Second circular

VIII Southern Connection 2016

Southern Connection links scientists interested in the natural sciences across the southern hemisphere, with emphasize on temperate ecosystems. Southern Connection aims to highlight research on shared yet divergent biotas and cultures, and their histories in different lands and oceans, in order to contribute solutions to sustaining species and ecosystem services and to discuss state of the art research approaches. Comparative studies with non-southern hemisphere temperate ecosystems are also of interest to Southern Connection.

To date Southern Connection congresses have included topics such as biogeography, phylogenetics, ecology, conservation, ecophysiology, invasions, ethnography, plant reproductive biology, macroecology, phylogeography, palaeobotany and palaeontology and Earth and ocean processes. Thus far Southern Connection has organized seven very successful congresses hosted by five different countries in the Southern Hemisphere. The last congress was held in New Zealand. http://www.otago.ac.nz/V11-southern-connection/. VIII Southern Connection 2016 will be the second time the congress is held in Chile.

Since the First Circular was issued, the Organizing Committee has received much interest from scientists from many parts of the world to attend the VIII Southern Connection Congress 2016 to be held at the University of Magallanes in Punta Arenas, in the far south of Chile, 18-23 January 2016. Punta Arenas is a small, well organized and friendly city bordering on the Straits of Magellan. It is centered on the ecotone between cool temperate deciduous and evergreen subantartic forests dominated by Nothofagus species (the southernmost forests in the world), and the Patagonian steppe, in the XII Region of Chile. A mountainous and strongly glaciated area, the region has a rich alpine flora and extensive bog and moorland vegetation. The region is characterized by a rich cultural and archaeological heritage.

Scientific Program

The VIII Southern Connection Congress 2016 Scientific Committee comprised of Chilean and foreign members has mapped out the program structure. The program will include 8 plenary lectures, 16 symposia, several sessions of contributed papers and posters, and three mid-congress field trip options on Thursday 22 January: 1) the iconic Torres del Paine National Park; (2) PaliAike National Reserve in the Patagonian steppe, and (3) Puerto Bulnes, a protected area of historical interest. An after-congress field trip to Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (optional) (24-28 January) is offered. A pre-congress field trip to Omora Park on Navarino Island (9-16 January) is also contemplated. Information will be posted about this last field trip in the definitive webpage.

At this stage the Scientific Committee has issued formal invitations to eight plenary lecturers, of which replies (all positive) had been received from six at this stage.

Plenary lecturers will cover the following research areas:

Biogeography and phylogenetics

Ecosystem and population ecology

Conservation biology

Antarctic ecology and biodiversity

Invasion biology

Biocultural conservation and environmental ethics

Palaeoclimate

Palaeobotany

Responding to the call in the First Circular, the Scientific Committee has received several proposals for symposia which are currently under review in terms of content and suitability. The deadline for symposium proposals is 1 May. Space allotted for symposia in the program is filling up quickly. Therefore, if you wish to organize a symposium, please send the information and any questions you may have to Dr. Mary T. Kalin Arroyo, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), University of Chile, Santiago, as soon as possible. The Scientific Committee reserves the right to make suggestions on merging symposia proposals where appropriate.

Registration and other costs

US$

Early-bird Registration (until July 31st 2015) / 500
General Registration (1 August 2015 onwards) / 600
Student Registration / 240
Daily Registration / 120
Mid-Congress field trip (21 January) / 120
Post-Congress field trip to Cape Horn Biosphere (24-28 January) / **
Congress Dinner (23 January) / 40

** Cost still under study

The first three classes of registration fees cover full congress material, the welcome reception on Monday evening, lunch, morning and afternoon tea and coffee for all regular session days, and refreshments at the poster sessions. Daily registration includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea and coffee for all regular session days, and refreshments at the poster sessions.

Registration and payment for other items will be possible using a credit card via the new VIII Southern Connection 2016 Webpage (under construction) which will go online at the end of March. Registration fees must be paid in advance of submitting an abstract.

Abstract submission

Abstracts will be received digitally via the new Southern Connection Webpage (under construction) which will go online at the end of March. The deadline for receiving abstracts will be 31 October 2015. Registration fees must be paid in advance of submitting an abstract.

Travel to Chile and Punta Arenas

The main point of entry to Chile is Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benitez (SCL) /Airport Santiago: Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL).

It is important to be aware that January is the peak season for air travel to Santiago and Punta Arenas. Thus it is advisable to make travel arrangements as early as possible.

Lan Chile (www.lan.com) and Sky Airlines (www.skyairline.cl) are the airlines that fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas.

Visa requirements

See http://www.gochile.cl/en/guides/chile-guide/visas-and-consulates.html

Currency

Peso (CLP). It is possible to exchange money at any established "Casa de Cambio" at market driven exchange rates. Banks are open to public from Monday through Friday from 9am to 2pm, and are closed on Saturday and Sunday. On the street cash machines are available.

Accommodation

Congress participants should make their own accommodation arrangements as early as possible. Most accommodation options are in the center of the city. The congress venue, the University of Magallanes (http://www.umag.cl/), is located close to the center of Punta Arenas and can be accessed readily by reasonably-priced public transport and private taxi companies.

Lodging options in Punta Arenas*

US$ 200 – 300 range / USD $70 – 150 range / US$ 50 – 85 range
Hotel Cabo De Hornos www.hotelcabodehornos.com/
Phone number: +56-61-2715000 / Hotel Carpa Manzano www.hotelcarpamanzano.com Phone number: +56-61-2613387 / Hostal Ayelen www.ayelenresidencial.com/ Phone number: +56-61-2242413
Hotel Rey Don Felipe www.hotelreydonfelipe.com Phone number: +56-61-2295000 / Hostal Bustamante www.hostalbustamante.cl Phone number: +56-61-2222774 / Residencial Bulnes www.residencialbulnes.cl/ Phone number: +56-61-212113
Hotel José Nogueira www.hotelnogueira.com
Phone number: +56-61-2711000 / Art Nouveau Hostal www.hostalartnouveau.cl Phone number: +56-61-2228112

** Prices subject to variation

For other accommodation options see: www.booking.com; http://www.interpatagonia.com/puntaarenas/alojamientos.html