Siberian Ornithological Conference at ASU

Altai State University, Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals of SB RAS and Altai Branch of Russian Birds Conservation Union appeared to be the organizers of the Siberian Ornithological Conference dedicated to the memory and 80th anniversary of birth of famous Russian ornithologist Eduard Andreevitch Irisov (1935-1995), held in ASU on October 23–24, 2015.

The welcoming speech was delivered by Vice-Rector for Scientific and Innovative Development Aleksey A. Tishkin, who pointed out the importance of the conference for the ornithological movement support in Altai Krai and throughout Russia.

Dean of Faculty of Biology Marina M. Silantyeva and Professor of Department of Botanics Tatiana A. Terekhina recalled Irisov’s significant contribution to Russian ornithology and stated how important the support of great scientists’ ideas is. They also said that Irisov’s work was carried on by Nadezhda Leonidovna Irisova. Their disciples have continued their research and are now either teaching or working for wildlife sanctuaries of different regions.

“At the Conference I’ve found out what a wonderful person Eduard A. Irisov had been. The Conference speakers said lots of warm words and recollected different stories about his life. I’m glad that such conferences are being held, as they leave a lot of positive emotions. It is essential to remember the people, who made great contribution to the development of our Faculty,” said zoology student Tatiana Karmanova.

"The regular Siberian Ornithological Conference dedicated to the memory and 80th anniversary of birth of famous Russian ornithologist E.A. Irisov (1935-1995) was held. More than 60 people took part in the Conference, including 7 Doctors of Science and 16 Candidates of Science. The participants’ geography was quite broad: Moscow, Nizhniy Novgorod, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Irkutsk and so on. The scientists were representing the leading scientific institutions and universities such as Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals of SB RAS, Moscow State University, Tyumen State University, Tomsk State University, a number of wildlife sanctuaries and so on. The topical issues of modern ornithology were discussed, particularly the research results of birds biodiversity and its regional dynamics; separate birds species (little-known and understudied) ecology; migration processes and its dynamics; rare, red-listed species and their expansion dynamics; ornitho-geographical studies on birds population, its heterogeneity and determining factors. As the result of the Conference a number of determinations have been made. They have been included in the resolution, which will be sent to governmental and administrative authorities of different regions and levels in order to put those determinations into action,” summarized Co-Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, Candidate of Biology Nadezhda L. Irisova.