IAVS Bulletin 2012 / 2

Annual IAVS meeting in Mokpo, Korea, 2012

The website of the IAVS 2013 symposium is open now under http://iavs2013.ut.ee/ The IAVS Bulletin is an electronic newsletter of the International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS, www.iavs.org), edited by the members of the Governing Board and the Administrative Officer Nina Smits ([email protected]). To become a member, contact our Administrative Officer Nina Smits (Wageningen, The Netherlands).

IAVS Management President: Martin Diekmann (Bremen, ) Secretary: Susan Wiser (Lincoln, New Zealand) Vice‐presidents: Alicia Acosta (, ), Javier Loidi (Bilbao, ), Michael Palmer (Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA), Robert Peet (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA), Valério Pillar (Porto Alegre, Brasil) Martin Diekmann Susan Wiser

Alicia Acosta Javier Loidi Michael Palmer Robert Peet Valério Pillar Publications: IAVS publishes two international journals: the Journal of Vegetation Science and Applied Vegetation Science, edited by J. Bastow Wilson (Dunedin, New Zealand), Alessandro Chiarucci (Siena, Italy), Chytrý (Brno, Czech Republic) and Meelis Pärtel (Tartu, Estonia). For more information on subscriptions to the journals, consult our website www.iavs.org.

Nina Smits J. Bastow Wilson Ale Chiarucci Milan Chytrý Meelis Pärtel

Date of Publication: December 2012 © International Association for Vegetation Science

2 Contents

Preface……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……4 Invitation to the IAVS meeting 2013 in Tartu, Estonia…………………………………………………………………………….. 5 Geographic distribution of past and future IAVS annual meetings………………………………………………………….. 6 Minutes of the Annual IAVS Council Meeting in Mokpo, Korea, 2012...... 7 Change in the IAVS Bylaws...... 11 Financial statement...... 12 Financial support to Working Groups and Regional Sections...... 14 Report of the IAVS Publications Officer: 2011‐2012……………………………………………………………………………... 16 Annual report of the European Dry Grassland Group………………………………………………………………………...…. 20 Annual report of the European Vegetation Survey Group………………………………………………………………...…. 22 Annual report of the Ecoinformatics Group…………………………………………………….………………………………...…. 23 Annual report of the Circumboreal Vegetation Map (CBVM) Group……………………………………………………… 24 Bylaws of the European Dry Grassland Group…………………………………………………………………………………...…. 27 Bylaws of the European Vegetation Survey Group…………………………………………………………………………...….. 33

Old oak tree; drawing by Reno Lottmann

3 Preface

The conference in Mokpo was a great success: Second, the Global Sponsorship Committee will with 378 participants and more than 350 allocate 6000 Euros for financial support for PhD presentations attendance was very good, and and Master students to participate in the next several pre‐ and post‐symposium excursions, as IAVS meeting in Tartu, Estonia. Grants will cover well as one‐day mid‐symposium excursions, the registration fee and accommodation in a gave excellent opportunities to get to know the student dormitory; in addition, travel costs can Korean landscape and vegetation. As the Mokpo be supported. The total amount of funding conference was only the third IAVS meeting in requested should not exceed 1000 Euros per Asia and the first one in Korea (see maps applicant. Applications should be submitted showing the ‘Geographic distribution of past before April 1, 2013, to [email protected] with cc and future IAVS annual meetings’ on page 6), it to [email protected]. Applications should include was also a great opportunity for scientists from a CV, a short (100 words) letter explaining why all over the world to learn more about the the applicant should be supported and a progress and achievements of vegetation recommendation by the student’s supervisor(s). science in this area. The IAVS has several active Working Groups, the Although the meeting in Mokpo is still fresh in annual reports of which can be found in this our memories, the next IAVS meeting in Tartu, Bulletin (pages 20‐26). The positive financial Estonia, is getting closer: The conference position of the IAVS allows us to support these website is already active groups in their various activities, and the Council (http://iavs2013.ut.ee/), and since November 1 in Mokpo has decided on the types and pre‐ has been opened for registration and abstract conditions for support that come into effect in submission! A welcome message by the 2013. Funding will also be made available for Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Martin new initiatives of existing groups or start‐up Zobel, can be found on page 5. We are looking meetings of new groups. A summary of the forward to an exciting meeting. Council decision can be found on page 14. During the last year the Membership Committee Starting with the next issue, the Bulletin will be and the Global Sponsorship Committee together a forum for reviews of books related to with the Governing Board have discussed and vegetation science and general plant ecology. decided upon several actions to improve the We would like to encourage our members to service for our IAVS members. First, we have contribute such reviews (and other opinions and simplified the procedure for vegetation provocative articles to stimulate debate) to the scientists with low personal income to apply for Bulletin to make it more exciting! waiver of the IAVS membership fee (see http://www.iavs.org/AwardsFinancial.aspx). Martin Diekmann, President, IAVS

4 Invitation to the IAVS meeting 2013

in Tartu, Estonia

Welcome Message It is our great honour and pleasure to host the for Vegetation Science (IAVS 2013) in Tartu, 56th Symposium of the International Association Estonia, to be held on June 26‐30th, 2013.

The main theme of IAVS 2013 is “Vegetation We expect that every participant will enjoy the patterns and their underlying processes”, interesting scientific program, field excursions although topics on all aspects of vegetation and social events. Estonia is located in Northern science are welcome. Sessions are planned to , on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, address innovative theory, methodology and thus lying in the northern part of the temperate application of vegetation ecology over a range zone and in the transition zone between of spatial and temporal scales. Particular focus maritime and continental climate. It harbors a will be on processes and drivers behind great variety of vegetation types, from highly vegetation diversity and dynamics, both in diverse calcareous alvar grassland and wooded natural and cultural landscapes. The symposium meadows to old growth boreal and will address patterns and processes concerning boreonemoral forests and raised bogs. Tartu, natural undisturbed vegetation, as well as under home to about 100 000 people, is the second conditions of changing anthropogenic impact. largest city in Estonia and the most important We await papers using traditional descriptive centre of science and education in the country. and experimental approaches to vegetation It is a city full of young people with a pleasant science, as well those which employ modeling or and scholarly atmosphere. contemporary molecular methods. Martin Zobel Chairman of Organizing Committee of IAVS 2013 Important dates: Online registration opens 1 November, 2012 Notification of abstract acceptance after 15 April, 2013 Online abstract submission opens 1 November, 2012 Deadline early registration with reduced fees 15 April, 2013 Deadline for special session application 15 November, 2012 Deadline for hotel reservation 30 April, 2013 Deadline for abstract submission 15 March, 2013 Deadline for registration with regular fees 30 April, 2013

5 Europe, see below Houston, 1995 Santa Cruz de Nagano, 2000 Tenerife, Mokpo, 2012 Ensenada, 1993 Shanghai, 1992 Kona, 2010 Hawaii, 2004 Corrientes, 1983 Porto Alegre, 2002 Stellenbosch, Perth, 2014 2008 Palmerston North, 2007 Geographic distribution of past () and future () IAVS annual meetings

Uppsala, Tartu, 2013 Stolzenau, 1953‐64 1989, 1998 Rinteln, 1965‐81 Lancaster, 1996 Wageningen, Halle, Warsaw, 1990 Swansea, 2007 1984 1986 Freising, Prague, 1982 Bailleul, 1985, 1994 2000 Ceske Budejovice, 1997 Eger, 1991 Lyon, 2011 Frascati, Bilbao, 1988 Lissabon, 1999 2005 Naples, 2003

