Second International Workshop on Biological Soil Cruts: Biological Soil Crusts in a Changing World

We are pleased to announce the Second International Workshop on Biological Soil Cruts, which follows the successful first Workshop celebrated in Germany in 2010. This workshop is devoted to disseminate recent advances in our knowledge of the ecology of biological soil crusts (BSCs) and their importance as a key driver of ecosystem structure and functioning.

The main objective of this Workshop is to trigger an exchange of ideas and results, to discuss possible new theories/approaches, and to provide a forum to facilitate the collaboration among the growing international community of scientists working with BSCs.

This international meeting will take place at the Faculty of Pharmacy, The Complutense University, Madrid, Spain, between 10^th and 13rd of June, 2013. The meeting will cover any aspect related to BSCs, including the following topics:

• Diversity, ecology and biogeography of BSCs

• Mapping, monitoring and management of BSCs

• Role of BSCs in ecosystems

• Taxonomy of BSC constituents

• Disturbance and restoration of BSCs

• Interaction between BSCs and vascular plant vegetation

• Effects of global environmental change on BSCs

The meeting will include invited plenary talks, contributed oral sessions, poster sessions, a field trip and some open, informal sessions to facilitate the exchange of ideas and protocols on key issues surrounding BSC ecology.

Venue

The Complutense University (http://portal.ucm.es/en/web/en-ucm) is one of the largest Universities in Spain. Located in the historic Ciudad Universitaria/Moncloa Campus, it is easily accessible from anywhere in Madrid from Metro and Bus. The venue of the meeting (Faculty of Pharmacy) is just 20 m from a metro station.

Madrid, the Spanish capital, is a vibrant city with world class museums, monuments, and restaurants, and with a famous night and cultural life. It can be easily reached by plane from anywhere in the world, and has activities of interest for anyone (see http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do for touristic information and for a schedule of cultural events).

Scientific committee

Jayne Belnap, United States Geological Service (USA)

Matthew A. Bowker, Northern Arizona University (USA)

Burkhard Büdel, University of Kaiserslautern (Germany)

David Eldridge, University of New South Wales (Australia)

Ferran García-Pichel, Arizona State University (USA)

Fernando T. Maestre, Rey Juan Carlos University (Spain)

Leopoldo G. Sancho, Complutense University (Spain)

Eli Zaady, Ministry of Agriculture (Israel)

Local organizing committee

Beatriz Gozalo, Rey Juan Carlos University

Allan Green, Complutense University

Fernando T. Maestre, Rey Juan Carlos University

José Raggio, Complutense University

Victoria Ochoa, Rey Juan Carlos University

Ana Pintado, Complutense University

Mª Dolores Puche, Rey Juan Carlos University

Leopoldo G. Sancho, Complutense University

Program

10.6. Arrival, registration, workshop sessions (morning and afternoon).

11.6. Workshop sessions (morning and afternoon).

12.6. Field trip to the Guadarrama Mountain Range (8:00 – 16:00 h). Informal discussion session in a field station in the mountains (16:00 – 18:00 h). Conference dinner in the Botanical Gardens of the University.

13.6. Workshop sessions (morning), departure after lunch.

Abstract submission

Abstract submission will be open from 20 September 2012 to 30 November 2012.

Authors are invited to present regular talks, short ideas and/or posters at the meeting. Regular contributions will be talks of 15 minutes (+ 5 minutes discussion) each. Short notes/ideas can be presented in 5 minute talks (+ 3 minutes discussion). Poster sessions will also take place the first two days of the meeting.

For all the contribution types, please submit abstracts by e-mail (to iibscworkshop@gmail.com) using this template and indicate, if you wish to present a regular contribution, a short note or a poster. Please note that the number of slots available for regular and short talks is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate all the requests for talks we may have.

Registration and fees

The registration will be open from 1 January 2013 to 30 April 2013.

Conference fees:

240 € regular participants

120 € students

The fees include the documentation, the lunches of three days, the field trip and the conference dinner. Payment of the fees will be done by either credit card or bank transfer. Details on how to register and make the payment will be given in the third circular, which will be released in December 2012.

Additional information

The website of the Workshop will also be alive in early October 2012.

Details on travelling information and accommodation, as well as further information on the scientific program, will be given in the third circular, which will be released in December 2012.

Important dates

Abstract submission: Abstract submission will be from 20 September 2012 to 30 November 2012.

Notification of abstract acceptance: 30 January 2013

Registration: 1 January 2013 – 30 April 2013

Workshop: 10 – 13 June 2013

We hope to see you all at Madrid in 2013!

Fernando T. Maestre (fernando.maestre@urjc.es) and Leopoldo G. Sancho (sancholg@farm.ucm.es)