ATBC Morelia 2007 - First Announcement

The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) was founded in 1963. It is international in scope, membership, and objectives, functioning as a global multi facet body to promote research, education, conservation, and communication for tropical biology and also to foster the exchange of ideas among biologists working in tropical environments. ATBC will conduct their annual meeting 2007 in Morelia , Mexico , hosted by the Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas (CIEco, Center for Research in Ecosystems) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The venue will be the Convention Center in the city of Morelia.

Understanding the origin, evolution, and maintenance of tropical biodiversity, and the ecosystems they constitute, continue to be a big challenge for tropical biology. Furthermore, anthropogenic effects on tropical ecosystems, and the human dimensions (social, cultural, and economical) that act as drivers of such effects, add an enormous complexity to the urgent task of conserving, restoring, and coexisting with tropical ecosystems, their services and resources. Based on the mission, objectives and principles of ATBC, the meeting in Morelia will pursue key research topics previously recognized by Bawa et al (2004, Biotropica 36: 437-446) in "Beyond Paradise" and will attempt to help link tropical biology with human dimensions. The meeting will cover a wide array of basic and applied research topics on tropical biology and conservation, including: origin, evolution, and maintenance of tropical biodiversity (TD); structure, dynamics and functioning of tropical ecosystems (TEs); anthropogenic effects on TD and TEs; and socio-cultural-economical drivers of such effects. The meeting will review and promote the current vision of ATBC.

Morelia , a city recognized as Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, is one of the most beautiful colonial Spanish historical cities (465 years since foundation) in America (www.visitmorelia.com). The city is settled on the valley of Guayangare (1,950 m.a.s.l), where in the sixteenth century Purepecha people established the oldest Guayangareo town. After the Spanish colonization, in 1535, Guayangareo transformed into the Valladolid city, honoring the same name of the city in Spain . After Mexico became an independent nation, the name of the city changed to Morelia as a tribute to José María Morelos, one of the major leaders of the independence war of Mexico . At present, Morelia is a vibrant city, full of cultural and educational activities. It is the center of the Purepecha culture which is displayed in a enormous diversity of art crafts made by people living in several beautiful villages surrounding Morelia and the lakes of Cuitzeo, Pátzcuaro, and Zirahuén. Several vegetation types are found around Morelia including fir, pine, oak, and tropical dry forests. Toward the Pacific coast, and just three hours from Morelia by car, one of the most diverse, tropical semidecidous and dry forest formations can be found.

CIEco is a recently established (May 2003) research center of UNAM ( www.oikos.unam.mx ) whose mission is to conduct research and education on ecosystem management with the perspective of providing scientific bases for the sustainable development of societies. CIEco has adopted an interdisciplinary approach, using ecological, social, and economic perspectives to train both undregraduate and graduate students. CIEco has a special undregraduate program in Environmental Sciences ( www.oikos.unam.mx ) which is directed to train students for interdisciplinary work in ecosystem management. At this center, a wide range of research lines exist including population genetics, evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, population, community and ecosystem ecology, global ecology, geoecology, ethnoecology, science communication and environmental education research. Researchers and students carry out group projects conducted in several of the major terrestrial ecosystems in Mexico including: tropical dry forest (Chamela, Jalisco), tropical rain forest (Chajul, Chiapas), temperate forest (Tanzítaro, Michoacán), arid shrub and cacti forest (Tehuacán, Puebla), and an urban ecosystem (Morelia, Cuitzeo basin). Researchers at CIEco are also involved in several projects in other countries including Costa Rica , Cuba , Brazil , Peru , and Venezuela .

The organizing committee encourages members of ATBC to organize symposia for presentation , and welcomes tropical biologists in general to this important, interesting and friendly meeting.

