Plankton resting stages: ecological, evolutionary and geological perspectives

Background

Life cycles of many plankton species involve a physiologically dormant resting stage, often in a form of
thick-walled, resistant cell or egg that differs morphologically from its motile, vegetative counterpart. Resting stage is a common trait for e.g., dinoflagellates, diatoms, cyanobacteria, cladocerans, rotifers and copepods.

Resting stages form seed banks that allow survival over adverse conditions and even cryptic persistence for decades.  The fact that plankton organisms may spend much longer time dormant than active has profound implications not only for the individual life cycle, but for population ecology and species evolution, and accordingly, for the way researchers need to consider and study plankton.

Goals

Plankton resting stages – geological, ecological and evolutionary perspectives brings together geologists, paleoecologists, ecologists and geneticists who approach plankton resting stages from diverging perspectives and ordinarily work in isolation from each other. The workshop aims at presenting the extent of research lines and bringing forward joint targets for development and interest.

Program

The three topical sessions with invited keynote speakers:

Resting stages and geology: Long-term archives and indicators of change
Resting stages and ecology: Environmental cues and ecological significance
Resting stages and evolution: Living archives and evolutionary significance.

Furthermore, a discussion session and informal, social activities in the beautiful archipelago setting will be on the agenda.

Registration guidelines

Register early! Due to restricted space at the venue, the number of participants will be limited. REGISTRATION CLOSES JULY 31, 2015.

Please fill in all the fields carefully, the contact information and presentation title/abstract you enter will be used in all future communication.

Registration fee 100 EUR will be collected at the venue. The fee includes scientific and social program, all meals and lodging, and transport from Helsinki to the venue and back. Participants are responsible for arranging and financing their own travel to Helsinki.

Registered participants will receive further information to the email address provided in this form. Check back to the workshop website for recent updates.

Contact information

All questions and inquiries via email planktonrestingstagesgmail.com (planktonrestingstages[at]gmail[dot]com)

Venue

Tvärminne Zoological Station,
Hanko Peninsula, Finland
Oct 5–8, 2015

Website: http://www.planktonrestingstages.org

This workshop is sponsored by Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation University of Helsinki.