Hydrobiologist László Hamerlik, professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Bél Mátyás University in Besztercebánya, visited the Faculty of Water Sciences of the Ludovika University of Public Service in the framework of the Ludovika Scholars Program (LSP) between 14 and 18 October 2024.
The professor's program began at the Ludovika Campus, where he visited the Department of Water and Environmental Policy. Here, he presented his research on lake sediments, and then Tamás Pálvölgyi, the Head of the department, gave a summary of the teaching and research activities of his department. After that, an exciting scientific discourse developed between the LSP scholarship holder and the teachers and researchers of the department. Among other things, the relationship between the chemical and biological properties of mountain lake sediments and climate change was discussed, as well as the applicability of data from the past (e.g. paleoecological) to the present environmental changes. The participants also reviewed the subject areas of possible research collaborations and projects.
The visiting professor continued his program at the Campus in Baja, where he gave an interesting lecture on the role of Chironomidae, as non-biting midges, in the ecosystem. These insects play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems as bioindicators of water quality since they are very sensitive to environmental changes. Due to the amount of their remains and the different ecological tolerances of the different species, the composition of the non-biting midges communities found in the sediment layers provides valuable information for the reconstruction of past environmental conditions at the local and regional levels.
At the hydrobiologist's second presentation, the interested participants could hear that lake sediments serve as natural archives and store high-resolution data on environmental changes over time. This knowledge helps us understand today's ecological dynamics and predict future changes, providing insight into how ecosystems respond to natural and human-induced environmental changes.
A good number of students from the István Zsuffa Students’ Association and international students also attended the professional presentations.
During his stay in Baja, the professor took part in the workshop "Climate change, carbon circulation, water management" organized on 17 October 2024, the venue of which was the Faculty of Water Sciences.
Text and photos: VTK