"Scale Matters": the next SCAR Biology Symposium is to be held in Belgium in July next year

The XIIth Scientific Committee of Antarctic Research (SCAR) Biology Symposium will take place over 10-14 July 2017 (with workshops either side) at the University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

“The main theme is "Scale Matters".  From the small molecular scale, through population and large ecosystem scale, biological processes and diversity span all these levels.  Understanding these processes, as well past and present patterns of biodiversity, are essential for understanding possible threats to Antarctic biology and their impact.  With this Symposium we want to focus on understanding biological distribution and trends, as well as adaptation and processes both in the marine and terrestrial realm, including the human biology.  Special attention will be paid to multidisciplinary research and how combining insight from different fields can help our understanding of biology in this unique region.  An important aspect of this symposium will focus on the societal impact of Antarctic biological sciences and how this can be communicated, not only to the general public, but also to policy makers.”

White-phase Southern Giant Petrel on Bouvet Island, photograph by Greg Hofmeyr

The following sessions have been proposed; more can be proposed (click here).

Theme 1:  Distribution and trends

Theme 2:  Adaptation and processes

Theme 3:  New insights through multi-disciplinary research

Theme 4:  Threats and impacts

Theme 5:  Societal impact of Antarctic biological science

Theme 6: Human biology at the poles.

Click here for more information on the above six sub-themes.

Registration and abstract (deadline 15 February 2017) submission will open next month.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 08 September 2016