Extended call for oral presentations from aquatic system research:
The 55th annual meeting of the North American Benthological Society will
be in Columbia, SC June 3-7 in 2007. We would like you to be aware of a
special session titled:=20
"Cascades, chains, and webs: alternative approaches to understanding
complex systems"=20
Broad scale ecological studies require extensive information
about diverse interacting components. Recent studies have shown a
broadening of our spatial (and temporal) focus and the inclusion of a
wide array of variables. Traditional statistical approaches (i.e.,
Fisherian statistics) do not provide an adequate method for identifying
critical parameters or linking patterns of influence or causation. New
approaches employing structural equation modeling, Bayesian hierarchical
modeling, information theoretic model evaluation, and others have led to
progress in our ability to identify and evaluate complex models. These
non-traditional methods are bringing new perspective to how ecologists
understand relationships among interacting mechanisms and how influence
'travels' through an ecosystem. This symposium/session aims to
demonstrate some of these new approaches regardless of study focus or
system. Through interaction we can learn from our successes and
failures in hopes of improving our ability to investigate multivariate
systems. Anyone focusing on multivariate systems large or small is
invited. Session organizers are Chris L. Burcher
([EMAIL PROTECTED]); 304-696-6791, and Eric R. Sokol ([EMAIL PROTECTED]);
540-231-6679.=20
We would also like to extend the invitation to participate by presenting
original research that fits with the session goals. If you are
interested or have questions please contact Chris Burcher
([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
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Chris L. Burcher, PhD
Assistant Professor, Watershed Ecology
Marshall University, Biological Sciences
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
304-696-6791
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