[ECOLOG-L] Job: Faculty position, quantitative ecology, University of Maryland

[David Inouye]

Note slightly modified procedure for submitting recommendations.

TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR:
QUANTITATIVE ECOLOGY

The Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park 
invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor in 
quantitative ecology.  We seek an outstanding candidate taking 
informatic, experimental, statistical, and/or theoretical approaches 
to major questions in ecology at the population, community, and/or 
ecosystem levels.  Applicants must have a doctorate degree and should 
have developed, or demonstrate the potential to develop, an 
outstanding research program and a record of extramural 
funding.  Applicants must also exhibit a commitment to excellence in 
teaching.   Postdoctoral experience is preferred.


The Department of Biology is in the College of Computer, Mathematics, 
and Natural Sciences.  Candidates whose research activities will 
strengthen interactions within the College are of particular 
interest.  The Department of Biology itself is home to a vibrant 
group of researchers in the areas of ecology, evolution, behavior, 
conservation biology, neuroscience, and development 
(http://biology.umd.edu/).


The University of Maryland, College Park is the flagship campus of 
the University of System of Maryland and is one of the most rapidly 
advancing public research universities in the country. Our close 
proximity to Washington D.C., the Chesapeake Bay and the Appalachian 
mountains facilitates interactions with researchers at an 
extraordinary range of institutions and field stations (e.g., 
Smithsonian Institution, USDA, USGS Patuxent Research Center, USFWS, 
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies).  In 
addition, several major non-governmental organizations have their 
world headquarters in Washington, DC (e.g., Conservation 
International, The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund).


Applicants should apply electronically to 
https://jobs.umd.edu, specifying faculty, then 
Quantitative Ecology (position #116841). Applications should consist 
of (1) a letter of application, (2) a curriculum vita, (3) a 
statement of research interests and plans, (4) a statement of 
teaching experience and interests, (5) a list of referees with e-mail 
addresses, and (6) PDFs of up to two publications.  Your referees 
will automatically receive a link from the online system to use for 
submitting their letter. For best consideration, applications should 
be complete, including letters of reference, by Dec. 15, 
2010.  Please direct questions to Dr. Sara Via (s...@umd.edu).


The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity/affirmative action 
employer. Applications from minorities and women are encouraged.

[ECOLOG-L] Faculty Position, Microbial Biology, U. of Utah

[Dave Bowling]

Faculty Position in Microbial Biology
Department of Biology, University of Utah

The Department of Biology at the University of Utah invites 
applications for a tenure-track faculty position in 
Microbial Biology. We encourage applicants who are 
investigating any area of microbial biology, including 
eukaryotic microbes and microbial interactions with higher 
organisms. For an overview of the department please visit 
http://www.biology.utah.edu/. Applicants should submit in 
PDF format a curriculum vita, up to 5 representative 
publications, descriptions of current and future research 
interests (up to two pages each), statement of teaching 
interests, and the names of three referees to
microsea...@biology.utah.edu. Please also arrange for three 
letters of reference to be sent directly to the Microbial 
Biology Search Committee, Department of Biology, University 
of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, Salt Lake City, UT 
84112-0840, USA. Review of applications will begin on 
January 15, 2011 and continue until the position is filled.


The University of Utah values candidates who have experience 
working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds, 
and possess a strong commitment to improving access to 
higher education for historically underrepresented students. 
The University of Utah is fully committed to affirmative 
action and to its policies of nondiscrimination and equal 
opportunity in all programs, activities, and employment. 
Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, 
national origin, sex, age, status as a person with a 
disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or 
expression, and status as a protected veteran. The 
University seeks to provide equal access for people with 
disabilities. Reasonable prior notice is needed to arrange 
accommodations. Evidence of practices not consistent with 
these policies should be reported to: Director, Office of 
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, (801) 581-8365 
(V/TDD).

[ECOLOG-L] Seeking Graduate Position or Employment

[Steven L Schulze]

Hello,

I am a recent graduate of the department of biology at The College of New 
Jersey in Trenton, New 
Jersey and am seeking a position in the field of ecology.  My specific 
interests within this field 
include, but are not limited to, botany, dendrology, and community ecology.

A resume and CV will be provided upon request.

