Dear Colleagues, We wish to draw your attention to the 55th Symposium of the International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS), 23-28 July 2012, in Mokpo, Korea. The symposium is of moderate size, which allows ample opportunities for personal and professional contacts. The theme of the meeting is Climate Change and Vegetation Science, with a special focus on vegetation diversity and dynamics in cultural landscapes of coastal-island regions. However, the conference will cover the full breadth of vegetation science and anyone studying vegetation is encouraged to attend. A special feature of IAVS symposia is the mid-symposium excursion to local habitats. There will also be optional excursions of several days to varied habitats (and areas of cultural significance) both before and after the symposium. The deadline for submission of abstracts has been extended until April 30 (http://www.iavs2012.org/). While we have your attention, please also consider attending our future meetings: 2013 Estonia, 2014 SW Australia, 2015 Czech Republic. For more information about IAVS, see http://iavs.org/. Sincerely, Michael W. Palmer, Oklahoma State University Robert K. Peet, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
