CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT

Objectives

The aim of this conference is to bring together all those who are interested in statistical aspects of ecology and monitoring of the environment. To mark the important contribution made by Professor George Seber to statistical ecology we have adopted as a theme for the conference the title of his seminal 1972/1982 book "The Estimation of Animal Abundance and Related Parameters".

Programme

Contributions on many aspects of statistical ecology are expected but we expect that there will be particular emphasis on mark-recapture application and theory and general sampling methods for wild animal and fish populations. However, we welcome contributions on any aspects of statistical ecology in keeping with the general theme of George’s book. We are particularly keen to see papers on ecological applications and case studies as we want to emphasise the close relationship that exists between ecological problem solving and the development of statistical theory. Keynote speakers include:

George Seber, (Auckland University, NZ)

Anne Chao, (National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan)

Carl Schwarz, (Simon Fraser University, Canada)

Jim Nichols, (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, USA)

Ken Burnham, (Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, USA)

Ken Pollock, (North Carolina State University, USA)

Closed Population Mark-Recapture Models

Open Population Mark-Recapture Models

Analysis of Long-Term Ecological Data Sets

Sampling Ecological Populations

Contribution of Statistics to Ecological Theory

Fisheries Stock Assessment and Management

Ecological Modelling

Take a look at the conference programme (last updated 30 November), or download a copy in pdf format (22kB).

Submission of Papers

Abstracts of less than 250 words for contributed papers will be required by 31 August, 1999. These may be sent to the Conference Secretary in hard copy form or via email. Contact details are included on the Registration Form.

Publication of Conference Papers

Arrangements have been made with the editor of the Journal of Agricultural, Biological and Ecological Statistics (JABES) to publish key papers from the conference in a special issue. Due to limited space we will publish papers from the keynote speakers and a selected number of other papers in this special edition. Papers that cannot be accommodated in the special issue will be considered for publication of JABES following the usual process of peer revision. Those wishing to have their paper considered for publication will be required to submit the full text at the conference.

Venue

The City of Dunedin is located in the South East of the South Island of New Zealand and has a population of around 100,000 in a harbour setting surrounded by hills. The University of Otago is the oldest in New Zealand with a campus surrounded by parks and gardens and the city centre is within easy walking distance. It is an excellent base from which to explore the wealth of natural beauty to be found in the South Island of New Zealand.

On the nearby Otago Peninsula there are albatross, yellow-eyed penguins and fur seals. A short two hour drive will take you to Central Otago, home to some of New Zealands best vineyards. For the more adventurous, Central Otago offers bungy-jumping, white-water rafting and jet-boating.

Within two hours drive of Dunedin are some of New Zealands premier trout fisheries, while for those who prefer a more scenic excusion into the outdoors there is the Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area, renowned for it's rugged beauty and walking tracks.

If wining and dining is your main interest, then Dunedin is close to one of New Zealands most rapidly developing wine growing regions. Wineries, in Central Otago are now producing Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc wines of the highest quality.

Getting to Dunedin

Although direct flights into Dunedin from Australia are available via Freedom Air, the main international gateways into New Zealand are Auckland and Christchurch. There are regular domestic flights to Dunedin from Auckland and Christchurch via Air New Zealand or Ansett (NZ). Interest in travel to New Zealand in December 1999 has been unprecedented due to millenium celebrations - New Zealand is the first country in the world to see the dawn of the "new" millenium. Intending conference participants should book flights as soon as possible to ensure a flight, although major airlines have announced that they are putting on extra flights to cope with the demand.

Accommodation

Accommodation for participants has been reserved in Selwyn College and motels close to the University of Otago. See the Registration Form for more details.

Registration

The registration fee will be NZ$500 for the full conference. Reduced rates are available for attendence on the first three days or the last two days at NZ$125 per day. Students will receive a discounted rate of NZ$250 if they provide with their registration form a letter from their Head of Department or Supervisor confirming their status. The fee covers the conference reception, lunch and refreshments each day. A 20% late registration fee will be imposed after 31 October, 1999. All fees include Goods and Services Tax.

How much is NZ$500? Convert it into a currency you are more familiar with.

Download the registration form in rich text format (21kB) or in pdf format (9kB). If you have problems downloading the form, please contact us and a form will be sent to you.

If you have any special requirements, such as wheelchair access or a sign language interpreter, please include details of your requirement with your registration.

For those not familiar with the University of Otago campus, a campus map will be included in the conference satchel.

Note: To read the pdf file you must have the freeware application Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Enquires

If you have any enquires or wish to receive further information, please email the Conference Secretary. Alternatively you may wish to use the following contact details.

Fax: (64)(03) 479-8427

Biometrics99

If your planning to come to New Zealand for the SEEM3 conference, consider making the short flight to Hobart, Australia for the Australasian Region of the International Biometric Society's biennial conference from December 12 to 16 (the week after SEEM3). If you are interested in obtaining more information about this conference, visit the Biometrics99 web site.

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This page is maintained by Darryl MacKenzie.
Last updated 30 November 1999.