Landscape genomics symposium

In conjunction with the CBA co-sponsored Workshop on Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics, we are hosting a one-day symposium and workshop in Canberra on Landscape Genomics.

Since its inception in 2003, the field of landscape genomics has seen a revolution in high-throughput sequencing technology, availability of high resolution geospatial datasets, and a growing number of analytical methods capable of merging these towards the advancement of spatial genomic theory. While substantial progress has been made within the individual disciplines that contribute to landscape genomics (genomics, landscape ecology, & spatial statistics), bridging the knowledge and communication gap to unite these highly technical and distinct disciplines still poses a significant challenge.

This symposium aims to bring together top Australian and international scientists, early career researchers, and students working in the field of landscape genomics to discuss methodological and theoretical advancements as well as challenges we have faced and potential solutions for overcoming these. In particular, we aim to stimulate dialog and increase cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers tackling landscape genomics questions from different backgrounds.

Topics/questions of interest

  • Bridging the communication and knowledge gap between geneticists, landscape ecologists, and spatial statisticians/modellers
  • Sampling design – moving from population to individual-based approaches
  • Spatial autocorrelation between population structure and environmental gradients – challenges of developing meaningful null models, not throwing the baby out with the bathwater
  • Dealing with confounding issues of cryptic species and/or spatial introgression
  • Historical vs current demography/connectivity in a landscape context
  • Detecting SNP-environment associations in adaptation studies – best practices
  • Applied landscape genomics – moving from models to conservation management

Each presenter will also provide one slide to highlight 'roadblock(s)' experienced and how this was solved (or worked around). After lunch, we will explore these roadblocks and share possible solutions. We also welcome a slide or a few lines from participants on a 'roadblock' they've faced to contribute to this discussion. 

Program  

Download program here.

09:10 

Craig Moritz

Welcome & Introduction

 

Invited speaker presentations

 

09:20

Brenna Forester

Genotype-environment associations and the problem of population structure

09:45

Collin Ahrens

Genome-Environment Associations and our imperfect data

09:10

Helen Bothwell

Modeling gene flow through complex landscapes

10:35

Morning tea break

 

11:00

Bernd Gruber

Optimising the sampling design of landscape genetic analyses using resistance surfaces

11:25

Karel Mokany

Spatial biodiversity assessment to inform conservation decisions

 

Contributing speaker presentations

 

11:50

Elisabeth Bui

Improving the definition of ‘landscape’ in landscape genomics

12:05

Russell Dinnage

Like Netflix but for Niches: Modelling species, genes, (and movies) in the age of big data

12.20

Anna MacDonald

Founder effect and little genetic structure across the Australian continent in introduced red foxes
12:35 Anna Simonsen Ecological drivers of horizontal gene transfer in a widely distributed soil bacteria
12:50 Lunch break  
14:00 Group discussion Review 'roadblock/impediment' slides, discuss common issues and strategies to address them

16:00

Social Hour

 

17:00

Symposium ends  

* If you would like to present a 10 minute Lightning Talk, please send your talk title to claire.stephens@anu.edu.au by Friday 26 July.

Registration will close Friday 26 July and is $20 per person. This will include morning tea and food and drinks for the Social Hour. Lunch will not be provided, however ANU's new Kambri precinct is nearby, or there is a kitchen with fridge/microwave near the seminar room if you would like to bring your own.

Information on parking at ANU can be found here and the closest carparks to the Research School of Biology are the Sullivans Creek carpark and Union Court carpark.