10th International Conference on the Applications of Stable Isotope Techniques to Ecological Studies 2016: Japan

Rui Pedro Vieira

NOCS

 The 10th International Conference on the Applications of Stable Isotope Techniques to Ecological Studies, that will take place from the 3rd to 8th of April 2016 at The University of Tokyo, Tokyo. A wide range of topics was discussed during the congress, and over 130 oral and poster presentations spread across 5 sessions. During the opening session, Dr. Eitaro Wada, pioneer in stable isotopes, provided and excellent talk on the history and recent developments of the application of stable isotopes in ecology in Japan.

I have attended one of the workshops, organized by Dr. Brian Hayden and Dr. Chris Harrod, where we had useful discussions on advances and potential of stable isotope ecology in the ‘Big Data’ age, and how this new tool can improve our ability to understand local, regional and global patterns in food web structure and functional ecology. Two relaxing poster sessions, on very enjoyable evenings offered opportunity for one-on-one discussions.

My talk focused isotopic niches of deep-sea fishes, particularly exploring the incorporation of information on population dynamics and species-specific traits with stable isotope data, providing new insights into the ecological mechanisms driving deep-sea ecosystem functioning. Personally I found this meeting an excellent opportunity to present and discuss the results of my PhD project and to expand my knowledge on stable isotopes ecology.

We also had chance to taste some of the local specialities, aka Sushi and noodles, good Japanese beer, and spend a great time during the cherry blossom holiday in Tokyo!

Special thanks to the Challenger Society for providing me a student travel award and thus giving me the opportunity to attend this great scientific meeting.

Photo caption
Me, ending my talk on isotopic niches of deep-sea fishes, on Friday, April 8th 2016.

Profile
I am Rui Pedro Vieira, PhD candidate in Ocean and Earth Sciences in the Graduate School of the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, UK.
Under my research project "Changes in deep-sea benthic communities and fisheries in the European margin: assessing environmental drivers and anthropogenic impacts", I am studying biodiversity, stable isotopes ecology and fisheries in the deep-sea. My research interests include deep-sea ecology, biological oceanography and deep-sea fishes taxonomy.

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Thanks @challengersoc for the student travel award, giving me the opportunity to attend #IsoEcol10