HOTEL	SENCILLA	DOBLE	TRIPLE	CUADRUPLE
ESTEFANIA	$390.00 ($38.00 US)	$480.00 ($46.00 US)	$560.00 ($54.00 US)	$560.00 ($54.00 US)
PLAZA	$400.00 ($38.00 US)	$500.00 ($48.00 US)	$550.00 ($53.00 US )	$605.00 ($58.00 US)
CONCORDIA	$450.00 ($43.00 US)	$530.00 ($51.00 US)	$620.00 ($59.00 US)	$700.00 ($67.00 US)
PLAZA MORELOS	$550.00 ($53.00 US)	$550.00 ($53.00 US)	$650.00 ($62.00 US)	$650.00 ($62.00 US)
FLORENCIA REGENCY	$628.00 ($60.00 US)	$720.00 ($69.00 US)	$810.00 ($78.00 US)	$900.00 ($86.00 US)
ARANZAZU	$850.00 ($81.00 US)	$850.00 ($81.00 US)	$967.00 ($92.00 US)	$1,084.00 ($104.00 US)
POSADA VISTA BELLA	$850.00 ($81.00 US)	$850.00 ($81.00 US)	$970.00 ($93.00 US)
HOTEL DE LA SOLEDAD	$895.00 ($86.00 US)	$895.00 ($86.00 US)	$975.00 ($93.00 US)
DEST WESTERN CASINO	$971.00 ($93.00 US)	$971.00 ($93.00 US)	$1,061.00 ($101.00 US)	$1,150.00 ($110.00 US)
QUALITY INN HORIZON	$973.00 ($93.00 US)	$973.00 ($93.00 US)	$1,057.00 ($101.00 US)
VALLADOLID	$1,000.00 ($96.00 US)	$1,000.00 ($96.00 US)	$1,100.00 ($105.00 US)	$1,200.00 ($115.00 US)
HOLLIDAY INN EXPRESS	$1,134.90 ($108.00 US)	$1,134.90 ($108.00 US)
FIESTA INN	$1,195.00 ($114.00 US)	$1,210.00 ($116.00 US)
ALAMEDA*	$1,070.00 ($101.00 US)	$1,070.00 ($101.00 US)	$1,220.00 ($116.00 US)	$1,375.00 ($130.00 US)
VILLAS SAN JOSE	$1,222.00 ($117.00 US)	$1,222.00 ($117.00 US)	$1,352.00 ($129.00 US)	$1,482.00 ($142.00 US)
HOLIDAY INN MORELIA	$1,228.50 ($117.00 US)	$1,228.50 ($114.00 US)
VIRREY DE MENDOZA**	$1,180.00 ($112.00 US)	$1,180.00 ($112.00 US)
VILLA MONTAÑA	$1,992.00 ($190.00 US)	$1,992.00 ($190.00 US)

** First recomended hotel
* Second recomended hotel

We have obtained a special price for the meeting from these recommended hotels.
For discounted price and hotel reservation, please contact:

Carlos A. A. Boto
Gerente General, Agencia de Viajes Maruata, S.A. de C.V.
NUEVA DIRECCIÓN: Av. Camelinas 3233, Int. 309, Fracc. Las Américas, 58270 Morelia Mich. , México Tel.: (443) 324-21-20; Fax: (443) 324-18-96
Email: maruata@prodigy.net.mx
www.maruataviajes.com.mx

Deposits and Payments

A non-refundable one-night deposit is required by April 15, 2007 in order to guarantee your room. Instructions for these payments will be provided in the next announcement.

Your payment for registration, hotel room(s) in Morelia, Mexico, and pre- or post-conference trips may be made by the ways of cash (in US dollars or Mexican Pesos), traveler checks, or credit card (we accept major credit cards of MasterCard, VISA, American Express, JCB and Diners Club but a banking formality of 4% over our invoice is applicable). Further instructions will be provided in the next announcement

Deadlines

Symposia Proposals	January 15, 2007
Registration	April 30, 2007
Abstract Submission	April 20, 2007
Hotel Booking	June 30, 2007
Tour Reservation	June 15, 2007