Human activities are estimated to have increased bioavailable phosphorus (P) by 400% which has lead to severe environmental consequences. The demand for P however continues to increase while phosphate reserves, the only viable source of P, are on the decline. The conference explored the complex dynamics of P as a limited resource, and created a stage for constructive discourse and discussion on P sustainability.
Biomimicry, also known as biomimetics or biologically inspired design, involves imitating nature‘s forms and processes to more effectively and sustainably meet design challenges. Although humans have always sought inspiration from natural systems, the use of biology as a design tool is becoming more formalized and is increasingly spurring innovation.
The purpose of Dynamic Deserts: Resource Uncertainty in Arid Environments is to share knowledge and analytical approaches that address the unifying theme of resource uncertainty in deserts across multiple scales of biological and socioecological organization.
Iridescence: More than Meets the Eye, the first annual Frontiers in Life Sciences conference, was held in February 2008. Proposed and organized by graduate students, this unique, integrative 4–day conference connected diverse groups of researchers in cross–disciplinary discussions regarding iridescent coloration in nature.
