Special Workshop: Synthesizing Ecology and Evolution for the Study of Invasive Species
Organizers: Carol Lee, Kristina Schierenbeck, Robert Holt We have organized a workshop to promote the integration of ecological and evolutionary perspectives and approaches into the study of invasive species. Our aim is to create a venue in which discussion among the participants would lead to novel synthetic research and papers that reflect the novel syntheses. For example, the integration of population genetics and population dynamics could yield insights into the lag period of invasions, evolutionary responses to novel environments, and range expansions, oscillations, and extinctions. Also, integrating empirical data on ecological factors, such as predation or competition, with genetic factors, such as quantitative genetic variance or the genomic architecture of critical traits, could enhance our understanding of factors that limit invasions, improve the efficacy of predictive models, including those that might aid in biological control. Invasive species provide an ideal testing ground for many basic evolutionary theories, and we hope that this workshop will help expand this potential. This event will be held March 19-22, 2009 at North Lake Tahoe, California, USA. The workshop will consist of talks by invited speakers (listed below), group discussions, and posters sessions. Conference attendance will be limited to 100, so we recommend registering early! The workshop will take place during prime ski season at the scenic Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge, which is nestled between trees, mountains, and Squaw and Alpine Ski Resorts. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport provides ready access to Lake Tahoe, and from a number of major airports. The all-inclusive meeting package of $799.00 (single-occupancy) or $608.00 (double occupancy) includes conference registration fees; three nights lodging (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), dinner on Thursday, three meals on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Day passes to the conference (conference attendance + lunch) are available at $120 per day or $252 for the entire conference. We recommend that you plan on arriving a few days early or a stay a few days later if you plan to take advantage of the local skiing, showshoeing, ice-skating, and hiking opportunities. On site amenities include ski lessons and on-site cross country ski trails. The registration deadline is February 15. You may register at http://www.granlibakken.com. The user name and password are: usda09 If you would like to present a poster, please submit a title to Kristina Schierenbeck ([email protected]) by March 10. List of Invited Speakers and Tentative Titles: Richard Gomulkiewicz, Robert Holt & Scott Nuismer Genetic complexity, adaptation, and invasion in harsh environments Alex Perkins Effects of evolutionarily labile interspecific interactions on spatial spread dynamics Judith Miller The fate of neutral mutations arising during invasions Andrew Kanarek & Colleen Webb Allee effects and invasion success through coupled evolutionary and ecological dynamics Carol Eunmi Lee, Yuseob Kim & Davorka Gulisija Testing for genetic signatures of selection during independent invasions into novel environments Marc Kramer Application of climate models to understand and model environmental processes Andy Suarez, Neil Tsutsui & David Holway Insights into invasion success from comparing the biology of ant invaders in their native and introduced ranges Kevin Rice The role of trans-generational plasticity (i.e. maternal effects) in biological invasions George Gilchrist & Raymond Huey Developmental plasticity evolves during biological invasions Heinz Müller-Schärer Adaptive evolutionary change in an invasive plant: Tracking its evidence Elizabeth Leger & Erin Espeland Evolution of native plants in response to invaders George Roderick & Maria Navajas Evidence for evolutionary change in classical biological control and what this says about invasions ________________________ Kristina A. Schierenbeck USDA/ARS, Research Leader Exotic & Invasive Weeds Unit 920 Valley Road Reno, Nevada 89512 Work: 775-784-6057 ext. 222 Cell: 530-591-9907
