Please find enclosed the first call for a EUROSILVA Workshop to be held
in Florence later this year. Contributions from interested scientists
are welcome!
Best regards
Federico
_______________________________________
Federico Magnani, PhD
CNR-IMGPF
via A. Vannucci 13
I-50134 Firenze, Italy
tel (0039) 055 461453
fax (0039) 055 486604
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EUROSILVA - Forest Tree Physiology Research
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Workshop on
DEVELOPMENT AND AGEING IN FOREST TREES
Florence, Italy
20-24 September, 2000
First Announcement and Call for Papers
tp://eagle.bio.unipr.it/~sisef/eurosilva/eurosilva2000.html
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BACKGROUND
What controls tree development and ageing? what is the relative role of internal and external factors? At the tissue level, recent advances have demonstrated in detail that development and senescence both result from the interaction of genetic and environmental controls, involving differential gene expression and activation.
At the tree level, a shift in hormonal patterns, possibly of endogenous genetic origin, has been found to trigger the process of maturation, which strongly affects the structure, function and growth of the plant and initiates the diversion of resources from vegetative to reproductive growth.
Also at the tree and population level, exogenous factors have been proposed to control the developmental pattern of rise and decline of primary productivity with age. A lively discussion has been going on for several years on what could be the ecological determinants of the age-related decline in forest productivity. Several theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, variously suggesting nutrient or hydraulic limitations, increased respiration and shifts in biomass allocation as possible mechanisms, but to date there is no definitive evidence to support any of them as a universal mechanism. Ageing and maturation are generally thought to be intimately interwined albeith distinct processes.
Eventually, what are the implications of development and ageing for the response of tissues and plants to their biotic and abiotic environment?
OBJECTIVES
Because of the variety of processes involved in tree development and maturation, definite answers often result elusive, requiring a comprehensive and holistic approach that takes both endogenous and external factors into account. The aim of the workshop is therefore to bring together experts of different background and expertise to discuss these processes of central relevance both to plant biology and to forest ecology moving from different perspectives. An interdisciplinary workshop on this issue that brings together foresters, ecologists and biologists seems most appropriate and relevant to the aims of the EUROSILVA Action.
INVITED SPEAKERS
Jaakko Kangasj?rvi, University of Helsinki, Finland: Gene expression during leaf development and senescence in birch (Betula pendula).
Thomas Moritz, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden: Studies of photoperiodic induction of shoot growth cessation in trees: a transgenic approach.
Antje Rohde, University of Gent, Belgium: Molecular components of terminal bud formation in poplar.
Alain Drouet, University of Orl?ans, France: Ageing control on flavonoid biosynthesis in walnut.
Carmen Diaz-Sala, University of Alcal?, Spain: Maturation and reinvigoration in trees: physiological, molecular and cellular mechanisms.
Stith T. Gower, University of Wisconsin, USA: Towards a better understanding of age-related forest NPP decline.
Michael G. Ryan, USDA/FS Rocky Mountain Research Station, USA: Experimental evidence for hydraulic constraints on stomatal function, and implications for age-related decline in forest growth.
Maurizio Mencuccini, University of Edinburgh, UK: Functional interpretation of allometric analyses in forest trees. The role of hydraulic constraints.
Reinhart Ceulemans, University of Antwerpen, Belgium: Developmental processes in trees: effects of abiotic factors, competition and genotype.
Thomas E. Kolb, Northern Arizona University, USA: Ageing as an influence on tree response to ozone: theory and observations.
Manfred Kuppers, University of Hohenheim, Germany: Ecophysiology of forest succession: from leaf to plant in a competitive environment.
Henrik Saxe, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark: Growth and physiological responses of tree seedlings to changed temperature and CO2
CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS
We invite submission of abstracts for papers and posters for the EUROSILVA Workshop "Development and ageing in forest trees". Abstracts must be received no later than 30 April, 2000. Abstracts for contributed posters and paper sessions should be sent electronically using the on-line application form at:
http://eagle.bio.unipr.it/~sisef/eurosilva/form.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
All practical information regarding the Workshop and the registration form in pdf format can be found on the web page:
http://eagle.bio.unipr.it/~sisef/eurosilva/eurosilva2000.html
CONTACTS
For additional information and problems please contact:
Dr. Federico Magnani
Local Scientific Organizer
CNR ? IMGPF
Via A. Vannucci, 13 ? 50134 Florence (Italy)
Phone ++39 055 461453 ? Fax ++39 055 486604
E mail: federico at imgpf.fi.cnr.it
Organizing Secretariat
Enic
Viale Amendola, 20 ? 50121 Florence (Italy)
Phone ++39 055 240275 ? Fax ++39 055 2345078
E mail: chiara at egr.it
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Prof. Satu Huttunen, Finland
Dr. Jurg Bucher, Switzerland
Prof. Bj?rn Sundberg, Sweden
Prof. Paul G. Jarvis, United Kingdom
Prof. Rainer Matyssek, Germany
LOCAL ORGANIZERS
Prof. Giuseppe Scarascia-Mugnozza , Italy
Prof. Marco Borghetti , Italy
Dr. Federico Magnani, Italy
SUPPORTED BY
Italian Academy of Forest Science
SISEF - Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology
CNR - National Research Council, Italy
