[ECOLOG-L] Biodemography Postdoctoral Associate
BIODEMOGRAPHY POST DOCTORAL ASSOCIATE Applications are invited for a postdoctoral fellowship in mathematical ecology and biodemography at the University of Miami. The position is set to begin in the Fall of 2008 and is for one year. The position is full time research; the fellow is expected to work on structured population models in stochastic environments, contributing to multidisciplinary collaborative work on the evolutionary ecology of lifespan. The fellow would be part of the newly established Institute for Theoretical and Mathematical Ecology at the University of Miami. Applicants should have received a Ph.D. in mathematics, biology or demography. MATLAB and R programming skills useful. We offer a competitive salary plus benefits. Review of applications will commence July 10, 2008 and will continue until the position has been filled. Please apply via email by making a single pdf file that includes a cover letter, a statement of research interests, your curriculum vita and contact information for 4 references. Please use biodemography postdoc as the subject heading of the email, address your letter to: Professor Carol Horvitz, Department of Biology, Coral Gables, Florida 33124 and send it to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Seeking statistics advice (avian species richness)
Hi Will, It is difficult to give advice without knowing a lot more about the problem at hand and that is not something for an email list but for local statistical support at your University etc., but your observations as you describe them will not be independent and hence violate the assumptions of the methods. You have three repeated measurements so potentially some temporal autocorrelation. Also the observations within transects are potentially spatially autocorrelated. You will need to account for this in your analysis, and a simple t-test does not. If you are interested in the bird assemblage (not sure that makes sense for birds) then CCA/RDA in Canoco (and soon to be in R via the vegan package if I pull my finger out and finish coding) will allow you test for effect of explanatory variables in presence of non-independence due to the line transects via permutation tests. With 3 temporal observations, you might be better off ignoring this temporal autocorrelation and include a fixed effect for sampling time as a dummy variable --- you can do a partial analysis (remove effect of this dummy variable) if you want to remove the complicating factor of sampling on 3 different occaisions, or leave it in the analysis and test for difference in time. You should be able to do this as a univariate regression also in Canoco (and soon vegan) if you are interested in individual species or diversity. If you are modelling individual bird species or diversity of birds as the response via more traditional regression techniques, then you need to account for autocorrelations. This starts to look like a mixed effects analysis, where you have a random effect for transect (if you consider these to be a random sample of all possible transects you could have selected), a fixed effect for sampling time (it is difficult to estimate this as a random effect with only three observations) and then a fixed effect for forest/no forest. Then you also need to account for the spatial autocorrelation within transects via specifying a form for the covariance matrix associated with the regression model residuals. Whilst not strictly correct, as you are working with counts of species (diversity) something like a poission GLM/GAM or a negative binomial GLM/GAM would be appropriate. Something similar would be appropriate for abundances of an individual species. Putting all of this together in software is difficult. In R using the mgcv package you could do a poission analysis incorporating the mixed effects and spatial autocorrelation, via the gamm() function. As you can see, it starts to get fairly complicated very quickly once you go down the generalised linear/additive mixed effects approach and have correlations in your model residuals. If you can deal with your data in CCA/RDA in Canoco (or vegan in R) then that would be an easier route to go down... HTH G Im posting a general question to those who know something about ecological statistics. As part of my masters thesis, I want to compare bird species richness and abundance of birds detected in transects in mature forests and mature forests experiencing low-density housing development (Ive worked hard to select sites that make this comparison valid and I will be collecting data in a way that will allow me to assign probabilities of detection in both habitat types). I have 12 forested transects and 12 residential transects. I will visit each site three times. Im essentially searching for the appropriate statistical analysis to compare mean number of species/mean number of individuals/and mean diversity index values between the two habitat groups. Im assuming that basic parametric tests such as t-test/one-way ANOVA would be appropriate, however my thesis committee challenged me to see if there arent better ways of comparing the data, particularly since there will be repeated visits to each transect. Any help/thoughts/suggestions would be most welcome.
