This U.S.-Mexico Workshop entitled "Vulnerability of Rhodolith Beds to Global Climate Change: Future Research," will take place in La Paz, Baja California, October 21-20, 2006. The workshop, organized by Dr. Diana L. Steller and Dr. Michael S. Foster of the San Jose State University together with Rafael Riosmena-Rodriguez of the Universidad de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico, aims to bring together researchers from Europe, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico to assess recent research and reformulate critical research objectives directed at developing a coordinated global effort to identify threats to rhodolith beds (including ecological, physiological, paleontological, and ecosystem services) as well as strategies to ameliorate these impacts.
Rhodoliths are a group of globally distributed, morphologically diverse, free-living coralline red algal nodules (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) that form extensive living beds worldwide. Similar to coral reefs and kelp forests, rhodoliths create a biogenic habitat that supports a diverse assemblage of species. In addition, due to their calcium carbonate infrastructure, rhodolith beds may serve as an important global carbon sink. However, rhodolith taxonomy, distribution and basic ecology are poorly understood. By bringing together leading experts on rhodoliths, this workshop will help to strengthen international coordination on the research and protection of these fragile and poorly understood habitats, increase public awareness of the existence and importance of rhodolith beds, and promote student research and international exchanges.
