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                The 19th Annual Field Museum Spring Systematics Symposium

     THE ANDES: Dynamics of Biotic, Human and Geologic Patterns through Time 

                Saturday, May 11, 1996  -  The Field Museum, Chicago

            Organizers: John J. Flynn and Barry Chernoff, The Field Museum 

The Andes Mountains are one of the richest regions on the planet in its
diversity of organisms, human cultures, climates, and geology.  The
interactions among these elements also make the Andes one of the most
dynamic and important global ecoregions to study.  This symposium will
examine the ontogeny of the physical structure of the Andean Cordillera, and
associated climates, in relation to their impact on the evolution and
biogeography of Andean flora and fauna over time.  Similarly we will
integrate the human perspective:  How humans have changed the physical
topography and local environments in ways that have influenced patterns of
biodiversity; as well as how climate, geology, and biotic diversity have
influenced human activities.  The essential goal of the symposium is to
integrate the biological with the physical and with the human element to
shed light on the dynamics of the entire system: inferring processes from
past and present patterns over a variety of timescales (thousands, 10's of
thousands, millions, and 10's of millions of years).  These insights also
will generate more realistic predictions of the range of future changes
possible as humans and the remaining biota interact dynamically with the
physical environment, can provide an enhanced scientific basis for social
planning of conservation and development priorities.  Although a synthesis
has never been attempted for this complex region, much new information is
available.  When this information is assembled, it will pave the way for
future research in this crucial region.

The Andes have long been the focus of research by Field Museum scientists,
inspiring the interdisciplinary nature of this event.  The symposium will
bring together colleagues from throughout the United States and South
America, and will provide a vehicle for highlighting a critically
significant but often overlooked region for the educational communities that
typically attend our Spring Systematics Symposium (from the Chicago area,
the surrounding Midwest, and elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad).  This
symposium builds on last year's extremely successful event focusing on
environmental and biotic change in Madagascar.


Scheduled speakers (will be updated):

	Victor Ramos, Universidad de Buenos Aires

	John Flynn, The Field Museum 

	Paul Colinvaux, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institite

	Lonnie Thompson, Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University

	Michael Binford, Harvard University  

	Anna Roosevelt, The Field Museum  

	Charles Stanish, The Field Museum, and Alan Kolata, The University of Chicago
 
	Michael O. Dillon,  The Field Museum

	Shannon Hackett, John Bates, and Doug Stotz, The Field Museum 

	John Lundberg, The University of Arizona 


Program: 

Saturday -- Symposium presentations in two sessions (8-12 AM; 1:15-5:15 PM),
with 4 plenary speakers among 12 speakers total (40-45 minutes per plenary
speaker, 20-30 mins. for other speakers, including discussion)     

Saturday Evening -- Concluding Reception for attendees (5:30-7:00).
Note:  A special Andes exhibit, highlighting some of The Field Museum's
current collections and research programs in Paleontology, Botany,
Anthropology, and Zoology, will be on view in The Museum's Searle Lounge
during the Symposium. 



*Registration*

Advance registration is recommended, and must be received by May 1, 1996.
Pre-registration is $40 for professionals, $20 for students.  Registration
after May 1, and on-site registration, is $55 for professionals, $30
students.  Symposium registration includes entrance to all symposium
sessions, an abstract volume, refreshments during breaks, the Saturday
evening reception, and admission to The Field Museum, including the Andes
special exhibit, throughout the day. 

To register, complete the form below (or a facsimile), and mail with a check 
payable to The Field Museum, to:
  
Andes Symposium, Dept. of Geology
The Field Museum
Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive
Chicago IL  60605-2496

Refunds must be requested in writing and are subject to a $15 processing fee.  
No refunds will be issued after May 1, 1996.

For more information write to the address above, or via e-mail at:
symposia@fmnh.org


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address to which confirmation should be sent

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Note on travel and accommodations:
Chicago is easily accessible by air and ground transportation.  Both O'Hare
International Airport and Midway airport are served by public and private
transportation services.  AMTRAK and several commuter train lines serve
Union and Northwestern stations in the western part of downtown Chicago.  South
Michigan avenue offers a range of hotels within easy walking distance of the
Museum, and the Museum is easily accessible from other downtown hotels by
taxi or mass transit.