9424551 Pickett This proposal seeks funding to partially support the 6th Cary Conference on, "Enhancing the ecological basis for conservation: heterogeneity, ecosystem function, and biodiversity," to be held 9-11 May, 1995. The conference will focus on the synthesis and future development of the ecological foundation of conservation practice. The general goals of the conference are to (1) evaluate a theoretical framework for conservation biology that addresses the emerging focus on species networks and entire ecosystems, (2) explore the linkages of the non-equilibrium paradigm of ecology with the practice of conservation, and (3) expose the findings of the conference to a larger audience for evaluation, modification, and application. As with previous conferences, the emphasis of this meeting will be on discussion and examination of fundamental issues in ecology and their application. The results of the conference will be published This conference is an important, timely, and cost-effective forum for discussion and dissemination of information on the ecological underpinnings of conservation biology.