Best regards,

Steve  

[ECOLOG-L] life that uses Arsenic in place of phosphorus

[malcolm McCallum]

For those who have not heard

NASA today announced that research done through their exobiology
program discovered a that a bacterium living in Mono Lake, California
can use Arsenic in place of phosphorus.  This is being pretty hyped in
the news as a new form of life.  I think the aspect regarding its
impact on extraterestrial life is over-hyped and frankly a stretch.
We are not looking at an organism THAT USES Arsenic instead of
phosporus.  We are looking at an organism that CAN OPPORTUNISTICALLY
USE Arsenic in place of phosphorus.  This is pretty cool, and a huge
scientific finding.  however, I guess our anti-intellectual society
would find it very difficult to appreciate that this is a big deal, so
we have to promote the least interesting component of the study, the
most speculative, and frankly the part that is hardly related to these
findings,...that extraterrestrial life could use Arsenic.  In fact,
this DOES NOT REDEFINE our understanding of life, it REAFFIRMS our
understanding!!!  This is another adaptation that evolved from species
with normal phosphorus-based physiology that resides in a high-arsenic
environment. We long believed that organisms should be able to do
this, and now they found one that could.  Also, they have not
established whether these organisms do this in the environment, only
that they can do it in the lab.

Understand, I am not taking away from the extreme importance of their
findings, I just wish we would actually revel in their findings
instead of speculation that has not been established.

Here is a link to the NASA announcement:

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/astrobiology_toxic_chemical.html

-- 
Malcolm L. McCallum
Managing Editor,
Herpetological Conservation and Biology
"Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive" -
Allan Nation

1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea"  W.S. Gilbert
1990's:  Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss,
            and pollution.
2000:  Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction
          MAY help restore populations.
2022: Soylent Green is People!

Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any
attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may
contain confidential and privileged information.  Any unauthorized
review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited.  If you are not
the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and
destroy all copies of the original message.

[ECOLOG-L] The International Canopy Network

[The International Canopy Network]

Hello,
We at the International Canopy Network would like to invite you to join our
membership in support of canopy science and education!  Here's some info
about our organization.  Please email can...@evergreen.edu with
questions/inquiries.
Thanks!

INTERNATIONAL CANOPY NETWORK

ICAN exists to facilitate communication among individuals and institutions
concerned with research, education, and conservation of organisms and
interactions in forest canopies.  We believe that conservation begins with
education.  We have found that because the canopy ecosystem in inherently
interesting to many people, it is an ideal tool for the promotion of science
and forest conservation.

ICAN is a growing non-profit organization.  Your membership is critical in
allowing us to develop and distribute our quarterly newsletter, compile the
ICAN directory, and develop educational projects.  Below we have outlined
some of our current programs and how you may get further involved with The
International Canopy Network.

ICAN’s email bulletin board, or listserv, provides an opportunity for
researchers, educators, and others to discuss the many concepts,
perspectives, and objectives associated with forest canopies.  To subscribe
to the list, email < canopy-requ...@lternet.edu > with “subscribe canopy” in
the body of your message.

ICAN maintains and on-line bibliographic citation database of scientific
publications relating to forest canopies.  There are now over 7700 citations
available through our database.

ICAN’s educational projects include the “Ask Doctor Canopy” program.  The
goal is to connect inquisitive students directly with researchers.  Students
contact “Dr. Canopy” and the ICAN office distributes these questions to a
cadre of canopy scientists for answers. Let us know if you would like to be
a “Dr. Canopy”.  ICAN also has a graduate “mini” course in canopy studies,
complete with power point lectures, and PDF reading lists.  CDs of the
course are free to members.  Contact the ICAN office for your copy.

Contribute your latest research, observations, artwork, job postings or
queries, or news about upcoming meetings to our quarterly newsletter, What’s
Up?.  Send contributions to the editor at can...@evergreen.edu.

We hope to continue developing into a practical and effective research,
education, and conservation organization.  Your input will help us reach
that goal.

Best,

Jill Cooper
Office Manager
The International Canopy Network

[ECOLOG-L] JOB LISTING: Assistant Professor, Columbia College Chicago

[Beth Davis-Berg]

Tenure-Track Position in Biology (POS 763)

About Columbia
Columbia College Chicago is an urban institution of over 12,000
undergraduate and graduate students emphasizing arts, media, and
communications in a liberal arts setting.