[ECOLOG-L] : PhD Research Assistantship (Wildlife Habitat Restoration Ecology)
Title: PhD Research Assistantship (Wildlife Habitat Restoration Ecology) Location: Department of Renewable Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY Description: A research assistantship is available within the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Wyoming to work closely with Dr. Jeff Beck to undertake a field and laboratory study to identity the disturbance mechanisms causing elk (Cervus elaphus) to avoid areas undergoing oil and natural gas development. See attached document for further information
[ECOLOG-L] Post Doc in Environmental Health
Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Fellowship in Environmental Health/Health Geography The Environmental Studies Program (ENST) at Colgate University, with generous support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, invites applications for a teaching and research postdoctoral fellowship starting in August 2008. The fellowship is intended for a recent Ph.D. whose training and research are in environmental health and/or health and medical geography. This is a two-year position (contingent on successful completion of first year) that combines teaching and research at a liberal arts institution. Colgate faculty members will provide mentoring of both teaching and research activities. Teaching responsibilities will be the equivalent of three ENST-related courses each year. We are looking for candidates whose background in health and environmental geography will complement the expertise of Colgate faculty affiliated with ENST, including geographers, biologists, economists and geologists, and whose research can make use of the existing analytical facilities at Colgate University. We are especially interested in candidates who anticipate a career that would combine undergraduate teaching and research. Annual compensation is $40,300 plus benefits. Please visit Colgate University's website http://www.colgate.edu/ for information regarding the ENST program, its concentrations and faculty affiliations. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, including addresses and email addresses of at least three potential referees, a short description of teaching experience and teaching philosophy, and a research plan for the duration of the postdoctoral fellowship appointment to Professor Maureen Hays-Mitchell, Department of Geography, Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346. Evaluation of applications will begin June 15, 2008 and will continue until the position is filled. Colgate University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff furthers the University's educational mission.
[ECOLOG-L] Final attempt - PhD Research Assistantship (Wildlife Habitat Restoration Ecology)
The attachment is not working so here is the complete text. Sorry to fill up your email box. Title: PhD Research Assistantship (Wildlife Habitat Restoration Ecology) Location: Department of Renewable Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY Description: A research assistantship is available within the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Wyoming to work closely with Dr. Jeff Beck to undertake a field and laboratory study to identity the disturbance mechanisms causing elk (Cervus elaphus) to avoid areas undergoing oil and natural gas development. A population of 250300 elk inhabiting an isolated ~50,000 ha juniper/sagebrush/mixed grass study area are the focus of the study. The study area lies within the Power River Basin in northeastern Wyoming, an area currently undergoing intensive development of coalbed methane resources. Proposed plans call for 3-phased development of the methane resources underlying the study area. Thirty-eight female elk have been equipped with real-time GPS collars to monitor habitat selection as development proceeds. Comparative pre-treatment data are available from the study area through VHF telemetry studies in the early 1990s and since 2005. Comparative pre and post treatment data are available from another study area in western Wyoming. Field monitoring will include collecting data with road and noise monitoring equipment. Opportunities exist to evaluate experimentally simulated disturbances with captive elk or to assess stress in wild elk through fecal glucocorticoids or body condition measurements. Quarterly and annual reporting to study cooperators (BLM, WGFD, and energy companies) will be a central form of communication for this study. Degree: Graduate studies will lead to a PhD in Ecology or Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management at the University of Wyoming. In addition to the degree, the graduate student will have the option to earn a certificate in Reclamation and Restoration Ecology. Qualifications: Competitive GPA and GRE scores are required; combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores must be 1,100 to be considered. Applicants must have earned an MS in wildlife science, ecology, zoology or related fields prior to beginning the assistantship. Prior field experience and coursework in spatial ecology, wildlife habitat ecology, and statistics are desirable. Must have the ability to work in rough/remote terrain, drive 4WD vehicles and ATVs, and cheerfully endure adverse environmental conditions including wind, cold, heat, mud, biting insects, and rattlesnakes. An ability to clearly communicate study objectives and findings to diverse audiences including private landowners, natural resource agency employees, and energy company personnel is a must. Salary and benefits: $24,976 per year, which includes stipend ($14,452), academic and summer tuition, fees, and health insurance. Last Date to Apply: July 1, 2008. Preferred Starting Date: August 25, 2008 (or earlier) Website: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWRENEWABLE/Faculty/J_Beck.asp Application: Please electronically submit (PDFs are preferred) your CV (including at least 3 references), GPA and GRE scores, letter of intent, and a publication demonstrating your finest research work to Dr. Jeffrey L. Beck ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), Department of Renewable Resources, University of Wyoming, Dept 3354, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071. The University of Wyoming is an EEO/AA employer.
