Travel Grants are available for participants to the IASC-funded workshop on the importance of within-species diversity for biodiversity conservation and management strategies in the Arctic. The workshop will take place 16 - 19 January 2023 at Hólar University (www.holar.is, www.holaraquatic.is) in Northwest Iceland.
Workshop summary and aims:
The concept of biodiversity is generally understood as a static construct that:1) emphasizes species diversity over intraspecific (within-species) variation, and 2) emphasizes patterns of diversity rather than the processes which generate and maintain biodiversity over time. This is reflected in the public's general lack of understanding / misunderstanding of biodiversity concepts. A species-level focus carries conservation risk, since it does not account for individual- and population-level processes underpinning species persistence in ecosystems under human stress, and ignores evolutionarily distinctiveness of populations that may not be ecologically interchangeable. Since populations are lost at a higher rate than species, and population loss can have a strong impact on the survival of species, it is crucial that within-species diversity is incorporated in conservation planning and management.
At this workshop, we will bring together researchers across a range of study species / taxonomic groups, with the aim to:
1. Discuss existing research, policy, and approaches to intraspecific variation;
2. Identify existing knowledge gaps and how transdisciplinary approaches and data-sharing could aid in addressing these;
3. Brainstorm methods for future mapping and monitoring of intraspecific variation to inform research, policymaking, and public education; and
4. Devise a plan to gather and collate local knowledge of diversity within species (i.e. indigenous knowledge, local/traditional awareness of within-species differences that have not yet been recorded in Western scientific literature).
The workshop is being organised in conjunction with BIODICE (www.biodice.is), a network of researchers, policymakers, and educators working on biodiversity in Iceland.
Date and Location:
The workshop will take place 16 - 19 January 2023 at Hólar University (www.holar.is, www.holaraquatic.is) in Northwest Iceland.
Applicant funding criteria:
The workshop organizers will be able to fully fund 12 - 15 international participants.
Funding will cover:
- International travel to Hólar University in Iceland,
- accommodation,
- meals during the workshop.
The workshop organisers and BIODICE value diversity and inclusion, and encourage all qualified people, especially Indigenous People and individuals from minority groups, to apply. Applicants selection will be based on relevance of the field of study, career stage, an diversity criteria, to ensure a balanced representation of early-career and senior scientists, indigenous peoples and individuals from minority groups, and broad representation across taxa and expertise.
The workshop is also open for self funded participants.
Application Procedure and Contact:
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a short 3 page CV and a brief personal statement regarding their expertise and interest in attending the workshop.
Submissions should be sent to Bjarni K. Kristjánsson (bjakk@holar.is).
Deadline for application submission: 1 October 2022
For further information please contact, Bjarni K. Kristjánsson (bjakk@holar.is) or Anthony Schultz (anthony.schultz@nmsi.is)