2008 International Biodiversity Conference
Baños, Ecuador - July 29-August 3, 2008
Call for papers
2nd Annual International Biodiversity Conference
This is an invitation for you to join us in Baños, Ecuador, July 29 - August 3, 2008, at the 2008 International Biodiversity Conference. Please consider presenting a paper, sharing your expertise in biodiversity, and/or being an active participant.
Considered by some to be one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, the Foundation has an ongoing 20-year project in Ecuador's cloud forest to develop a photographic inventory of endangered/threatened plant and animal species in this part of the world. In addition, several other Ecuadorian and American scientists are defining this unique ecological habitat and discovering dozens of new species. We are organizing the 2008 International Biodiversity Conference to learn more about this unique ecosystem, share research, and develop new questions for further study.
In addition, we are opening our AMAZONIA CLOUD FOREST BIODIVERSITY CENTER in Baños. One of the missions of this center is to collect photographic data on endangered/threatened species in this part of the world and support scientists investigating this region of the world. Our goal for the Center and the Conference is to have an international group representing Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Germany, South Africa, Canada, and the United States, as well as scientists from other countries with an interest in biodiversity, discovery of new species, zoology, taxonomy, wildlife conservation, as well as the applied side of this science including, but not limited to, zoonosis, ecotourism, nature photography as a scientific tool, and new or creative strategies in biodiversity education and environmental conflict resolution.
The Second Annual International Biodiversity Conference is sponsored by Wild Spots Foundation, Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral (ESPOL), and the San Martin Zoological Gardens. Interested parties are invited to participate and/or present papers.*
*Las entidades anfitrionas de este evento son Wild Spots Foundation, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) y el Jardín Zoológico San Martín, las personas interesadas están invitadas a participar y presentar sus ponencias.
Our general categories are
- Environmental Conflict Resolution
- Captive Breeding; Capture and Release Programs
- Ecological Biodiversity Research
- Species-Specific Biodiversity Research
- Biodiversity in a Changing Climate
- Biogeographic projects and related research
- GIS and Spatial Ecology Research
- Innovative Environmental Education Programs
Abstracts (250 words) are due now
... and no later than June 1, 2008. Please submit abstracts to
barkerb@wildspotsfoundation.org
updated 4/9/2008
Keynote Speaker
Our keynote speaker and leading scientist is
Dr. Lou Jost, an American ecologist from
Texas who has been living in Baños, Ecuador for 13 years. He has methodically explored the cloud forests at various elevations in this region
of Amazonia and has made several significant discoveries, including dozens of new species of orchids, microhabitat formation and evolution,
and a mathematical system to correctly assess biodiversity in a given area.
He is a published and respected member of the scientific community.
His most recent article has been accepted to be published in ECOLOGY later this year.
He is also an author and well known ornithologist. Please visit the following websites for more information:
www.loujost.com
www.ecominga.org
If you have an interest in joining us please e-mail a confirmation to
barkerb@wildspotsfoundation.org.
The conference registration fee is $300 and the travel package costs $1890, which includes r/t air from Miami,
lodging, breakfasts, ground transportation, entrance fees, and a field trip to Puyo to photograph orchids in the rainforest.
You may use the registration form below to register or call us for more details at 954-816-1974.
updated 4/9/2008
Conference Costs
Conference Registration $300
Late conference registration fee (after May 15) $450
Breakdown of additional conference costs (as a package $1890)
Arrival date: on or before July 29
Departure date: August 3
Published Airfare on LAN $750
5 nights Lodging Package w/ Breakfasts $130/night
Transportation $200
Carbon Footprint Charge* $50
Field Trip $125
Foundation Administrative Fees (in Baños) $115
*Reforestation of depleted areas around Baños
The program fee of $1890 includes pick up and return to Quito's international airport, all transfers, ground transportation, field trips, and admission fee to zoological gardens
Without airfare: $974
Physical description
There are three choices of lodging: 1) San Martin Hostel (modest accommodations on site with double rooms and private baths); 2) Sanguay Hotel (Conference headquarters and meeting rooms); or the Hostel Volcan, (an upscale bed and breakfast).
This is a most unique conference and setting.
The conference takes place in a cloud forest biogeographic region, rich in biodiversity and environmental conflict.
This is a working eco-conference, in that we share multidisciplinary research with colleagues around the world.
It takes place in an isolated area, where local experts successfully breed endangered and threatened species,
where orchid researchers are discovering new species every month, where wildlife conservation research conflicts with
local economic interests, and where environmental conflict resolution is an ongoing paradigm.
San Martin Zoological Gardens in Baños is a unique experience that we want our attendees to enjoy.
The hostel acts as a working field station for the many scientists conducting research in the local cloud forests,
volunteers helping the zoo staff, and students/visitors who wish to explore the beautiful surrounding ecosystems and wildlife.
Hostel rooms each contain twin beds, baths with hot water (most of the time), and daily service to clean the rooms.
If you want quarters that are more "American," there are several hotels in the city of Baños itself that can accommodate you.
Bring
- Hiking boots for rough terrain.
- A two-pronged adapter for the outlets. Three-pronged plugs will not work in the outlets, although the electrical system is 110.
- Power strips for laptops, hair dryers, camera chargers, etc.
- An alarm clock (battery-powered is best).
- Money in small denomination bills of $1, $5 and $10. For most people, $200-$300 will be sufficient for spending money.
- A Spanish-English dictionary.
- A towel and bath soap. The hostel does not provide these. LABEL your towels with your name.
- Flip-flops for the shower.
- Rain poncho.
- Camera with telephoto and macro lens.
Be aware that
- Ecuador uses United States dollars, but the community is poor: Most places do not accept credit cards or bank cards; bring cash in small denominations ($1s, $5s, $10s )
- There are some ATM machines in the city that work sometimes.
- The rooms at the hostel DO NOT contain phones.
- There is NO internet service at the hostel, but there are many cyber cafes available in the city of Baños.
- Taxi fares to and from the hostel are only $1.50-$2.00.
- The hostel IS NOT handicapped accessible, having been built on the mountainside.
- There is a weight limit for baggage: 8 lbs for carry-on, and 16 lbs for luggage.