The Department of Science and Mathematics invites applicants for a full-time
tenure-track assistant professor position in biology.

Job Summary
The responsibilities of this position include teaching biology (9 credit
hours each semester) primarily to non-majors. Faculty members are also
expected to be active in scholarship and professional development and
participate in College and Departmental service. The successful candidate
will be a dedicated and innovative teacher who combines excellent
communication skills with a strong commitment to undergraduate liberal arts
and sciences education.

A Ph.D. in Biology or a closely related field is required for this position.
The start date is August 16, 2011.

How To Apply
To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by January 16,
2011. No phone calls or walk-ins please. Please upload in ONE document: a
letter of application, your c.v., statement of teaching philosophy, and the
names of and complete contact information for three references.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Columbia College Chicago is committed to diversity in its faculty. This
includes, but is not limited to, diversity of race, gender, generation,
geography and diversity of training and professional background.  Columbia
College Chicago encourages female, GLBT, disabled, international, and
minority classified individuals to apply for all positions.  We offer a
competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.  For more information,
visit our website at: www.colum.edu

https://employment.colum.edu/psp/careers/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_HM_PRE&Action=A&SiteId=1

[ECOLOG-L] Tenure-track position: Tropical Ecologist, Nicholas School, Duke Univesity

[Dean Urban]

friends,

please share this announcement with your colleagues.  and please reply to the 
contact info below (not to me!).

thanks,

dlu
_
Dean Urban
Nicholas School of the Environment
Duke University

Tropical Ecology - Nicholas School of the Environment

The Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) at Duke University will make a 
tenure-track appointment for an Assistant Professor in tropical ecology. This 
position builds on Duke's strengths in ecological, environmental, and 
biological sciences and seeks to attract an outstanding faculty member who will 
engage in and facilitate multidisciplinary interactions across the NSOE and 
other units on campus such as Biology, Evolutionary Anthropology, the Nicholas 
Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, the Organization for Tropical 
Studies, and the Global Health Institute. The successful applicant will carry 
out research at the interface of tropical ecology, ecosystem function, and the 
rapid and imposing changes now ongoing across nearly all of the tropics, as 
well as contribute to the NSOE's curricula at the undergraduate, professional 
master's, and doctoral levels.

Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the 
position is filled. Applications should include a full CV, and statements of 
research and teaching goals (all in one PDF file), and three letters of 
reference.  Applications should be forwarded to Laura Turcotte 
(ljtu...@duke.edu).

The Nicholas School and Duke University are committed to equal opportunity in 
employment. Applications are strongly encouraged from members of 
under-represented populations.

[ECOLOG-L] What is the best equipement for recording bird calls?

[Nuno Miguel]

Rebecca,

We are using SongMeter Model SM2 recorder which is made by Wildlife Acoustics.
Our first recording calls are amazing, but of course it depends where about you 
have to place the recording system, and how hard is the noise around it.

You can have a look on the SongMeter supplier website: 
http://www.wildlifeacoustics.com/index.php

Hope this helps
Nuno 

Nuno Oliveira
Project Assistant
LIFE+ Safe Islands for Seabirds
Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds
www.spea.pt
Portugal





