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Re.: INTECOL Symp. on Spatial Processes and Scaling
First Announcement
INTECOL SYMPOSIUM
Spatial Processes and Scaling: Merging Field Data Collection Methods and Modeling
July 19-25, 1998, Florence, Italy
Organized by Dr. Bai-Lian Li
Center for Biosystems Modelling, Department of Industrial Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3131, USA
Fax: 409-847-9005; E-mail: bailian@carnivore.tamu.edu
Recently, there has been considerable interest in spatial dynamics because of the great potential for understanding the dynamics of the underlying spatial pattern in ecological studies and because of the potentially useful applications in resource and environmental management. For these reasons, many ecologists have concentrated on the incorporation of spatial-explicitly dynamic characteristics into ecological modeling. This research has been facilitated by emerging computer technologies and by new mathematical and statistical methods. Ecologists have traditionally focused on field experiments and routine data collection. More recently, there has been a general shift toward understanding spatio-temporal processes and their scaling behaviors, as well as recognition that measurement and modeling should be performed in close conjunction.
The purpose of this INTECOL symposium is to facilitate interactions among scientists from diverse ecological fields that share a common research interest in modeling spatially dynamic systems, linking ecological dynamics to spatial processes, using remotely sensed data, and designing field sampling strategies. This is a relatively new field and different groups are approaching the problem from a variety of perspectives and methodologies. The intention of organizing this symposium is to get individuals that are interested in spatial processes and scaling in ecology more aware of the work that is going on by different scientists resulting in more long-term and effective dialogues between research groups. These communications ultimately increase the quality and value of all scientists involved. This symposium will focus on innovative uses of spatial databases for ecological modeling and scaling analysis, and interaction of modeling and measurement strategies. Contributions are i!
nvited (but not limited to) on s
uch topics as choice of model structure to incorporate processes that change with scale; design of field experiments for testing scaling hypotheses; advances in measurement technology; observational evidences of spatial heterogeneity, organization, and changing processes; approaches for linking field data to multiple scale models; extrapolating results from data collected at one spatial and temporal scale to other scales; model validation using field and remotely sensed data; and feedbacks between modeling and measurement strategies. Participation is also encouraged for a final discussion planned at the end of the symposium.
If you are interested in this symposium and would like to submit your abstract, please feel free to contact me. A detailed INTECOL Call for Papers (Second Circular) will be available in April 1997. The deadline for submitting your abstract to this symposium and the VII International Congress of Ecology is October 31, 1997.