Crete, 2009

Minutes of the Annual IAVS Council

Meeting in Mokpo, Korea, 2012

Tuesday, July 24, 18:00‐21:15

Participants 2) Proposals for changes in IAVS Bylaws Members present: Martin Diekmann (Pres.), Susan Wiser (Secr.), Alicia Acosta (Vice Pres.), (Diekmann) Javier Loidi (Vice Pres.), Michael Palmer (Vice a. Proposed amendments to articles 11.3 and Pres.), Valério Pillar (Vice Pres.), Michael Bar‐ 11.2 bour, Elgene Box, Helge Bruelheide, Alessandro The Governing Board submitted a proposal to Chiarucci, Milan Chytrý, Guillaume Decocq, change the IAVS bylaws to better meet the Jürgen Dengler, Kazue Fujiwara, Pavel Krestov, needs of IAVS Sections and Working Groups. Ladislav Mucina, Joop Schaminée, Nina Smits, Otto Wildi, Bastow Wilson = 20 votes Following a discussion surrounding why steering group members of working groups may or may Proxy votes: Sándor Bartha (Ladislav Mucina), not want to be members of IAVS, Diekmann Erwin Bergmeier (Martin Diekmann), Ulrich Deil proposed that the amended bylaws be appro‐ (Martin Diekmann), Deborah Goldberg (Michael ved. Palmer), Jessica Gurevitch (Susan Wiser), Tomas Herben (Milan Chytrý), Martin Hermy (Guillau‐ The Bylaws as amended were approved (Attach‐ me Decocq), Jan Lepš (Milan Chytrý), Yukito ment 1), with two Council members against and Nakamura (Kazue Fujiwara), Meelis Pärtel the remainder in favour of the proposal. (Bastow Wilson), Robert Peet (Michael Palmer), b. Potential issues of clarity in article 2.6 Janos Podani (Ladislav Mucina), Marcel Rejmá‐ nek (Milan Chytrý), John Rodwell (Joop Schami‐ The Council also discussed whether more clarity née), Angelika Schwabe (Helge Bruelheide), was needed around Bylaw 2.6 in terms of proce‐ Martin Zobel (Martin Diekmann) = 16 votes. dures for Council members to formally submit agenda items to the President before the annual Absent: Renée Bekker, Sara Cousins, Sandra Council meeting, an issue raised by Dengler. Díaz, Klaus Dierssen Most members felt the degree of flexibility we Guests:: Avelina Helm (IAVS venue 2013: Tartu, currently have is suitable and sufficient. Any Estonia), Monika Janisova (EDGG representati‐ Council member can send a discussion item for ve), Dieter Mueller‐Dombois (PABITRA working the annual Council meeting to the entire Council group), John Hay (Proposed IAVS 2016 venue: before the meeting. It was generally agreed that Brasilia, Brasil). there is no problem in the society about this issue, so no clarification in the bylaws is requi‐

red. If the potential problem identified by President Diekmann opened the meeting at Dengler appears in the future, the Governing 18:00. Board will propose a solution.

1) Announcement of proxy votes (Wiser) 3. Finances Proxy representation of 16 members was a. Report for 2011 (Smits) reported and approved (see above). Total voting members represented: 20 + 16 = 36. (Attachment 2)

7 b. Budget for 2012 and approval (Diekmann) Discussion points raised included: (i) whether Working Groups and Regional Sections should The budget projection for 2012 was approved be required to have a website; although desira‐ unanimously (Attachment 2). ble most Council members did not feel this is c. Budget for 2013 and approval (Diekmann) essential at the current time; (ii) the third type Diekmann indicated we have previously appro‐ of support specified in the proposal is too ved the budget for the previous year only. By restrictive ( i.e. that at most 2 awards of 3000 approving the 2013 budget now we will be on Euro for special activities will be funded per track for approving only one budget per year year) and this should be left to the discretion of and this will be the upcoming budget. Additio‐ the Governing Board; (iii) when individuals are nally, the budget for the current year will be being supported financially, it is desirable that reviewed and proposed adjustments will be they be IAVS members; (iv) the level of support voted on. given to a Working Group could be tied to the number or proportion of the members of the The contract negotiation with Wiley is already group that are also IAVS members. starting and should be completed prior to the 2013 meeting in Tartu. Under consideration is The proposal was approved unanimously moving from an ‘intermediate’ level of editing to (Attachment 3), with the proviso that the a ‘high’ level of editing, which could increase the wording of point three be made less restrictive. cost, beyond current projections. 5. Reports on publications The budget projection for 2013 was approved a. Publications Committee (Wilson) unanimously (Attachment 2). Wilson presented the report of the Publications d. Appointment of auditors (Diekmann) Committee that was posted on IAVS website in The need for a commission, comprising at least advance: http://www.iavs.org/uploads/Publica two members who are not members of the tionsOfficerReport_2011‐12.pdf (Attachment 4). Governing Board, to assess the reliability of the b. Book series in Vegetation Science (Mucina) annual financial reports and budget projections is specified in Article 7 of our Statutes. The Last year Springer contacted the Governing Governing Board has asked two members of the Board and Mucina concerning a book series; Council (Ulrich Deil, Otto Wildi) to serve in this Wiley‐Blackwell is also interested. This motiva‐ role for 2012. Their appointments were appro‐ ted Mucina to prepare a proposal outlining the ved unanimously. vision for such a book series that would focus on the current practical issues (incl. terminology, Action item: Smits will send the commission the field sampling methodology, data handling and necessary financial documents for 2011 imme‐ pattern inference, vegetation mapping etc.) as diately, and for 2012 in January 2013. The audi‐ well as application for those in the fields of bio‐ tors will then provide a report on their assess‐ diversity conservation, global change research, ment to the Council. etc. Currently the preference is for Wiley‐Black‐ 4. Financial support to Working groups / well to be the publisher. Mucina will continue to Regional sections (Diekmann) develop the series and will consult the Gover‐ ning Board and Council as appropriate. The Governing Board submitted a proposal to develop some principles and rules around In a related effort, Franco Pedrotti has initiated providing financial support to Working groups the series ‘Geobotanical Studies’ to be public‐ and Sections. shed by Springer as a successor to Braun‐ Blanquetia. Springer reports that the series includes “outstanding monographs and colle‐

8 ctions of papers on a given topic in the following f. Pacific Islands Section ‐ PABITRA (Mueller‐ fields: Phytogeography, Phytosociology, Plant Dombois) Community Ecology, Biocoenology, Vegetation There is no more funding for this section. Mue‐ Science, Eco‐informatics, Landscape Ecology, ller‐Dombois is looking for someone else to run Vegetation Mapping, Plant Conservation Biology it. Council will review the status of the Section and Plant Diversity.“ The Springer series define‐ at the 2013 meeting. tion is sufficiently broad that there is no current indication that it will duplicate the IAVS series. 7. Reports of Committees Mucina anticipates that the IAVS series if a. Awards Committee (Schaminée) established with Wiley‐Blackwell will consist of a more focused set of volumes with larger print A short oral report was presented. Bastow runs and lower prices than the Springer series. Wilson has been selected to receive the Honorary Membership award. He will receive 6. Reports of Working groups the award at the 2013 meeting in Estonia. a. European Dry Grasslands Group (Dengler) b. Meetings Committee (Pillar) A short oral report was presented. The working The 2012 meeting was a great success, but the group is very active with a meeting and one same cannot be said of the planning process for excursion annually. The group has also been it. Pillar described some of the frustrations. Al‐ involved with five special features in JVS/AVS. though the Meetings Committee made a dili‐ New Bylaws were presented for approval gent effort to provide guidance for the meetings (Attachment 5). The Bylaws were approved organization, the Korean organizers were less unanimously. communicative than the Committee desired, perhaps owing to language difficulties. Pillar b. European Vegetation Survey Group (Chytrý) suggested that the establishment of a central A short report was presented (Attachment 6) office for IAVS, an option currently under con‐ sideration by the IAVS Governing Board, would New Bylaws were presented for approval facilitate input of the IAVS Meetings Committee (Attachment 7). The Bylaws were approved and result in more consistent and efficient mee‐ unanimously. ting organization. c. Ecoinformatics Working Group (Wiser) c. Global Sponsorship Committee (Acosta) A short report was presented (Attachment 8). A Acosta reported that this year 24 free members recent highlight was the Special Feature in JVS in 2011. Wiser and Dengler will work with the were approved and 18 members were provided membership to develop a set of Bylaws for free access to journals. A report was submitted approval by Council. (Attachment 10) concerning how the Commit‐ tee thinks that applications for free membership d. Circumboreal Vegetation Map (Krestov) and free journal access should be handled. The Key areas of focus and appropriate working Committee decided to make this a rolling appli‐ scales have been determined. A report was cation process instead of once a year. presented (Attachment 9). Diekmann asked if Wiley Blackwell should be e. North American Section (Palmer) giving online subscriptions for free as IAVS has been offered 50 free subscriptions and we pro‐ No report was presented. The section has been bably aren’t using them all. He suggested that it relatively inactive, but does meet annually join‐ may make more sense for the Committee to tly with the Vegetation Section of the Ecological focus sponsorship on enabling Symposia atten‐ Society of America. dance.

