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CORVALLIS - Leading experts on the biological effects of increased ultraviolet radiation, or UV-B, caused by stratospheric ozone depletion will meet in the Milton Harris Award Symposium at Oregon State University on May 15 to discuss research findings in this field.

The conference, titled "The Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems," will run from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the LaSells Stewart Center at OSU. It is free and open to the public.

The Milton Harris Award Symposium is held each year to recognize exceptional achievement in basic research by an OSU science faculty member. The 1996 recipient is Andrew Blaustein, a professor of zoology, recognized for his work on UV-B radiation effects on amphibians in the Pacific Northwest.

At the meeting, scientists will examine the effects of increased UV-B on marine, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems.

Speakers and topics include:

-Gerard Wellington, University of Houston, the effects of UV-B on reef-building corals, 1 p.m.

-Barbara Prezlin, University of California at Santa Barbara, the effects of UV-B on aquatic ecosystems and phytoplankton, 1:30 p.m.

-Alan Teramura, University of Hawaii, how plants and terrestrial ecosystems respond to a changing UV-B environment, 2 p.m.

-Andrew Blaustein, OSU, the effects of UV-B radiation on amphibians in the Pacific Northwest, 3 p.m.

-Max Bothwell, Environment Canada, ecosystem response to solar UV-B radiation and trophic level interactions, 3:30 p.m.

Scientists have found that stratospheric ozone depletion contributes to crop yield reductions, oceanic food chain reductions, and damage or decline of both terrestrial and aquatic organisms, Blaustein said. Increased UV-B radiation can also affect human h ealth, causing skin cancer, eye disease, a depressed immune system and genetic damage, he said