Grassland diversity of the inner-alpine dry valleys in the South-Western Alps: Impressions from the 18th EDGG Field Workshop (1 to 11 June 2024)

In June 2024, the 18 th EDGG Field Workshop took place on the trail of J. Braun-Blanquet's work on xerothermic vegetation classification in the south-western Alps in France (FR) and Italy (IT).Three different valley systems were visited: the Susa(IT)/Maurienne(FR), the Aosta(IT)/Cogne(IT) and the Durance(FR)/Queyras(FR).It was full of beautiful and heartily shared moments, and on the following pages, we will give some impressions.Each day of the expedition is shortly presented and enriched with photographs that illustrate the work and joy of collective sampling efforts in the scenery of the inner-alpine valleys and their vegetation.In total, 22 participants joined either partly or for the whole Field Workshop originating from seven countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine) and working in eleven countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzer-land, Ukraine).They were hosted and supported by three local organising committees in the three valley systems, altogether comprising 15 local experts.Most participants were botanists specialised in vascular plants, however, also one bryologist and one arachnologist complemented the expedition.Everyone in the group contributed with the species knowledge from their home countries and with the great support of the local organising teams, the group was able to cover the diversity of the surveyed region.Every day, the group was split into 2-3 independent sampling teams.After long sampling days, climbing on the slopes like goats beneath the elements, the evenings were dedicated to species identification, juggling between the different regional flora identification books.Taken together, this Field Workshop was one of the largest and the most productive ones to date!