Speaking of species distributions and habitat description, shall the Forum discuss and clarify the concepts the concepts of "environmental gradient" and "ecological gradient," how they grade into each other and how they are distinct? It seems that Ricklefs text (Ecology?), 2nd edition, had some simple diagrams along this line . . .
WT At 12:46 PM 1/11/2008, Ned Horning wrote: >Here is an announcement for a species distribution modeling course that >will be offered at the Southwestern Research Station in Arizona April >21-25 2008. >-- >TITLE: AMNH training workshop: Species Distribution Modeling Methods for >Conservation Biologists, April 21-25 2008 > >Applications are now being accepted for the training workshop Species >Distribution Modeling Methods for Conservation Biologists, to be held at >the American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Station, >Arizona, April 21-25 2008. > >Models that predict species' potential distributions by combining >observed occurrence records with digital data layers of environmental >variables have great potential for application across a range of >biogeographical analyses. Applications include guiding field surveys to >detect unknown populations, projecting potential impacts of climate >change, predicting species' invasions, and supporting reserve planning. >The course focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of this >approach (sometimes termed 'ecological niche' or 'bioclimate envelope' >modeling) and is designed for students, researchers and practitioners of >conservation biology. Using a mixture of lectures, hands-on computer lab >applications, discussions, and case studies, course participants will >learn to: > >. Obtain and process data necessary for species distribution modeling; >. Run distribution models using a variety of approaches; >. Validate and interpret model results; >. Apply these techniques to a range of applications. > >Each participant is encouraged to develop an idea for a project they >would like to work on during the week, so techniques learned during the >course can immediately be applied to an example of interest. > >The April course will be taught by Drs. Richard Pearson (AMNH), Steven >Phillips (AT&T) and Alison Cameron (Berkeley and Princeton). RS/GIS >specialist Kevin Koy (AMNH) will provide GIS support. > >Places on the course are limited to 15 (each participant is assigned a >desktop computer for the week). There is a course fee of $1,000 for each >participant. The course fee includes accommodation and meals for the >week. Participants need to provide their own transportation to and from >the Research Station. Unfortunately, scholarship funds to defray course >expenses are not available. > >Those interested in participating in the course should send an >application with the following information: name, contact details, >current position (student, academia, government, etc.), and a brief >statement (max two paragraphs) including why you want to take the >course, overview of prior modeling or GIS experience (if any), and a >brief description of a project you would like to work on if you have one >in mind. > >Please email your application to Richard Pearson (pearson 'at' >amnh.org). The application deadline is February 8th. Applications will >be acknowledged on receipt, and you will be notified if a place is >available by February 15th. Payment of the course fee for those accepted >will be required by March 14th. > >For further information, including programs from previous courses, see >http://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org/index.php?section_id=82&content_id=140 > >The course, Practical Remote Sensing Methods for Conservation Biologists >also takes place at the same location. The next course will be held >April 13-18, 2008.
