Symposium 'Balancing on Tipping Points'

KLV - Studiekring Milieu and Natuurwetenschappelijk Gezelschap Wageningen organize a mini-symposium honouring Marten Scheffer, professor of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management at Wageningen University, as Spinoza Prize winner. Marten Scheffer received the Spinoza Prize for his pioneering research into the emergence of abrupt transitions in complex systems such as nature, climate and even society.

Four scientists with different backgrounds are invited to present their view on the alternative stable state theory. They will illustrate the theory with cases ranging from lakes (clear or turbid), social systems (poor or rich), terrestrial ecology (vegetation or desert), to climate research (can we predict tipping points in the climate system?). These presentations are followed by the lecture of Marten Scheffer on “Kritische transities in natuur en maatschappij” within the series of lectures organised by the ‘Natuurweten­schappelijk Gezelschap Wageningen’.

Students, graduates, colleagues and former colleagues, and everyone interested in the topic is hereby invited to attend this symposium.

Program (lectures in English):

15.30 – 16.00: registration and coffee

16.00 – 16.05: opening by Gerard Blom (chair of Studiekring Milieu)

16.05 – 16.15: introduction on alternative stable states

16.15 – 16.45: Harry Hosper (Waterdienst) - Clear water lakes in the Netherlands: myth or reality?

16.45 – 17.15: Sybren Drijfhout (KNMI) - Tipping elements in the climate system

Break with refreshments

17.45 – 18.15: Robert Lensink (Wageningen Universiteit/Universiteit Groningen) - Poverty traps and credit in developing countries

18.15 – 18.45: Johan van de Koppel (NIOO-Yerseke) - Alternate stable states are everywhere! Or not?

Soup and snacks

19.45 – 21.30: NGW lezing Marten Scheffer (in Dutch) with a break from 20.30 to 20.45

The symposium will take place in room C64 at the Leeuwenborch (Wageningen). Please subscribe for the symposium by following this link: www.klv.nl/nl/Activiteiten/Documents/Invitation%20Symposium%20Balancing%20Tipping%20Points.pdf.