During August 10-13, the 5th Symposium on Tropical Forest Ecology was convened in Boao, Hainan. The meeting brought together more than 130 researchers and students involved in ecology studies, from XTBG, Hainan University, Guangxi University, Hainan Normal University, Guangxi Institute of Botany. The theme of the symposium was “Tropical forest biodiversity and human beings”.  

   Prof. Zhou Zhekun and Dr. Eben Goodale of XTBG were invited as three of the seven keynote speakers. Their lectures were entitled “Important geological events influencing Chinese biodiversity”, “Tropical Forests and Climate Change”, “Mixed-species Animal Groups: Ecological Significance and Conservation Implications”. 

  14 scientists and young researchers made presentations at the Symposium. Their presentations were concerning palaeocology, climate change, animal behaviors, epiphytic plants, plant physiology, soil ecology, biodiversity conservation, etc.  

   After the Symposium, the participants made a field visit to Diaoluo Mountain National Forest Park in Hainan Province. 

Dr.Zhou Zhekun delivering a lecture   

Dr.Eben Goodale  delivering a lecture 

Visiting Diaoluo Mountain National Forest Park in Hainan Province 

The opening ceremony of the Symposium