CTFS – ForestGEO recently hosted a session
on Dimensions of Forest Diversity at the 100th
annual Ecological Society of America (ESA) meeting in Baltimore, MD. Scientists presented some of the latest
research coming out of the annual Dimensions of Biodiversity workshop between
CTFS – ForestGEO and the Chinese Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Network.
Thank you to all of the speakers and guests that attended!
The session began with an introduction by
Stuart Davies, the Director of CTFS-ForestGEO, followed by ten presentations by
CTFS - ForestGEO researchers. The session focused on the functional,
phylogenetic, and genetic dimensions of forest diversity and change. Specifically,
the presenters discussed how forests face multiple pressures from shifts in
temperature and precipitation to deforestation and degradation associated with
global climate change. For example, Andy Jones, Assistant Professor at Oregon
State University, discussed species’ genetic responses to seasonal droughts in
tropical forests and how results can inform future changes we face with upcoming
El Niño events.
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| Stuart J. Davies, the Director of CTFS – ForestGEO, introducing the session. Photo by Maofang Luo. |
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| Lei Chen, The cumulative effect of phylogenetic relatedness on the assembly of forest tree neighborhoods. Photo by Maofang Luo. |
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| Yanjun Du, Intraspecific and phylogenetic density-dependent recruitment in a subtropical evergreen forest. Photo by Maofang Luo. |
A poster
session followed suit in the exhibit hall that included a poster by Kristina Anderson-Teixeira, leader of the Ecosystems and Climate Initiative, about global change effects on forests
worldwide. If you attended ESA, we hope you had a chance to stop by our ForestGEO
and MarineGEO exhibitor table!
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| Kristin Powell (ForestGEO; left) and Maria Murray (MarineGEO; right) at the Smithsonian Global Earth Observatories exhibitor table. |
The day ended
with a final rendezvous at a local restaurant in Baltimore that celebrated the
success of the session with CTFS – ForestGEO researchers and affiliates. Another
big thank you to everyone who participated and attended. CTFS - ForestGEO looks
forward to future sessions at ESA!