OPTIMA Newsletter 38

O P T I M A N E W S L E T T E R O P T I M A N E W S L E T T E R O P T I M A N E W S L E T T E R
Dear Colleagues,
I feel honoured to invite you on behalf of our Executive
Board of the Flora Research Society to
the 13th OPTIMA Congress, to be organized in
Antalya between March 22 and 26, 2010. This
Congress is organized by the Flora Research
Association under my presidency. Also, we shall
try to get the support of Akdeniz University which
is a valuable scientific institution of the region.
As is known OPTIMA, Organisation for the Phyto-
Taxonomic Investigation of the Mediterranean
Area, organises congresses for the plant taxonomists
of the Mediterranean and other countries to
meet and exchange views on the flora and the
vegetation of this region, every three years in a
different country of the Mediterranean region. The
previous OPTIMA congress in Turkey was organised
in 1986 in Istanbul.
Approximately 300-400 botanists participate in
this Congress, and the participating scientists
listen to the lectures given by learned plant taxonomists
and other scientists in 10-12 Symposia,
each on a different topic and organised by a
prominent scientist.
Turkey has made remarkable progress in the Floristic
Plant Science within the last 30 years, and
the universities in Turkey abound with experienced
and young botanists. However, the lack of
communication and interaction between the Turkish
and foreign scientists is seen as a big handicap.
This Congress will provide scientists an opportunity
to meet each other and interact. The
Congress will be held at a holiday resort in the
Belek region of Antalya in South Turkey. The con-
Location and dates
The XIII OPTIMA Meeting will take place in
Antalya on March 22-26, 2010; the detailed programme
is to follow.
XIII OPTIMA MEETING
ANTALYA 22-26 MARCH 2010
First Circular
gress will consist of lectures and a 1-day excursion
to the nearby Taurus mountains to observe
the rich and diverse spring flora, especially the
geophytes and Abies cilicica above the high plateaus.
Besides, participants will have the opportunity
to visit other historical and floristic sites in
Antalya, including regional plant associations
such as natural forests of Cedrus libani, Cupressus
sempervirens, etc. This Congress will give an
important and unique opportunity to the botanical
scientists interested in the plant life of Turkey and
the Mediterranean region to get acquainted with a
typical plant geographical context with high diversity
and attractive natural beauties. blended with
cultural and historical riches.
On behalf of the Flora Research Society
28 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 38 May 2009
Tuna Ekim, President
For further details please contact us at
info@flora2010.org
Fill in the preliminary registration form
now
at: http://www.flora2010.org/kayit_eng.php
to make sure that you receive the Second
Congress Circular
Official languages
English and French