From erbms at mail.vicnet.net.au Wed May 7 22:26:07 2008 From: erbms at mail.vicnet.net.au (erbms@mail.vicnet.net.au) Date: Mon Aug 25 12:57:34 2008 Subject: [eRBMS] FW: A Climate For Change - Australian Institute of Biology (AIB) Message-ID: Dear RBMS and ICM-L Members, The AIB will hold its "A Climate For Change" Symposium at Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney on Friday 30th May. The symposium will be an important addition to the subject of climate change and will concentrate on the effects of climate change on non-human species and communities. In any climate change scenario there will be winners and losers based on evolutionary theory. This symposium will look at some of the potential winners. Current media interest tends to concentrate on the negative aspects of climate change with an emphasis on worst case scenarios. In other words - what does climate change mean for humans? Few other species or communities are considered. The "A Climate For Change" scientific meeting, developed by the Australian Institute of Biology, will be different. Taking a strictly Darwinian view of climate change, it is obvious that there will be winners and losers in biological communities spread across the globe. The focus will be on how climate change will affect a range of living organisms and ecosystems on earth. For instance, if the Australian tropics are impacted, will this also affect the distribution of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and Ross River fever? The questions are endless and the answers are few. At this scientific meeting we will explore these important aspects of climate change. SPECIES ALREADY RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE PATTERNS, SAYS RESEARCH Climate change may already be affecting many species, according to prominent climate change biologist Prof Lesley Hughes of Macquarie University. Prof Hughes is a lead author to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2005-2007) which collectively shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in 2007. 'Many species are already responding to the warming trends experienced in the last few decades.' 'As the climate warms up, more mobile species are shifting towards the North or South Pole and cooler, elevated land', said Professor Hughes. Professor Hughes believes that 'climate change will pose an additional and serious threat to Australia's already threatened biodiversity.' 'The life cycles of many plants and animals depend on climatic cues and we think these too are changing in response to global warming', she said. Will this be the end of the road for those many species that have nowhere to go but a boon for other species who adapt quickly? 'Climate change will affect all species, and has the potential to change Australia's natural ecosystems profoundly over the next century', she said. Professor Hughes will lead a national group of speakers at an upcoming Australian Institute of Biology (AIB) symposium on climate change being held at Sydney's Macquarie Graduate School of Management in North Ryde on 30 May 2008. The President of the AIB, Mr Lance Lloyd, said the symposium, called 'A Climate For Change', will examine the effects of climate change on non-human species. He said, "The seminar will attract scientists, academics, teachers and students from all areas of biology." "A strong field of speakers will also contribute such as Prof Chris Dickman (School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney), Prof Mike Archer (Dean, Faculty of Science, University of NSW) and Dr Paul Willis (Science Reporter, ABC)", Mr Lloyd said. The symposium is being organised by the Australian Institute of Biology (AIB) and media interviews with AIB President Lance Lloyd and Prof Hughes are welcome. KEY POINTS Symposium title: 'A Climate for Change' When: Friday 30th May 2008, 5.00 - 11 pm Where: Macquarie Graduate School of Management, North Ryde Register at www.aibiol.org.au or for queries contact Dr Geoff Crawford at 0412 599 649; Email eo@aibiol.org.au for further information MEDIA CONTACTS: LANCE LLOYD, President AIB t: 0412 007 997 w: www.aibiol.org.au LESLEY HUGHES, Biological Sciences, Macquarie University t (612) 9850 8195; fax (612) 9850 8245 w: www.bio.mq.edu.au/piccel/hughes/ "Biology" includes all aspects of the science of living matter, see www.aibiol.org.au [end] All are welcome and non-members are encouraged to attend. AIB membership does not compete with membership of scientific societies like ASL, as we look after the professional needs of all types of biologists. As an example, I maintain membership of both AIB and ASL as they provide different benefits to my professional and scientific life. Lance Lloyd, B.Sc., M.Sc., MAIBiol. AIB President April 2008 From erbms at mail.vicnet.net.au Wed May 28 10:09:27 2008 From: erbms at mail.vicnet.net.au (erbms@mail.vicnet.net.au) Date: Mon Aug 25 12:57:34 2008 Subject: [eRBMS] Riparian corridors for Victoria - why, when where and HOW?? Message-ID: Seminar Notice to eRBMS and ICM-L Riparian corridors for Victoria - why, when where and HOW?? The recently released State Government Green Paper Land and Biodiversity at a time of Climate Change outlines a vision and some mechanisms to achieve an improvement in riparian corridor condition and extent. This seminar explores the issues of riparian corridor establishment in Victoria - why are they needed, how are we going in their establishment, do we have clear targets, and what else needs to be done! Participate in the discussion, learn something new and be part of this industry event. ? Speakers: Assoc Prof Ian Rutherfurd (University of Melbourne) Sarina Loo (Department of Sustainability and Environment) Jan Smith (Melbourne Water) When: Thursday 5 June, 2008, 5.30 pm (light refreshments), 6.00 to 7.30pm (seminar) Where: Melbourne University ? Department of Natural Resources and Geography, 221 Bouverie St, Carlton Cost: free - RBMS members, $20 ? non members, memberships available at the door For further information please contact Amanda Wealands on 0404 068 585 or events@rbms.com.au