Date

First Circular
Phytogeography of Northeast Asia: Tasks for the 21st Century Symposium
Primorie, Russia
21-25 July 2003

For more information see: http://www.geopacifica.org
Or contact the Symposium Secretariat (krestov [at] vtc.ru)

Deadline to reply to First Circular (preliminary registration) is 31
December 2002


With the beginning of the 21st century, the study of vegetation in
Northeast Asia begins its second 100 years. In contrast to Eurasian
phytogeography, in which vegetation zonation served as a useful model
for elaboration of concepts and theories, the northeastern edge of
Eurasia still has many unsolved problems, reflecting the insufficiency
of existing schemes to explain the complexity of a vegetation that
results from the combined influences of the Asian monsoon system, its
interactions with continental air masses, complex topography, and
geologically recent changes of landscapes and climate.

The hundred-year phytogeographical study of Far Eastern vegetation,
undertaken in China, Japan, Korea and Russia, has resulted in
accumulation of great knowledge. Nevertheless, political, cultural and
methodological differences have created many disagreements in terms and
theories.

The purpose of the symposium is not only to exchange knowledge but also
to find common points in theories and a basis for the future study of
East Asian vegetation as a whole phytogeographical unit. The main topics
are expected to include:
1. Phytogeographical concepts and applications
2. Structure of the vegetation cover
3. Floristics and floristic regionalization
4. Vegetation dynamics in a changing environment: history and prognoses
5. Synthesis of vegetation data through large-scale comparisons

Papers on these topics, as well as your proposals of new subjects to be
discussed during the Symposium, are welcomed.

Deadlines
December 31, 2002
Deadline to reply to First Circular (preliminary registration)
January 15, 2003
Second Circular, call for papers (abstracts)
April 30, 2003
Deadline for receipt of abstracts
May 31, 2003
Notification of registration and abstract acceptance. Invitation letters
for participants. Deadline for prepayment.

Contact address:
Symposium Secretariat
Institute of Biology & Soil Science
Vladivostok 690022 Russia
Phone: (+7)4232-310405, 383560
Fax: (+7)4232-310193
Email: krestov [at] vtc.ru