"Conservationists are far from able to assist all species under threat, if only for lack of funding. This places a premium on priorities: how can we support the most species at the least cost? One way is to identify 'biodiversity hotspots'"

- Myers, Mittermeier et al. Nature 403, 853-858, February 2000

Theme

One of the key objectives of nature conservation is the protection of biodiversity hotspots – centres of high numbers of ecosystems, species and/or genes. The current diversity patterns are strongly influenced by historic effects like climatic fluctuations. Areas with exceptional biodiversity have mostly been less affected by these fluctuations due to relative climatic constancy or geomorphological diversity. Such hotspots of biodiversity often evolved through long-term isolation in ecologically diverse regions producing distinct genetic groups or even new taxa, which often represent local endemics.

This meeting focuses on the developement and status of areas with particularly high diversity with most of them not being adequately protected. This situation is aggravating due to increasing human land use and climate change.

We provide a platform for scientists and stakeholders to discuss the development of biodiversity hotspots and strategies to protect these areas.

Of interest to

• scientists with the main focus on phylogeography and biogeography of the Western Palaearctis,
• scientists involved in conservation ecology/biology and genetics,
• managers from public organisations and freelancers charged with conservation concepts,
• representatives of NGOs, revealing in the protection of endangered species,
• students.

Conference language

The conference language is English.

Call for talks and posters

We invite you to submit abstracts for oral and poster contributions on the registration form  (the speakers for the programme will be invited by the comitee).

Talks will have slots of 20 min including 5 minutes of discussion. Computer and beamer will be available in the lecture hall. Please bring your presentation on a compact disc or memory stick. It will not be possible to use your personal laptop.

Posters should be in A0 format; poster walls size is 100 cm width x 180 cm height. Material for poster mounting will be made available.

Costs & payment details

Reduced fees will apply to students and to scientist from new member states of the European Union. The conference fee will be according to the time of payment; the deadline for early booking was January 30th 2009.

This fee includes admittance to conference sessions, conference documents including abstract volume, welcome party, lunch and coffee breaks.

Before you pay, please use the online registration form. The conference fee then should be paid to the following account:

• IBAN: LU54 1111 1329 0010 0000
• BIC code: CCPLLULL
• Beneficiary name: TRESORERIE DE L'ETAT CPTE MUSEE NAT D'HIST. NATURELLE
• Address: 'P&T Luxembourg, L-1090 Luxembourg'
• Please use the conference abbreviation (hotspots 2009) as the payment communication

 Please pay your conference fee before 15th March!

Organisation and scientific committee

• J.C. Habel , MNHN Luxembourg
• P. Dieker , MNHN Luxembourg
• T. Assmann , University Lueneburg, Institute of Ecology
• A. Hochkirch , Trier University, Institute of Biogeography
• T. Schmitt , Trier University, Institute of Biogeography
• F. Zachos , Kiel University, Zoological Institute

With the support of:

• FNR - Fonds national de la recherche Luxembourg
• MNHN - National Museum of Natural History (Musée national d'histoire naturelle de Luxembourg)