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University of Washington

University of Washington Botanic Gardens

Uniting the Washington Park Arboretum
and the Center for Urban Horticulture

2012 Plant Biodiversity Conference Sessions

Session Schedule

Session A - Climate Change: Observed Effects on Plants and Plant Communities

This section will focus on ways in which recent and past climate changes have affected individual species as well as plant assemblages.  These could include recent changes in  phenology, demography, interspecific interactions, etc. that are associated with changes in climate.  Studies on rare as well as common or dominant species are welcome.  Paleobotanical studies that demonstrate effects of past climate changes are also appropriate.  Field studies that can demonstrate a causal association between climate and vegetative changes are particularly desirable.

Session Abstracts Include:

(Only first author listed after abstract title)

 

Session B - Climate Change: Predicted Effects on Plants and Plant Communities

Vulnerability assessments, habitat suitability models, and scenario planning are some of the science-based tools that managers are using to develop management strategies and tactics to protect rare plants and biological diversity. In this session we would like to hear how managers and scientists are evaluating the influence of climate on plant communities and specific challenges associated with rare plants and communities.

Session Abstracts Include:

 

Session C - Climate Change: Adapting Management Strategies to Observed and Predicted Effects

There is a great deal being written on the observed and potential effects of climate change but much less on how managers and managing agencies should respond.  Nonetheless, this is where the rubber (science) hits the road (application).  Presentations may be of a philosophical nature.  However, we are especially interested in providing the audience with examples of specific actions based on sound science.  Managing for increased resiliency, creating corridors, designing habitat-diverse preserves and translocations are just some of the management strategies that have been advanced to respond to the influence of climate change on plant diversity.

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Session D - Disturbance Ecology and Plant Conservation

Disturbance and changes in disturbance regimes may in some cases cause a loss of rare plants and biological diversity.  In other situations disturbance is required to preserve species and communities.  Invasive species and changing fire frequencies are two types of disturbance that we expect to be prominent in this session.  Results of research on disturbance effects, methods to mitigate effects of disturbance or managing for disturbance are appropriate for this session.

Session Abstracts Include:


Session E - Recovery of rare species and the restoration of their habitat

Rare species, both plants and animals, require a properly functioning, healthy ecosystem for long-term survival and conservation.  Agencies, universities, and NGOs, with the support of dedicated volunteers are planning recovery actions for imperiled species and implementing these projects on local landscapes.  Through the commitment of many contributing parties we are attaining positive results on the recovery of imperiled species in this time of shrinking budgets for environmental protection.  This session will highlight several regional recovery projects that have contributed to our improved understanding of ecological relations and the conservation of rare species.

Session Abstracts Include:

 

Session F - Reintroduction in a Changing World: How well is it working, how can it be done better, and under what circumstances is it appropriate or not?

Native plant species are increasingly being reintroduced to sites where they formerly occurred, and introduced to new sites within and outside their known ranges. Despite the apparent clarity, the lack of a universally accepted terminology slows progress in the field. The attempt to establish native species involves not only practical and scientific issues, but also those having to with human value systems. Recent reviews differ on how well reintroduction appears to be working, and the jury is still out. Questions of its potential use as a tool in countering the effects of global climate change only make the situation more challenging. This session invites contributions about any aspect of reintroduction from empirical studies to more general discussions of the utility, risks, or proper application of the practice.

Session Abstracts Include:

 

Session G - Strategies for implementing conservation: partnerships, outreach, and public engagement

Especially in times of shrinking conservation budgets and expanding ecological change, a range of creative strategies are needed to achieve success in conserving botanical biodiversity. Strengthening connections among governmental agencies, academic institutions, conservation organizations, and committed individuals enables the scientific community to continue conservation work in more effective ways, and may broaden and deepen public support for these efforts. This session will explore innovative strategies and case studies for funding and implementing projects and enhancing public support for plant conservation.

Session Abstracts Include:

 

Session H - Taxonomy, ecology, and population dynamics of rare and endangered plants

Rare plants are the subject of a wide variety of taxonomic, genetic, ecological, and population dynamics studies throughout the Pacific Northwest.  This basic taxonomic and natural history information provides the foundation upon which rare plant conservation and recovery actions are built. This session is intended to provide an opportunity for researchers, students, agencies, and private organizations to share and learn about current developments in rare plant science.

Session Abstracts Include:

 

Session I - Poster Session

Session Abstracts Include:

 

 

Last modified:
Wednesday, 28-Mar-2012 16:47:10 PDT