India: International Conference on Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Diversity and Human Welfare (15 -18 July 2001, Bangalore)
International Conference on Tropical Ecosystems:
Structure, Diversity and Human Welfare
15-18July 2001, Bangalore, India
The tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, comprising an extremely complex array of ecosystems, support more than 70 per cent of the worlds biota in a labyrinth of ecological interactions. These regions are also home to nearly half of the worlds human population and thus experience tremendous pressure. In the recent past there has been a growing concern over the accelerating rates of deforestation in tropical forests and the consequent loss of biodiversity.
Reflecting these concerns and in seeking to review the threats and the possible solutions, an International Conference on Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Diversity and Human Welfare is being organised in Bangalore, India from the 15 to 18July 2001. The meeting will provide an opportunity for tropical biologists from Asian and neighbouring countries to interact with biologists from the neo-tropics, and facilitate a first hand experience of the old-world tropical forests. The meeting is being held under the auspices of the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bangalore, India and the Association for Tropical Biology and will be co-hosted by leading national scientific institutions and organisations, including the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, IUSSI-Indian Chapter, Bangalore, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi.
Conference Theme and Program:
The meeting will address three major themes: (I) Global change and tropical forest ecosystems; (II) Tropical forests: structure, diversity and function; and (III) Biodiversity hot-spots. Each of these theme areas will comprise several symposia, which will include keynote and lead talks, contributed papers and posters. Round table discussion groups on selected theme areas will also be organised. A tentative list of the symposia and the organisers has been identified and is open for further additions. The extended abstracts of the invited and contributed papers will be published and made available during the registration.
Symposium on Fire Ecology:
Dr Jay Mistry of Royal Holloway, University of London will be organising the symposium on Fire ecology in tropical forests (under Theme II). The aim of this symposium is to look at the effects of fire on tropical forest structure, function and diversity. I am looking for 5-6 speakers, particularly from tropical countries, who would present a paper for about 20 minutes. The organisers are trying to get travel support for scientists from tropical countries, but speakers should also try to arrange their own funding.
The conference organisers are also looking for researchers to present posters. We would particularly like to encourage researchers from tropical countries and students in postgraduate studies.
Further details about the conference and registration are available on the following web-site: http://www.atree.org
Potential participants for the Fire Ecology Symposium can also contact:
Dr. Jay Mistry
Fax: (44) (0)1784-472836
E-mail: j.mistry@rhbnc.ac.uk
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