> Date:Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:51:31 -0500
> From:Anne J Marchant 
> Subject: Re: What is the best equipement for recording bird calls?
> 
> Rebecca,
> 
> We have been using a Olympus LS-10
> Linear PCM Recorder with a AudioTechnica AT 897
> condenser microphone to record a variety
> of animal vocalizations successfully (including
> cranes and kiwis).  We're saving the files
> in .wav format.
> 
> Hope this helps,
> Anne
> 
> 
>  Anne Marchant, PhD.
>  Associate Director
>  Mason Center for Conservation Studies
>  c/o Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
>  1500 Remount Road
>  Front Royal, VA 22630 
>  Prince William Campus Mailstop 5F7
>  571-296-6008
> 
> 
> 
>  
>  
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: Rebecca Stirnemann 
> Date: Thursday, November 11, 2010 9:44 pm
> Subject: [ECOLOG-L] What is the best equipement for recording bird calls?
> 
> > Can any one recomend equipment for recording bird calls for 
> > analysis and
> > playback? I have heard MP3 players have a poorer resolution and 
> > birds do not
> > respond as well. Can any one confirm this is true?
> > 
> > Thanks
> > Rebecca
> > 
> 
> --
> 
> Date:Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:15:56 -0500
> From:"Pekin, Burak K" 
> Subject: Re: Taxonomy and Ecology  Integrating or Disintegrating?
> 
> Yes, I agree that the importance of the 'reality' that any categorization 
> represents is an issue in itself. 
> 
> Perhaps their interest in categorizing organisms to purely reflect their 
> genetics rather than their ecological functions has made taxonomists less 
> prone to justifying categorizations that reflect capitalistic human interests 
> rather than real ecological phenomenon.
> 
> -Burak
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: mcnee...@cox.net [mailto:mcnee...@cox.net] 
> Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 2:01 PM
> To: 'ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU'; Pekin, Burak K
> Subject: RE: [ECOLOG-L] Taxonomy and Ecology Integrating or Disintegrating?
> 
> Burak, you are correct that an ecoregion is a specific piece of real estate.  
> I guess I have been bothered considerably over the years by attempts to 
> assign Clementsian community meaning to all the various ways we divide 
> natural real estate.  Sure, a "Cross Timbers Ecoregion" is a defined piece of 
> the lower midwestern-southwestern portion of the U.S., and it is recognized 
> because a few oak species are dominant trees there.  
> 
> I was just being pesky.  I'll go back in my hole, and those who assign more 
> than I believe there is to such entities can have their way.  The pieces of 
> natural real estate indeed do exist.
> 
> Thanks for your forbearance.
> 
> David
>  "Pekin wrote: 
> > David, I don’t understand your distinction between something that is 
> > 'real' in nature versus something that is 'not actual, real, or concrete'. 
> > Whether something is real or not depends on the context in which it is 
> > used. 
> > 
> > A 'real' ecoregion, is real in that it represents a spatial area that is 
> > homogenous in the composition of certain species or other ecosystem 
> > properties of interest. Similiarly, a species is only 'real' in that it 
> > represents a group of organisims that have similar genetics, reproductive 
> > attributes,  or evolutionary lineage. 
> > 
> > -Burak
> > 
> > 
> > -Original Message-
> > From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
> > [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of David L. McNeely
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 10:06 AM
> > To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
> > Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Taxonomy and Ecology Integrating or Disintegrating?
> > 
> > I can't disagree with most of what most posters have said regarding this 
> > matter (the question of species and the question of ecoregions, I can 
> > disagree with the perception that people generally throw stones at fellow 
> > scientists in disciplines other than their own).
> > 
> > That said, I do have to point out that "species" is an attempt to define 
> > something real in nature, a recognition that populations really do consist 
> > of more or less homogeneous components.  Whether recognized on the basis of 
> > morphology, genetics, or other attributes, the actual population components 
> > exist in their own right, and not just because we define them.
> > 
> > The ecological units that are being called "ecoregions" are not actual, 
> > real, concrete entities.  Rather, they are attempts to divide geography for 
> > our own purpose

[ECOLOG-L] Internship opportunity

[Carol Rizkalla]

INTERNSHIP OPENING:  The Herpetology program at Archbold Biological Station is 
seeking two interns to assist with population monitoring of threatened Florida 
sand skink populations of the Lake Wales Ridge in south-central Florida.  
The length of appointment will be for approximately 5 months starting in early 
February 2011. The Archbold internship program offers an opportunity to gain 
experience in every aspect of scientific research, from experimental design and 
data collection to oral and written presentations. The Interns can expect to 
work approximately 20 hours per week as a research assistant supporting ongoing 
research into population monitoring techniques, and the remaining time on an 
independent research project related to some aspect of sand skink ecology. 
Archbold Biological Station is a renowned research facility located near Lake 
Placid, Florida. For more information about the herpetology program see:
http://www.archbold-station.org/station/html/research/herpetology/herpetol.html
 
Minimum qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in biology, wildlife science, or a 
related field; highly motivated and detail-oriented; enthusiasm for fieldwork; 
ability to tolerate long hours, heat/humidity, and biting insects. Previous 
experience with herpetofaunal identification and sampling methods is also 
desirable. 
Interns receive a weekly stipend of $100 plus room and board at the Station 
(shared housing; no pets). 
Interested applicants should send (1) a letter of application, including period 
of availability, (2) a resume or curriculum vitae, including GPA and relevant 
coursework, and (3) contact information for at least two references, to Dr. 
Carol Rizkalla (crizka...@usf.edu). Please indicate 'Intern application' in the 
subject heading. Review of applications will begin December 20th. 
 
