ATBC 2003

Introduction

A joint meeting of the British Ecological Society (BES) and the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) is to be held 7-10 July 2003 at Aberdeen University, Scotland. This meeting will comprise, collectively, the 2003 Special Symposium of the BES and the Annual Meeting of the ATBC. The BES Symposium will review the recent developments in research on biotic interactions in tropical forests and prospects for the future and will feature 12 keynote speakers whose research interests cover the plant-plant, plant-animal, plant-microbe and multi-trophic interactions relevant to the maintenance of high diversity in tropical forests. These plenary sessions will take place over three mornings. The afternoons of Monday (7 July), Tuesday (8 July), and part of Wednesday (9 July) and all of Thursday (10 July) will be devoted to parallel contributed sessions across all fields of tropical biology and will comprise the annual meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC). An additional plenary session will be held on Wednesday afternoon (9 July, 15:30-18:30); this will be a presentation of Research Priorities in Tropical Biology.

Why Aberdeen?

The ATBC is the world's largest society of tropical biologists and this will be the first time it has held its annual meeting in Europe. Therefore, the meeting represents an opportunity for the European ecological community to interact with the largely North and South American membership of the ATBC and for overseas members of the BES to participate in a symposium that is likely to be of interest to many of them. A programme of social events and field trips (5-6 and 10-13 July) within Scotland is planned.

Registration and Booking

Advanced booking for the meeting (registration and accommodation) closed on 6 June 2003. Late bookings can be accepted but we can not guarantee the availability of first choice for accommodation. To go to the booking and registration form, click here.

Queries about registration and booking can be directed to Richard English at the BES office in London. Details for delegates about time location of registration desks and hours for registration can be found by clicking here.

Abstract Submission

Abstract submission is now closed. All delegates submitting abstracts should now have been notified as to acceptance of their abstract. Queries about abstracts should be directed to atb2003@abdn.ac.uk.

Support for Travel and Meeting Attendance

Travel Awards for US Scientists

Fifteen travel awards of $1000 each have been granted to U.S scientists planning to present papers at the annual meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, to be held in Aberdeen from July 7 to July 10, 2003. The deadline for application for these awards was 10 May 2003. Queries related to these awards should be directed to: Maria.Papuga@umb.edu.

Student Support

A limited number of grants from the BES have been made to support student attendance to the conference. Students who have completed the application form and been awarded support are liable for only 50% of the cost of meals, accommodation and registration. The scheme covers standard accommodation only. The deadline for receipt of applications was 12 May 2003.

Support for Delegates from Developing Countries

A limited number of grants from the BES and the ATBC were made to support travel to the conference by prospective delegates from low- and middle-income countries. The awards can be used to cover the cost of travel and up to 50% of accommodation and registration costs at the meeting. The deadline for applications was 31 March 2003. All applicants should now have received notification of the outcome of their applications Queries can be directed to atb2003@abdn.ac.uk. The bursary claim form that should be completed after the meeting is available in rtf and pdf formats.

Queries about the meeting can be directed to the Organising Committee at atb2003@abdn.ac.uk