Message - 7th IAL Symposium

Welcome Message
The 7 th International Association for Lichenology Symposium 2012
The President of the International Association of Lichenology
Dear Fellow Lichenologist
It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you to IAL7 on behalf of the IAL Council and both the
Local and Scientific Organizing Committees of the conference.
Past IAL meetings have been tremendously enjoyable and successful events and we are
confident that the 7 th IAL7 Symposium in Bangkok will be equally memorable. As the title of the
Symposium suggests, the scientific sessions and individual contributions to them are wide ranging in
topic. These reflect the tremendous influence of molecular studies on lichenology, the threats imposed
by rapid man-made changes occurring to the biosphere and an ever growing interest in lichens in
tropical regions.
In addition to the science, there is a rich and exciting social programme. Therefore, I hope that
during this meeting you will enjoy excellent science, stimulating interaction with colleagues and a sense
of community all spiced by, for the first time at an IAL Symposium, a tropical setting.
Professor Dr. Peter Crittenden
IAL President
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