Achievements in the BCGC programme 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 29^th 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

Publications

Zhang Z (2013): Biological Consequences of Global Change: past and future. Integrative Zoology. 8: 123. DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12043

Li X and Y Wang (2013): Applying various algorithms for species distribution modeling. Integrative Zoology. 8: 124–135. DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12000

Li Y , JM Cohen, JR Rohr (2013): Review and synthesis of the effects of climate change on amphibians. Integrative Zoology. 8: 145–161. DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12001

Møller, AP (2013): Biological consequences of global change for birds. Integrative Zoology. 8: 136–144. DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12006

Jiang G, J Liu, L Xu, G Yu, HE Honglin, Z Zhang (2013): Climate warming increases biodiversity of small rodents by favoring rare or less abundant species in a grassland ecosystem. Integrative Zoology, 8: 162–174. doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12027

Lu H, Y Wang, W Tang, W Du (2013): Experimental evaluation of reproductive response to climate warming in an oviparous skink. Integrative Zoology. 8: 175–183. doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12025

Goodman RM, AC Echternacht, JC Hall, LD Deng, JN Welch (2013): Influence of geography and climate on patterns of cell size and body size in the lizard Anolis carolinensis. Integrative Zoology, 8: 184–196. DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12041

Telemeco RS, DA Warner, MK Reida, FJ Janzen (2013): Extreme developmental temperatures result in morphological abnormalities in painted turtles (Chrysemys picta): a climate change perspective. Integrative Zoology, 8: 197–208. DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12019

Wnek JP, Bien WF, Avery HW (2013): Artificial nesting habitats as a conservation strategy for turtle populations experiencing global change. Integrative Zoology. 8: 209–221. DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12042

Conferences and Workshops

5^th International Symposium of Integrative Zoology (ISIZ), 25–28 June 2013, Beijing, China; approximately 100 attendees from 13 countries

BCGC held a Workshop at the Grassland Ecosystem Research Base of IOZ, CAS, 29–30th June 2013, Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, China with 23 attendees from 6 countries.

In 2008, in order to study Biological Consequences of Global Change, IOZ of CAS set up a grassland ecosystem research base in Xilingol, Inner Mongolia. The major scientific research involves climate change and human activities. By using artificial precipitation, cattle grazing, the research has a focus on population and community dynamics. The aim of the research is provide theory foundation for ecological management in grasslands by solving controversial scientific questions: fluctuation of rodents populations, special mating system, community succession in plants and soil animals.

During the workshop, the attendees exchanged ideas and had a hand-on experience with on-site information.

Please click for more photos

4^th International Symposium Borok-IV, 22–28 September 2013, Borok, Russia; approximately 100 attendees from 16 countries