-- Archbold is an Equal Opportunity Employer --
 
 

[ECOLOG-L] Help with Multiple Regression

[Alexandre F. Souza]

Dear friends,

It has been recently suggested by Legendre and co-authors that we
include quadratic and product terms of our environmental variables in
constrained ordinations. For instance, to include not only latitude but
also latitude^2 and latitude*longitude, the same with physical and
biotic variables aimed at being correlated with ordination axis in some
way.

I am following McCune and Grace's book (2002) suggestion of
correlating environmental variables with NMDS axes. However common
correlations of multiple variables x each nmds axis are not the best
options because at each correlation they do not control for the other
variables in the dataset. Those authors also state that multiple
regression use partial correlation coefficients and thus would be a
better methos for correlating several environmental variables with
ordination axes.

However, multiple regression suffers from multicolinearity, which is
greatly enhanced when we use product or quadratic terms of the
environmental variables.

What do you think about that?

Best whishes,
 
Alexandre

Dr. Alexandre F. Souza 
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia: Diversidade e Manejo da Vida
Silvestre
Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS)
Av. UNISINOS 950 - C.P. 275, São Leopoldo 93022-000, RS  - Brasil
Telefone: (051)3590-8477 ramal 1263
Skype: alexfadigas
afso...@unisinos.br
http://www.unisinos.br/laboratorios/lecopop

Re: [ECOLOG-L] AIC and Occam's Razor

[Hal Caswell]

There are a couple of strange things about the description of the  
scenario.


First, the idea of thinking about a model with almost the same AIC  
(or, better, AICc) but fewer terms, in pursuit of "parsimony" is doing  
parsimony twice.  The AIC already accounts for the relative number of  
parameters.  If the model with fewer parameters has a worse AIC, the  
result is saying that the better model is better even though it has  
more parameters.  And, advantageously, it is doing it in an objective  
way rather than some subjective feeling about parsimony.


Second, in regard to Bob's reply to the scenario, R^2 is a really weak  
tool for comparing models. You can always improve R^2 by adding more  
terms. The value of information criteria (or at least one of the  
values) is escaping from that bind in a satisfactory way.


Finally, in regard to Davis's question about what to report, in at  
least some parts of the literature, it is standard to report all the  
models evaluated, ranked by their Delta AIC. That way the reader can  
judge how much better the best model is than the second, third, etc.  
best. But in the end, you need a model to use. Model averaging is a  
really good procedure here, and it seems a little strange to rule it  
out.


Hal Caswell


On Dec 2, 2010, at 10:40 AM, Bob ohara wrote:

This might shock some people, bit AIC does not give The Truth. If  
you have a model that fits almost as well, but is simpler, then I  
don't see a problem with using it. It's worth checking how much less  
of the variation is explain (e.g. using R^2), and also how different  
the fitted models are.


AIC has a tendency to give overly complex models (especially with  
lots of data), so I often use BIC instead, which tends too far in  
the other direction. Or, if the full model isn't too big, I don't  
bother with model selection, and report the full model.


HTH

Bob

Bob O'Hara

Tel: +49 69 798 40226 (in Germany)
Mobile: +49 1515 888 5440
WWW: http://www.bik-f.de/root/index.php?page_id=219
Blog: http://blogs.nature.com/boboh/
Journal of Negative Results - EEB: www.jnr-eeb.org

Lee Davis  12/01/10 23:44 PM >>>
I have what might seem to be a simple question regarding AIC and  
parsimony,
and yet the answers I have found on the subject are unsatisfactory.  
So,

opinions please.

Here is the scenario:

Let's say that one is using AIC for the selection of nested models  
to avoid
multiple LRT comparisons. Should you always choose the model with  
deltaAIC =
0 as the best? What if there is a model with deltaAIC <2 that has  
fewer
terms? Should it be chosen in the pursuit of parsimony? Or should  
you report
some support for both models? If so, what is the proper language in  
this

case?

Let's assume that we are avoiding model averaging.

