The European Weed Research Society's 11th International Symposium on Aquatic Weeds took place in Moliets et Maâ in the Landes region of France from 2-6 September 2002. The symposium was organized by Cemagref ( http://www.cemagref.fr/), in partnership with INRA (http://www.inra.fr/) and ENSA of Rennes (http://agro.roazhon. inra.fr/), a national scientific group working on macrophytes of continental waters of France, and the Conseil Général des Landes. Previous symposia have taken place in different European countries since 1964.
Approximately 150 participants from 27 countries presented more than 100 papers at the five-day meeting. Topics ranged from biology (16 papers), environmental relationships (36 papers), bioindication (14 papers), management (17 papers), control (20 papers), and invasions (8 papers). Presentations were given in French or English, with simultaneous translation available via wireless headphones. Hydrobiologia will be publishing a special issue for papers presented at the symposium.
Two field trips during the meeting showcased the Basque country, the rivers of the Pyrenées Piedmont, and the lakes and wetlands of the Aquitaine coast.
The sumptuous gala dinner was preceded by a jai-alai demonstration (a traditional Basque sport), and concluded with an anonymous late paper presented by Dr. Max Wade (UK) titled "Observations of the invasion by alien aquatic weed scientists on the ecology of Moliets et Maâ, France." This fascinating paper was one of the highlights of the evening.
The 12th International EWRS Symposium on Aquatic Weeds is expected to be held in Poland.
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