9 Acosta stated that there were no applications e. Special Committee on Professional Ethics for attendance to this year’s symposium, but on (Diekmann) the other hand this option was not advertised. Diekmann announced the establishment of a In a discussion that followed, it was concluded new Committee on Professional Ethics to be that availability of the global sponsorship chaired by Kerry Woods. awards needs to be better publicized. Potential mechanisms for this may be via botanical socie‐ 8. Status of the Phytosociological ties and ecological societies in the Third World, Nomenclature Commission (Diekmann) and via periodic messages on the IAVS member A document that had been circulated before the listserver and website. meeting (Attachment 12) was discussed. Bruel‐ c. Membership Committee (Palmer) heide then proposed that the PNC be made a The Membership Committee provided a report Working Group. Mucina seconded. This was to the Governing Board in June 2012 (Attach‐ approved unanimously. Note this decision is ment 11). Palmer reported that membership is provisional upon the agreement of members of not increasing at the same rate at which IAVS the PNC, who were not represented at the finances are increasing. The Membership Council meeting. Committee has been brainstorming this year 9. Future meetings and has come up with a range of ideas: ‐ 2013. Aveliina Helm made a short presentation ‐ Revising current promotional materials to on the meeting to be held in Tartu in June. appeal to a broader range of vegetation scien‐ ‐ 2014. Mucina summarized plans for the Perth tists meeting, currently expected to be held in ‐ Personal invitations to potential new members August or September. might be very effective ‐ 2015. There have been two suggestions: the ‐ It would be good to develop a mechanism to Czech Republic (Chytrý), and Sicily (Guarino). allow gift memberships (e.g. advisor to doctoral Chytrý will prepare a formal proposal. Box will student, graduate student) check whether Guarino could arrange for the ‐ The Committee wants to collaborate more symposium to be held in Sicily in 2017. with Web and Social Media Committee ‐ 2016. John Hay delivered a short presentation ‐ The Committee needs to collaborate with the on plans for a meeting to be held near Brasilia Meetings Committee There was some discussion around whether ‐ A discussion with the Governing Board around there is interest in holding a future meeting in about gift memberships and fellowships for North America. Palmer will discuss this with young scientists would be useful. other members of the North American Section. d. Vegetation Classification Special Committee (Loidi) 10. Other business Loidi briefly reported on the initial work of the ‐ Membership database (Wiser) Vegetation Classification Special Committee and Wiser described that R scripts have now been its interaction with the Phytosociological No‐ written to reconcile the periodic current mem‐ menclature Commission. A special Workshop bership data provided by Wiley with our master about vegetation classification procedure is database. Discussions with Wiley have lead us to planned for the near future and is being promo‐ believe that many of our ongoing problems will ted by Miquel De Cáceres. That workshop would be solved by actions expected to be taken by take place either at Tartu (in association with Wiley in September. next meeting of IAVS) or at Rome (in association ‐ Central Office (Wiser) with next meeting of EVS).

10 There has been no progress to date owing to the Special Business Committee to represent other issues confronting the Governing Board. the needs of the Meetings Committee. Wiser felt it was more important to get the is‐ The meeting was closed by the president at 21.15 hrs. sues around the membership database sorted out before attempting to hand the maintenance [Attachments 1‐9 are printed in this Bulletin; of it onto a third party. Pillar volunteered to join attachments 10‐12 are not published.]

View over Mokpo, Korea, the city hosting the 2012 IAVS meeting (photo by Angela Pannek)

Change in the IAVS Bylaws

The IAVS Council at its annual meeting during be inserted between the current two sentences: the 2012 conference in Mokpo, Korea, decided “Each Section and Working Group shall select to change the IAVS Bylaws. The two decisions from among its elected officers one individual are: who is a member of IAVS to serve as the official representative of the officers of the Group or (1) Article 11.3 of the IAVS Bylaws of June 2011 Section to IAVS. This person may be, but is not is eliminated. required to be, the same person as is appointed (2) Article 11.2 of the IAVS Bylaws of June 2011 to represent the Group or Section on Council as is amended to contain the following sentence to specified in IAVS Statutes Article 4.2.b.”

11 Financial statement

Year 2011 2012 2013 Financial Financial Financial Financial (in Euros, except as noted) projection overview projection projection

General fund Starting Cash, December 31 139,429.69 139,429.69 205,177.94 236,582.94 Interest 1) 1,500.00 18.19 1,500.00 1,500.00 Membership dues 2) 0.00 460.00 0.00 0.00 Wiley‐Blackwell income 3) 85,190.57 112,820.44 100,000.00 120,000.00 Travel Editors 4) ‐15,000.00 ‐14,376.00 ‐15,000.00 ‐15,000.00 Travel Governing Board 5) ‐9,000.00 ‐10,510.00 ‐9,000.00 ‐9,000.00 Travel Administrative Officer ‐1,500.00 ‐1,500.00 ‐1,500.00 ‐1,500.00 Salaries Administrative Officer ‐2,495.00 ‐2,495.00 ‐2,495.00 ‐2,495.00 Support Working groups / Sections 14) ‐17,000.00 Bank expenses 6) ‐100.00 ‐74.51 ‐100.00 ‐100.00 Office expenses 7) ‐1,000.00 ‐4,303.81 ‐1,000.00 ‐1,000.00 Notary and translator expenses 8) ‐3,000.00 ‐4,346.73 0.00 0.00 Tax 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Business Office 9) ‐30,000.00 ‐30,000.00 ‐30,000.00 2010 Meeting in Ensenada 10) ‐600.00 New honorary members – expenses 11) ‐3,000.00 ‐1,944.05 ‐3,000.00 ‐3,000.00 Young Scientist Award ‐3,000.00 ‐3,000.28 ‐3,000.00 ‐3,000.00 Allocation to Global Fund ‐4,000.00 ‐5,000.00 ‐5,000.00 ‐5,000.00 Ending Cash: 31 December 153,425.26 205,177.94 236,582.94 270,987.94 Global Fund Starting Cash: 31 December 22,752.68 22,752.68 27,755.67 31,005.67 Interest 1) 250.00 2.99 250.00 250.00 Awards for Manuscript editing 12) ‐2,000.00 0.00 ‐2,000.00 ‐2,000.00 Allocation from General fund 13) 4,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 Ending Cash: 31 December 25,002.68 27,755.67 31,005.67 34,255.67

Total Starting Assets: 31 December 162,182.37 € 162,182.37 € 232,933.61 € 267,588.61 Total Ending Assets: 31 December 178,427.94 € 232,933.61 € 267,588.61 € 305,243.61

Total assets, history 31‐12‐2011 232,933.65 € 31‐12‐2010 160,615.11 € 31‐12‐2009 108,990.97 € 31‐12‐2008 62,025.89 € 31‐12‐2007 51,116.88 €

12 Explanation: 5) 2012 projection: we expect good attendance at the 1) 2011: Interest was much lower than expected, because Mokpo meeting we changed savings accounts at the end of 2010 and 6) 2012 projection: is based on 2011 costs the interest over 2010 was therefore transferred in 7) 2011: This included: Bulletin 14 (2011), membership 2010 itself (see Bulletin 14 with the overview of 2010) Chamber of Commerce 2011, paintings 2 Awards, 2) Wiley lumps dues into Wiley revenue. 2011: 460 euro manufacturing 5 medals and the internet voting 2011 was transferred by members to IAVS directly 8) 2011: Expense for adoption of new Statutes 3) Wiley‐Blackwell income is paid in three parts: two in the 9) Proposed ‐‐ to be discussed by EC & Council same calender year, and a final part at the beginning 10) 2011 projection: $800 allocated for cost overrun of next calender year. Note also that we are anticipa‐ 11) 2011: Two Honorary members came to the Lyon mee‐ ting a few‐year drop in income of approximately ting (2010 and 2011 Award winners) 12,000 starting in 2012 owing to an increase in the 12) New use of Global fund approved by EC for 2011 and number of pages in AVS. For 2011: 48,937.10 was still further for 2010, 63,883.34 are advance payments for 2011. 13) Was decided by EC & Council 4) 2012 projection: we expect good attendance at the 14) Proposed financial support for working groups and Mokpo meeting sections

Mid‐ symposium excursion: saltmarsh on Jeungdo

All photos by Angela Pannek Suaeda maritima mudskipper (Periophthalmus)

Financial support to IAVS Working Groups and Regional Sections

The IAVS wants to improve its work and service allocated in a manner consistent with their by‐ to its members, who in most cases are organi‐ laws. When individuals are being supported zed in Working Groups and Regional Sections of financially, it is desirable that they be IAVS members. the Association. As the financial recovery of the IAVS during the last years permits us to allocate 2) Automatic support of 500 EURO per year to more money to various activities, the IAVS each group / section Council has developed and decided on some The respective chairs of the group / section basic principles and rules for financial support to decide about how the money is allocated in a Working Groups and Regional Sections that do manner consistent with their bylaws. The mo‐ ney should not be spent for the participation in not have their own income through member‐ the annual IAVS meeting. ship fees or journals, and thus do not have their 3) Each group / section can make applications own assets. for up to 3000 EURO for special activities General pre‐conditions for support 4) Support for start‐up meetings for new A Working Group or Regional Section can only groups / sections or new initiatives of existing be financially supported if it has Bylaws appro‐ groups / sections ved by the IAVS Council that ensure that the Applications can be made for up to 5000 EURO chair/s is/are properly elected. The group or on a one‐time basis. The application needs to section should also show some substantial acti‐ indicate the purpose of the group and to pro‐ vide evidence that there will be a critical mass of vity, keep a website linked to the IAVS website participants. and regularly report on its activities in the IAVS Bulletins. 5) Support to IAVS Committees Also Committees can apply for financial support, Types of support but these will be handled individually based on 1) Participation of the chair or one of the need and available money. officers of the group / section in the annual No regular support is given to the organization IAVS meeting of meetings, workshops and excursions of the This ensures good communication between the groups / sections. Applications from members IAVS Council and the group / section. The sup‐ from low‐ or middle‐income countries for finan‐ port should normally be comparable to the sup‐ cial support for participation in any activities of port given to the Associate editors. The money Working groups or Regional sections should be can be shared between two or more officers of addressed to the Global Sponsorship Commit‐ the group / section. An officer already receiving tee. The evaluation of applications and decision a honorarium as (Associate) Editor or GB mem‐ is the responsibility of the Governing Board. The ber or via another group / section is not entitled financial support for Working groups, Regional to get this support (no double support), but the sections and Committees should be included in funds can be transferred to allow a second the annual budget to be approved by the Coun‐ person to attend. The respective chairs of the cil. group / section decide about how the money is

