Biogeography is a dynamic and burgeoning field that seeks to understand the role of historical factors in shaping biodiversity and, as importantly, to develop predictive capacities for gauging how biodiversity will respond to our rapidly changing world. Historically largely descriptive, we have seen the transformation of the field into a rigorous science. Now, with rapidly developing technologies (including genomic tools and environmental models) together with the availability of big data and increasingly sophisticated analytical tools, the field is poised for a revolution that brings its relevance into domains far beyond ecology and evolutionary biology, to include paleontology, bioinformatics, global change biology, conservation, and invasion biology, as well as sustainable food systems and ecosystem services. 

The International Biogeography Society, founded in 2001 is the primary forum for biogeographers worldwide. The society hosts conferences, publishes Frontiers of Biogeography, supports an online Facebook community, delivers news on the blog, and fosters interaction among members. Besides the many direct benefits of IBS membership, involvement in the society allows members to become part of a thoroughly dynamic community that listens and adapts.

I invite you to explore the links to learn more about the society. I also invite those of you that are not already members to join this vibrant young society at the leading edge of biodiversity research.

With best regards to all -

Rosemary G. Gillespie
President, International Biogeography Society