Presenter’s Guide & Abstract Information

The 2027 IRL Symposium welcomes presentations on research, management, and activities related to the Indian River Lagoon. Students, early-career professionals, researchers, resource managers, and others interested in sharing knowledge, activities, and ideas are encouraged to participate.

Presentation Formats

Four presentation formats are available:

1. 10-minute Oral Presentation
2. 3 Minutes – 3 Slides Short Oral Presentation
3. Standard Poster Presentation
4. Digital Poster Presentation

Priority for 10-minute oral presentations will be given to abstracts that address the 2027 Symposium theme, Sentinels of the Lagoon: Species, Habitats, and Signals of Change , and to those submitted by students and early-career professionals.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Submission Window: October 1 through November 23, 2026.

1. Registration is required prior to abstract submittal. A link for submission will be provided in the registration confirmation email from DonotReply@touchnet.fau.edu.
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 presenting author.
5. Presenting authors whose abstracts are accepted are expected to attend the Symposium and deliver their presentation.
6. Requested presentation formats are not guaranteed and may be changed based on program availability.
7. Presenters will be notified of abstract acceptance and presentation format in mid-December 2026.

Keywords and Descriptions

Theme-Related

• Sentinel Species – Species whose presence, abundance, condition, behavior, or other responses provide information about changing lagoon conditions.
• Habitat Change – Changes in the condition, distribution, function, or extent of lagoon habitats over time.
• Environmental Indicators & Trends – Biological, chemical, or physical measurements and patterns used to detect or track changes in lagoon condition.

General

• Water Quality & Biogeochemistry – Physical and chemical conditions and processes, including nutrients, dissolved oxygen, salinity, carbon cycling, and acidification.
• Ecology & Biodiversity – Species distributions, community ecology, food webs, biodiversity, and ecological interactions within the lagoon.
• Fisheries & Living Resources – Fish, shellfish, invertebrates, wildlife, and other living resources, including their ecology and management.
• Harmful Algal Blooms – Bloom dynamics, drivers, monitoring, impacts, and ecological or human-health effects.
• Environmental Stressors & Human Impacts – Freshwater inputs, pollution, contaminants, development, land use, extreme events, and other pressures affecting the lagoon.
• Restoration & Management – Restoration, conservation, resource management, planning, and evaluation of management actions.
• Methods, Technology & Modeling – Sensors, remote sensing, molecular methods, modeling, data analysis, and other approaches used to study or monitor the lagoon.
• Education & Engagement – Education, outreach, community engagement, stewardship, citizen or community science, and other efforts that connect people with the Indian River Lagoon.
• Other – Topics relevant to the Indian River Lagoon not captured by the keywords above.

Guidelines for Presenters:

10-minute Oral Presentation:

1. File Type: Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx)
2. File Name: LastName_FirstName_10min_IRLS2027.pptx
3. Slide Format: Widescreen (16:9), landscape orientation.
4. Presentation Format:
   • Each presenter will have a 10-minute presentation period, including questions and discussion.
   • Plan to speak for up to 8 minutes, leaving approximately 2 minutes for questions and discussion.
5. Presentation Loading:
   • Presentations may be submitted in advance or loaded on-site via USB drive.
   • Presenters loading on-site should arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled session.
   • Presenters in the first session of the day should arrive by 7:30 a.m. for presentation loading.
   • Advance submission instructions will be provided to accepted presenters.

3 Minutes – 3 Slides Short Oral Presentation :

1. File Type: Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx)
2. File Name: LastName_FirstName_3min_IRLS2027.pptx
3. Slide Format: Widescreen (16:9), landscape orientation.
4. Presentation Format:
   • Presentations are limited to a maximum of 3 slides.
   • Each presenter will have a 3-minute presentation period. There will be no questions or discussion during the session.
   • The 3-minute clock begins when the moderator starts your introduction.
   • Presentation periods will be strictly enforced to keep the session on schedule.
5. Session Logistics:
   • Presenters will be seated in designated seats near the front of the auditorium to minimize transition time between presentations.
   • Please move to the podium as soon as the previous presenter finishes.
6. Submission: Final presentations must be submitted by Monday, February 8, 2027. Submission instructions will be provided to accepted presenters.

Standard Poster Presentations:

1. Poster Format:
   • Maximum size: 3 ft × 4 ft (36 × 48 in), landscape or portrait orientation.
   • Use large, readable text and clear figures and graphics.
2. Setup & Display:
   • Set up your poster at your assigned location when you arrive and keep it on display through the end of the Symposium.
   • Pins or clips will be provided.
3. Poster Session:
   • Odd-numbered posters: first half of the poster session.
   • Even-numbered posters: second half of the poster session.
   • Presenters should be at their posters during their assigned half.
   • Presenters are also encouraged to be available at their posters during breaks for additional discussion.

Digital Poster Presentations:

1. File Type: Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx)
2. File Name: LastName_FirstName_DigitalPoster_IRLS2027.pptx
3. Slide Format: Widescreen (16:9), landscape orientation.
4. Poster Format:
   • One primary static slide showing the complete poster
   • Up to three optional supplemental slides for enlarged figures, tables, or key results.
   • Use large, readable text and high-resolution images and graphics
   • Avoid screenshots and enlarging low-resolution images.
   • Embed all fonts in the PowerPoint file (File > Options > Save > Embed fonts in the file)
   • Do not include animations, transitions, audio, or video. Hyperlinks and QR codes are permitted.
   • Review your poster at 100% zoom to ensure all content is clear.
5. Poster Session:
   • Digital posters will be presented on portable displays inside the main auditorium near each entrance.
   • Presenters will have a 10-minute scheduled presentation period and should remain at their assigned display for the full period.
   • We recommend a brief 3-minute overview, followed by informal discussion and questions.
6. Display & Access: Primary poster slides will rotate throughout the day on the large Gallery display and side screens in the auditorium during breaks. Digital posters will also be available to attendees through the IRL Symposium Digital Guide.
7. Submission: Final digital posters must be submitted by Monday, February 8, 2027. Submission instructions will be provided to accepted presenters.