BCGC Activities 2013
Global change is one of the most hotly discussed topics in the world. Understanding the impact of global change is extremely important for the sustainable development of our earth. Therefore, in 2008, the International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS) initiated an international research program called Biological Consequences of Global Change (BCGC). In 2009, BCGC was adopted by the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) as a new international research program. In 2012, BCGC was reviewed as the core of IUBS scientific programmes and it was approved the by the 31st IUBS GA to implement the BCGC program for the next triennium (2013-2015).
The aim of BCGC is to promote understanding of the impact of global change on our biological systems so as to improve the management of our changing world. The focus of BCGC is to organize a diverse group of international experts in various scientific disciplines, to study the consequences of both global climate change and human activities on biological systems.
The BCGC programme also endeavors to promote international collaborations in this field among different countries, by organizing academic publications, workshops, a database and young scientist trainings. Moreover, through building the BCGC into a flagship program, the influence and leadership of IUBS in this very important field will be promoted and secured.
In 2013, BCGC organized 2 symposia, 1 workshop, 1 training course, 1 special issue in Integrative Zoology, and database consolidation. BCGC not only completed all actions described in the action plan for 2013, but exceeded.
Development of partnership
Sarita Maree, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Zoology & Entomology and Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, South Africa became a member scientist in the program.
Other outcomes
- A special issue on BCGC in Integrative Zoology was organized and published in June 2013
- A special presentation about the BCGC program was delivered at the ISZS Institutional Members meeting on 29th June 2013, Beijing, China
- A program information leaflet was displayed at the 5th ICSU Regional Consultation, “Future Earth in Asia and the Pacific”, 26–27 November 2013, Seoul, Korea
- A presentation on BCGC was delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Ecology 17–19 October 2013, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- A website was designed and constructed on ISZS official website at: http://www.globalzoology.org/dct/page/70004