The Canadian Association of Palynologists was founded in 1978 and, at a recent count (September 24, 2010), consisted of 57 members in good standing. The Association is run by a small executive. CAP members include palynologists from Universities, Industry and Government Agencies. CAP membership is drawn from the worldwide palynological community. The Association focusses on palynology from all geologic eras, spanning the Palaeozoic to the Quaternary. Palynologists from all branches of the discipline, from stratigraphic palynology, to palaeoecology, to melissopalynology, participate in the Association. We welcome new members.

CAP communicates primarily through a newsletter that is produced twice a year (May and November). This web presentation is designed as a supplement and extension of the CAP Newsletter. The CAP web presentation is intended as an information resource for CAP members and anyone else interested in Canadian palynology.

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The Canadian Quaternary Association (CANQUA) will be holding its biennial meeting in Edmonton, Alberta, August 18-22 2013. The following CAP (Canadian Association of Palynologists) Special Session is planned for this conference:

The Palaeoecology of Extreme Environments

Extreme environments occur in many forms, from the cold temperatures of arctic and alpine areas, to the aridity of deserts and grasslands, to the salinity of salt marshes and saline lakes, or the desiccation and UV influx on exposed rock surfaces. They may persist for millennia or be restricted in time and space, such as newly exposed terrain around glacial margins or recent volcanic deposits. Extreme environments can result from various stressors, including climate, biogeochemical or physical conditions, or biological factors. Such environments present challenges for biota and their associated palaeoecological records. Signals may be recorded by many proxy indicators including pollen, plant macroremains, diatoms, or dinoflagellates, We welcome contributions documenting extreme environments through single or multiple indicators, or reporting the results of studies focused on these types of localities.

We are pleased to announce that Konrad Gajewski has agreed to be the featured speaker for this session.

The abstract deadline has been extended to May 15 2013. More information about the CANQUA 2013 meeting itself can be found at the conference website at http://www.eas.ualberta.ca/canqua/

Please contact either Mary Vetter or Alwynne Beaudoin, the session organizers, if you are interested in contributing to this session or would like more details.

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Components

The History of the Canadian Association of Palynologists

• How it all began and an outline of the Association's notable achievements during the last four decades.

The CAP Library

• Atlas pollinique des arbres et de quelques arbustes indigènes du Québec by Pierre Richard. (Download a copy, PDF, 14.7 mb)
• Book reviews, a list that now features twenty-six reviews
• A list of recent publications, including monographs, papers and book chapters dealing with palynology
• A list of theses related to Canadian palynology
• An index to past issues of the CAP Newsletter
and more!

Highlights from past issues of the CAP Newsletter

• Now includes forty-seven articles, including reports about new research, fieldwork, conference reports, analytical methods, and essays

Lab Scenes: Palynology at University Departments and Government Agencies

• Find out who's doing what and where in Canadian palynology

Directory of Palynologists

• Palynologists from Canada and around the world

Palynological Personalities

• An in-depth look at some of the people who have influenced the discipline. Now includes twenty-one articles.

Upcoming Conferences

• Plan your trips well ahead of time!

Equipment and Laboratory Supplies

• Information about that hard-to-find item you need for the lab

CAP's Organization and Administration

• CAP's By-laws
• CAP's Administrative Year
• Reports from past Annual General Meetings
• CAP's Executive
• Membership Form
• CAP Student Research Award, including information on how to apply and a list of past award recipients

Internet Resources

• Discussion lists, web sites, and more