History

The International Association for Phytoplankton Taxonomy and Ecology (IAP) has a long and rich history, dating back to its origins in 1976. Originally founded as the Internationale Arbeitsgruppe Aktiver Phytoplanktologen (IAAP), it started as an informal gathering of Central European researchers focused on phytoplankton taxonomy and quantification. Over time, it evolved into a truly international forum, with participants from all over the world. Since 1991, IAP workshops have adopted a structure that includes both ecological and taxonomic themes, contributing significantly to the field of phytoplankton research.

As this year's meeting marks the 20th IAP workshop, we would like to take the opportunity to highlight the history of IAP during the conference. For those interested in a brief historical excursion into the association’s past and its evolution, we refer you to the article by Jørgen Kristiansen (Kristiansen 2003).

Kristiansen, J. 2003. From IAAP to IAP. Hydrobiologia 502, 1–2.