Workshop “Understanding the role of mammalian herbivores in shaping woody plant communities; what can we learn from a cross-continental comparison?”
11 – 15 October 2010, Białowieża, Poland
Organized by the Mammal Research Institute PAS (MRI, Poland) funded by the EU BIOCONSUS program (7 FP)
Organisation team:
Scientific part: Dries Kuijper (MRI), Joris Cromsigt (University of Oslo), Bogumiła Jędrzejewska (MRI), Chris Smit (University of Groningen), Marcin Churski ((MRI)
Administrative part: Kasia Kubicka (MRI)
Aim of the workshop
The aim of this workshop is to discuss how large mammalian herbivores shape woody plant communities around the world. There is a strong history in studying this on the southern hemisphere as well as on the northern hemisphere but these research lines seem to be quite separated. We believe it would be hugely beneficial to bring together both research lines and discuss key questions that are currently debated on both hemispheres. Discussions will be focused on identifying key differences or generalities in the way herbivores interact with woody plant communities across the globe. The workshop should be a platform for open-minded presentations /discussions at a conceptual level that result in syntheses and thought-provoking ideas. We aim at three things: 1) generating and exchange of ideas, 2) maximise discussion, 3) exploring possible joint publications and/or other activities.
The workshop is a 5-days event and consists of a series of mini-workshops, each focussing on one central theme during one day. Each mini-workshop is introduced by 1 or 2 specialists on the specific theme with a 45 minute talk, where she/he introduces the theme using her/his study areas and then philosophises about how it might work in other areas (other continents). After the introductions, we will have short (max 20 minutes) presentations by participants from other continents presenting their view on the theme. This is open to everybody willing to contribute to the discussion. Each afternoon there will be an excursion in the Białowieża Primeval forest to visit a specific site or running experiment connected with the theme. These excursions are aimed at providing the setting for lively discussions and exchange of ideas. We plan to keep the workshop small (ca. 20 people in total) to achieve high levels of interactions and to be able to explore potential for joint papers (for example for a special issue) and/or other follow-up activities. During the end of each day and the last day of the workshop there is opportunity to work in smaller groups on synthesizing ideas around each theme for preparation of publications. Please see the preliminary program and short introduction to proposed themes.