[ECOLOG-L] NESCent - Assistant Director for Science
The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (www.nescent.org), NESCent, is a national Center sponsored by the NSF to promote synthetic activities in evolutionary biology. The Center seeks a full time Assistant Director for Science. The Assistant Director will assist the Director and Associate Director for Science and Synthesis in promoting the scientific activities of the Center and will be involved in all scientific activities of the Center. Specific tasks will include coordinating the reporting functions of the Center, including developing assessment tools and surveys; working with informatics staff to implement reporting modules of the administrative database; and working with Directors and other senior staff in preparing grant applications, annual reports and documents for site visits and advisory boards. The individual will also help to oversee the logistics of the proposal review system, and to coordinate other Center activities, including Darwin Day and other symposia and workshops. The individual filling this job should have a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology or related field, several years of postdoctoral experience and an interest in developing experience in administrative activities. Candidates should submit a letter of application discussing their background and interests, a CV and names of three individuals willing to provide letters of recommendation to AcademicJobsOnline at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/Duke/NESCent. Applications will be considered until the position is filled; applications received before July 15 will be guaranteed consideration. For more information see our web site at NESCent Employment Opportunities at http://www.nescent.org/about/employment.php. Duke University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
[ECOLOG-L] Environmental Education Intern
Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve of the University of Minnesota is looking for an out-going, self-motivated individual to serve as an intern for our new and growing community education and outreach programs, including formal K-12 science education programs and our more informal natural history and environmental programs for general audiences. This is a seasonal full-time position, starting early July and running through October/November, 2008. On-site housing is available. Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is an internationally renowned ecological research and education facility, located 35 miles north of the Twin Cities, featuring 5,400 acres of land that encompasses a diverse mosaic of prairie, savanna, bogs, open water, and forests. Cedar Creek also features a recently opened public access park, called Fish Lake Nature Trails. The person in this position would interpret and communicate Cedar Creek’s science and natural history to a variety of community audiences. Some duties include: 1. Organize and lead natural history interpretive tours for the general public and special interest groups 2. Daily patrol of Fish Lake Nature Trails area for maintenance issues 3. Help organize and assist with school field trips to Cedar Creek 4. Help conduct teacher training workshops Minimum Qualifications: Ideal candidate will have either completed a bachelors degree or be in a college program working towards a degree in biology, natural resources, science education, or other related field. Knowledge of central Minnesota natural history and ecology is key. Experience working outdoors with school-age children and the general public is helpful. To apply, please send: (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume, (3) copy of your transcript (unofficial is okay), and (4) two letters of recommendation. Mail to: Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, attn: Environmental Education Intern Position, 2660 Fawn Lake Dr NE, East Bethel, MN 55005. Deadline for applications is June 30, 2008.
