Date

Interested participants in this Algae and Extreme Environments Conference to
be held in Trebon, South Bohemia, Czech Republic should visit:

http://www.butbn.cas.cz/alga.extrem/

Announcement and Call for Papers
International Conference
on
Algae and extreme environments
Ecology and Physiology

11-16 September 2000
Trebon, South Bohemia, Czech Republic

Convener
Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in
Trebon and Faculty of Biological Sciences of the University of South Bohemia
in Ceske Budejovice.

INVITATION TO THE TREBON CONFERENCE

Cyanobacteria and algae, due to their evolutionary antiquity, are widely
adapted to all conditions including extremes, related with changes in
geological time. Adaptation and acclimatization processes are widely studied
recently because of present climatic and antropogenic changes and also
because of our curiosity about the "Martian ecosystem". Although, studies of
Cyanobacteria and algae adaptation – acclimatization processes have almost
one hundred years history, the present knowledge of these processes are
still very limited. The lack of information is due to they extremely high
species diversity and life forms or strategies.

In comparison with other ancient micro-organisms, Cyanobacteria and algae
possess oxyphototrophic type of photosynthesis and thus form an almost
merely primary production part of the world extreme ecosystem. The diversity
and abundance of evolutionary higher forms of phototrophic organisms
decrease with increasing of environmental extremity. The ecological and
physiological principles of adaptation and acclimatization processes to
environmental extremes of Cyanobacteria and algae are to be main topic of
the proposed conference.

Dear Colleagues, on behalf of the scientific and the organizing committee,
we are pleased to invite you to attend an international conference on Algae
and extreme environments, Ecology and Physiology, to be held 11-16 September
2000 in Trebon, Czech Republic.

We look forward to welcoming you to Trebon in September 2000

Josef Elster and Jiri Komarek
jelster [at] butbn.cas.cz lukavsky [at] butbn.cas.cz

On behalf of the Organizing and the Scientific Committee

August, 1999

Address: Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Institute of Botany
Dukelska 135
CZ-379 82 Trebon
Czech Republic

Web page: http://www.butbn.cas.cz/alga.extrem/

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Jiri Komarek (Czech Republic - Chair)
Josef Elster (Czech Republic – Vice-Chair)

P. Albertano (Italy)
M. Boelter (Germany)
Z. Brandl (Czech Republic)
P. A. Broady (New Zealand)
R. W. Castenholz (USA)
A. Economou-Amilli (Greece)
G. Fogg (UK)
E. I. Freedman (USA)
J. Gloser (Czech Republic)
S. Golubic (USA)
J. R. Johansen (USA)
G. O. Kirst (Germany)
L. Kovalik (Slovakia)
F. Krahulec (Czech Republic)
J. Lukavsky (Czech Republic)
J. Masojidek (Czech Republic)
L. Nedbal (Czech Republic)
S. Ohtani (Japan)
J. Seckbach (Israel)
C. W. Sullivan (USA)
W. F. Vincent (Canada)

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Josef Elster (Chair)
Jaromir Lukavsky (Co-chair)

M. Bily (Czech Republic)
V. Cepak (Czech Republic)
J. Kastovsky (Czech Republic)
O. Komarek (Czech Republic)
K. Kubeckova (Czech Republic)
O. Lhotsky (Czech Republic)
A. Lukesova (Czech Republic)
D. Pithart (Czech Republic)
S. Ridgill (UK and Czech Republic)
V. Bauer and D. Svehlova (Czech Republic – Conference secretariat)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

As the world human population is increased and originally natural ecosystem
areas decrease, the extent of special or extreme habitats is growing up.
Oxyphototrophic microorganisms as a primary production part of those
ecosystems, play a key role in carbon and the other nutrients-energy
cycling.

Our Trebon and Ceske Budejovice phycology departments have been involved in
international and national research programs focused on taxonomy, ecology,
physiology and biochemistry of Cyanobacteria and algae under special or
extreme ecological conditions for last several years. The natural and the
man-influenced

a) objectively extreme but stable habitats, where life
exists near physiological potential - cryoseston, thermal and mineral
streams, peat bogs, etc. and
b) marginal but unstable habitats, where seasonal and diurnal environment
can impose severe conditions - Cyanobacteria and algae of several
habitats created by intensive crop farming, animal husbandry and fish
farming in ponds, frescoes and wall paintings on historical buildings,
caves and catacombs, mountains and polar lotic and lentic wetlands and
mineral-soil desert ecosystems, aerophytic corticulous communities, etc.
were studied.