14 Nina Smits, Joop Schaminée and Otto Wildi having a rainy rest (photo by Laco Mucina)

Pre‐ symposium excursion to Ulleongdu

Coastline of Ulleongdu Otti Wildi in the fog (photo by Nina Smits) (photo by Nina Smits)

Report of the IAVS Publications Officer:

2011‐2012

Impact Factor Applied Vegetation Science’s Impact Factor for 1. State of the Journals 2011 is 1.678, down from 1.802 for 2010 but up The IAVS journals are doing very well as judged from 1.349 for 2009. by nearly any metric. Here I summarize some of Journal of Vegetation Science’s Impact Factor the most important of these. for 2011 is 2.770, up from 2.457 for 2010 and Online Readership 2.376 for 2009. Full text downloads for Applied Vegetation Scie‐ Production time nce increased from 14,345 in 2009 and 28,812 in Times from receipt of a final manuscript at the 2010 to 44,741 in 2011. publisher to publication in (1) early view,(2) the Full text downloads for Journal of Vegetation online issue, and (3) the print issue have steadily Science increased from 72,916 in 2009 and improved over the last two years and are now 139,378 in 2010 to 187,666 in 2011. very competitive with other journals (see below for details).

Applied Vegetation Science

Journal of Vegetation Science

Revenue Applied Vegetation Science and Journal of Revenue received by IAVS from Wiley‐Blackwell Vegetation Science are now available in 5,978 has remained strong with receipts of 113,512€ institutions in the developing world. in 2010 and 114,975€ in 2011. If current trends continue IAVS should receive approximately 2. Deliberations of the Publications 140,000€ for 2012. Committee Reaching new and developing markets The IAVS Publications Committee consists of Robert Peet, Chair (US), Helge Bruelheide (DE), Hans Henrik Bruun (DK), Jessica Gurevitch (US),

16 Tomáš Herben (CZ), Michael Manthey (DE), IAVS Book Series Bastow Wilson (NZ), and Martin Zobel (EE). During the IAVS meeting in Lyon there were or‐ ganized discussions about a possible IAVS book The Committee met once by Skype (February series. Several publishers expressed an interest 2012) and exchanged considerable email. Below in publishing such a series. Laco Mucina was I summarize a few of our primary topics of deli‐ charged by the Governing Board with exploring beration. options. In December he submitted a formal The IAVS Bulletin proposal, which the Governing Board referred The committee agrees with continued digital to the Publications Committee. publication of the Bulletin and feels that initially about the propo‐ there should be two issues per year, though if The Committee is enthusiastic sed book series. There might be a large market there is sufficient content available more issues for books or manuals containing methods, pro‐ would be fine. One issue should be released tocols and best practices for postgraduate stu‐ shortly after the annual meeting to report the dents and for practitioners in the conservation events at the meeting including the minutes of and management communities. Topics might the Council meeting and the minutes of the primarily focus on sampling and monitoring of General Assembly. Another issue should appear vegetation environment. The Committee advi‐ approximately 4‐5 months prior to the annual sed the Governing Board to move ahead with meeting to advertise that event. the proposal and to encourage Mucina to take The role of the Bulletin was discussed. At pre‐ next steps, both in contacting publishers and in sent, it primarily serves as a home for perma‐ recruiting possible volume authors/editors. nent records about the Association, such as Management was discussed and the Committee minutes of meetings and reports of Committees, favors an Editor‐in‐Chief (initially Laco) who Working Groups and Sections. However, these would be the primary leader and promoter, but roles could be served equally well by the IAVS who would work with a small Advisory Board website. The more important role of the Bulle‐ whose members would share in making the key tin is to keep the membership engaged and decisions. Final negotiations with publishers aware of IAVS by promoting communication and would need to involve the Publications Commit‐ by keeping the membership informed. To suc‐ tee and/or the Governing Board. ceed in this role it will be important to identify a person (or persons) to serve as Editor with this Plan for review of the journals and the Chief being his/her/their primary role within IAVS. Editors IAVS Bylaw 5.6 reads “The Publications Commit‐ Types of content that could be added were tee shall oversee the publications of the Asso‐ discussed. The usual candidates were mentio‐ ciation. The Chair of the Committee shall be the ned, such as included essays and obituaries. It Publications Officer and shall be one of the Vice was suggested that if there were a means for Presidents. The Chair shall be responsible for posting comments on a topic or content (rather interactions with the Chief Editors and with the like digital newspapers now often include), this publisher. The Committee shall review and could increase interest, though such comments approve proposals from the Chief Editors for would need to be moderated. Another sugges‐ major changes in the structure and content of tion was to feature perhaps two or three resear‐ the journals, and shall be responsible for a ch groups each issue (perhaps a half page of text recurring 4‐year review of the Chief Editors. The and a photo for each). These could also be lin‐ Committee shall advise the Council on re‐ ked separately from a place on our homepage, appointment of Chief Editors and evaluate and groups could be allowed to update their candidates to fill vacancies among the Chief postings. Editors. The Chief Editors shall select from

17 among themselves a representative to serve as Review of the IAVS contract with Wiley‐ a non‐voting, ex‐officio member of the Commit‐ Blackwell tee, except during evaluations of Chief Editors.” The initial IAVS contract with Blackwell was for 2009‐2013, after which there is automatic rene‐ The review process for the four‐year review of wal unless one party asks for renegotiation at the journals and the Chief Editors was discussed. least 1 year in advance. The Committee felt that As the last review was conducted in 2009, we both the Committee and the Governing Board anticipate that this will next be undertaken in late 2013 or early 2014. The Committee needs should review the currently contract during to prepare a brief document that describes the 2012 and decide whether there are any impor‐ by process and which can be reviewed and discus‐ tant changes we would like to have in place January 2014. The Publications Officer brought sed by Council in 2013 and subsequently imple‐ this matter up with our representatives at Wi‐ mented by the Governing Board. One compli‐ ley‐Blackwell and they will prepare a proposed cation for implementation is that several mem‐ new contract for our consideration. They antici‐ bers of the Publications Committee are involved pate having this completed by the end of in the editing of the journals. It will be neces‐ August. Meanwhile, the Committee solicits sary to identify a small set of persons without suggestions as to changes that might be needed such conflicts of interest to conduct the review, in an updated contract. All such suggestions and selection of this group will need to be done should be addressed to the Publications Officer in consultation with the Governing Board. It would be best if the results of the review could and should be received by the end of August. be discussed in person with the Chief Editors at Respectfully submitted, July 11, 2012 the annual meeting in Perth in 2014. Robert K. Peet, IAVS Publication Officer

Island in the Korean archipelago south of Mokpo (photo by Martin Diekmann)

18

Mid‐ symposium excursion to Jindo

Near Ssanggyesa Temple, with Cheomchalsan Mountain in the back

Sara Landi, Ale Chiarucci & Forest with Quercus sp. Chairman of the Organizing Bastow Wilson Committee, Sun‐Kee Hong

(all photos by Martin Diekmann)

