The Panel will request a renewal of its charter and appointment of members from the ESA Governing Board to continue its activities. A nominating committee will appoint new members to replace departing ones. The Panel hopes to have a draft available by the 1999 ESA Annual Meeting. The Panel received a grant from the Federal Geographic Data Committee to begin the development of standards for the floristic levels of the FGDC's Vegetation Classification Standards. Scheduled for publication this spring.
Distribution continues to expand.
Funding remains to produce 2-3 issues, and funds from EPA may extend that budget. A small fee is being charged for issues, but does not cover production and distribution. There is interest in Spanish versions of Issues in Ecology. Funding is being sought for this effort. Distribution will be done throughout Latin America in cooperation with Osvaldo Sala, President of the Ecological Society of Argentina.