The Rhode Island Natural History Survey (RINHS) is seeking contributed papers for its 15th annual Ecology of Rhode Island conference:
The Ecology of Rhode Island: Science and Management of Salt Ponds and Coastal Lagoons
To be held:
Thursday, April 28, 2011
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Quonset O Club, North Kingstown, RI
This year, RINHS's annual ecology conference focuses on southern New England's salt ponds and coastal lagoons. These special landscapes help characterize coastal Rhode Island and other parts of southern New England. They form a complex boundary between sea and land and are loci of dynamic natural processes, diverse habitats, and intense pressure from human activity.
In southern New England, salt ponds and coastal lagoons serve valuable and unique functions for a variety of stakeholders in tourism and recreation, environmental sustainability, and resource-extractive industries such as fisheries. Yet many elements of these systems are undergoing historic changes due to climate and sea-level change, land conversion, surface water and groundwater contamination, invasive species, restoration projects, and new aquaculture practices. The difference between good and bad management could have a dramatic effect on the future viability of salt ponds and coastal lagoons, therefore the need for sound scientific understanding of the processes and functions of these valuable yet fragile ecosystems has never been greater.
Researchers and managers working on any aspect of salt pond/coastal lagoon systems relevant to southern New England are encouraged to present at this conference. Papers are sought that address questions such as "What landscape scale issues are of greatest importance to people thinking about management of salt ponds and coastal lagoons?" "What does the latest science tell us about impacts, management techniques, and regional variability?" "What are the emerging issues, including research needs?" Student submissions are encouraged.
Abstracts should be < 200 words, text only (no tables/graphs), left justified, arranged as follows:
Author(s), Affiliation(s), address, e-mail, phone number (Skip a line) Body of abstract
Submit abstracts electronically, as a Word file attached to an email
to: [email protected], with preference for an “oral presentation” or “poster presentation” indicated in the subject field. All submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the RINHS Program Committee. If more oral presentations are requested than the schedule allows, the committee may ask presenters to consider poster presentations instead. All presenters must register for the conference.
The submission deadline is 5 p.m., Monday, February 28, 2011.
The program will include a keynote speaker, topical sessions, a panel discussion, the presentation of annual RINHS awards, followed by a social hour. The conference is sponsored by the Rhode Island Natural History Survey and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Rhode Island Refuge Complex. Display space and additional sponsorship opportunities are available, contact RINHS for more information.
RINHS conferences are widely regarded for convening a broad spectrum of people sharing a curiosity about southern New England’s animals, plants, geology, and ecosystems. They are excellent venues for researchers and organizations to showcase what they do in a collegial environment. For more information on RINHS conferences, visit www.rinhs.org/what-we-do/conference.
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Kira Stillwell
Program Administrator
Rhode Island Natural History Survey
PO Box 1858
Kingston, RI 02881
401.874.5800 - office
401.874.5868 - fax
[email protected]
www.rinhs.org