We invite you to submit proposals for special organized sessions preferably related to the main theme of the Symposium, but any timely subject of broad interest for vegetation scientists will be considered.

The special session will have individual talks of 15 to 30 minutes in length at the discretion of the session organizer, and will run for a maximum of 3 1/2 hours. Time for synthesis, summary and discussion is strongly encouraged. Proposals for workshops will also be considered.

The proposal should include a short (400 words) description and justification, including title, objectives and structure of the session. It should also include a list of expected oral contributions.

All proposals will be reviewed by members of the Scientific Advisory Committee of IAVS and may be accepted or declined.

Proposals from IAVS working groups and sections will be given special consideration. Those endorsed by organizations including ecological societies, nongovernmental organizations and governmental agencies will also be given special consideration.

Notifications of acceptance or rejection of proposals will be issued by the end of February 2012. If the proposal is accepted, each participant in the special session must personally register and submit an abstract of his/her presentation via the symposium website by 31st March 2012.