19

Annual report of the European Dry Grassland Group

@gmail.com): Contact Officer to other The European Dry Grassland Group (EDGG; organisations www.edgg.org), an IAVS Working Group since . Stephen (Steve) Venn (Helsinki, FI, autumn 2009, had 822 members from 51 coun‐ [email protected]): Secretary‐General tries (as of 10 June 2012). EDGG is a network of . Mike Vrahnakis (Karditsa, GR, mvrahnakis dry grassland researchers and conservationists, @teilar.gr): Meetings Coordina‐tor, Officer of covering all dry grassland‐related aspects from the Special Policy Committee vegetation science, via botany, mycology, zoolo‐ gy, soil science, and landscape ecology to con‐ In addition to its four traditional regional sub‐ servation, restoration, and agriculture. In 2011, groups (German Arbeitsgruppe Trockenrasen, EDGG developed Bylaws, which were approved the Working Group on Dry Grasslands in the by a ballot among the members, later slightly Nordic and Baltic Region, the Working Group on modified by the EDGG Executive Committee Mediterranean Dry Grasslands [Med‐DG], and following discussions with the IAVS Governing the Southeast European Dry Grassland Group Board, and finally approved by the IAVS Council [SEEDGG]), EDGG now has a topical working in Mokpo. group Grassland Conservation and Restoration (contact: P. Török) and a Special‐Policy Commit‐ In December 2011, formal election to the EDGG Executive Committee took place for the first tee (contact: M. Vrahnakis). time. The Executive Committee 2011‐13 consists EDGG organised five major events since the last of six members with equal rights but different report: responsibilities: . 8th European Dry Grassland Meeting in . Jürgen Dengler (Hamburg, DE, juergen. Uman’, Ukraine, 13–17 June 2011; topic: Dry dengler@uni‐hamburg.de): Membership Ad‐ grassland of Europe: biodiversity, classifica‐ ministrator, Representative towards IAVS, tion, conservation and management; atten‐ Coordinator for Special Features, Coordi‐ ded by 80 participants from 18 countries. nator for EDGG Expeditions, Book Review . 9th European Dry Grassland Meeting in Editor Prespa, Greece, 19–23 May 2012; topic: Dry . Monika Janišová (Banská Bystrica, SK, grasslands of Europe: grazing and ecosystem [email protected]): Editor‐in‐Chief services; attended by more than 120 partici‐ of the Bulletin of the EDGG pants from approx. 20 countries. . Solvita Rūsiņa (Riga, LV, [email protected]): Editor‐ . 3rd EDGG Research Expedition to mountains in‐Chief of the EDGG homepage in NW Bulgaria, 14–24 August 2011; attended . Péter Török (Debrecen, HU, molinia by 9 scientists from 5 countries.

20 . 4th EDGG Research Expedition to Sicily, Italy, (EDGG guest editors: M. Janišová, C. Well‐ 29 March – 5 April 2012; attended by 14 par‐ stein, W. Willner & J. Dengler) and 32 (2012) ticipants from 5 countries. with 5 papers (EDGG guest editors: D. . 5th EDGG Research Expedition to N Greece, Galvánek, T. Becker & J. Dengler). 15–23 May 2012 (partially parallel to the con‐ Presently, five EDGG‐edited Special Issues / ference in Prespa); attended by 17 partici‐ Features in international journals are in prepa‐ pants from 6 countries. ration: The forthcoming events of 2013 are: . Special Issue of Agriculture, Ecosystems and . 10th European Dry Grassland Meeting in Environment on Grassland biodiversity: pat‐ Zaność, Poland, 24–31 May 2013; topic When terns, processes and conservation (EDGG theory meets practice: conservation and guest editors: J. Dengler, M. Janišová, P. restoration of grasslands; conference Török & C. Wellstein) homepage: . Special Issue of Biodiversity and Conservation http://www.edgg.org/edgg_meeting_2013.ht on Diversity patterns in European grasslands ml; online registration will soon be possible across taxa, regions and scales (EDGG guest on the conference homepage. editors: J.C. Habel, M. Wiezik, M. Janišová, P. . 6th EDGG Research Expedition to the Russian Török & C. Wellstein & J. Dengler) part of the Altai Mountains (central Asia), 21 . Virtual Special Issue of Applied Vegetation July – 1 August 2013; deadline for registra‐ Science on Towards a consistent classification tion: 31 December 2012; contact Nikolai of European grasslands (EDGG guest editors: Ermakov ([email protected]) and Jürgen J. Dengler, E. Bergmeier, W. Willner & M. Dengler (juergen.dengler@uni‐hamburg.de) Chytrý) . Special Feature of Tuexenia on Temperate dry Furthermore, EDGG was active in publishing: . Informative web page at http://www.edgg. grasslands (EDGG guest editors: T. Becker, D. org. Galvánek, E. Ruprecht, T. Reitalu & J. Deng‐ . Publication of issues 10 to 15 of the quarterly ler) . Bulletin of the European Dry Grassland Group Special Issue of Hacquetia on Mediterranean (ISSN 1868‐2456), each containing approx. 30 dry grasslands (EDGG guest editors: I. Apo‐ full‐colour pages (see http://www.edgg.org/ stolova, R. Di Pietro, R. Gavilán, I. Tsiripidis & publications.htm). Since recently the Bulletin J. Dengler) provides the op‐tion for regular, citable, non‐ Further information on EDGG can be found on peer reviewed papers (reports, reviews, our homepage at www.edgg.org. If YOU wish to forum contributions and research articles). join EDGG, just send an e‐mail to the member‐ . Dry Grassland Special Feature in the ISI‐jour‐ ship administrator, Jürgen Dengler (juergen. nal Plant Biosystems 145 (2011) with 10 dengler@uni‐hamburg.de). papers (EDGG guest editors: M. Janišová, S. Bartha, K. Kiehl & J. Dengler) . Two Dry Grassland Special Features in the ISI‐ Jürgen Dengler (on behalf of the Executive journal Tuexenia: 31 (2011) with 5 papers Committee of the EDGG)

21 Annual report of the

European Vegetation Survey Group

The 21st annual meeting of the European contact the EVS Membership Administrator Vegetation Survey (EVS) took place in Vienna on Emiliano Agrillo ([email protected]). 24–27 May 2012, with an optional excursion on Following the Bylaws, a new EVS Steering 28 May, and was organized on a highly profess‐ Committee for 2012–2016 was elected from a sional level by Wolfgang Willner and his collea‐ broader pool of candidates. It comprises Erwin gues from VINCA (Vienna Institute for Nature Bergmeier, Milan Chytrý, John Rodwell, Joop Conservation and Analyses) and the University Schaminée and Wolfgang Willner. The new EVS of Vienna. The meeting was attended by 196 Secretary, chosen by the Steering Committee participants from 28 countries who presented members for the same period, is Milan Chytrý. 58 talks and 90 posters. It was a joint meeting of The main tasks for the new Steering Committee the EVS with the ‘11th Meeting on Vegetation include development of closer cooperation bet‐ Databases’ of the German Working Group on ween vegetation survey researchers from all of Vegetation Databases. The scientific programme Europe and beyond, and stimulation of coordi‐ on three main topics: (1) vegetation focused nated work towards the synthetic overview of databases and large‐scale vegetation classifica‐ diversity of European vegetation. On the longer tion, (2) biogeographical patterns in vegetation, term this will include the development of a cen‐ and (3) vegetation and global change. The mid‐ tralized European Vegetation Archive (EVA), its conference excursions were to the Biosphere interfacing with the information system Reserve Vienna Woods, Danube National Park SynBioSys Europe and – as a main goal – its use and National Park Neusiedler See, and the post‐ in basic and applied research of European vege‐ Vienna Woods. conference excursion was to the tation. One of the short‐term goals is a launch of A highlight of the social part of the meeting was the EVS website, but already now EVS members a plentiful dinner in one of the typical Viennese who are Facebook users can join the EVS Group Heuriger pubs. We thank our Austrian collea‐ at gues for the perfect organization of the meeting https://www.facebook.com/groups/EuropeanV and the very friendly atmosphere in Vienna. egetationSurvey/. New Bylaws of the European Vegetation Survey As a new Secretary, I want to thank the retiring (EVS) as a Working Group of the International Secretary, John Rodwell, for all his work done Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS) were for our Working Group over many years and for approved by the participants of the Vienna his tireless dissemination of the spirit of friendly meeting. These Bylaws define EVS members as international cooperation within our scientia persons who have registered for some EVS mee‐ amabilis. I am happy that John will stay with us ting or who ask the EVS Membership Admini‐ as a member of the Steering Committee and will strator to be included in the EVS emailing list. further participate in shaping EVS ideas and However, there is no fee and no obligations visions. resulting from this kind of membership. EVS members do not need to be members of IAVS, Milan Chytrý although EVS encourages IAVS membership. Anyone interested in joining EVS is advised to