Thanks,

Lee
--
Lee Davis
Graduate Assistant
State University of New York
College of Environmental Science & Forestry
Department of Environmental & Forest Biology
452 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210






-
Hal Caswell
Senior Scientist
Biology Department
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole MA 02543
508-289-2751
hcasw...@whoi.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. opportunity in Plant Physiological Ecology, Mojave Desert

[Susan Schwinning]

We seek a Ph.D. student with training and interest in plant physiological
ecology or a related field to study mechanisms of community transitions in
the Mojave Desert. The focus is on the blackbrush community, one of the most
endangered communities in the Mojave Desert. The research is part of a
multi-investigator research collaboration involving two universities (Texas
State University – San Marcos, California State University – Fullerton, and
three USGS field offices in Menlo Park, California, Moab, UT, and Las Vegas,
NV.   For more information, visit the project website:
http://mojave.usgs.gov/rvde/index.html

Initially the study will focus on the role of soil depth in modifying the
competitive interactions of creosotebush (the dominant shrub at lower
elevations) and blackbrush (dominant at higher elevations). The student is
expected to develop future research directions according to his or her
interests under the guidance of the project leaders. The project requires
willingness to pursue physically demanding field work in relatively isolated
locations and to spend the summer break near the field sites which are in
proximity to Mojave National Preserve, about 50 miles outside of Las Vegas.

The Ph.D. position is with the Biology Department of Texas State University
in San Marcos and is in part supported by a teaching assistantship in the
Department of Biology. The student will have the opportunity to earn
additional summer salary working with the USGS office in Las Vegas during
summer.

San Marcos, Texas, is situated halfway between the culturally diverse
metropolitan centers of Austin and San Antonio, at the foot of the Texas
Hill Country, an environmentally attractive region of many spring-fed
rivers. For more information about the department follow the link
www.bio.txstate.edu . For more information about our Ph.D. program follow:
http://www.aquaticresources.bio.txstate.edu . To send a letter of interest
or for any other inquiries about this opportunity, contact:

Susan Schwinning
Department of Biology
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666
521-245-3753
schw...@txstate.edu

The deadline for applying to the Ph.D. program for an August 2011 starting
date is January 15, 2011.

Re: [ECOLOG-L] AIC and Occam's Razor

[David Hewitt]

What answers have you found and why were they unsatisfactory?

First, use AICc, not AIC. See Burnham and Anderson 2002 or Anderson
2008 (Primer).

Second, I think most all literature is rather clear that models with
deltaAICc < 2 are basically equivalent. So of course you should report
support for models in that group, however many there may be. There are
plenty of examples in the literature of language to accompany such
situations. Finally, if you have this kind of model selection
uncertainty, ignoring the advantages of multimodel inference,
including model-averaging, is a rather strange decision.

Dave Hewitt
http://profile.usgs.gov/dhewitt

-
From:Lee Davis 
Subject: AIC and Occam's Razor

I have what might seem to be a simple question regarding AIC and parsimony,
and yet the answers I have found on the subject are unsatisfactory. So,
opinions please.

Here is the scenario:

Let's say that one is using AIC for the selection of nested models to avoid
multiple LRT comparisons. Should you always choose the model with deltaAIC =
0 as the best? What if there is a model with deltaAIC <2 that has fewer
terms? Should it be chosen in the pursuit of parsimony? Or should you report
some support for both models? If so, what is the proper language in this
case?

Let's assume that we are avoiding model averaging.

Thanks,

Lee
--
Lee Davis
Graduate Assistant
State University of New York
College of Environmental Science & Forestry
Department of Environmental & Forest Biology
452 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Ecologist at Rocky Mt. Research Station/MSU Bozeman, MT

[Vicki Saab]

Postdoctoral ecologist – USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research 
Station (RMRS) at Montana State University (MSU), Bozeman, MT

Duties:  Analyze large-scale studies of disturbance and forest management 
(e.g., fire, bark beetles, and salvage logging) on wildlife populations 
(mainly birds), develop and advise on occupancy monitoring of focal 
species on National Forests, assist/collaborate with RMRS and MSU faculty 
and students on statistical analyses of avian demographic data, manuscript 
preparation and publication, oral presentations at workshops and 
scientific meetings, development of study designs, and supervision of 
field operations.