[ECOLOG-L] ESA Student Section Ecofilm Choice Award - deadline July 20th
*ESA Student Section SEAs'08 Choice Award* Dear ESA Student Section member*, The Student Section needs your help to select the winner of the ESA Student Section's Choice Award of the SEAs'08! This special award carries $200, and it is exclusively up to the members of the Student Section (YOU!) to decide who wins it! Please circulate this among your students and colleagues. The following are the nominated videos for this award (click on the link to watch it): *Vote # 1. *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CByGLmL5bYk** *Vote # 2. *http://youtube.com/watch?v=F3U17IAeY54** *Vote # 3. *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe8HPsZnEsE** *Vote # 4. *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlKnfic_mUM** *Vote # 5. *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcEwcy-7cqM** *Vote # 6. *http://www.scivee.tv/node/5965** Additionally, you are cordially invited to join us during the Student Ecofilm Awards ceremony and festival, which will take place during the annual meeting in Milwaukee, WI on Monday August 4. The Student Choice award will be distributed during the awards ceremony at the Student Mixer (6:30 -8:30 pm). The Student Ecofilm Festival will follow the Student Mixer (8 to 10 pm). At the festival, you will have a chance to see the winning ecofilms and honorable mention ecofilms. These will be shown at the Midwest Airlines Convention Center in Room 202A. Rules for vote submission: - Deadline: July 20th 6pm EST. - Only votes received from ESA Student Section members will be considered. - Each member can only vote only once. - Authors, film editors or people related with the making of any of the nominated movies are not eligible to vote. - Send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the following information (please make sure the typed info is correctly entered or it will not be considered – case sensitive): o Email subject: ESA Student Section SEAs Choice Award vote o Email content: Vote # *x*, if you want film # *x* to win this award. Many thanks for your votes! We'll see you in Milwaukee! Rob Salguero-Gomez SEAs Festival Director ESA Student Section networking officer * If you are not yet an ESA Student Section member, please click on the following link and follow the instructions ( http://www.esa.org/member_services/join_renew.php). The annual membership to the Ecological Society of America as a student is only $15, and once you are a member, you will be able to join the Student Section for an extra $5! -- Illic est haud via ut prosperitas tamen exsupero in panton .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Rob Salguero-Gomez PhD candidate Graduate Group of Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Department of Biology Leidy Labs 321 3740 Hamilton Walk University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA Phone: 215-898-8608 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[ECOLOG-L] Paid Field Internship, Arcata, California
This is a wonderful opportunity to begin a career in natural resource management and conservation. The successful candidate will be mentored by three leading biologists in the following fields. Wildlife: Approximately one month will be spent conducting marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl surveys. Fisheries: Approximately one month will be spent conducting water quality sampling and collecting aquatic invertebrate samples. Botany : Approximately three months will be spent making seed collections and field office website updates (includes creating a section about major ongoing projects in botany), conducting invasive weed inventory, mapping, and manual eradication, assisting with grazing allotment monitoring, and preparing field office herbarium data for submission to the Jepson herbarium. The Conservation and Land Management Internship Program is a partnership between the Chicago Botanic Garden, the US Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. We are currently looking to fill this position as soon as a qualified candidate is found, so we suggest if you are interested you don't delay. The position will remain open until filled. For more information about our program and for application instructions, please visit our website: www.chicagobotanic.org/research/training/clm_internship To apply please send your resume, cover letter, college transcripts and three letters of recommendation to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Fellowship in Bird Species Distribution Modeling