22

Annual report of the

Ecoinformatics Group In 2003, the Ecoinformatics Working Group and This year a major international collaborative the Council of the International Association for effort implemented Veg‐X. The Botanical Infor‐ Vegetation Science endorsed the development mation and Ecology Network (BIEN, based at the of a standard exchange schema for vegetation US National Center for Ecological Analysis and plot data. In 2007, a first workshop was held to Synthesis in Santa Barbara, California) is a formulate a common set of goals, concepts, and network of ecologists, botanists, conservation terminology for plot‐based vegetation data. At a scientists and other researchers interested in second workshop in 2008, this ontology was global patterns of plant diversity, function and developed into an XML schema representation distribution (http://bien.nceas.ucsb.edu/bien/). designed to be maximally compatible with The central goal is to understand the determi‐ existing standards and databases. In late 2011, a nants of the past and present plant distribu‐ special issue of JVS focused on ecoinformatics tions, abundances, and co‐occurrences. This included the introduction of Veg‐X, the draft knowledge is essential for predicting how international exchange standard for plot‐based species, vegetation and agricultural crops will vegetation data (Wiser, S.K., N. Spencer, M. De respond to future climate changes. The BIEN Cáceras, M. Kleikamp, R.K. Peet. 2011. Veg‐X – team is working to assemble a demonstration An exchange standard for plot‐based vegetation project that includes most of the premier plant data. Journal of Vegetation Science 22: 598‐ biodiversity data for the Americas including 609). Veg‐X accommodates observations of both individual species occurrence records (e.g. vegetation at both individual plant (e.g. stems) specimen data) and co‐occurrence records (i.e. and aggregated observation levels (e.g. cover plot data). At present their database includes values). It ensures that observations are fixed to around 15,000,000 plant occurrence records. physical sample plots at specific points in space BIEN is using VegX mostly as an intermediate and time, and makes a distinction between the data schema to facilitate mapping plot and spe‐ entity of interest (e.g. an individual plant) and cimen data to a common schema before impor‐ the observational act (e.g. a measurement). The ting it into VegBIEN. The large size of the data‐ standard supports repeated measurements of sets used by the BIEN project has led to both individual organisms and plots, allows ob‐ improvements in VegX to increase efficiency of servations of entities to be grouped following data exchange and use. Finally, BIEN has used predefined or user‐defined criteria, and ensures VegX to expand our VegBank‐based database that the connection between the entity obser‐ schema to include additional plots elements. ved and taxonomic concept associated with that These developments move both BIEN and VegX observation are maintained. Establishment of closer to the ultimate goal of uniting an ever‐ exchange standards followed by development of growing pool of plant distributional data with ecoinformatics tools built around those stan‐ information on plant co‐occurrence, ecology, dards should allow scientists to efficiently com‐ traits and phylogeny. ONE product of the BIEN bine plot data over extensive spatial and tempo‐ initiative of particular value to the ecoinforma‐ ral gradients in order to perform analyses and tics community is TNRS, the Taxonomic Name make predictions of vegetation change and Resolution Service (http://tnrs.iplantcollabora dynamics at local and global scales. tive.org/), which promises to be of particular value in integrating datasets of mixed

23 provenance and that follow mixed taxonomic Vegetation Science 22: 582‐597; News from the authorities. Global Index of Vegetation‐Plot Databases (GIVD): the metadata platform, available data, Jürgen Dengler, Florian Jansen, Falko Glöckler and their properties. Biodiversity & Ecology 4: in and nine other Working Group members have press). Additionally, nearly all databases developed and described GIVD, the Global Index registered in GIVD will be represented in a of Vegetation‐Plot Databases (http://www.givd. standardized manner in Database Reports to be Info). GIVD is an index of digital plot databases and currently contains metadata on in excess of published in a Special Volume of Biodiversity & 182 databases containing more than 2.87 Ecology to be published in July 2012. million plots. The vegetation‐plot data register‐ Miquel De Cáceres, in collaboration with the red in GIVD constitute a major resource for IAVS Ecoinformatics Working Group, has taken biodiversity research, both through the large the lead in initiating and coordinating an IAVS number of species occurrence records and the website devoted to vegetation classification storage of species co‐occurrence information at methods (https://sites.google.com/site/vegclass a small scale, combined with structural data and methods/). Persons interested in contributing to plot‐based environmental data. The database this website are encouraged to contact Miquel. and associated data are described in detail in Dengler et al. 2011 and Jansen et al. 2012 (The Global Index of Vegetation‐Plot Databases: a Robert Peet & Susan Wiser new resource for vegetation science. Journal of

Annual report of the

Circumboreal Vegetation Map (CBVM) Contact person: Stephen Talbot E‐mail: [email protected]; Homepage:group http://caff.is/flora ‐cfg/circumboreal‐vegetation‐map

The goal of the Circumboreal Vegetation Map‐ man interaction. A common legend and lan‐ ping (CBVM) project is to provide a common guage for describing boreal ecosystems is international framework for understanding the essential for answering questions at a global boreal region and the conservation of its flora scale. Boreal forests are particularly appropriate and vegetation. Currently, various maps already for unified classification because of their high exist of the boreal biome, but these do not rely level of floristic, physiognomic and syntaxono‐ on a unified international method for classifying mic similarity across the entire biome. A circum‐ and mapping boreal vegetation. By recognizing boreal vegetation map will have numerous the boreal region as a single geoecosystem with other application uses for boreal scientists and a common set of cultural, political and economic managers such as impact studies on wildlife and issues, the CBVM will produce the first detailed feedback mechanisms in models or increased vegetation map of this entire global biome. Such emission of greenhouse gases. The CBVM will a map is needed for a wide variety of purposes also contribute to global efforts to improve related to resource development, land‐use plan‐ understanding and communication with policy‐ ning, studies of boreal biota and biodiversity, makers. education, anticipated global changes and hu‐

24 The tasks listed above are directly related to 1) Southwestern Alaska: Torre Jorgenson, Eco‐ activities of the International Association for science, Fairbanks, Alaska; Vegetation Science (http://www.iavs.org/): 2) Western Canada, Northern British Columbia: Del Meidinger, Meidinger Ecological Consultants 1. The Circumboreal Vegetation Map will syn‐ Ltd., Victoria, BC, Canada and Will MacKenzie, thesize comprehensive knowledge about diver‐ British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Natural sity, ecology, geography and disturbance of Resource Operations, Smithers, BC, Canada; boreal biome; 3) Eastern Canada, Québec: André Robitaille, 2. The CBVM is based on international scientific Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la cooperation of phytosociologists from a wide Faune du Québec, Sainte‐Foy, Québec, Canada; spectrum of countries; and Jean‐Pierre Saucier, Némoralis, Québec; Antoine 3. The basic scientific problems solved within Leboeuf and Elisabeth Dufour, Ministère des the frame of the CBVM correspond to the actual Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec, thematic activities of the IAVS. These activities Sainte‐Foy, Québec; include: 4) Iceland: Gudmundur Gudjónsson, Eythór ‐ classification of vegetation of large regions Einarsson & Rannveig Thoroddsen, Icelandic ‐ development of the system of bioclimatic sub‐ Institute of Natural History, Gardabaer, Iceland; divisions of vegetation ‐ plant‐geographical and evolutional regularities 5) Altai‐Sayan, Central Russia: Nicolai Ermakov, in boreal vegetation Lab. Ecology and Geobotany, Central Siberian ‐ monographic study of entire (largest) biome Botanical Garden, Russian Academy of Sciences, ‐ dynamic and disturbance of boreal vegetation Novosibirsk, Russia; ‐ small‐scale geobotanical mapping 6) Russian Far East: Pavel V. Krestov, Botanical ‐ boreal vegetation in satellite images Garden‐Institute FEB RAS, Vladivostok, Russia;

7) Western Russia, Kamchatka: Valentina Yu. Toward these goals our primary activities during this reporting period have involved: 1) CBVM Neshataeva, Anton Pesterov, and Sergei Golu‐ workshop in Akureyri, Iceland; 2) publication of bev, Komarov Botanical Institute, Russian Aca‐ the proceedings of the CBVM Akureyri work‐ demy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia. shop as a “CAFF Proceedings Series Report”; 3) special CBVM session at the Vladivostok 2012 In addition to the papers mentioned above, Symposium; and 4) post‐symposium field trip to William Meades and Kenneth Baldwin (Natural the Ussuri region in the Russian Far East. Sum‐ Resources Canada – Canadian Forestry Service, maries of these four topics are presented below. Great lakes Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Canada) presented a paper on “CBVM activities in Cana‐ th A CBVM Workshop at the 6 International Con‐ da” and Daniel Sanchez‐Mata (Department of servation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Plant Biology II, Complutense University, Ma‐ Group (CAFF) Circumpolar Flora Group (CFG) drid, Spain) and Salvador Rivas‐Martínez (Phyto‐ Meeting was held in Akureyri, Iceland, 28 – 31 sociological Research Center, Los Negrales, January 2011. At this meeting we focused on Madrid, Spain) presented a paper “Bioclimatic refining the CBVM legend within seven proto‐ Dossier for the ‘Circumboreal Vegetation type mapping areas; these areas were selected Mapping Project’ (CBVM).” to represent the vegetation diversity of the bo‐ real zone and serve as a test of our preliminary The papers listed above will be published as a legend. Accordingly, vegetation maps were pre‐ CAFF Proceedings Series Report in late summer pared by team members for seven prototype 2012. The report will be available in both elec‐ areas across the boreal zone: tronic and hard copy formats.

