVENT
I AM A MEMBER OF THE EARLY CAREER & FRIENDS COMMUNITY (EC&F) AND I WILL PARTICIPATE IN EC&F-TARGETED EVENTS
I NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE RELATED TO ACCESSIBILITY AT THE CONFERENCE VENUE
If you mark Yes below, we will contact you to discuss the details of your needs.
After submitting your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with payment details within 24 hours.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
The programme is subject to updates. You can view the current version here:

Preliminary Programme
SOCIAL PROGRAMME — 17 October 2026
Join us for a guided field excursion to one of Bulgaria's most remarkable natural sites. Choose your preferred destination during registration.
Black Sea Coast
A living laboratory of coastal biodiversity. Explore the unique dune systems, lagoons and marine habitats along Bulgaria's Black Sea shoreline — one of the key LTER-BG monitoring sites.
Sozopol
One of the oldest towns on the Black Sea coast, Sozopol combines rich history with stunning coastal nature. Walk through ancient streets and discover the marine ecosystems of the southern Bulgarian coast.
Srebarna Nature Reserve
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar wetland, Srebarna is home to over 220 bird species including the rare Dalmatian Pelican. This freshwater lake along the Danube is one of Bulgaria's most precious natural treasures.
DOWNLOAD LOCATION INFO
HAVE QUESTIONS?
conference@lterbg26.eu
eLTER Contact Information
For general enquiries and international
visibility

office@elter-ri.eu
Local Organising Committee / LTER-Bulgaria
For enquiries related to registration, logistics and event organisation

conference@lterbg26.eu
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