The purpose of this conference is to provide an international forum for the
exchange of state-of-the-art information on Cyanobacteria and algae
dominated extreme and marginal ecosystems around the world. The conference
will be of interest to researchers and practitioners to exchange ideas,
scientific results and practical experiences.

CONFERENCE DATE AND FORMAT

The symposium will be held from the 11 to 16 September 2000, and will
comprise two and a half days of oral presentations including keynote
lectures given by internationally recognized experts in the field. In
addition there will be two poster sessions for those contributions better
suited to this form of presentation. In the afternoon of the second day, a
mid-symposium field trip to the Trebon peat bogs Site will be arranged. It
will describe the present stage of lowland peat bogs ecosystem development
under long term human and climate change. A post-symposium field trip to the
Sumava mountains peat bogs sites and Cesky Krumlov (UNESCO historical town
centre) will be organized.

Date Morning Afternoon Evening

2000 September

   11    Arrival, registration Welcome reception

   12    Lectures         Lectures
                          poster session 1    Round table
                                              discussion

   13    Lectures         Mid-conference      Round table
                          trip                discussion

   14    Lectures         Lectures            Farewell party
                          poster session 2

   15    Post-conference trip to Sumava Mountains' peat bogs and
         Cesky Krumlov

   16    Departure

CONFERENCE TOPICS

All aspects of the ecology and the physiology of Cyanobacteria and algae of
the natural and the man-influenced objectively extreme and marginal
ecosystems will be considered. However, the following topics will be given
priority:

  • Extremes of Temperature
  • Light Effect (Including UV Irradiation)
  • Water Deficiency (Water Stress)
  • Salt (Toxicity)
  • Gases and pH Ranges

Although each above mentioned environmental factor is treat under a separate
heading, it should be remember that all factors interact one other to a
greater or less extent. The presentations and/or discussions on the
mentioned topic can be held separately or consistently.

CONFERENCE VENUE

The conference will be held at the AURORA Spa complex. Trebon is an
historical town reserve founded in the 13th century, situated 145 km south
of Prague, Czech Republic. Trebonsko – the region surrounding the town of
Trebon - is famous for its sophistical systems of artificial lakes. Since
the middle ages, the local inhabitants have transformed the originally
hostile wetland area into cultural land by constructing over 79 square
kilometers of artificial lakes and canals. Now, the Trebonsko region, a
protected landscape under the Czech legislation, provides a fascinating
example of past harmony between human economic and conservation interests.
As a unique example of a man-made landscape, Trebonsko was declared a
Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977.

ACCOMMODATION

The full capacity of Hotel Bohemia has been reserved for the participants of
the conference at a cost of 800 CZK (approximately 25 EUR) and 1200 CZK (35
EUR) for single and double rooms, respectively. The hotel is conveniently
located 5 minutes by foot from conference location. To make a reservation,
please contact the hotel directly not later than 15 March, 2000 and quote
the Algae-symposium. As the number of single rooms is limited, please
indicate whether you would share a double room with another participant.
Additional accommodation will be negotiated by the Conference Secretariat
according to need.

Hotel address:

Hotel Bohemia
Lazenska ul.
CZ 379 01 Trebon
Czech Republic
Tel. +420 333 721394, +420 333 721395
Fax +420 333 721396
CALL FOR PAPERS

Papers and posters are invited on any of the topics listed and related
areas. Authors who are interested should fill in the enclosed reply form and
mail or fax it together with the abstract in English not later 5 May 2000.
The scientific committee will select papers for the conference on the basis
of the abstract and authors will be notified by 8 June 2000. The scientific
committee reserves the right to change the form of presentation from oral to
poster.

ABSTRACT FORM

The authors are encouraged to utilize the abstract form available at our web
site: http://www.butbn.cas.cz/alga.extrem/abstract.htm.
If you do not have access to the world wide web, please follow the
instructions bellow.
* Use single line spacing throughout, font size 12, preferably Times New
Roman or similar.
* Type title of the work in all capital letters, followed by the author(s)
name, and brief institutional address. Typographical symbols may be used
to link author with institution.
* Type text of the abstract. The text should not exceed 500 words.
* Send the abstract preferably via E-mail as an attachment document to:
jelster [at] butbn.cas.cz
* If only a hard copy is sent, it should be printed on a laser printer
using the enclosed form. PLEASE DO NOT BEND OR FOLD THE ABSTRACT FORM.
The abstract forms should be mailed to:

Algae and extreme environment
Conference Secretariat
Institute of Botany AS
CR, Dukelska 135, CZ-379 82 Trebon
Czech Republic

PUBLICATIONS OF CONFERENCE PAPERS

A book of abstracts will be given to all delegates at the time registering
at the conference. In addition, full papers and poster papers will be peer
reviewed and, if accepted, published as a special issue of an international
scientific journal. The full manuscripts must be handed over to the
conference organizers during the conference. Details on manuscript
preparation will be issued to authors when their abstracts are accepted.

