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Program

1st International course on

Wood Anatomy in Arctic and Alpine Environments

Program:

Based on pre-prepared permanent microscopic slides (one complete set for each participant) we will teach basic wood-anatomical knowledge. The main focus is set on trees, shrubs, dwarf shrubs and herbs growing in the boreal and arctic, as well as in the subalpine and alpine zone of the northern Hemisphere.

Each participant will be instructed on:

-	the anatomy of boreal conifers as Larix, Picea and Pinus species for the analysis of driftwood
-	the anatomy and annual ring structures of long living dwarf shrubs e.g. various willows (Salix sp.), birches (Betula), Dryas, various Ericaceae as Arctostaphylos, Rhododendron, Empetrum, Erica, Calluna, Cassiope, Vaccinium
-	the anatomy of root collars and annual structures of herbs of cushion plants as Silene acaulis, Potentilla sp., Saxifraga, Taraxacum etc. and many others.

On several excursions in the alpine and subalpine zone of the Alps (near Davos) we discuss sampling strategies to solve problems in relation to climatology, ecology and changes of vegetation zones. Each participant will learn and practice simple and effective techniques for preparing high quality permanent micro sections in a fully equipped laboratory (microscopes, microtomes, chemicals).

We stay in a holiday house with normal comfort at Klosters-Dorf in Switzerland at 1300m a.s.l in the center of the Alps. Mrs. Hildegard Steck will prepare excellent food.

The price of 950.- Swiss Francs (~790.- Euro depending on currency fluctuations) includes the scientific program as mentioned above, an anatomical and technical scriptum, full accommodation (double rooms, breakfast, lunch and diner, coffee breaks) and transport to field sites at 2300m a.s.l.