International Conference Temperate Orchids Research & Conservation TORC '15 / Samos (Greece)

Un evento científico de gran importancia para los interesados en las Orquídeas. Tendrá lugar en la isla griega de Samos, famosa por sus orquídeas silvestres, del 14 al 18 de Abril de 2015. Contará con expertos internacionales como: Dra. Theodora Petanidou, Dr. Daniel Tyteca, Dr. Denni Wigham, Dr. Ekrem Sezik, Dr. Hannes Paulus, Dr. Pavel Kindlmann, Dr. Kingsley Dixon, Dr. Michael F.Fay, Dr. Spyros Tsiftsis y Dr. Marc-André Selosse. Os dejo los detalles del Programa y el enlace a la Web.

http://www.samosconferences.com/conferences-and-workshops/orchids-conference

Location #1: lowland areas with grasslands, phrygana and sparse pine trees. The only area on the island where wet meadows can be found hosting Anacamptis palustris subsp. elegans.

Location #2: Phrygana, olive grooves and land patches with pines. Especially orchid rich areas hosting many taxa some of which are rare or endangered.

Location #3: Although a large portion of this area is covered by agricultural land, their edges or some patches with natural vegetation (pines, phrygana and other scrublands) host a large number of orchid species.

Location #4: Pine forest, phrygana, olive grooves and other patches with shrubs which host many interesting orchid species as well as other plant species.

All the above mentioned areas could be characterized as low to mid altitude areas.

Orchids impress us with their ability to exploit diverse and challenging habitats, even in temperate climates. Their evolutionary adaption evolved into astonishing relationships with their surroundings. Yet, the fate of many wild temperate orchids is at imminent risk with the rapidly increasing anthropogenic impacts. Before they may disappear, we are just starting to understand the extent of this group of plants and their complex biological adaptations.

The international conference on Temperate Orchid Research & Conservation (TORC'15) will be held on April 14-18 on the island of Samos, Greece. TORC'15 aims to provide a stimulating event for the topics

Session A - New species,

Session B - Taxonomic challenges,

Session C - Orchid relationships with soil, fungus and other plants,

Session D - Pollinator relationships,

Session E - Natural products & ethnopharmacology,

Session F - Ecology,

Session G - Conservation.

TORC’15 is bringing together first-in-class scientists and field practitioners from around the world across different disciplines as biology, chemistry, phylogenetics, agronomy, pharmacy, ecology and conservation. With its cutting edge speakers and numerous participants, TORC’15 is to be augured taking the field forward by establishing collaborations across all regions through multidisciplinary networks and bringing temperate orchid conservation efforts therefore even closer to the communities on every continent.
We invite for contributions on the above main topics for temperate orchids. All contributions will be subject to a thorough peer review. Proceedings of the conference will be published at no submission fee for the authors.

Each contribution will appear in one of the following journals

i) European Journal of Environmental Sciences,

ii) Entomologia Generalis,

iii) Journal Europäischer Orchideen, or

iv) Acta Botanica Galica.

The conference venue will be held in the beautiful historical setting of the capital of Samos, Vathi, at the turquoise Aegean Sea. Due to the unique environmental conditions of Samos, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a green mountainous island all year around with unique thriving ecosystems shaping its fauna and flora, and an abundance of wild orchid habitats, as e.g. the genus Ophrys. TORC’15 will take place during the high blooming season of these wild orchids.

The conference includes one field day trip to different wild orchid habitats where local orchidologists will be available as guides. In addition, a pre-conference workshop and a post-conference field trip are offered. The TORC’15 field guide book will be provided to the schools of Samos for their environmental education to foster the conservation of the orchids with the next generation on Samos.

We are looking forward to welcome you on Samos.

Dr. Sven Wagner 

On behalf of the Organizing and Scientific Committees

TORC '15 PROGRAM

Session A – Temperate Orchids under the Magnifying Glass of Discovery & Identification (Diversity and Distribution Patterns)

Orchids of Greece & Samos, more species to discover?

Identification of new species and subspecies of temperate wild orchids globally

Recent data on distribution, biotopes and their challenges, of native temperate orchids

Session B – Recent Perspectives in Orchid Taxonomy

Taxonomic challenges (From Linneaus to the age of phylogenomics)

Red List update

New concepts and identification techniques 

Session C – Orchid – Relationships / Soil, Fungi & Other Plants

Orchid - Soil Interactions: Carbon sequestration, feedbacks, new secrets from underground on mycorrhizae and orchid symbiosis

Plant community structure and orchid symbionts

Molecular & other techniques developed herein (HTS, stable isotopes, etc.) 

Session D - Orchid – Relationships / Insects & other Animals, Microorganisms incl. Pathogens

Orchid – Animal Interactions: Pollination biology of orchids, insights into the intimate life of orchids, incl. other than insect orchid relationships

Orchid Invasions & Physiology: Diseases and disease mechanisms in wild temperate orchids

Biological Signaling Beyond: Further vital communications of orchids within their habitat; olfactory, tactile, optical and other modes of signaling 

Session E – Natural Products & Other Utilities of Orchids

Natural compound identification from orchids, secondary metabolites

Medicinal chemistry and traditional knowledge research regarding pharmaceutical applications derived from orchids

Nutritional sciences and agronomy in respect to orchids (Salep)

Micropropagation (in vitro, in vivo techniques) of wild orchids

Fruit formation observations

Other utilities of wild orchids, aspects of legislation 

Session F - Orchid Ecology – Geodemographic Determinants

Biotic and abiotic factors that govern orchid thrive

Population biology of orchids

Orchid population dynamics, biodiversity

Climate change and wild orchids (Drought scenario data / prediction, etc.)

Pathogen paradigm shifts for wild orchids

Natural defense systems of wild orchids in their habitats, evolutionary lessons 

Session G - Conservation of Temperate Orchids

Anthropogenic challenges to temperate orchids – alert indicators (Derived from wildfires, droughts, urban zoning, grazing/land use challenges, commercial exploitation / destruction

Ecological concepts and conservation of wild orchids, incl. respective pollinator insects, soil microbiology, plant community and other crucial lifelines for orchids impeding on their vitality

Current legal frameworks of protection, legislation

Seedbanks, propagation / horticulture, botanical gardens, and other preservation measures

Fostering harmony between humans and wild orchids (community involvement, ecotourism, commercial use of orchids, orchid societies, reach-out education, biospehres)

Possible bio-indicators for future assessment of ecological health of wild temperate orchid