This Year's AZEF Meeting

Arid Zone Ecology Forum 2011 (Nieuwoudtville, 3-6 October 2011)

AZEF 2011 Venue

We are very excited to announce that the 2011 AZEF will take place in Nieuwoudtville and is going to be a dynamic and fulfilling conference. Attractions in and around this unique venue include:

• Hantam National Botanical Garden
• Kokerboom Forest
• Nieuwoudtville Waterfall
• Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
• Newly Proclaimed Knersvlakte Nature Reserve
• Rare & Endemic flora

AZEF 2011 Theme

This year’s theme “Interactions in the Arid Zone” was inspired by the unique biological wealth of the Bokkeveld Plateau, the scene of the 2011 AZEF.  Through this broad theme we hope to highlight the underlying complexity and inter-dependence of ecological systems and social dynamics. Topics and thematic areas will include but are not restricted to:Climate Change

• Pollination Biology
• Fire
• Landuse
• Policy and Conservation
• Invasive Biology
• Plant-Animal Interactions
• Livelihoods and the environment

AZEF 2011 Dates and Details

The conference will take place from 3-6 October 2011 in the beautiful sandstone hall of the Dutch Reformed Church of Nieuwoudtville (the Church itself is a national monument and was built in 1904).

We invite you to contribute platform papers of 15 minutes (15 minutes for presentation and 3 minutes for questions/discussion) or posters in the form of a 5 minute speed presentation (3 PowerPoint slides).

NB: All titles must reach the secretariat via email no later than 15th July 2011.
NB: All abstracts must reach the secretariat via email no later than 12th August 2011

Some of our exciting Keynote Speakers are: Dr Justin O’Riain (well-known mammalian behavioural ecologist); Sarah Frazee (Director Conservation SA); Dr Bob Scholes (CSIR Fellow, and experienced ecologist); Prof Tim O’Connor (SAEON scientist and grazing expert); Quinton Martins (ace leopard researcher); Dr Alan Ellis (pollination biologist)

See our keynote speakers' biographies

A possible and very exciting additional field trip will be to see the famed Nieuwoudtville porcupines, who have done guest appearances on national television, and been the stars of national and local newspaper articles and publications. They await your arrival with bated breath!

AZEF 2011 Programme outline

AZEF 2011 Fieldtrips

Field trips will be held on Wednesday 5th October 2011. Details of the fieldtrips on offer have yet to be finalized, however at this stage we anticipate expert-guided excursions will include the following local attractions:

• Hantam National Botanical Garden
• Kokerboom Forest
• Knersvlakte & Dwarf Succulents.
• Avontuur Conservation Area
• Papkuilsfontein Farm

Read more about the field trips

AZEF 2011 Conference Attractions

• Indigo Development & Change has offered the use of their venue as an ‘internet café’ for AZEF participants, with wireless internet access and delicious cappucinos for sale.
• In a slightly new twist, AZEF will host a break-the-ice Dance and Disco session this year, to be held on Thursday in a rustic (but warm) farm-shed setting.
• The local dance theatre group, Kakalaka, will perform a small dramatic piece for entertainment before one of the AZEF dinners.

Should you wish to view or book accommodation, please visit http://www.nieuwoudtville.com/.

AZEF 2011 Student Sponsorship

AZEF has some funding this year to sponsor several students to attend AZEF. Sponsorship includes a reduction in registration fees (25-100%), as well as some funds to cover transport and/or accommodation costs. Applicants must be FULL TIME students presenting a poster or a paper. To be considered for sponsorship, students must submit their abstracts for the presentation before 12th August 2011, with proof of registration from their academic institution and strong motivation for sponsorship for attending the AZEF. They must be prepared to help with preparations and small jobs at the conference. Their supervisor must endorse the letter of motivation.

Please see the Member’s Corner page on Sponsorships for more details.

AZEF 2011 Awards

Awards will be made to the best paper and poster presentations by young scientists, with special priority to postgraduate students. Awards are sponsored by the NRF.

AZEF 2011 Registration Fees

Costs for the 2011 conference have been kept low by sponsorship funding from NRF and SAEON.
Early Bird Registration forms and fees should reach the secretariat before 23rd August 2011 to avoid paying the Late Registration fee.

Thereafter the Late Registration fee will be applicable.

The cut-off date for all Registrations is 23rd September 2011.

Full Registration:                  R1400 (Early Bird); R1500 (Late)

Student Registration:            R 850 (Early Bird); R950 (Late)

Please refer to the Second Announcement for more details.

AZEF 2011 Notices

1st announcement >>
2nd announcement >>
Registration form >>