Species traits : a functional approach to biodiversity, from organisms to ecosystems In 2018, we are presenting the 7th edition of the Functional Traits graduate summer school, sponsored principally by two research centers: the Centre for Forest Research (http://www.cef-cfr.ca) and the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science (http://qcbs.ca), and this year, the University of Rosario in Bogota. Objectives
- Presentation of concepts and theory related to functional plant traits - Analysis of traits at organismal, community and ecosystem levels (including relationship to ecosystem function) - Examples of use for land use change, climate change, plant-microbe interactions - Presentation of available data banks and their correct use: introduction to ecoinformatics - Practice of trait measurements in the field and lab, and analysis of data Practical Information The price of 300 US$ (370 CAN$, 240 euros) includes room, breakfast and lunch, as well as transportation to the field school from Bogota. To apply please send a message to Juan Posada : [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> for an application form; we require this form and a CV to evaluate applicants. The deadline for application is March 1st and accepted students will be informed by mid-March. For any questions refer to Juan or to Alison Munson: [email protected] Who? Students from MSc, PhD programs, postdoctoral fellows, and professors are welcome. We particularly encourage students from South and Central America to apply, but the course is open internationally. Normally we have a very diverse group from several continents. Course content A detailed program will be available for the end of March. The course includes lectures, measurement of traits in the field in teams (supervised by professors), followed by analyses, interpretation and presentation of collected data to the group at the end of the week. Doctoral students will present their research topic to the group for discussion. We will also hike to see the unique paramo ecosystem at altitude. The course is hosted by Juan Posada<http://www.cef-cfr.ca/index.php?n=Membres.JuanPosada>, (Universidad el Rosario, Bogota) at the Hotel Santa Viviana, Villa de Leyva, Colombia. The professors for this version are from CEF (Bill Shipley<http://www.cef-cfr.ca/index.php?n=Membres.BillShipley> and Alison Munson<http://www.cef-cfr.ca/index.php?n=Membres.AlisonMunson>, Canada), CEFE (Eric Garnier<http://www.cefe.cnrs.fr/ecophysiologie-comparative-du-systeme-plante-sol/eric-garnier>, France), the University of South Bohemia (Francesco de Bello). The web page for the course in English and French, is available here: http://www.cef-cfr.ca/index.php?n=Membres.AlisonMunsonPlantTraits?userlang=en
