Funded by:

　　　 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

　　　 US Natural Science Foundation (NSF)

Organized by:

　　　 Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, CAS (XIEG)

　　　 University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)

　　　 CAS Key Lab of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land

　　　 Xinjiang Agricultural University (XAU)

　　　 Xinjiang Society of Botany (XSB)

Preface：

The ecology and management of invasive plants is of world-wide concern. Much research and speculation has focused on which abiotic and biotic factors promote plant invasions, including biotic factors that affect population dynamics, weather variability and climate change, and land use/disturbance regimes. The goals of this International Symposium are to: (1) assess mechanisms of plant invasions; (2) evaluate how potential global changes may influence these mechanisms and alter plant invasions; and (3) project how plant invasions may be managed as global changes occur. To achieve these goals, a distinguished group of international scientists will explore these issues through presentations and discussions. Because arid ecosystems are especially susceptible to plant invasions and global changes due to low resilience and extreme sensitivity to environmental changes, this International Symposium places special emphasis on plant invasions in dry regions of the world.

Publication Plans:

Papers presented at this International Symposium can be considered for publication in a Special Issue of the Journal of Arid Lands (JAL).  JAL publishes original, innovative, and integrative research from arid and semiarid areas, addressing various aspects in geography, geology, pedology, hydrology, biology, ecology and meteorology (http://jal.xjegi.com/EN/volumn/home.shtml). Details about the Special Issue and paper submission will be provided after acceptance of the preliminary title (see Inquiry Form below).

Topics:

1. Mechanisms of plant invasions – understanding the “why” of plant invasions

·　　　  Intra- and interspecific interactions

·　　　  Population dynamics

·　　　  Evolutionary processes

·　　　  Plant-soil-microbial feedbacks

·　　　  Trophic interactions

·　　　  Environmental variability

·　　　  Human activities

2. Global changes and invasion processes – what the future holds and how will these changes influence underlying mechanisms of invasion

·　　　  Changing climate (temperature and precipitation)

·　　　  Changing atmospheric CO2

·　　　  Changing land use and disturbance

3. Managing plant invasions in a changing world – putting it all together

·　　　  Conceptual understanding to frame strategies and policies

·　　　  Predicting plant invasions with numerical models

Proposed date & venue:

　　　 14-15 June, 2012, Urumqi, Xinjiang Province, China

Preliminary Schedule:

　　　 June 13 (Wednesday), Registration

　　　 June 14 (Thursday), Symposium

　　　 June 15 (Friday), Symposium

　　　 June 16 & 17 (Weekend), Field trip to Junggar Basin

Working Language:

　　　 English

Registration Fee:

　　　 100 US dollars per person, 50 US dollars for students and accompany person

Important Dates:

　　　 Before March 31, 2012　  　　 Submit registration form

　　　 Before May 31, 2012　　　　　　　  Submit abstract

Contact Person:

　　　 Prof. ZHANG Daoyuan

　　　 Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, CAS

　　　 818 South Beijing Road, Urumqi

　　　 Xinjiang 830011, China

　　　 Email: zhangdy@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Inquiry Form:

To receive further announcements about this International Symposium on Invasive Plants and Global Change, complete the following form and return to Prof. Zhang at the address above. Also visit the web site for this Symposium  for updated information, registration form, and further details.