General Information

Topics of the meeting

Palearctic dry grasslands have a long tradition of community analysis and description, leading to a detailed picture of these habitats, especially in Central Europe. In contrast, research on the biology of species and populations, such as pollination biology, dispersal ecology, demography or population genetics, is expanding rapidly. The connection between the two scientific disciplines is often weak although, actually, populations are part of communities and communities consist out of populations. We will therefore focus on this connection between population biology and community ecology for all dry grassland biota (invertebrates, vertebrates, non-vascular plants, vascular plants, fungi and lichens) as the overall topic of the next EDGM.

We expect a fruitful combination of these different research areas and ask: what can the different disciplines learn from each other?

Overall topic:
From population biology to community ecology

Specific topics:

• Population biology of dry grassland species
• Diversity and community ecology of dry grasslands
• Management and conserveration of dry grasslands
• Socio-cultural aspects of dry grasslands

Language

The conference language will be English.

Registration and deadlines (Register Now!)

• Deadline for abstract submission and regular registration is 3rd April 2015 (but February, 15th if you apply for a travel grant). – Booking after the 3rd April will require an extra charge of 25 €.
• Please upload your abstracts online on this website.
• Please register online on this website.

Prizes

As in previous years, prizes will be given to young scientists who excellently present their researches (orally or in poster). For these purposes, young scientists (less than 35 years old) will be asked in the registration desk if they want to participate in the contest.
 

Publications

As in previous years, EDGG organises Special Features to be published in well-known international journals of ecology and botany.
 

Excursions

Besides a guided tour to the dry grassland replica in the Botanic Garden, three excursions are planned:

One half-day excursion will lead to the Mainz Sand area at the edge of the city. This contains the westernmost dry continental sand grasslands, and is an important example of relict vegetation that has survived in this isolated area since the late Pleistocene.

During the day excursion to Rhine-Hesse we will visit dry grasslands and heathlands on volcanic soil. The area is the locus classicus of Koelerio-Phleion communities and also well known for its white wine taverns, so-called Straußenwirtschaften, which we intend to “explore” also during the excursion in this area.

Finally, an excursion is planned to the Middle Rhine Valley with slopes covered by xerothermic vegetation complexes containing dry grasslands and xerophilic Acer monspessulanum forests. It is one of the classic tourist locations of Germany and an important place for German ancient history.

Fees

The conference fee will be lower for IAVS members.

This conference fee includes an attended pack coffee breaks and two lunches during the two conference days, participation at the grassland party and the half-day excursion to the Mainz Sand area.
If you would like to take part in the day excursions (by bus) you need to pay 25 € for the excursion to Rhine Hesse (including a dry grassland lunch) and 15 € for the excursion to the Middle Rhine Valley (without lunch).

The conference fee is to be paid until 3rd April (or for late registration as soon as possible thereafter) to the following account. People outside the Euro zone can pay in cash upon arrival.
You can find the bank information for the payment on your individual invoice.
 

Grants

Thanks to our supporter (IAVS), we can offer a limited number of travel grants to attend the EDGM (partial or full coverage of travel costs and conference fee). For application, an active participation in the workshop with an oral presentation or poster is required and prevalence will be given to young scientists with financial constraints (i.e. low income and/or particularly high costs to get to Mainz).
If you wish to apply for financial support, you first need to register yourself and the abstract of your contribution in the online form, then you can provide the necessary information for travel grant application. Applicants must be IAVS members (membership can be obtained at low rates and in many cases even for free at http://www.iavs.org/MembershipRenew.aspx, http://www.iavs.org/AwardsFinancial.aspx. In both cases applications will only be considered when the criteria are met and the required information is provided completely. After registration deadline the EDGG/IAVS will make a selection among the applicants and inform you during February 2015 whether and how much financial support you will receive.