We will use the development of our core hypotheses as an opportunity to create a dialog between TraitNet users and our informatics specialists.  We will use these hypotheses as worked examples to define what exactly we need TraitNet to be able to do, and to develop an informatics roadmap to get there.  This process will necessarily be iterative, as we need to agree upon what TraitNet should be before we can then design an informatics system to accomplish these goals.  In this way, we can ensure that TraitNet is designed to meet the needs of its users.  Therefore the agenda outlined below will be flexible as the process develops.

We encourage everyone to propose core hypotheses.  We have scheduled time for short pitches (5-10 minutes plus 5 for questions) - we will schedule additional time if needed.  These can be as formal or informal as you like, and can be entirely novel or in support of an ongoing project.  Please drop me a note if you have an idea you would like to present.  We will then break out into working groups (WG) to pursue a handful of hypotheses. 

The Agenda is as follows:

Friday, 7 December
    8:30 am        Meet over coffee
    9:00 am         Welcome and introduction to TraitNet Goals and Logistics - Naeem/Bunker
    9:30 am        Introduction to Ecoinformatics - Schildhauer/Jones
    10:00 am        Update on Wirth lab trait database efforts - Wirth/Boenisch/Kattge
    10:30 am        Coffee break
    11:00 am        Core hypothesis presentations - TBA
    12:30 pm        Lunch
    1:30 pm        Breakouts: Core hypothesis WGs, including TraitNet scope/uses/intellectual property (IP).
    3:30 pm        Coffee break
    4:00-5:30 pm    Breakouts continue

    Ad hoc dinner in groups, see restaurant list for local recommendations

Goals by end of day 1:  Identification of core hypotheses; consensus on TraitNet goals, uses, IP

Saturday, 8 December
    8:30 am        Meet over coffee
    9:00 am         Summaries of core hypothesis WG progress - WG leaders
    10:00 am        Summaries of TraitNet goals, uses, IP - Bunker
    10:30 am        Coffee break
    11:00 am        Breakouts: Informatics WG defines approach and goals
                Breakouts: Core hypothesis WGs continue
    12:30 pm        Lunch
    1:30 pm        Breakouts continue
    3:30 pm        Coffee break
    4:00 pm        Breakouts continue
    4:30-5:30 pm    Updates

    Ad hoc dinner in groups, see restaurant list for local recommendations

Goals by end of day 2:  Informatics approach defined; Consensus on TraitNet goals, uses, IP;

Sunday, 9 December
    8:30 am        Meet over coffee
    9:00 am         Summary of Informatics approach - Jones/Schildhauer/Bunker
    10:00 am        Breakouts: Trait documentation workshops, trait- and taxa-centric;
                Breakouts: Integrating existing databases such as LEDA and BiolFlor
    10:30 am        Coffee break
    11:00 am        Breakouts continue
    12:30 pm        Lunch
    1:30 pm        Breakouts: Review paper to bring TraitNet to the larger community
                Breakouts: Cross taxa WG - Extending the framework beyond plants.
                Breakouts: Tactics for additional funding
                Breakouts: Peer review working group - trait concepts, protocols and data submissions
                Breakouts: TraitNet roadmap
    3:30 pm        Coffee break
    4:00 pm        Breakouts continue
    4:30-5:30 pm    Updates and wrap-up: Where to next?

    Group dinner at a local restaurant

Goals by end of day 3:  TraitNet roadmap in place; Trait documentation begun; Core hypotheses defined and outlined.