The International Association for Lichenology (IAL) is an organisation that encourages the understanding of lichens and lichenology, and promotes their study and conservation worldwide. It unites lichenologists across the globe, as well as national and regional organisations into one group.[1] It is affiliated to the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS).[2] The IAL organises field courses and excursions, as well as symposia which are the biggest events in lichenology on the international level.[3] The 8th International Symposium will be held in Helsinki, Finland, in August 2016.[4]
The IAL publishes a biennial journal, the International Lichenological Newsletter[5] which was the raison d'etre for the IAL being formed in 1967 in order to provide a forum for lichenologists worldwide to communicate with one other.[6] Nowadays the IAL also operates an online discussion forum for lichenologists known as 'lichens-L'.
- ^ Knudsen, Kerry (2007). "California Page". Bulletin of the California Lichen Society. 14 (1): 27. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "Constitution". International Association for Lichenology. 6 September 2000. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ "IAL6: The 6th Symposium of the International Association for Lichenology and Annual ABLS Meeting". www.keytonature.eu. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ "IAL8 Symposium in 2016". Lichens in Deep Time. Finnish Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ "International Lichenological Newsletter". International Association for Lichenology. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ Kärnefelt, Ingvar; Thell, Arne (2007). "International Association for Lichenology: the early years" (PDF). Bibliotheca Lichenologica. 95: 75–100. Retrieved 27 September 2015.