The A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (IBSS) in Sevastopol—Russia's oldest marine biology institution—is pleased to announce the IV International Scientific and Practical Conference " STUDY OF AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS: HISTORY AND MODERNITY," to be held from September 7 to 13, 2026.

Marking Russia's Decade of Science and Technology, this conference also honors several significant anniversaries for IBSS, including the 155th anniversary of the Sevastopol Biological Station (now IBSS), the 180th anniversary of N.N. Miklouho-Maclay, the 140th anniversary of Dr. V.N. Nikitin, the 100th anniversary of Prof. Yu.G. Aleev, the 90th anniversary of Prof. V.E. Zaika (Corr. Mem. NASU), and the 50th anniversary of the research vessel Professor Vodyanitsky.

We welcome researchers, academics, postgraduates, and students from institutes and universities, as well as representatives from government bodies, relevant ministries, industry, and NGOs with an interest in advancing scientific research and its practical applications.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES:

• Present findings from fundamental and applied research on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and marine instrumentation, conducted both in Russia and internationally.
• Facilitate discussion on the sustainable use and conservation of biological resources.
• Support the professional development of early-career scientists and specialists from research and educational institutions.

THE SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM OF THE CONFERENCE INCLUDES ORAL AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS ON THE FOLLOWING MAIN SECTIONS:

1. Biodiversity and Conservation of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems
2. Structure, Function, and Dynamics of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems
3. Environmental Microbiology and Phycology (Algology)
4. Physiology and Biochemistry of Adaptation in Aquatic Organisms
5. Molecular Biology and Genetics of Aquatic Organisms
6. Pollution and Radio-Chemoecology of Aquatic and Terrestrial  Ecosystems
7. Biological Resources, Biotechnology, and Aquaculture
8. Marine Instrumentation and Monitoring Technologies of Aquatic Ecosystems
9. Historical Session
10. Section of the Junior Academy of Sciences

CONFERENCE EVENTS:

• A Historical Session: This special session will honor the legacy of the Sevastopol Biological Station, the Station's Origins and Development, the forerunner of the A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas (IBSS), and pay tribute to the seminal contributions of renowned scientists: the explorer Nikolay N. Miklukho-Maklay, Dr. V.N. Nikitin, Professor Yu.G. Aleyev, and Professor V.E. Zaika, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
• A Scientific Seminar: "Professor Vodyanitsky: “50 Years in Service to Science."
• School-seminar "Modern Hydrobiology". The school events include lectures, master classes and workshops aimed at mastering modern research methods in marine biology, improving data processing skills and presentation of research results. The organizer of the school-seminar is the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of IBSS.

Round tables, seminars, and a practical school for students, postgraduates and young scientists are also planned.

Proposals for additional sessions, roundtables, or seminars (with a brief rationale) are welcome and should be sent to the Organizing Committee at conf@ibss-ras.ru.

Conference format: mixed – in-person and remote participation using online platforms.

Presentation formats: oral (plenary and sectional).

Conference working languages: Russian and English.

Following the conference, a collection of conference materials with an assigned ISBN will be published. The electronic collection will be posted on the conference website, in the open-access repository of IBSS: repository.marine-research.ru, as well as in the national bibliographic database of scientific citation RSCI.

Registration of participants and submission of materials is carried out on the conference website: conf.ibss-ras.ru

KEY DATES & DEADLINES: 

Deadline for submitting proposals for new scientific sessions, roundtables, seminars, and workshops - 10 March 2026.

Proposals for the formation of additional sections of scientific reports, programs of round tables, seminars and practical school – until March 10, 2026.

Preliminary registration – until April 20, 2026.

Submission of abstracts and payment of the registration fee – until May 30, 2026.

Information on the materials format, publication procedure, as well as the conference program will be sent to registered participants in the second information letter.

Secretary: Veronika Voitsekhovskaya
Phone: +7 (978) 342-66-01
Email: conf@ibss-ras.ru

Informationabout the amount of the registration feewill be postedlater.