Quaternary marine (palaeo)biogeography of SE Asia

[Hoeksema, B.W.]

Quaternary marine (palaeo)biogeography of SE Asia

This is one of the 15 planned sessions of the International Symposium on
the Biogeography of SE Asia 2000 to be held 4-9 June 2000, in Leiden,
The Netherlands.

Organisation
The National Museum of Natural History, the Rijksherbarium/Hortus
Botanicus (both in Leiden) and the Netherlands Research School of
Sedimentary Geology (NSG), Amsterdam.

Marine biogeography and bioodiversity
Scientists and students who have a serious interest in the biogeography
of marine organisms and the biodiversity of marine ecosystems in SE
Asia, such as coral reefs, may be interested to attend the session on
Quaternary marine (palaeo)biogeography of SE Asia. Those who have
suggestions for topics relevant to this session or would like to
participate, and therefore would like to receive more information in the
future, should contact the convenor.

Why SE Asia?
Southeast Asia has received much attention in recent years, both from
earth scientists and biologists. It is a region where several
lithospheric plates are colliding and this process of ongoing mountain
building has resulted in a very complicated biotic history. It comprises
major hotspots of global biodiversity. However, the natural environment
is much under threat and increased attempts are made to study and to
preserve what is left. It has become clear in recent years that the
abiotic and biotic developments can only be understood if they are
studied in an integrated way. Therefore both earth scientists and
biologists are invited to share their knowledge of specific aspects
concerning Southeast Asia.

The aim of the symposium
The main aim of the symposium is to give a comprehensive and integrated
summary of the knowledge at the start of the new millennium. Although
there will be ample room for short communications and posters, the
accent is on review papers covering all aspects of historical
biogeography of the area, including geological developments,
palaeoclimatology, marine and terrestrial life, plants as well as
animals. In addition, attention will be paid to methodology, and to
"applied biogeography" and conservation. Special themes may include
monitoring of Global Climatic Change and Biodiversity assessments. The
meeting will consist of invited presentations, contributed lectures and
posters, and workshops such as on computer applications and on
multidisciplinary research themes. 
It is intended to publish the review papers as a book that reflects the
main aim of the symposium: a comprehensive and integrated summary of the
knowledge at the start of the new millennium. The other contributions
will either be published separately or as part of the book. 

The scientific programme
 is proposed to consist of  five sections, each with several sessions.
For each section several people have been or are approached to act as
convenor. Since the coverage is not yet complete, we invite you to
suggest additional names, with particular emphasis on names of people
from SE Asia. Convenors for a session will receive the addresses of the
other convenors for the same section enabling them to act in concert.
1. Methodology: 3 sessions: Geology; Palaeontology; Biogeography 
2. Mesozoic: 2 sessions: Geology & Palaeontology; Gondwana distribution
patterns in recent organisms
3. Tertiary: 3 sessions: Geology/Plate tectonics; Palaeontology;
Tertiary distribution patterns in recent organisms 
4. Quaternary: 4 sessions: Geology & Climatic Change; Terrestrial
(palaeo)biogeography; Marine (palaeo)biogeography; Human Impact 
5. Applied Biogeography: 3 sessions: Biodiversity Informatics; Global
Change; Societal Needs & Conservation

Attendance from SE Asia
Researchers and students from the Southeast Asian Region are especially
invited to attend the symposium and to contribute with lectures and/or
posters. The Steering Committee and the International Organizing
Committee will do their utmost to improve funding possibilities for
participation by people from SE Asia.

Convenor for this session: Hoeksema at Naturalis.nnm.nl

Dr. Bert W. Hoeksema
National Museum of Natural History Naturalis
P.O. Box 9517
2300 RA  Leiden
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31.71.5687631
Fax: +31.71.5687666
E-mail: Hoeksema at Naturalis.NNM.nl