From June 23–27, 2025, the European Long-Term Ecosystem, Critical Zone and Socio-Ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI) held its inaugural Science Conference in Tampere, Finland, marking a milestone in the advancement of transdisciplinary environmental science. With over 350 participants from across Europe and beyond, the event reflected the global urgency and collaborative spirit required to tackle today’s complex environmental crises.
Held under the motto “Towards a Whole-System Approach for Ecosystem Science” , the conference emphasized integrated, long-term research as essential for understanding and protecting Earth’s life-sustaining systems. Sessions addressed interconnected challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, groundwater dynamics, and pollution, all framed within the pioneering WAILS concept (Whole system Approach for In-situ research on Life-sustaining Systems).
A unifying element across all sessions was the insistence on cross-disciplinary leadership. Each session was co-convened by at least two researchers from different fields, with a focus on diversity in terms of career stage, gender, and geography. Inspiring keynote speakers opened each session, setting the stage for dynamic, data-rich, and often provocative conversations.