La Fouly '08

Organizers:

G. Evanno, L. Fumagalli & C. Wedekind

Dates: 03-06. September 2008
Site: La Fouly (VS, Switzerland) http://www.dolent.ch/

Workshop summary:
Current population management concentrates very much on demographics, local adaption, and on the maintainance of genetic variation. Recent developments in theory and on some model organisms suggest, however, that there can be significant variation in heritable viability within a population. So-called 'good genes' models of sexual selection predict, for example, that reproductive skews in the wild are positively linked to heritable viability.

Conservation management should try to minimize any variance in reproductive success that is not linked to viability traits. However, including 'good genes' effects in, for example, captive or supportive breeding could increase the average viability in the next generation. This positive effect would have to be balanced with the management of overall genetic variation. So far, neutral markers were mainly used to study the genetic make up of wild populations, but new methods and analyses can now give insights into adaptive genetic variation. We will discuss the advancements in these fields and their possible relevance for population management.

By train: The most convenient train leaves from Lausanne station at 12:20. Change at Martigny to catch a train to Sembrancher (leaves at 13.34 from Martigny - Arrival in Sembrancher at 13.50). At Sembrancher to catch a train for Orsieres (leaves at 13.51 - Arrival in Orsieres at 14.00). Then catch the bus to La Fouly from Orsieres station (leaves at 14.05 - Arrival in La Fouly at 14.35).

Swiss rail web site (time table): http://www.cff.ch

By car: From anywhere in Switzerland, go to Martigny, VS. Then take the direction of Col du Grand Saint-Bernard and follow it to the town of Orsières. From there, take the road of the Val Ferret, and follow it to La Fouly. Cross the village. As you come out of the village, the place where we stay, «Le Refuge du Dolent» is sign posted. A few walking steps will take you to the refuge once you've parked.

1. A sleeping bag and towels.

2. In September, the weather could get quite cold up in the mountains (esp. At night) so bring some warm clothes. Obvioulsly, you will need to bring good walking shoes/boots and waterproof clothing if you want to do some hiking while you are there.

Some more tourist information on La Fouly can be found here :

http://www.lafouly.net/


The local weather forecast is here

Juha Merilä
University of Helsinki, Finland

Wayne Potts
University of Utah, USA

Jon Slate
University of Sheffield, England

Daniel Heath
University of Windsor, Canada

Pierre Taberlet
CNRS & University of Grenoble, France

In addition to invited speakers, participants will also have the opportunity to present their own research. Ample time will be allowed for discussions.

If there is any problem, please contact :

Françoise Pham
DEE
Biophore, UNIL-Sorge
University of Lausanne
CH-1015 Lausanne
Tel.: + 41 (0) 21 692 41 60
Fax.: + 41 (0) 21 692 41 65
Email: secretariat.dee@unil.ch