***PHD. GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP AVAILABLE FOR FALL 2008* Influence of climate and land-use change on bird species distributions One Ph.D. fellowship is available in the IGERT Ecosystem Informatics Program within the Department of Forest Science at Oregon State University starting in October 2008. The focus of this study is to develop species distribution models for terrestrial birds in North America. Computer-based and mathematical modeling will be focused on rates of range expansion in relation to interacting effects of land-use and climate change. The fellowship includes $60,000 over 4 years, tuition and fees for 2 years, and a research allowance. We seek applications from individuals with the following qualifications: (1) a Masters degree in ecology or a related discipline, (2) evidence of strong quantitative skills (particularly statistical modeling) and an interest in computer science, (3) an excellent academic background (see IGERT requirements), (4) some knowledge and experience working in ornithology. This fellowship is only open to U.S. citizens. Application information for the IGERT Ecosystem Informatics program can be found at: http://ecoinformatics.oregonstate.edu/new/apply.html Preference will be given to applications received by August 1st, 2008. ** Interested persons should contact: Matthew G. Betts, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Forest Wildlife Landscape Ecology Department of Forest Science Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 USA 541-737-3841 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/cof/fs/people/faculty/betts.php
[ECOLOG-L] Plant Taxonomy, Botany; Paid Internship in Richfield, Utah
Paid internship sponsored by the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. The successful candidate will have basic knowledge of Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Seed Biology, Plant Anatomy, and Agrostology. Technical writing experience is desirable. Additional training will be provided as the work necessitates. Projects include: inventorying and monitoring rare plants; native seed collecting, cleaning, planting and research; brochure development; and herbarium maintenance. Last year interns participated in monitoring several Wilderness Study Areas with the Recreation Team. Only one position remains. Will remain open until filled. For further program information or to apply, please visit our website: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/research/training/clm_internship/apply
[ECOLOG-L] Wetland creation
Hi, I'm trying to back up an assertion of mine that we deliberately plan for and create wetland ecosystems more than any other type of ecosystem (save, perhaps, lawns). I'm not necessarily talking acreage here - foresters might have the edge there (as I leave myself open to criticism from foresters about artificial forests), but actual projects. Mind you, this is a gut feeling on my part with no actual data - which is the point of my query. Does anyone have any citations on this topic specific to wetlands or just on how many artificial landscapes we create in the US each year? Thanks - just another odd question from moi. Andy Charles Andrew Cole, Ph.D. Department of Landscape Architecture Penn State University 301a Forest Resources Laboratory University Park, PA 16802 814-865-5735 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.larch.psu.edu/watershed/home.html
[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. and M.S. Graduate Research Assistantsh ips (3) – Riparian and Stream Restoration Ecology, West Virginia University
Ph.D. and M.S. Graduate Research Assistantships (3) - Riparian and Stream Restoration Ecology, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, West Virginia University STARTING DATE: August 2008 or negotiable (Positions depend on final approval of funding). DESCRIPTION: Students will work as part of a team on the Cacapon River Watershed Stream and Riparian Restoration Collaborative in the eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. This collaborative, comprised of multiple programs at WVU, Canaan Valley Institute, and the Cacapon and Lost River Land Trust) is implementing natural stream channel design principles, riparian management practices including warm season grass establishment and riparian woody buffers, and planting pollinator strips on private lands along the Cacapon River. Research emphasis will center on one of three areas: 1) Riparian wildlife ecology; 2) Water quality; or 3) Stream ecology. Each position will have a well defined area of emphasis but there is enough flexibility to allow for ample interdisciplinary work. The students will be working toward a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources or a Ph.D. in Forest Science (Emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries) at West Virginia University (http://www.forestry.caf.wvu.! edu/). QUALIFICATIONS: B. S. (for M.S. degree) or M.S. (for Ph.D.) in Wildlife, Fisheries, Ecology, Environmental Science, or closely related field. Minimum GPA of 3.0 and combined quantitative/verbal GRE scores of 1100. A strong interest in riparian, wetland, or stream ecology; working with private landowners; and a desire to work as part of an interdisciplinary team is essential. Field experience in the Appalachians and experience with streams or riparian zones is highly desirable. Preferred qualifications include industrious, hard-working students that can make decisions independently and work cooperatively with others. STIPEND: $15,000/year (M.S.), $18,000/year (Ph.D.) plus health insurance and complete tuition waiver. CONTACT: Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, a 500-word statement of purpose (why you want to work on this project at WVU, your research and career interests, etc.) copy of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to Jim Anderson at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dr. James T. Anderson West Virginia University Division of Forestry and Natural Resources P. O. Box 6125 Morgantown, WV 26506-6125 USA Telephone (304) 293-2941, extension 2445 Fax (304) 293-2441 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[ECOLOG-L] Seed Collecting, Rock Springs Wyoming BLM Field Office Paid Internship
