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Workshop
Announcement
Understanding
Agriculture's Effects on Amphibians and Reptiles in a Changing World
A
Workshop Sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey's Amphibian Research
and Monitoring Initiative, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environment Canada, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Conservation
International, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the St. Louis Zoo.
Dates:
February 6 – 8, 2007
Location: Crowne Plaza St. Louis – Clayton Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri
Overview:
Amphibian and reptile populations have declined in many
parts of the world. Among other factors, agricultural practices
that result in reduced habitat and biodiversity; changes in hydrology,
humidity, and soil structure; nutrient enrichment; and the release
of toxicants into the environment potentially can cause such declines.
Impacts from genetically engineered crops, increased production of
crops for fuels, and changes in how and where agriculture is practiced
in the future due to climate change are relatively new dimensions
to consider. What do we currently know and need to know about these
issues? Are conservation and mitigation measures effective at reducing
impacts? How can researchers, conservation practitioners, land managers,
and land users work together to reduce impacts more effectively?
Approach
and focus: We will examine the issues through oral and
poster presentations and integrated discussions. The general topic
areas, as they apply to all types of agriculture, will be: declines
of populations, habitat loss and alteration, hydrology, nutrient
enrichment, toxicants, conservation practices, and conservation
partnerships. Other relevant topics will be considered as well.
We are inviting research scientists, land managers, conservation
practitioners, regulators, and policymakers, among others, to participate
in this workshop.
| Goals: Our goals are to: |
- review current knowledge regarding
the impacts of various agricultural practices on amphibians and
reptiles and the effectiveness of conservation practices designed
to mitigate adverse effects,
- identify outstanding and emergent
scientific questions and conservation needs,
- identify and facilitate
partnerships to address these questions and needs, and
- publish
a synthesis of our findings in a scientific journal.
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Participants:
Participation will be limited to a working group of approximately
100 individuals. Presenters will be selected primarily based upon
expertise and abstracts submitted in response to this announcement.
Please join us for a unique and important opportunity to contribute
to this effort.
Submittal
of abstracts and other information: We are no longer accepting abstracts. Abstracts submitted addressed
the general topics described above or the specific questions described here (Questions for presenters). To view abstract titles please view the Workshop Program.
Registration:
Registration information is available at http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/ag_effects_workshop/registration_info.html.
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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
