Second circular
VIII Southern Connection 2016
Southern Connection links scientists interested in the natural sciences across the southern
hemisphere, with emphasize on temperate ecosystems. Southern Connection aims to highlight
research on shared yet divergent biotas and cultures, and their histories in different lands and
oceans, in order to contribute solutions to sustaining species and ecosystem services and to
discuss state of the art research approaches. Comparative studies with non-southern
hemisphere temperate ecosystems are also of interest to Southern Connection.
To date Southern Connection congresses have included topics such as biogeography,
phylogenetics, ecology, conservation, ecophysiology, invasions, ethnography, plant
reproductive biology, macroecology, phylogeography, palaeobotany and palaeontology and
Earth and ocean processes. Thus far Southern Connection has organized seven very successful
congresses hosted by five different countries in the Southern Hemisphere. The last congress
was held in New Zealand. http://www.otago.ac.nz/V11-southern-connection/. VIII Southern
Connection 2016 will be the second time the congress is held in Chile.
Since the First Circular was issued, the Organizing Committee has received much interest from
scientists from many parts of the world to attend the VIII Southern Connection Congress 2016
to be held at the University of Magallanes in Punta Arenas, in the far south of Chile, 18-23
January 2016. Punta Arenas is a small, well organized and friendly city bordering on the Straits
of Magellan. It is centered on the ecotone between cool temperate deciduous and evergreen
subantartic forests dominated by Nothofagus species (the southernmost forests in the world),
and the Patagonian steppe, in the XII Region of Chile. A mountainous and strongly glaciated
area, the region has a rich alpine flora and extensive bog and moorland vegetation. The region
is characterized by a rich cultural and archaeological heritage.
Scientific Program
The VIII Southern Connection Congress 2016 Scientific Committee comprised of Chilean and
foreign members has mapped out the program structure. The program will include 8 plenary
lectures, 16 symposia, several sessions of contributed papers and posters, and three midcongress field trip options on Thursday 22 January: 1) the iconic Torres del Paine National Park;
(2) PaliAike National Reserve in the Patagonian steppe, and (3) Puerto Bulnes, a protected area
of historical interest. An after-congress field trip to Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (optional)
(24-28 January) is offered. A pre-congress field trip to Omora Park on Navarino Island (9-16
January) is also contemplated. Information will be posted about this last field trip in the
definitive webpage.
At this stage the Scientific Committee has issued formal invitations to eight plenary lecturers,
of which replies (all positive) had been received from six at this stage.
Plenary lecturers will cover the following research areas:
Biogeography and phylogenetics
Ecosystem and population ecology
Conservation biology
Antarctic ecology and biodiversity
Invasion biology
Biocultural conservation and environmental ethics
Palaeoclimate
Palaeobotany
Responding to the call in the First Circular, the Scientific Committee has received several
proposals for symposia which are currently under review in terms of content and suitability.
The deadline for symposium proposals is 1 May. Space allotted for symposia in the program is
filling up quickly. Therefore, if you wish to organize a symposium, please send the information
and any questions you may have to Dr. Mary T. Kalin Arroyo, Institute of Ecology and
Biodiversity (IEB), University of Chile, Santiago, southern@uchile.cl as soon as possible. The
Scientific Committee reserves the right to make suggestions on merging symposia proposals
where appropriate.
Registration and other costs
US$
Early-bird Registration (until July 31st 2015)
General Registration (1 August 2015 onwards)
Student Registration
Daily Registration
Mid-Congress field trip (21 January)
Post-Congress field trip to Cape Horn Biosphere (2428 January)
Congress Dinner (23 January)
500
600
240
120
120
**
40
** Cost still under study
The first three classes of registration fees cover full congress material, the welcome reception
on Monday evening, lunch, morning and afternoon tea and coffee for all regular session days,
and refreshments at the poster sessions. Daily registration includes lunch, morning and
afternoon tea and coffee for all regular session days, and refreshments at the poster sessions.
Registration and payment for other items will be possible using a credit card via the new VIII
Southern Connection 2016 Webpage (under construction) which will go online at the end of
March. Registration fees must be paid in advance of submitting an abstract.
Abstract submission
Abstracts will be received digitally via the new Southern Connection Webpage (under
construction) which will go online at the end of March. The deadline for receiving abstracts
will be 31 October 2015. Registration fees must be paid in advance of submitting an abstract.
Travel to Chile and Punta Arenas
The main point of entry to Chile is Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benitez (SCL)
/ Airport Santiago: Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL).
It is important to be aware that January is the peak season for air travel to Santiago and
Punta Arenas. Thus it is advisable to make travel arrangements as early as possible.
Lan Chile (www.lan.com) and Sky Airlines (www.skyairline.cl) are the airlines that fly from
Santiago to Punta Arenas.
Visa requirements
See http://www.gochile.cl/en/guides/chile-guide/visas-and-consulates.html
Currency
Peso (CLP). It is possible to exchange money at any established "Casa de Cambio" at market
driven exchange rates. Banks are open to public from Monday through Friday from 9am to
2pm, and are closed on Saturday and Sunday. On the street cash machines are available.
Accommodation
Congress participants should make their own accommodation arrangements as early as
possible. Most accommodation options are in the center of the city. The congress venue, the
University of Magallanes (http://www.umag.cl/), is located close to the center of Punta Arenas
and can be accessed readily by reasonably-priced public transport and private taxi companies.
Lodging options in Punta Arenas*
US$ 200 – 300 range
Hotel Cabo De Hornos
www.hotelcabodehornos.com/
reservas@hotelesaustralis.com
Phone number: +56-61-2715000
Hotel Rey Don Felipe
www.hotelreydonfelipe.com
info@hotelreydonfelipe.com
Phone number: +56-61-2295000
Hotel José Nogueira
www.hotelnogueira.com
Phone number: +56-61-2711000
USD $70 – 150 range
Hotel Carpa Manzano
www.hotelcarpamanzano.com
info@hotelcarpamanzano.com
Phone number: +56-612613387
Hostal Bustamante
www.hostalbustamante.cl
info@hostalbustamante.cl
Phone number: +56-612222774
Art Nouveau Hostal
www.hostalartnouveau.cl
contacto@hostalartnouveau.cl
Phone number: +56-612228112
US$ 50 – 85 range
Hostal Ayelen
www.ayelenresidencial.com/
Phone number: +56-612242413
Residencial Bulnes
www.residencialbulnes.cl/
info@residencialbulnes.cl
Phone number: +56-61212113
** Prices subject to variation
For other accommodation options see: www.booking.com;
http://www.interpatagonia.com/puntaarenas/alojamientos.html