LWF Anniversary: Long-term ecosystem research – understanding the present to shape the future

15 years of long-term forest ecosystem research

Since 1994, the Swiss long-term forest ecosystem research project has been addressing global change as a driving force on forest biota and ecological processes. On this landmark date we invite you to reflect on the current state of long-term (forest) ecosystem research and its scientific value.

The conference will focus on the current state of long-term forest ecosystem research:

• What is it?
• How does it work?
• What has been achieved?
• Why will we still need it?

Presentations and discussions will emphasize current monitoring and research concepts, their operational and scientific challenges, and their opportunities for the European research environment.

The format

The conference will welcome posters and papers. Keynote presentations will provide state-of-the art overviews on main issues.

The excursions

The field trips are planned to start in the evening of 9 September, 2009 with the following venues and scientific topics:

• Region of Davos - Mountain forests in a CO2-enriched world
• Swiss National Park - Natural forest ecosystems
• Valais - Climate change effects on natural mountain forests
• Ticino - Air pollution, deposition and tree physiology
• Jura mountains - Forest growth and biodiversity.

The organizer

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL.

The venue

ETH-Zentrum, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich.

The committee

Norbert Kräuchi, Matthias Dobbertin and Michèle Kaennel Dobbertin, WSL.

Important dates

• 22 January 2009 2nd announcement with preliminary program
• Opening of online registration: early-bird rate
• First call for submission of abstracts
• 4 May 2009 Deadline for abstract submission - Extended
• 15 May 2009 Notification of acceptance of abstracts sent to authors
• 31 May 2009 3rd announcement with final program
• 30 June 2009 End of early-bird rate
• 31 July 2009 Registration deadline

Registration, travel and accommodation information

... will be provided in the 2nd announcement.