Qualifications:  (1) a Ph.D. in ecology, wildlife, biostatistics, or a 
related field within the last 4 years; (2) excellent quantitative skills; 
(3) a demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals; and (4) 
strong motivation to work independently as well as in a team.  Must have 
proficiency in application of recent analysis methods related to 
occupancy, demography, and habitat relationships.  Preferred skills 
include: familiarity with R statistical software, computer modeling, GIS, 
and remote sensing.  Exposure to Bayesian methods is also helpful.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.  Successful applicant will be an 
employee of RMRS with benefits.  The RMRS is committed to developing a 
skilled work force that is diverse in disciplinary training, gender, age, 
and cultural, racial and ethnic origin. Salary range is $57,000 - $67,000 
(GS-11/12), depending on experience.

Please send CV, cover letter, and copies of your 3 best publications to 
vs...@fs.fed.us.  Include brief statements in your cover letter describing 
your experience with different types of statistical analyses.

[ECOLOG-L] quantifying scent

[R K]

    Would someone be 
able to recommend a survey paper on olfactory sensitivity in different 
mammals?  I'm 
interested in the differences in sensitivity across taxa--whether 
certain species are more focused on certain elements of the olfactory 
environment.

    I realize this is something of a naive question,
 but I know very little about the scent landscape and how mammals live 
in it, so any guidance whatsoever would be most appreciated.  Thanks 
much to all.



  

[ECOLOG-L] AIC and Occam;s Razor

[David R. Anderson]

Bob:

Here are a few thoughts on your comments:

> This might shock some people, but AIC does not give The Truth. 
Of course not; one cannot hope to find full truth from finite samples.

> If you
> have a model that fits almost as well, but is simpler, then I don't
> see a problem with using it. 
You could use the more simple model if you wished, but it is far better
to model average (not to mention that you could properly treat model
selection uncertainty as part of the measure of precision).

>It's worth checking how much less of the
> variation is explain (e.g. using R^2), and also how different the
> fitted models are.
Adj R-sq might be worth mention; however, it is a very poor way to 
select models.  Adj R-sq applies just to the fitted data set and is
not able to reflect out-of-sample prediction.  Akaike's predictive
likelihood goes beyond this.

> AIC has a tendency to give overly complex models (especially with
> lots of data), 
What you say is correct; however, that is exactly why people should
be using AICc -- afterall that was first published some 33 years ago
(1978)!  

>so I often use BIC instead, which tends too far in the
> other direction. 
BIC is very poor; disliked by likelihoodists and Bayesians alike.
Its underlying assumptions are absurd.  It is not related to 
information theory in the slightest.  Almost a hoax.  This is a poor 
approach.

>Or, if the full model isn't too big, I don't bother
> with model selection, and report the full model.
Again, a very poor approach to valid inference unless the sample
size is very large.

I hope these comments will be useful.

David Anderson

[ECOLOG-L] New NSF solicitation for international collaborations

[David Inouye]

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12815

Catalyzing New International Collaborations

Support for International Conferences

OISE does not provide support for U.S. scientists and engineers to 
participate in international conferences or congresses; nor does it 
provide support for such meetings. OISE can support workshops that 
may immediately precede or follow a larger-scale conference when they 
add an international dimension that is focused on building research 
collaboration.  See 
NSF Grant 
Proposal Guide sections II.D.8 & II.D.9 and the OISE Catalyzing New 
International Collaborations solicitation available from the Program 
Guidelines section below.



David W. Inouye

Program Director
Population and Community Ecology Cluster
Division of Environmental Biology

National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd, Suite 635
Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: 703.292.8570
Fax: 703.292.9064

E-mail: 
dino...@nsf.gov

[ECOLOG-L] The National Science Foundation calls it "peer review" for a reason, Mr. Smith!

