About EFFS

The Aims and Objectives of the European Federation for Freshwater Sciences are directed towards the promotion of freshwater sciences throughout Europe, through facilitating improved communication and collaboration among scientists. This is done through the convening of scientific symposia (Symposia for European Freshwater Sciences, or SEFS) and other joint meetings and through extending the benefits of learned-society membership to European nations where no such national organisation exists. It is also an objective of the Federation to find a practical and viable means of publishing a scientific journal dedicated to European Freshwater Sciences.

History

Following the successful collaboration accross Europe that led to the first few Symposia for European Freshwater Sciences, it was decided that a platform to capitalise on this collaboration was needed.

Further discussions among the representatives and the chairman in the following two years led to the elaboration of a more formal draft of a constitution of the European Federation for Freshwater Sciences (EFFS). The draft was presented at the fourth SEFS, successfully held in Krakow (Poland) thanks to the efforts of the colleagues of the Polish Hydrobiological Society chaired by Maciej Gliwicz. The main task of the federation is devoted to the cooperation of European freshwater scientists (with special attention to students and young researchers) and to the organisation of SEFS. Thanks to the collaboration offered by the staff of the portal FreshwaterLife, EFFS and SEFS established a Virtual Office from where information can be disseminated among all those interested in freshwater sciences. Among future developments of EFFS there will be an electronic bulletin, prize(s) to students and further expansions in order to enlarge the cooperation among European freshwater scientists and give voice to the research and management needs of freshwater ecosystems.