CONFERENCE LANGUAGE

The language of the conference will be English.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

By air: In connection with scheduled flights, transport will be provided for
a small fee from Prague airport to the conference location on Sunday, 10
September 2000, and back on Friday, 15 September 2000. Participants who wish
to use the transportation service for the conference are asked to inform the
Conference Secretariat about their arrival/departure information at Prague
airport, including dates, times, and flight numbers.

By car: Trebon is situated on roads E551 (between Ceske Budejovice and
Jindrichuv Hradec), E49 (leading to the Austrian border crossing of
Neunagelberg) and 150 road (diverting from E55, direction towards
Prague). Detailed instructions will be sent to registered participations on
request.

By train: The town of Trebon is located on the railway line Praha-Ceske
Velenice-Gmund-Wien. The railway station in Trebon is located about 2 km
from AURORA Spa. Transport will be provided free of charge to the conference
location on Sunday, 10 September 2000, and back on Friday, 15 September
2000. Participants who wish to use the transportation service for the
conference are asked to inform the Conference Secretariat about their
arrival/departure times at the Trebon railway station.

KEY DATES AND DEADLINES

  • Deadline for registration with discount: 15 March 2000
  • Deadline for hotel booking at negotiated price: 15 March 2000
  • Deadline for submission of abstract: 5 May 2000
  • Notification of authors of acceptance of their paper: 8th June 2000
  • Deadline for submission of full papers: 11 September 2000 (At conference
    registration)
  • Conference: 11-15 September 2000

REGISTRATION

Registration fees for the conference are as follows:

                   Before 15       After 15
                   March 2000      March 2000

Full registration 105 EUR 130 EUR
Student’s registration 55 EUR 65 EUR
Accompanying person 55 EUR 55 EUR
Post-conference trip 25 EUR 25 EUR

You may register on line at:
http://www.butbn.cas.cz/Forms/regform.html.

Full registration fee includes the conference attendance, the book of
abstracts, the mid-conference excursion, lunches (11th, 12th 13th),
refreshments breaks, welcome reception and farewell party.

Student’s registration fee includes conference attendance, the book of
abstracts, refreshments breaks, and the mid-conference excursion.

Accompanying person’s registration include welcome reception, a guided tour
around the historical part of the town of Trebon, mid/conference excursion,
and farewell party. Accompanying persons can register also for the
post/conference trip.

Early registration is recommended since the number of participants is
limited.

PAYMENT

Registration fees are payable in advance of the conference to the Conference
Secretariat using bank cheques or bank transfer. Cheques should be payable
to Botanicky ustav AV CR. Bank transfer should be addressed as follows.

Please, your payment has to be marked by variable symbol 2000
Account No: 2803691/5100
Account holder: Botanicky ustav AV CR
Zamek 1
CZ 25243 Pruhonice
Czech Republic

Bank address: IPB Praha - Pruhonice
Kvetne nam. 73
Pruhonice, CZ 252 43
Czech Republic.

Your registration will be acknowledged in writing; if you have not received
confirmation within four weeks, please contact the Conference Secretariat.

CANCELLATION

Substitutions may be made at any time, but please advise us of the change of
name. Any cancellations must be made in writing or by Fax (+420 333 721136).
Provided a written notice is received by 15 June 2000, a full refund will be
given less a 10% administration charge. Provided a written notice is
received by 30 July 2000, a 50% refund will be given. Regrettably,
cancelations after this date are liable for full registration fee.

QUERIES

Vaclav Bauer and Dana Svehlova
Algae Conference Secretariat

Institute of Botany AS CR
Dukelska 135

CZ-379 82 Trebon, Czech Republic

+420 333 721156 tel
+420 333 721136 fax
jelster [at] butbn.cas.cz

CONFERENCE WEB SITE

For up to date information on the conference, please visit the website at
http://www.butbn.cas.cz/alga.extrem/

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