Great opportunity available immediately in the Conservation and Land Management Program, sponsored jointly by the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. This is an excellent opportunity to sharpen and increase vegetation identification and survey/ monitoring skills. Basic knowledge of ArcGis would be helpful. Intern will use ArcMap 9. Major duties will be the collection of seeds for the Seeds-of-Success program within the BLM, Rock Springs Field Office (with limited collections around Wyoming). The successful candidate will have the ability to identify native plants/weeds in sagebrush steppe, mountain shrub and Salt desert communities of the Wyoming basin and intermountain west; knowledge of vegetation sampling techniques; skill in plant collection and pressing; ability to key unknown plants using dichotomous keys and herbarium samples; ability to occasionally work independently in remote places and harsh environments; ability to drive off-road 4X4 vehicles with standard transmissions; ability to navigate using map/orientation skills; skill in using GPS and GIS. Position will remain open until filled. For further program information or to apply, please visit our website: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/research/training/clm_internship/apply
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Wetland creation
I guess it depends on how you define ecosystem and what timeframe you're talking about. Certainly over the centuries we've created many more cropland or pastureland or residential landscape ecosystems than wetland ecosystems. And some might argue that even though its human-made, a created (or restored) wetland is not really an artificial landscape if that's your reference point. Perhaps we need to tighter terminology. Warren W. Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist Tigard, OR 97223 -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Charles Andrew Cole Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 12:42 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Wetland creation Hi, I'm trying to back up an assertion of mine that we deliberately plan for and create wetland ecosystems more than any other type of ecosystem (save, perhaps, lawns). I'm not necessarily talking acreage here - foresters might have the edge there (as I leave myself open to criticism from foresters about artificial forests), but actual projects. Mind you, this is a gut feeling on my part with no actual data - which is the point of my query. Does anyone have any citations on this topic specific to wetlands or just on how many artificial landscapes we create in the US each year? Thanks - just another odd question from moi. Andy Charles Andrew Cole, Ph.D. Department of Landscape Architecture Penn State University 301a Forest Resources Laboratory University Park, PA 16802 814-865-5735 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.larch.psu.edu/watershed/home.html
[ECOLOG-L] Grass search
Dear List, I am looking to collect viable seed and/or live plant material of the following species to grow in a greenhouse. Ehrharta stipoides, Stipa barbata, Glyceria canadensis, Chionochloa flavescens, Merxmuellera arundinacea, Eriachne obtuse, Chasmanthium latifolium, Homopholis proluta, Cenchrus ciliaris, Neurachne alopecuroides, Alloteropsis semialata, Echinochloa colonum If you work with one or more of these species and have extra material I would greatly appreciate your assistance. I'd also appreciate contact information of others not on this list who may have some of these species. I am already in contact with the ARS germplasm collection. Thank you for your assistance. Asaph -- Asaph B. Cousins Assistant Professor School of Biological Sciences Washington State University Pullman WA 99164-4236 Office: (509) 335-7218 Lab: (509) 335-8243 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [ECOLOG-L] PhD Position at the University of Idaho
