Presenter’s Guide & Abstract Information

The program will include oral presentations and posters on current scientific research on the Indian River Lagoon and its management. To encourage broad participation as possible, there will be three types of presentations:

1. Short oral presentations (“3 Minutes – 3 Slides”)
2. 10-minute oral presentations (which includes time for a short Q&A)
3. Posters

The symposium welcomes participation from all who are interested in sharing knowledge, activities, and ideas. To highlight the next generation of lagoon research, contributions from students and early-career professionals are especially encouraged. Priority for 10-minute presentations will be given to abstracts that address the 2027 theme, Sentinels of the Lagoon: Species, Habitats, and Signals of Change, and to those submitted by students and early-career professionals.

Deadline for abstract submission will be November 23, 2026 by 5 p.m.

1. Registration is required prior to abstract submittal.
2. All abstracts must be submitted online; submissions by email will not be accepted.
3. Abstracts should not exceed 150 words.
4. Each person may submit only one abstract as the main presenter.
5. Authors whose abstracts are accepted for presentation are expected to attend the symposium and deliver their presentation.

Guidelines for Presenters:

10-minute oral talks:

1. All talks should be PowerPoints and we will transfer them via jump drives in advance of each session.
2. Our AV system is a widescreen one, and you should try to format your slides to widescreen (16:9), not the traditional 4:3 for optimal use of the screens.
3. If you are scheduled to give a talk in the first session, please come for loading by 07:30 (30 minutes early). We will be ready to load at 07:15. Or if you prefer (and the file size is not too large for emailing), you can send it to us in advance and we will load before you arrive.
4. In your 10-minute slot, plan to speak for up to 8 minutes and allow questions for 2 minutes (we would like to encourage questions/dialogue during the sessions).
5. We need to strictly adhere to staying on time during the day, so please plan accordingly.

3-minute oral talks:

1. All talks should be PowerPoints. See note above about 16:9 format. Because time is so critical, you should email irlsymposium@fau.edu your PPT by 5 p.m. Monday, February 8. We will acknowledge receipt.
2. You will have 3 minutes from the start of being introduced by the moderator’s introduction. Try to plan your time well, as you only do have 3 minutes!
3. During these sessions, we will have seats for all speakers near the front of the auditorium to minimize transition time. Start for the podium as soon as the previous speaker finishes. There will be no questions during the session.
4. And, yes, we need to strictly adhere to staying on time during the day, so please plan accordingly!

Poster Presentations:

1. Plan for poster size to not exceed 4’ in any dimension, so the common formats of 3’ x 4’ or 4’ x 3’ will work fine. The boards are big enough to accommodate 3’ (high) x 5’ (width), so use a portrait layout if you need a little more room.
2. Posters have been listed in alphabetical order and numbered in sequence. Posters will be displayed all day, and you may want to be by your poster during breaks to encourage more dialogue around the posters. We also encourage all students to be at their posters during the second half of lunch break.
3. Presenters of odd-numbered posters will be at their posters during the first half of the poster session; presenters of even-numbered posters will be at their posters during the second half of the poster session.
4. Posters will be mounted with pins that we will supply.
5. Posters should be up for the whole day. You should plan on putting your poster up as soon as you arrive. Those who wish to do so early may do that on Wednesday afternoon; please inform staff ASAP.
6. We will be having a reception during the poster session, and you get first dibs on food and beverages on the way to the posters!

General Keywords and Descriptions

Biogeochemistry – Nutrient cycling, carbon dynamics, and related chemical processes in the lagoon.

Ecosystem services – Ecological, cultural, or economic benefits provided by lagoon systems.

Fisheries and living resources – Fish, shellfish, invertebrates, and other fauna, including their management.

Harmful algal blooms – Bloom dynamics, drivers, monitoring, and ecological or human impacts.

Human impacts – Effects of development, land use, pollution, and other anthropogenic stressors.

Policy and management – Governance, regulation, planning, and decision-making frameworks.

Restoration – Strategies, projects, and outcomes focused on habitat and ecosystem recovery.

Seagrasses and other submerged aquatic vegetation – Distribution, health, and ecology of seagrasses and related habitats.

Water quality – Physical, chemical, and biological parameters influencing lagoon condition.

Other – Topics relevant to the symposium not captured by the categories above.