25 The Vladivostok Symposium titled The East September 29: Start from Lukyanovka and drive Asian Flora and its role in the formation of the to Chuguevka (300 km). Chuguegka forest sta‐ world’s vegetation is organized by Pavel Krestov tion. Boreo‐nemoral forests and their postfire (Botanical Garden‐Institute, Russian Academy of derivates. Overnight stay is in log cabins in Sciences, Far Eastern Branch, Vladivostok). The Chuguevka forest station. symposium will have a special session on a Con‐ September 30: Field excursion to the upper part (CAFF) action servation of Arctic Flora and Fauna of Sokolovka river, diversity of fir‐spruce forests. item, the Circumboreal Vegetation Mapping Overnight stay is in log cabins in Chuguevka (CBVM) (http://www.geobotanica.ru/sympo forest station. sium/). The CBVM session is coordinated by Nicolai Ermakov (Laboratory of Ecology and October 01: Start from Chuguevka and drive to Geobotany, Central Siberian Botanical Garden, Ternei (350 km). Post‐fire and post‐logging Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk). forests, mire vegetation, coastal vegetation. Overnight stay is in Ternei hotel. A post‐symposium excursion to the Southern Boundary of Circumboreal Zone and Ussuri October 02: Field trip to the upper part of Dzhi‐ Taiga: September 28 ‐ October 4, 2012 follows gitovka river (drive 80 km), hike to the Glukho‐ the Vladivostok 2012 Symposium. This excursion manka Mt. Fir‐spruce forests, Betula ermanii will give CBVM members an opportunity to forests, Pinus pumila thickets. Overnight stay is discuss boreal mapping issues in the field. The in log cabins. preliminary itinerary is given below: October 03: Drive to Melnichnoye 300 km. Stops September 28: Start from Vladivostok and field in larch forests, old‐growth Korean pine forests, trip to Lukyanovka Village (200 km drive), clim‐ mires, post‐logging and postfire successions, ex‐ bing to Livadiyskaya Mt. (1333 m a.s.l.) (crossing tensive valley forests in Armu river. Overnight the sequence of broadleaved‐Korean pine (Pinus stay is in log cabins. koraiensis), Abies nephrolepis‐Picea jezoensis, October 04: Return in Vladivostok with several Betula ermanii forest belts, reaching scrub of stops on the way. Microbiota decussata) with fragments of alpine vegetation. Overnight stay is in log cabins In 2013 we plan to convene a workshop in the (Barkhatnaya‐Sikhote). European region to finalize the CBVM legend. This may be held in Helsinki or in conjunction with the CAFF Biennial in Moscow.

26 Bylaws of the

European Dry Grassland Group

Article 1. Name, Affiliation data resources, and other media dealing 1. This Group shall be known as the European with dry grasslands, Dry Grassland Group (hereafter EDGG). d. encouragement and facilitation of com‐ 2. EDGG is a Working Group of the International munication between grassland scientists and Association for Vegetation Science (hereafter policymakers at all levels of government, as IAVS), and consequently these Bylaws are sub‐ well as with private and public organizations, sidiary to the Statutes and Bylaws of IAVS. e. provision of awards, grants, scholarships Article 2. Objectives, Activities, Facilities and other financial assistance to charitable organizations, societies, associations, com‐ 1. The objectives of the EDGG shall be to: panies or persons that advance the objecti‐ a. develop and advance research on any ves of the EDGG, and aspect (vegetation, flora, fauna, soils, etc.) of f. other mechanisms, provided they are western Palaearctic dry grasslands and step‐ consistent with the stated objectives of the pes, EDGG. b. promote education on dry grasslands, 3. To achieve its aims, the EDGG provides four c. promote the publication of research major facilities for information exchange among results on dry grasslands, dry grassland researchers and conservationists: d. facilitate scientific and personal communi‐ a. the Bulletin of the EDGG, cation among scientists who are interested b. the EDGG mailing list, in Palaearctic dry grasslands, c. the EDGG homepage, e. promote appropriate application of dry d. the European Dry Grassland Meetings, grassland research for the good of society, organized annually in different places particularly in environmental management throughout Europe. and public decision making, and Article 3. Membership and Fees f. promote policies and legislation towards protection, proper management, and resto‐ 1. Membership of the EDGG is open to all natu‐ ration of high nature value grasslands in ral persons who are interested in dry grasslands general. and who are willing to support the objectives of EDGG. 2. These objectives may be achieved by the following activities: 2. Membership of the EDGG is free of charge, and membership of the IAVS is optional. a. organization, promotion and administra‐ tion of scientific meetings, research expedi‐ 3. Membership is obtained by tions, and field trips, a. written application to the EDGG Member‐ b. establishment of Regional or Topical ship Administrator, Subgroups, or Special Committees, b. registration for participation in a confe‐ c. publication, editing and distribution of rence, expedition or fieldtrip of the EDGG, or journals, special features, articles, books,

27 c. authorship in an EDGG‐edited publication 2. Election or Special Feature. a. The Executive Committee shall consist of 4. Membership can be terminated by any three to seven members. member and at any time by means of a written b. The members of the Executive Committee request addressed to the Membership Admini‐ shall be elected for terms of two years. strator. Membership automatically terminates at the 5. It is the responsibility of members to provide time of the General Assembly, which is held the Membership Administrator with a function‐ in uneven years. Members of the Executive ning e‐mail address. Membership is terminated Committee may be re‐elected. The new when no functioning email address is available Executive Committee takes over its duties to the Membership Administrator. before the General Assembly. Article 4. Executive Committee c. Prior to the election, the General Mem‐ 1. Responsibilities. bership shall be invited to provide nomina‐ tions of candidates for the Executive a. The Executive Committee shall be the pri‐ Committee. Any EDGG member may be mary governing body of the EDGG. nominated as a candidate for the Executive b. The Executive Committee represents the Committee by any member of the EDGG, EDGG and shall be in charge of the daily including himself/herself. affairs of the EDGG. d. Only those nominees who agree to take c. The Executive Committee exerts authority the seat if elected will be accepted and listed in any matter not allocated to other organs as candidates. by the Bylaws. e. The elections will be conducted via elec‐ d. The Executive Committee will have the tronic forms among all members. The dura‐ following main responsibilities: tion of the election period will be four weeks. In the election, each member can i. Publication of the Bulletin of the EDGG; vote for up to seven candidates. Those three ii. Maintenance of the EDGG homepage; candidates with the highest number of votes are elected. Additionally, the candidates iii. Organisation of the European Dry with the fourth to seventh highest numbers Grassland Meetings in cooperation with of votes are elected, provided they were the Local Organising Committees; voted for by at least half of the voters. In the iv. Organisation of General Assemblies case of a tie, all candidates with the same and of elections to the Executive Com‐ number of votes are elected. mittee as well as conducting electronic 3. Termination of Membership ballots of the General Membership as required; a. A Member of the Executive Committee can resign from his/her position at any time. v. Internal communication with mem‐ bers and Subgroups and coordination of b. A Member of the Executive Committee all EDGG activities; can be dismissed by a majority vote of a Qualified General Assembly (i.e. an vi. External communication with IAVS, Assembly of 40 EDGG members from at least other organisations, institutions and 10 different countries) or in an electronic individuals. ballot among the General Membership. c. In case of resignation or dismissal, the re‐ maining Executive Committee members may

28 appoint a replacement to fill any such vacant responsibilities of its Officers. The Executive positions until the following General Assem‐ Committee may reorganize the arrangement bly. of these responsibilities at any time. 4. Assignment of Responsibilities 5. Representation and Decisions a. The Executive Committee designates from a. Each member of the Executive Committee its membership one Officer for each of the is entitled to publicize activities of the EDGG six required functions: to members and non‐members. At the IAVS, the EDGG is represented by the IAVS Repre‐ i. Representative to the IAVS, who must sentative or his/her Deputy. be a member of the IAVS. b. All decisions of the Executive Committee ii. Membership Administrator who main‐ tains the membership list and is respon‐ are taken by the whole Executive Committee sible for general communication with the unless they belong to the specific response‐ members. bilities of a certain Officer. Also, fundamen‐ tal decisions regarding the Bulletin of the iii. Secretary‐General, who prepares and EDGG, the EDGG homepage and the Europe‐ archives all official documents of the an Dry Grassland Meetings are to be made EDGG, such as the Bylaws and minutes of by the whole Executive Committee. The meetings of the General Assembly and majority of the Executive Committee can Executive Committee, as well as the re‐ overrule any individual decision of one of its sults of elections and ballots and make Officers. these available to the general member‐ ship. c. Decisions by the Executive Committee are made by a simple majority of its members iv. Editor‐in‐Chief of the Bulletin of the (not votes), except in issues which require a EDGG, who is in charge of the everyday three‐quarter majority in accordance with business of the Bulletin of the EDGG. these Bylaws. v. Editor‐in‐Chief of the EDGG home‐ d. Meetings of the Executive Committee may page, who is in charge of the everyday be held in person, by remote communica‐ business of the EDGG homepage. tion or by a combination of these. vi. Meetings Coordinator, who collects 6. Reporting. ideas for future venues of European Dry Grassland Meetings, communicates with Each year during the General Assembly, the potential meeting hosts, and supports Executive Committee shall present an annu‐ the Local Organising Committees as the al report of its activities since the previous representative of the Executive Commit‐ General Assembly and those planned for the A copy of this report shall be submit‐ tee. future. ted to the Secretary of IAVS. b. The Executive Committee may also desi‐ Article 5. General Assembly gnnate Deputy Officers for each of the six required functions, as well as Officers for 1. The Executive Committee shall organize Ge‐ other responsibilities. neral Assemblies on an annual basis, to be held c. A member of the Executive Committee in conjunction with the European Dry Grassland may hold more than one of the named Meetings. functions. 2. During the General Assembly, the member‐ shall receive the annual reports of the d. The Executive Committee will keep the ship Executive Committee. membership informed regarding the