Please pass this announcement on to any you think would be interested: The University of Idaho is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to participate in an interdisciplinary study to identify Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) inputs to model how carbon sequestration responds to changing disturbance regimes, stand conditions, management practices, and environmental variables. The PhD student will directly work with the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station and our industry partner (Potlatch Land Holdings, Inc.) to further develop LiDAR information technology for forest stand and landscape management. This project will also assist in developing national standards for LiDAR data acquisitions, processing, and products. The stipend starts at $20,000 per year for 3 years and includes a tuition waiver but fees are not included. The PhD candidate should be familiar with remote sensing, forest ecology, and ecosystem processes associated with forest growth and yield. Experience working with remote sensing and GIS software, such as ARC, ENVI or ERDAS is advantageous. Applicants are required to have a bachelors' degree in a physical science, remote sensing/GIS, geography, forest ecology, biogeochemistry, or another appropriate field. To apply for this position, please email the following to Alistair Smith; alistair [at] uidaho [dot] edu (1) your CV (including GRE scores and percentiles); (2) a 1-2 page description of your research interests and ideas; please also describe your technical and personal qualifications for this position; (3) contact information for three references. Inquiries are welcome. Starting date of August 26th 2008 or January 1st 2009 Thanks! Alistair Smith Alistair Smith, PhD Assistant Professor of Forest Measurements Department of Forest Resources University of Idaho 1-208-885-1009 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/measurements
[ECOLOG-L] Faculty development opportunity: ESA Workshop October 2-4, 2008
Dear Ecolog, ESA is currently accepting applications for a fall 2008 workshop on the use of continental scale data in undergraduate education. If you are using raw data in your teaching and have used (or are strongly interested in) student-active teaching techniques, we encourage you to consider applying. We welcome applications from faculty with a broad range of backgrounds and especially encourage faculty from small undergraduate institutions and minority-serving institutions to apply. The full description of the workshop and the selection criteria are available on the ESA website: http://www.esa.org/education_diversity/neon/ If you have any questions about the workshop, my contact information is at the end of the announcement below. Jennifer Faculty Development Opportunity Continental-Scale Data in Undergraduate Education Workshop October 2-4, 2008: Using Continental-scale Data to Teach Undergraduate Ecology. ESA is currently accepting applicants for an October 2008 workshop, Using Continental-scale Data to Teach Undergraduate Ecology. In this pilot workshop, faculty will explore how large-volume data collected at large temporal and partial scales can be incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum. This workshop will generate recommendations to inform the development of NEON cyberinfrastructure for educational purposes. WORKSHOP PROGRAM During a 3-day workshop October 2-4, 2008, selected faculty will explore the breadth and scope of continental-scale data and reflect on its use to teach undergraduate students, both in courses and in independent research projects. Discussions will be organized around two of the grand challenges identified by NEON: climate change and land use change. Existing data on these topics drawn from sources such as the Long Term Ecological Research data sets, the Forest Inventory Analysis from the US Forest Service and/or the Land Use Analysis Package will be made available to faculty for discussion and analysis. Participants will work in breakout groups to generate recommendations on the following: 1. How can educators use raw, large-scale data to teach ecology from a continental perspective? 2. How can NEON's infrastructure support the innovative use of continental-scale data in undergraduate education? 3. What are faculty's needs, perceived obstacles, and recommendations on how to coordinate collaborative research at the undergraduate level? LOGISTICS Selected faculty will participate in two 2-hour webinars in August and September of 2008 in order to become familiar with relevant background information and to set the stage for the 3-day workshop October 2-4, 2008. Webinar 1 will take place August 19, 2-4 PM EDT and will be attended by all participants. Participants will choose to attend one of two sessions for Webinar 2: September 18, 2-4 PM EDT or September 24, 2-4 PM EDT. The two webinars and associated reading materials will introduce NEON, project expectations, and opportunities of large-scale ecology and use of large-scale datasets in education. Travel to and from the workshop, lodging, and meals during the workshop will be provided by the Ecological Society of America. Faculty teaching at small undergraduate institutions and minority-serving institutions are especially encouraged to apply. HOW TO APPLY Applications will be accepted until July 7, and applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by mid-July. The online application form is available at: www.esa.org/education_diversity/neon/workshop_application.php For more information, please visit contact: Jennifer Riem Education Coordinator Office of Education and Diversity Programs Ecological Society of America [EMAIL PROTECTED] 202-833-8773 ext. 236
[ECOLOG-L] Ecosystems and faux ecosystems Re: [ECOLOG-L] Wetland creation
