4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity- Montréal 2018
4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity- Montréal 2018

THEME: LINKING BIODIVERSITY TO ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION AND SERVICES.BeBEST session: New ways to explore benthic ecosystem connectivity and resilience to climate change . Session Chairs: Gwénaëlle Chaillou, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada ; Laurent Chauvaud, Université de Brest,France

The International Associated Laboratory on Benthic Biodiversity Ecology, Sciences and Technologies, BeBEST, has the general objective to describe the functioning of the coastal benthic ecosystems of the North Atlantic Ocean Basin, from the Estuary and Gulf of Saint-Lawrence, the Archipelagos of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, to the Arctic Ocean. Large climate-induced changes are expected in these highly-sensitive regions impacting the benthic communities. However, ecological consequences are not yet predictable. The understanding of local impacts and the evaluation of benthic ecosystem resilience to climate change require to take into account processes at the regional level. BeBest invites its partners and members to present their current research on any aspect of benthic ecology within and among the mosaic of systems that characterize the North Atlantic Ocean Basin. Holistic approaches to the ecology and biogeochemistry of benthic ecosystems in high latitude environments will be addressed, including the controls imposed by physical, and climate processes and process-oriented research in biogeochemistry.


The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB) has become the major focal assembly to share research outcomes, management and policy issues, and discussions on the role of biodiversity in sustaining ocean ecosystems. Arranged on a 3 - 4 year cycle, prior WCMB meetings (Valencia, Spain; Aberdeen, Scotland; Qingdao, China) have each attracted leading specialists from around the world, and catalyzed numerous sidebar sessions on marine biodiversity issues.

 The 4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity will be held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, Québec, Canada, from May 13-16, 2018. This meeting will bring together scientists, practitioners, and policy makers to discuss and advance our understanding of the importance and current state of biodiversity in the marine environment. Through a mix of keynote sessions, contributed talks and posters, and bookable venues for focused meetings, the conference program will address marine biodiversity across a deliberately wide range of relevant sectors. Participation will be encouraged from the broadest possible range of stakeholder groups from academics to industry.

Chair: Philippe Archambault