The biological nature of Indonesia is unmatched in the world. The range of ecosystems is astounding, from the world's most diverse coral reefs and most majestic tropical rain forests to tropical dry forest and alpine meadows. The archipelago has played a major role in the development of evolutionary and ecological theory, through A. R. Wallace's travels, and studies of the recolonization of Krakatau volcano. To experience this `biological paradise' is for many biologists a professional dream. We invite you to realize this dream, by attending the ATBC 2010 meeting, and then visiting some of Indonesia's biological and cultural wonders. Within Indonesia there are many active biologists, in government institutions, universities, and NGOs, as befits the fourth most populous country in the world. By hosting an ATBC annual meeting in Indonesia, we hope to spread cutting edge research findings to local and regional biologists, and to the general public, as well as to facilitate new friendships and partnerships that will lead to increased research on Indonesia's amazing biodiversity and ecosystems. In turn, we hope that this increased activity will have a strong positive effect on education and conservation, helping Indonesia, and other tropical countries, face the imminent food, energy and climate crisis. Visit the Website.

The ATBC join forces with local conservationists in the Dominican Republic to oppose a major cement plant in Los Haiteses National Park. The park is one of the biggest environmental jewels in the Caribbean, because of its diverse topography and habitats, rich flora, and singular fauna. It also plays an important role in local tourism and also receives many scientific visitors each year. The mining company Consorcio Minero Dominicano (DominicanMining Consortium) sought to build a cement plant, spanning almost 6400 hectares, in the buffer zone bordering Los Haitises, along much of its southern margin. Much of this area would be heavily modified for limestone mining, infrastructure, and roads.The cement project was opposed both on environmental and legal grounds, as the process by which was approved was disputed by many in the Dominican Republic. The ATBC is delighted that the project has now been shelved, and is pleased to have helped bring international attention and expertise to bear in fighting this ill-advised project.

President Priya Davidar is cited in Nature's online journal, naturenews, regarding the proposed construction of an underground neutrino laboratory in India. Davidar explains that the environmental impact assessment is seriously flawed and the article references the Association's resolution urging the Indian government not to permit construction and to look for an alternative site.

The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) and the Society for Tropical Ecology (GTÖ) release a joint communiqué during their join annual meeting regarding the urgent need to maximize biodiversity conservation in forest carbon-trading.

Read the declaration developed in Marburg, Germany, 26-29 July 2009.