29 3. Any member of the EDGG may raise an issue Their terms of duty terminate with that of the or appeal a Decision of the Executive Committee Executive Committee that appointed them or by by proposing the matter for consideration by dissolution through the Executive Committee. the General Assembly. Members may, by sub‐ 4. The Executive Committee shall appoint Teams mission of a petition signed by at least ten of Editors for EDGG Special Features in scientific members of the EDGG, request that an item journals and for other publications, jointly with by a member of the EDGG during the proposed the respective Editor(s)‐in‐Chief. General Assembly meeting be voted on by the General Assembly. Article 8. European Dry Grassland Meetings 4. If at least 40 EDGG members from at least 10 1. Each potential future European Dry Grassland different countries are represented in a General Meeting (venue, date, topic, excursions) has to Assembly and no country represents more than be presented and discussed in at least one Ge‐ one third of these members (Qualified General neral Assembly prior to a decision. After such a Assembly), its decisions are binding over the presentation, a Qualified General Assembly can Executive Committee; otherwise they are decide (a) to accept the proposal; (b) to delega‐ recommendations that can be overruled by the te the decision to the Executive Committee; or majority of the Executive Committee. (c) if the presentation is at least two years prior to the proposed meeting, to postpone the 5. The Executive Committee shall approve the decision to the subsequent General Assembly. minutes, and the Secretary‐General shall distribute them in the Bulletin of the EDGG. 2. All fundamental issues not decided by the General Assembly after such a presentation

Article 6. Decisions by General Membership (because the General Assembly was not quali‐ 1. If required by either the General Assembly or fied, because it delegated them or left them the Executive Committee, final decisions on im‐ open) are decided by a majority decision of the portant issues can be delegated for resolution Executive Committee. by an electronic ballot of the General Member‐ 3. For each European Dry Grassland Meeting, ship of EDGG. the Executive Committee shall appoint a Local Article 7. Regional or Topical Subgroups and Organising Committee consisting of one or more SpecialCommittees persons proposed by the meetings host(s) plus or his/her Deputy. 1. Members of the EDGG may organize Regional the Meetings Coordinator or Topical Subgroups. The establishment, reor‐ 4. All fundamental decisions regarding a Europe‐ ganization and renaming of such Subgroups an Dry Grassland Meeting are made by the Local needs to be approved either by the Executive Organising Committee jointly with the Executive Committee, General Assembly or by an elec‐ Committee. This particularly applies to financial tronic ballot of the General Membership issues such as fees, applications for financial support and the use of financial surpluses. 2. Subgroups can be dissolved by a three‐ quarter vote of the Executive Committee or by a Article 9. Modification of the Bylaws majority of either a Qualified General simple The Bylaws can be modified by Assembly or an electronic ballot of the General Membership. a. a majority vote of the General Member‐ ship in an electronic ballot, or 3. The Executive Committee can appoint Special Committees that support its work within specific b. a majority vote of a Qualified General fields. Special Committees consist of one or Assembly, or more members from the Executive Committee c. through a vote by three quarters of all and any number of ordinary EDGG members. Executive Committee members.

30 Article 10. Status as IAVS Working Group 2. If the EDGG is to handle its own financial assets, this must be done through the accounts The status of being a Working Group of the IAVS of the IAVS. The EDGG Executive Committee can be terminated at any time by a shall arrange with the IAVS Governing Board a. two‐third vote of a Qualified General that ensures that such money is exclusively used Assembly or a majority vote of an electronic according to the intentions of the EDGG. ballot among the EDGG General Member‐ Article 12. Dissolution ship, or A decision on the dissolution of the EDGG can b. decision of the IAVS Council. only be made by a majority of votes in an elec‐ Article 11. General Prohibitions and Finances tronic ballot among the General Membership. 1. The General Prohibitions stated in Article 12 of the IAVS Statutes apply to the EDGG.

Tree limit on the volcano Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, the highest mountain top in Korea

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Huge populations of Sasa quelpaertensis View down to the coast from Mt. Halla

Anaphalis sinica Spiranthes sinensis Impressions from the montane and (photo by Angela Pannek) subalpine belts around Mt. Halla, Jeju Island

Known to most people as a garden plant: Hortensia (Hydrangea macrophylla) growing wild on Mt. Halla

Photos by Martin Diekmann (except S. sinensis)

32 Bylaws of the

European Vegetation Survey Group

Article 1. Name and Status (b) registration for participation in a confe‐ rence, workshop or fieldtrip of the EVS. The name of this organization shall be “Europe‐ an Vegetation Survey” (EVS). It shall be a Wor‐ Membership is discontinued by a written state‐ king Group of the International Association for ment (electronic or hardcopy) sent to the EVS Vegetation Science (IAVS). Membership Administrator that the member does no longer want to be member of the EVS. Article 2. Purposes It is the responsibility of members to provide The main purposes of the EVS include: the Membership Administrator with a function‐ (a) the development of common data stan‐ ning e‐mail address. Membership is disconti‐ dards in the provision of phytosociolo‐ nued when no functioning e‐mail address is gical information about vegetation; available to either the Membership Admini‐ (b) the encouragement of national program‐ strator or the IAVS Secretary. mes of vegetation survey across Europe Article 4. Business meeting and beyond; A business meeting shall be held annually in (c) the development of software and an conjunction with an EVS meeting. All members electronic network for vegetation data attending may vote in the business meeting. exchange; Article 5. Steering Committee (d) the production of an overview of Euro‐ The Working Group shall have a Steering Com‐ pean vegetation; mittee (SC) with five elected members, each (e) the organization of scientific meetings; from a different European country. All SC mem‐ (f) the encouragement of international bers shall be members of IAVS. Each SC member research collaborations in vegetation shall be elected for a period of four years at the survey; next business meeting of the EVS following a vacancy. Nominations shall be received by the (g) the support of publications on concepts, EVS Secretary by e‐mail or in person at an EVS methods and results of vegetation sur‐ meeting and may be made by any member. SC vey in Europe and beyond. members may be elected for further periods of As a Working Group of IAVS, EVS shares the four years. The SC elects a Secretary from its IAVS goals and supports its activities. EVS is members and appoints a Membership Admini‐ subject to the Statutes and Bylaws of the IAVS. strator (who need not be a member of the SC) for a period of four years. All decisions on behalf Article 3. Membership of EVS except the election of the SC itself are Membership of the EVS is open to all persons made by the SC with majority. free of charge, and membership in the IAVS is Article 6. Duties of the Steering Committee optional. Membership in the EVS is obtained by: members (a) written application to the EVS Member‐ (a) The SC members promote the interests ship Administrator, or of the EVS, and supervise EVS operations and scientific activities;

33 (b) The Secretary presides at the EVS busi‐ Article 7. Finances ness meetings held during the EVS EVS financial assets shall be held by and mana‐ scientific meetings; ged through the accounts of IAVS. (c) The Secretary, at his or her discretion, Article 8. Amendments may call upon members or appoint committees to assist with the EVS affairs, These Bylaws will be adopted and may be amen‐ e.g. the Membership Administrator; ded by a 3/5 vote of the members participating in the business meeting of the EVS. Proposed (d) The Secretary keeps records of the EVS amendments must be circulated to the mem‐ supplies an annual report to IAVS; and bership by email at least two weeks in advance (e) The Membership Administrator keeps of the business meeting at which they are voted records of the EVS members. on. Changes in the bylaws are contingent on Council. approval by the IAVS

A loud noisemaker in parks and gardens on Jeju Island: the cicada (Photo by Martin Diekmann)

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