U.S.-German Conference on Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Life

首届美德关于地球变化及其对人类栖息地影响的会议旨在为跨国跨学科交流、合作和联合研究项目提供一个高水平的平台。这次会议将为两国在地球科学和相关领域的初级科学家建立网络并加强已经存在的联系。主办方认为，此次会议将激发对地球系统科学未来挑战和研究方向的讨论。特别是，会议将探讨地圈、生物圈、水圈和大气之间的耦合及其对地球表面过程和人类栖息地的影响。主旨讲座和海报演示将为小组讨论和非正式演示提供基础。会后，德国研究理事会鼓励与会者提交联合项目和研究小组未来会议的提案。会议将涵盖三个与地球系统各组成部分之间的相互作用有关的一般主题：1.地球与火：地球内部和外部过程及其与人类栖息地的关系2.水与生命：水循环和水质的有机控制3.空气与土壤、水、生命：变化的气候。会议将于2004年4月在华盛顿特区举行。

AbstractThis first American-German conference on changing Earth and its impact on human habitat is designed to provide a high-level platform for transnational interdisciplinary exchange, cooperation and joint research projects. The conference will establish networks and intensify already existing contacts for junior scientists from both countries in the geosciences and related fields. The organizers believe that this meeting will stimulate discussion on future challenges and research directions in Earth System Science. In particular, the conference will explore the couplings between geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere and their impact on earth surface processes and the human habitat. Keynote lectures and poster presentations will provide the basis for group discussions and informal presentations. After the meeting the German Research Council encourages participants to submit proposals for joint projects and future meetings of research groups. The conference will cover three general topics which all relate to the interactions between components of the earth system: 1. Earth and Fire: Internal and external earth processes and relations to human habitats 2. Water and Life: Organismic control of water cycle and water quality 3. Air and earth, water, life: Changing climate. The conference will be held in Washington, DC in April, 2004.