The Symposium on Asian Pteridology is an important forum for the exchanges of all kinds of ideas and new research findings made in the study of the pteridophytes. Today, it has become a necessary and important gathering of botanists and post-graduate students who study the diversity, ecology, biogeography, evolution and conservation of pteridophytes from all Asian countries as well as regions outside Asia.

In 1990, the 1st Symposium on Asian Pteridology was held in Cibodas and Bogor of Indonesia. The 2nd and 3rd Symposium was held in Taipei (1992) and Kunming (1995) of China, respectively. After the successful convocation of the 4th Symposium in Central Mindanao University of the Philippines (2007), the fifth Symposium on Asian Pteridology and Garden Show will be held at Shenzhen Fairylake Botanical Garden (Guangdong, China) from 15 to 21 of November 2010. The theme of this symposium is Recent Advances of Pteridophyte Research: Opportunity and Challenge. The host country and the hosting institutions are pleased to have the privilege to organize the 5th Symposium on Asian Pteridology and Garden Show. Together with the Fern Committee of China Flower Association, the Shenzhen Fairylake Botanical Garden welcomes you all to attend the symposium in November 2010.

Shenzhen is located in the south of Guangdong Province with Hongkong to its south. It is a coastal city with beautiful scenery and also the first special economic zone in China. “The Phoenixes dwells in Wutong Mountain, and the fairies played in the pool of the Heaven”. Wutong Mountain is the highest peak in Shenzhen (alt. 944 m) with cloud and mist through the year, giving it a blurry and unreal appearance, densely wooded and with winding streams. It is among such a wonderful mountain that Shenzhen Fairylake Botanical Garden is located. The garden was started to construct in 1983, and opened to the public in 1988, covering an area of 587 hectares. The garden is one of the most popular destinations for visitors in Shenzhen. The missions of this garden include scientific research, education and tourism.

One of the priorities for the Fairylake Botanical Garden is the preservation of rare and threatened plants. There are about 6,500 species cultivated in this garden via various ex situ conservation centers/gardens. The major center gardens include International Ex Situ Conservation Center for Cycads, International Magnolia Garden, Rare & Endangered Trees Garden, Palm Garden, Bamboos Garden, Medicinal Plants Garden, Shady Plants Garden, Cacti & Succulents, Aquatic Plants Garden, Cryptogamic Garden, Gymnosperms Garden, and Bonsai Garden, etc. There are about 400 species were successfully collected and cultivated in the botanical garden.

Objectives of the symposium
To show the richness of the Asian pteridophytes
To disseminate research results on pteridophytes
To highlight the economic importance of ferns and its allies for future commercial ventures
To strengthen linkages/collaborations with researchers, hobbyists and commercial growers