Current Seminars

SEMINAR XI

TREES
The Key to Climate Proofing our Cities
(Part 1)

A ONE-DAY CONFERENCE
The Royal Geographical Society Hyde Park, Kensington, London
10th July 2008

Temperatures in UK cities are predicted to rise by 3–7°C by the end of the century. Research indicates that a 10% increase in urban tree cover would completely neutralise this impact. However, trees are being lost at an alarming rate and urban deforestation is offering a hot future for city life. Why are trees being lost and how can this trend be reversed? We believe that with better co-ordination, within existing government guidance and management mechanisms, it is possible to achieve the level of canopy cover to make the difference. This pioneering conference brings together international speakers to explore practical possibilities to reverse tree loss within the current planning framework. The conference aims to drive an initiative to achieve the required canopy increase. It can be done; our objective is to define how to do it. This is more than a conference, it is a process.

SEMINAR XII

TREES, ROOTS, FUNGI, SOIL
Below-Ground Ecosystem
&
Implications for Tree Health

A ONE-DAY SEMINAR
National Museum Cardiff Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP
13th November 2008

In association with Cardiff University School of Biosciences TEP are pleased to bring together UK and international speakers with knowledge of interactions between saprotrophs, tree-root pathogens and mycorrhizal fungi to improve our understanding of below-ground interactions between fungi and trees, and the conditions for health and pathogenicity to support practitioners in their endeavours to beneficially influence tree health.

This seminar will examine the implications of climate change, pollution, high nitrogen levels, soil conditions and new tree diseases. It will explore what constitutes a healthy environment in which trees can grow and different ways of addressing adverse impacts on functioning root activity. We will concentrate on research into soil amelioration and processes that lead to breakdown in functioning soil ecology influencing ‘pathogenicity’. There will be a focus on different experiments and experiences of soil ecology rejuvenation, including mineralization and whether these have universal relevance or are specific to certain ecosystems.