Illustration: Richa Kedia's illustration of the Palghat Gap, inspired by Alexander von Humboldt's tableau of the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador
Inspired by the global impact of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Alexander von Humboldt (14 September 1769 – 6 May 1859), the International Biogeography Society is launching – International Humboldt Day – an annual celebration of his legacy.
Biogeographers around the world (~20 countries) will be celebrating International Humboldt Day during the week of September 12-18, 2020. International Humboldt Day is envisioned as a week of biogeography focused events around the world, that bring together researchers and organizations through the organization of local presentations, activities, and online offerings. List of all events here https://humboldtday.org/events/
In addition to the events organised by IBS, the Indian Biogeographers are organizing an additional set of talks from leading biogeographers from across the globe.
The Indian events are organized by National Centre for Biological Science (NCBS), Bengaluru, and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
Organising Committee:
IISER Tirupati : V. V. Robin
NCBS: Uma Ramakrishnan and Vivek Ramachandran
All events are online and free for registered participants
Register here: bit.ly/3lBX5wz
You will be sent a link for attending the talks online, after registration
EVENTS LIST
Day 1: 14th September, 2020
Introduction to biogeography and biodiversity in India
0900 - 0915
Biogeographic patterns and community structure of diatoms across the Western Ghats
0915 - 0940
The Centipede’s Sanctuary: Exploring Ancient Refugia from peninsular India
0940-1005
Evolution of the Indian dry zone
1005-1030
Phytogeographic mysteries of the Indian subcontinent
1030-1055
Meditating on endemism: history, assembly and politics
1055-1120
High altitude biodiversity and impacts of climate change, the case study of the Himalayan pikas
1120-1145
Rodents and ecosystems of the North Eastern India
1145-1210
State of India's Birds: Population trends and distribution maps
1235-1300
Day 2: 15th September, 2020 - Moderator: Praveen Karanth
A biological view on avian diversification
1800 to 1830 IST
Penguin phylogenomics
1830 to 1900 IST
Day 3: 16th September, 2020 - Moderator: Kartik Shanker
Global diversification and conservation of terrestrial vertebrates
1800 to 1830 IST
Island biogeography across a gradient of space and time
1830 to 1900 IST
Day 4: 17th September, 2020 - Moderator: Jayashree Ratnam
Birds of Madagascar, a conundrum of island biogeography
1800 to 1830 IST
Sky Islands of Africa
1830 to 1900 IST
Day 5: 18th September, 2020 - Moderator: Nandini Rajamani
Pantropical biogeography, with some recent work on passerines, trogons, and Coraciiformes.
1730 to 1800 IST
From Wallace to warblers – island biogeography from a Sri Lanka standpoint
1800 to 1830 IST
Mountain biodiversity - the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau a center of bird diversification
1830 to 1900 IST
These talks were attended by 452 attendees and about 3000 live views on social media
Video of talks on Day One
These talks were attended by about 200 attendees and was also viewed live on social media
Video of talks on Day Two
These talks were attended by about 200 attendees and was also viewed live on social media
Video of talks on Day Three
Video of talks on Day Four
Video of talks on Day Five
This event was also covered in major newspapers
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/sep/15/unravelling-unknown-secrets-2196863.html