Organizing committee Dr Timo Domisch Metla, Joensuu Research Centre, Finland Prof. Leena Finér University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forestry, Finland M.Sc. Jouni Kilpeläinen University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forestry, Finland Prof. Pekka Niemelä University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forestry, Finland Prof. Lotta Sundström University of Helsinki, Department of Ecology and Department of Ecology and Systematics, Division of Population Biology, Finland Do wood ants play an important role in carbon and nutrient dynamics in boreal managed forests? (ANTS) -research project

The workshop is funded by:

Finnish Forest Research Institute

the University of Joensuu

the University of Helsinki

Academy of Finland

Goals

Red wood ants (Formica rufa group) are common in boreal and subarctic forests of Fennoscandia, Central Europe, and Asia. Because of their wide occurrence, their social structure, geographical distribution, population dynamics, and biodiversity have been intensively studied. Wood ants build large above-ground nests (mounds) composed of litter (needles, twigs) and resin collected from the surrounding forest stand, and can have a large impact on soil carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Wood ants live in symbiosis with aphids living on trees, and this relationship can greatly affect tree growth. However, our knowledge on the impact of forest management and stand structure on wood ant distribution and dynamics is very limited.

The workshop provides a forum for scientists from different fields to present their results and to discuss the role of red wood ants in the carbon and nutrient cycling in unmanaged and managed forests.

This workshop will be arranged in memory of professor Rainer Rosengren. A special issue of Annales Zoologici Fennici, in tribute to professor Rosengren, is planned, and authors are offered the opportunity to publish their study in this special issue on the understanding that the contribution will be subject to a peer reviewing process

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Important dates

• May 30, 2004 Deadline for submission of workshop abstracts
  
• June 15, 2004 Notification of acceptance
  
• July 30, 2004 Deadline for registration
  
• September 11-12 Workshop

• Prof. Martin Jurgensen, Michigan Technological University, School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science, USA
  
• Dr Lisette Lenoir, SLU, Sweden
  
• M. Sc. Pekka Punttila, Finnish Environment Institute, Finland
  
• Dr Anita Risch, WSL, Swiss Federal Research Institute, Switzerland
  
• Prof. Lotta Sundström, University of Helsinki, Department of Ecology and Systematics, Division of Population Biology, Finland