Download World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity
Valencia, Spain 11-15 November 2008
Aims of the Conference
To review the current understanding of marine biodiversity, its role in marine
ecosystem functioning and its socio-economic context
To assess current and future threats and potential mitigation strategies for
conservation and regulation of marine resources
To identify future research priorities
Chairs of the Conference
Carlo Heip (Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research and Netherlands Institute of
Ecology, the Netherlands) and Carlos Duarte (IMEDEA (CSIC- University of the
Balearic Islands), Mallorca, Spain.)
Supporting Organisations
EU Network of Excellence: MarBEF
Directorate General of Research of the European Commission
Commission Internationale pour l'Exploration Scientifique de la Méditerranée CIESM
DIVERSITAS
European Environment Agency
European Network of Marine Research Stations MARS
International Council for the Exploration of the Seas ICES
Scientific Council for Antarctic Research SCAR
Scientific Council for Oceanic Research SCOR (provisional)
The Census of Marine Life
The European Census of Marine Life
The Marine Board of the European Science Foundation
UNESCO/IOC and MAB
The Oceanographic Park of the City of Arts and Science, Valencia (Spain)
The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, Valencia (Spain)
International Scientific Committee
Carlo Heip (chair)
Carlos Duarte (co-chair)
Fred Buchholz (MarBEF and MARS)
Dave Paterson (MarBEF)
Poul Holm (MarBEF)
Doris Schiedek (MarBEF)
Hartmut Barth (EC DG Research)
Frédéric Briand (CIESM)
Antje Boetius (DIVERSITAS)
Eva Gelabert (EEA)
Adi Kellerman (ICES)
Ad Huiskes (SCAR)
Ed Urban (SCOR)
Fred Grassle (CoML)
Graham Shimmield (EuroComl)
Niamh Connolly (Marine Board - ESF)
Patricio Bernal (Unesco IOC)
Salvatore Arico (Unesco MAB)
Local Organizing Committee
To be announced
Outline of organization
The conference will last for four days with plenary presentations in the morning and a
number of parallel sessions organized in relation to demand. Invited plenary speakers
may be suggested (and preferably funded) by the sponsoring organizations. Sessions can
also be offered by the supporting organizations, who can nominate session conveners
and, when possible, fund invited session speakers. Suggestions for plenary speakers,
session topics and conveners may be made up until November 1st, 2007.
The number of participants will be limited to 500.
Topics
The following are suggestions for topics:
- The exploration of marine biodiversity: scientific and technological challenges
- Marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
- Conserving Marine Biodiversity
- Societal and Economic Benefits of Marine Biodiversity
- Polar Marine Biodiversity and the International Polar Year
- Response of Marine Biodiversity to Global Change
- Modelling of Marine Biodiversity
- Assessing ecosystem function: The holistic paradigm
- Historical baselines and future frontlines of biodiversity
The supporting organizations are requested to suggest additional topics
Publicity and Outreach
-
press releases on the conference and the sessions
round table discussions open to the public and involving ‘celebrities’
-
an event on Oceans and Culture: Art, Cuisine, History, Music, Psychology and
Well-being
Podcasted plenary talks (or even whole conference)
Evening events for the public (films, presentations, ….)
An extensive exposition on Marine Biodiversity to be held at the Museum of
Science in Valencia including:
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Ocean habitats
The history of human exploration
The technologies used for marine exploration
Time Schedule
-
July-August 2007: First electronic announcement through supporting
organizations, newsletters etc.
July-August 2007: Call for Sessions (closure 1st November)
June 2007: International Steering Committee and National Organizing
Committee appointed
October 2007: Second electronic and hard copy announcement with call for
contributions by February 2008
November 2007: Invitation to plenary and session speakers
February 2008: Deadline for Abstracts
March 2008: Preliminary Programme