FIU hosts international conference on biogeography

The sixth biennial conference of the International Biogeography Society (IBS) brought more than 450 scientists from 46 different countries to FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus last week.

IBS is an interdisciplinary organization focused on the studies of the geography of nature. The conference was established to foster dialogues, highlight research and help contribute to the preservation of biological diversity.

“Bringing many of the world’s experts together to present their ideas and discuss biogeography is a great way to foster new ideas and share knowledge,” said Kenneth Feeley, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and the local organizer of the conference. “Hosting the conference at FIU was a significant opportunity to showcase the work being done here by our faculty and students.”

The five-day event featured nearly 350 presentations, as well as field trips that gave participants opportunities to explore the natural environments around South Florida. A wide range of topics were featured including climate change, species distribution and conservation.

Past conferences were hosted in Crete; Merida, Mexico; Canary Islands; Shepherdstown, W.Va; and Mesquite, Nevada.