Dear Ecological Section Members;

For our meeting (Botany 2009), we have received just one proposal (title: Phylogenetic and functional patterns of host plants and their associated fungi: implications for symbiotic co-evolution, community interactions, and ecosystem processes). We (Jeff, Cynthia and myself) have reviewed this request. We support this proposal as it is well organized with most of the speakers confirmed, is an appropriate topic for section - particularly given that we are meeting with the Mycological Society of America. I have provided a link to their proposal for your comments - http://www.botany.org/news/newsletters/ecology080915-symp.php.

Since it is the only proposal, I am not asking for a ranking.

While our section typically supports multiple symposia, we will likely only be able to support one starting now. Due to many symposia in recent meetings, the scheduling committee is planning to limit the total number to twelve; this is also why we are being sure to see proposals before BSA's deadline. Our deadline was Sept 8. If we receive any further proposals for sponsorship or co-sponsorship they will be considered as a second group since it will be after our deadline.

Sincerely,

Diane Byers
Chair, Ecological Section
Botanical Society of America
www.botany.org
www.BotanyConference.org
www.PlantingScience.org

Mission: The Botanical Society of America exists to promote botany, the field of basic science dealing with the study and inquiry into the form, function, development, diversity, reproduction, evolution, and uses of plants and their interactions within the biosphere.

The objectives of The Society are to: sustain and provide improved formal and informal education about plants; encourage basic plant research; provide expertise, direction, and position statements concerning plants and ecosystems; and foster communication within the professional botanical community, and between botanists and the rest of humankind through publications, meetings, and committees.