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2001 Annual Symposium. Dispersal, University of Reading, 2-5 April 2001

The BES Annual Symposium was held during April 2001 at Reading University UK. Twenty-two renowned ecologists from Europe, North America and Japan gave papers on all aspects of the ecology of dispersal. A huge range of taxa were covered, including baculoviruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, bryozoans, birds and mammals.

We looked at methods for measuring dispersal in these taxa, from simple chasing after individuals, to modern techniques of molecular markers, radio-tagging and satellite-tracking. Papers on evolutionary and behavioural aspects of dispersal considered life-history evolution, why and how organisms disperse and dispersal cues. The role of dispersal in species' dynamics was talked about in terms of within-population and metapopulation processes, colonisations and invasions and the biogeography of species ranges. Finally, applied questions were considered, with speakers looking at the importance of dispersal in the spread of alien species and diseases, responses to climate change and species' conservation.

We saw a wide range of approaches to these subjects; analytical and simulation models, analysis and synthesis of existing databases and novel empirical approaches to test and advance theory. Prof. Mark Williamson gave us a final overview of the Symposium, and showed that many questions and theories apply across the range of taxa, scales and approaches considered.

The conference was lively and very well attended with over 200 delegates, over half of whom were from outside the UK (e.g. South Africa, Nepal, USA, Finland, France, Sweden, Belgium). Over 70 posters were on display. These were all of high quality formed an important part of the symposium in providing a more complete coverage of the subject than the 22 speakers could.

The Symposium Book

The Symposium volume 'Dispersal Ecology' will contain chapters by the speakers reflecting their talks. As such it will provide an essential overview of the ecology of dispersal and will be a reference text for the development of dispersal studies over the next years. The book will be published by Blackwells in May 2002 but a pre-publication order form is already available. Contact: James Bullock (jmbul@ceh.ac.uk)

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