Honorable Forum, Warren, and Andy: Please believe me, I do not want to start a head-butting session, only to suggest how the terminology might be tightened--that is, how crucial distinctions might be made where present terminology tends to depend upon interpretation to the point of confusion. We have, over the years, come to broaden the term landscape to include both ecosystems and assemblages of plants arranged for aesthetic satisfaction (not to mention farms, pastures, woodlots, viewsheds, paintings of the preceeding, etc.). It is ironic, especially to ecologists, that ecosystem should be subordinated into one of those landscape categories. But subordinating landscape into ecosystem wouldn't be valid either. No doubt this problem (implication and interpretation via author intent, not to mention presumption which may or may not align with the author's true meaning) will persist in the broader lexicon, but there might be some chance of avoiding confusion about the technical differences should the profession at large reach some agreement about more precise definitions and encourage authors (via peer review and editing) to be more precise in usage or to make it a practice to define terms when the issue arises. Many years ago (my publication list is lost, so I can't cite it or even remember the title, only that it was some meeting in Berkeley) I suggested that the term landscape should be reserved for artificial assemblages of plants (dependent upon human intent, and replacing or displacing an ecosystem) as is the practice in landscape architecture. This would be technically valid, as the term is derived from land and the Old Dutch skep, meaning to scrape, or to hack, as I recall. Ecosystem should be reserved for any group of organisms that interact with each other and their environment in the absence of extra-system intentional (human) control. As to created wetlands, the intent, dependency, and control determinants should serve to distinguish those which require artificial support and those which are self-sustaining, just as any natural wetland would be. For example, my backyard pond requires my intentional intervention for its MAINTENANCE; a pond behind a dam may or may not be maintained. If the ponds in question require intentional external inputs for their sustenance they are artificial landscapes; if they are self-sustaining, they are ecosystems. Of course, even created habitats are characterized by species interactions with each other and their created and maintained environments, and it that sense are CONDITIONAL ecosystems. Any system that lacks internal integrity cannot be considered an ecosystem in the same sense as one that is fully integrated and self-sufficient. Whether a quake lake or a lake created by a human-constructed dam, both are subject to the same rules of nature. The important distinction is whether or not continued external inputs are required for their existence. Nature changes, lakes and ponds and all habitats change, come and go. The distinguishing characteristic of a landscape is that when the external management that maintains it is withdrawn, it will not remain in the fixed state its creator intended. So some created wetlands should be considered ecosystems and others artifices, dependent upon the intent and supervision of their creators, and others ecosystems, even though humans may have altered the earth to enable one habitat to be replaced with another. This goes for lawns and forests too. Some pastures and woodlots (or other managed biological assemblages), once abandoned, will transform-that is the central point of validation. WT - Original Message - From: Warren W. Aney [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 2:34 PM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Wetland creation I guess it depends on how you define ecosystem and what timeframe you're talking about. Certainly over the centuries we've created many more cropland or pastureland or residential landscape ecosystems than wetland ecosystems. And some might argue that even though its human-made, a created (or restored) wetland is not really an artificial landscape if that's your reference point. Perhaps we need to tighter terminology. Warren W. Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist Tigard, OR 97223 -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Charles Andrew Cole Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 12:42 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Wetland creation Hi, I'm trying to back up an assertion of mine that we deliberately plan for and create wetland ecosystems more than any other type of ecosystem (save, perhaps, lawns). I'm not necessarily talking acreage here - foresters might have the edge there (as I leave myself open to criticism from foresters about artificial forests), but actual projects. Mind you,
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Wetland creation (Davis wetlands)
Hi The city of Davis has a '400 acre Davis wetlands project'). Anybody interested here is the link http://www.ci.davis.ca.us/pw/water/wetlands.cfm They do a great job. Regards, from Ling Huang Chemistry Department Sacramento City College http://www.freewebs.com/huangl24
