Population Ecology conferences

This meeting critically examines whether ecological forecasting can become accurate enough for conservation and biodiversity management. Demographic and ecosystem models, observations, statistical inference and machine learning address interacting species under climate and other pressures. Terrestrial, marine and polar examples explore predictability limits, uncertainty, model benchmarking and research-informed decisions. Programme participants include Emily G Simmonds (University of Edinburgh, UK); Benjamin Planque (Institute of Marine Research, Norway); Michael Dietze (Boston University, US); Stéphanie Jenouvrier (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US); Owen Petchey (University of Zurich, Switzerland); Marlène Gamelon (University of Lyon, France). Schedule: 2–3 November 2026, 09:00–17:00 each day, Europe/London (GMT, UTC+0). Researchers may attend online or at the Royal Society, 6–9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG, United Kingdom. Both modes are free; advance registration is required using the appropriate online or in-person ticket. Optional lunch is £25/day, subject to availability; outside food is permitted. Poster proposals for 2 November, including an abstract up to 200 words, are due 16 October 2026; acceptance is rolling.

The meeting studies animal movement from individual cognition and decision-making through social coordination, populations and evolutionary change. It examines responses to extreme conditions, the effects of movement on species interactions and disease, and connections with conservation, land use and infrastructure. New tracking technologies, multiple sensor streams, onboard processing, near-real-time observations and AI-based analyses will be discussed as ways to connect mechanisms with environmental change. Animals are considered both study subjects and indicators of changing habitats. Attendance applications are reviewed and capacity may fill before the application deadline.

Researchers will examine how associations between animals and microorganisms transform their partners and environments. The programme connects molecular signalling and cellular mechanisms to physiology, population dynamics, communities and ecosystems. Comparisons between tractable models and natural systems integrate mechanistic, ecological and evolutionary approaches, with implications for conservation, agriculture and human health. Talks, poster sessions and discussion focus on emerging and unpublished research. Applicants need a science or engineering bachelor’s degree or equivalent; undergraduates are not eligible. Places may fill before the application deadline.