DESCRIPTION >>> BioMERGE Workshop IV

Biodiversity hotspots (Lombard 1995, Dobson et al. 1997, Myers et al. 2000), predictions of global biodiversity change (Sala et al. 2000), and climate change (Schneider 1992) are based on cross biome comparisons. With the completion of ASWI-ASWII, BioMERGE will have brought together the necessary resources to develop scenarios for likely changes in ecosystem functioning due to declining biodiversity.Two aspects will be examined. First, the magnitude of changes in ecosystem functioning (e.g., changes in mean levels of functioning) will be examined. Second, the dynamics of ecosystem functioning will be examined in terms of ecosystem stability, reliability, predictability, and biological insurance (McNaughton 1977, Tilman and Downing 1994, Naeem 1998, Yachi and Loreau 1999, McCann 2000). This second aspect is largely based on theory and microcosm research, but may represent a far more significant aspect of biodiversity loss than is commonly appreciated (Naeem et al. 1998).From ASWs I-III, ASW-IV will have in hand tools for addressing the role of extrinsic drivers, intrinsic drivers, regional distributions of taxonomic and functional richness, and develop scenarios for changes in ecosystem functioning under different extinction regimes. Its products will be a research and policy forum paper followed by a review paper aimed at Science or Nature. Web-based activities will provide accessible summaries of findings for dissemination and use web-forms to solicit feedback. Prior to this conference, the coordinators, participants, and member networks will work to facilitate attendance by non-science participants.

Conference Location

The Centro Stefano Franscini at Monte Verità, Ascona, Switzerland is a conference centre belonging to ETH, the Federal Institute of Technology, and to the Canton Ticino (one of the italian-speaking departments of the Swiss Confederation). The Monte Verità has a rich history as a harbour to artists, intellectuals and utopists in 20th century.

Venue address: Monte Verità, CH-6612 Ascona, Switzerland, Phone number: +41-91-785 40 40

Surroundings and climate

The conference location in Ascona is in one of the most beautiful areas of Switzerland, just south of the Alps, close to the italian border. February is skiing season in the Alps, but the mild climate of this southern region of Switzerland promises dry and sunny winter days (5° - 10°C). Comfortable shoes are recommendable.

Tourist information: http://www.ticino-tourism.ch

Weather forecast: http://www.meteoswiss.ch

Travel details

Both Zürich Airport (Switzerland, 3 hours) and Milano Malpensa Airport (Italy, 1 hour) are conveniently located. Train connections to Geneva Airport (Switzerland) are not ideal (the journey takes about 6 h). Booking your flight to Zurich or Geneva will simplify customs procedures. Once arrived at Zurich Airport, you can reach the Conference Centre by train (from Zürich Airport to Locarno by train, and from Locarno train station to the Conference Centre in Ascona by Bus or Taxi). Public transportation in Switzerland is reliable, safe and well organised and crossing the Alps North to South offers some beautiful views.

There is generally no need to book your train ticket in advance. At Zurich airport, you will easily find the airport train station, with counters where you can buy a ticket (credit cards accepted). You can also change money directly at the train station.

Train fares: 2nd class return full fare (adults) is 110.- CHF.

Reduced fares: If you plan to travel around Switzerland, please tell so at the counter at the airport station and ask for special offers (e.g., Swiss Travel Pass). If you are lucky, the train ticket Zurich-Locarno is offered for about 14.- CHF (one-way) as a print-yourself ticket from the internet (2 days before travel, see https://www.sbb.ch/mct/wi/shop/b2c/sprache.do?en)

If you travel to Milano Malpensa, there are shuttle busses to Bellinzona (1h), and from there, trains to Locarno (1/2 hour). For the shuttle bus there is one company: www.airportbus.ch (having one bus every 2 hours, ca. from 8.00 - 20.00; costs 23 EUR one way, 40 EUR return). Reservation of the bus by fax (link for fax document) or online (http://www.airportbus.ch/index.php?option=com_login&Itemid=80; webpage in Italian only) is compulsory. On the fax you have to note your name, e-mail address, time and place of departure and the number of people travelling.

You can reach the conference centre by bus (no. 31 until Ascona followed by a 30 min. walk, see the conference homepage) or by taxi. Taxis are usually available at the Locarno train station. Alternatively, we suggest to call an "EcoTaxi" which is low price and runs electrically-powered cars. You should book in advance an EcoTaxi to wait for you at Locarno train station, at the dircetion towards the lake (phone no. within Switzerland 0800 321 321 [free call], or +41-91-792 21 01). Expect to pay 17.- CHF (cash; = half the price of normal taxis).

How to reach the Conference Centre (from abroad, from Zürich airport, etc.): http://www.csf.ethz.ch/about/location/index

Swiss train timetable: http://www.sbb.ch

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