Odum Conference 2009

Understanding and managing biological invasions as dynamic processes: Integrating information across space and time

Rensselaerville Meeting Center and E.N. Huyck Preserve & Biological Research Station

April 30-May 1, 2009

Please see Program page for links to slides of presentations from invited speakers.

Co-Chairs: Jonathan Rosenthal and Radka Wildová, Ecological Research Institute

Coordinator: Holly Menninger, NY Invasive Species Research Institute

Lead Sponsor: E.N. Huyck Preserve & Biological Research Station

Featured speakers

Invasive Plants Managers' Roundtable

Joan Ehrenfeld, Rutgers University Jerry Carlson, New York State DEC

Deborah Goldberg, U. of Michigan Brooke Gebow, The Nature Conservancy, AZ

Jessica Gurevitch, SUNY Stony Brook Tim Howard, NY Natural Heritage Program

Laura Meyerson, U. of Rhode Island Julie Richburg, The Trustees of Reservations

Petr Pyšek, Institute of Botany, Czech Republic Steven Sanford, New York State DEC

Marcel Rejmánek, U. of California, Davis Hilary Smith, The Nature Conservancy, NY

John Silander, U. of Connecticut

Community and Evolutionary Interactions Data, Policy and Management

Bernd Blossey, Cornell University David Finnoff, U. of Wyoming

Claus Holzapfel, Rutgers University John Randall, The Nature Conservancy

Andrew Liebhold, USDA Forest Service Annie Simpson, USGS

Charles Mitchell, U. of North Carolina Thomas Stohlgren, USGS

Meg Wilkinson, NY Natural Heritage Program

Aquatic and Marine Invasives

Reuben Keller, U. of Notre Dame

Tony Ricciardi, McGill University

David Strayer, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Theme

Biological invasions involve interactions occurring over spatial scales ranging from local to global. Additionally, they are highly dynamic, with the nature and intensity of these interactions changing over time. For example, exotic species might evolve resistance to biocontrol agents or, in contrast, could acquire new natural enemies. Similarly, climate change could alter competitive hierarchies between native and invasive species, while successional stage could influence ecosystem invasibility. To be effective, especially over the long term, strategies for managing invasive species need to take these dynamic aspects into account.

This conference will focus on: 1) incorporating a dynamic perspective into invasion ecology and management; 2) developing specific mechanisms to assemble and evaluate the needed datasets; and 3) fostering a collaborative research-management approach wherein site-specific data reveal broad patterns, which in turn yield management recommendations.

In addition to talks, panel discussions, and workshops, the conference will include a poster session presenting work that addresses one or more of the following themes: a) invasive species management activities that consider dynamic aspects (e.g., climate change, natural enemy acquisition, interactions of multiple invasive species); b) basic research on dynamic aspects of invasions; c) invasive species monitoring and database initiatives; and d) collaborative undertakings between invasive species ecologists and managers.

Deadline for abstract submission for posters: April 15 - Registration deadline: April 15

Venue

The conference will largely be held at the Rensselaerville Institute Meeting Center, an elegant yet rustic conference center. Additional activities will take place at the adjacent E.N. Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station, where E.P. Odum, the founder of ecosystem ecology, worked at a formative part of his career.