SECOND CIRCULAR

OVERVIEW, MAIN OBJECTIVES AND THEMESForest ecosystems in harsh environments are sensitive to specific limiting environmental factors, in general related to climatic conditions. Such ecosystems are therefore particularly sensitive to climate change, and their responses are early and detectable. Boreal forest ecosystems are currently undergoing a rapid warming as predicted by climatic projections, making them even more responsive to climate change.

The IUFRO Boreal and Alpine Forest Ecosystem Unit is organizing a traveling workshop in the boreal forest environment of Eastern Canada. The objective of this scientific event is to exchange and learn on the changing dynamics of this large forest biome. Topics to be covered will fall within one of the five following themes:

•Changes in disturbance regimes•Post-disturbance recovery dynamics•Trends in tree growth•Landscape-level changes in structure and composition•Forest management under a changing climate

Scientific contributions on changing dynamics in other harsh environment forest ecosystems are also welcome.

The meeting will mix formal presentations, poster sessions and extensive field visits, and will be structured to promote exchanges among participants. The visits will cover sites of disturbances such as on-going insect outbreaks and recent forest fires, as well as boreal old growth and forest management sites.

IUFRO DIVISION AND UNIT8.01.06 – Boreal and Alpine Forest Ecosystems

INFORMATIONEmail: Jacques.larouche@nrcan.gc.ca

Web site: www.cef-cfr.ca/index.php?n=Colloque.IUFROQuebec2014

Twitter: @IUFROQuebec2014

ORGANIZING COMMITTEEPierre Bernier, Canadian Forest Service (Chair)Louis De Grandpré, Canadian Forest ServiceDavid Pothier, Université LavalNelson Thiffault, Ministère des Ressources naturelles du QuébecJacques Larouche, Canadian Forest Service

SCIENCE COMMITTEEPierre Bernier, Canadian Forest ServiceSune Linder, Swedish University of Agricultural ScienceRasmus Astrup, Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute

Bjarni D. Sigurdsson, Agricultural University of Iceland

IMPORTANT DATESOpening registration date 1 May 2014Deadline for abstract submission 1 May 2014Notification of abstract acceptance 15 May 2014Deadline for early registration with reduced fees 1 July 2014Deadline for registration with regular fees 1 August 2014

REGISTRATION FEES (CAN DOLLARS)

Early registration (full week, including meals, transportation, and accommodation – see details)

900$ + TX

Late registration (full week, including meals, transportation, and accommodation – see details)

1000$ + TX

Monday session only 50$ + TX

Wednesday session only 100$ + TX

OTHER DETAILSFull week participation is limited to 50 participants who will travel together aboard a single bus to Baie-Comeau and to field sites. Participants will be accepted on a first come – first served basis. Registration fee for the week will include:

•Lunch on Monday and all meals from Tuesday lunch (included) to Friday lunch (included)•Transportation (bus and ferry) from Québec to field sites and Baie-Comeau, and back•Accommodation on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights (double occupancies)•Value-added taxes are of 15% in Quebec, but are refundable to international participants upon departure

from Canada. For information, see www.serviceplusinternational.com/forms/gst176-06e.pdf

Local participants who wish to attend either the Monday or Wednesday sessions may register for those days only. Single day registration fees include lunch only (Monday) or both lunch and dinner (Wednesday).

Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts for oral presentations or posters. The abstract must be in English, of no more than 300 words, in single-spaced format, and include the name and affiliation of authors, as well as the email of the corresponding author. The abstract should also indicate which of the five topic areas of the conference it addresses. Style of presentation (oral/poster) will be assigned according to availability of time, relevance to topics and preference of the author.

All sessions are plenaries and will be held in English.