[Madhusudan Katti]

Colleagues,

You may have heard or read about the recent announcement regarding what the 
incoming Tea Party driven congressional leadership wants to do about "wasteful 
spending" at the NSF. Here's my response:

http://leafwarbler.posterous.com/the-national-science-foundation-calls-it-peer

Madhu
~
Madhusudan Katti
Associate Professor of Vertebrate Biology
Department of Biology, M/S SB73
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA 93740-8034

Email:  mka...@csufresno.edu
Tel:559.278.2460
Fax:559.278.3963
Lab:http://www.reconciliationecology.org/
~

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate student opportunity in prairie ecology/restoration in Nebraska

[Johannes Knops]

I am looking for a Ph D student interested in vegetation dynamics in prairie 
remnants and prairie restorations. The Nature Conservancy has restored 1,500 
acres of grassland and manages 2,000 acres of remnant prairies and uses 
prescribed fire and grazing to increase habitat quality around Grand Island, 
Nebraska. However, it is increasingly clear that environmental factors such 
as soil composition and fertility, drought susceptibility, site history and 
species pools significant influence the vegetation composition. For 
instance, observationally, we see that remnant prairies are often dominated 
by invasive grasses and are low in forb diversity. Even when subjected to 
years of management to suppress invasive grasses and repeated over-seeding 
attempts, forb diversity fails to increase. Conversely, cropland 
restorations planted with 150-230 species successfully establish diverse 
plant communities. However, these restorations are threatened by the same 
invasive grass species and we see large variation among sites. There seems 
to be environmental variability, presently unaccounted for, that is 
hindering successful efforts to rehabilitate remnant prairies and restored 
prairies. 

We are currently examining how management (including fire and grazing), site 
history and site environmental factors correlate with vegetation 
composition, diversity, and the abundance of at-risk and invasive species. 
For this we have set up 800 permanently marked plots that are annually 
monitored for plant composition and abundance. In addition we have data of 
site history, management, soil fertility, soil texture and will collect 
productivity, nitrogen and water availability data in the next year. Based 
on this we will analyze the factors that control diversity, and propose 
hypotheses for management strategies that increase diversity, decrease the 
prevalence of invasive species, and increase the abundance of at-risk 
species. 

As a next step, we will experimentally examine these hypotheses on factors 
that controls plant diversity and how we may change the competitive balance 
among plant species to favor natives, increase the abundance of rare and 
threatened species, and decrease the prevalence of exotic weeds. 

If you are interested in such a research project for your Ph D, please 
contact me. This requires an interest in both basic and applied community 
and ecosystem ecology.


Johannes (Jean) M H Knops
School of Biological Sciences
University of Nebraska
348 Manter Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588
Phone (402) 310 3904
Email: jkno...@unl.edu

[ECOLOG-L] ISRS abstract date change

[Delong, Michael D]

Given the short notice in the first announcement, the deadline for submission 
of abstracts to the biennial meeting of the International Society for River 
Science has been changed to 12 Feb 2011.  The meeting will be in Berlin, 8 - 12 
August 2011.  Information on the meeting and submission of abstracts can be 
found at http://www.isrs2011.igb-berlin.de/.

Cheers,
Mike
Michael D. Delong, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
Large River Studies Center
Biology Department, Winona State University
Winona, MN 55987
507-457-5484; fax 457-5681
http://course1.winona.edu/mdelong/   http://course1.winona.edu/mdelong/LRSC

International Society for River Science (ISRS)
Promoting River Research, Conservation, and Management
http://www.riversociety.org

[ECOLOG-L] European ecology list?

[David Inouye]

Hy all,
I'd like to know if is available an Ecology list focused on Europe, 
I'm asking this because I'm a Graduate Student from Italy, searching 
for a PhD, some weeks ago I've wrote a letter  searching some 
information about it, but I had not received any reply from Europe.


Best Regards

Simone Demelas

From: Simone Luciano Demelas 

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate student positions in forest ecology

[William T. Peterjohn]

Positions are available for PhD or Masters students who are interested in
investigating how acid deposition affects the nutrient dynamics and
productivity of deciduous forests in central Appalachia.  

Students will have the opportunity to conduct research at the Fernow
Experimental Forest and contribute to long-term research at this location. 
Student research will involve field work in the beautiful mountains of West
Virginia along with extensive training in the use of analytical
instrumentation, experimental design, data analysis, computer modeling,
communication skills, and teaching.  More about the long-term research at
the Fernow can be found at: www.as.wvu.edu/fernow/

Summer support is available for five years from a recent NSF-funded grant
and this would supplement the compensation received during the academic year
as a teaching assistant in the Department of Biology at West Virginia
University. Information about the graduate program in biology, and how to
apply, is available at: www.as.wvu.edu/biology/graduate/programs.htm. 

A successful applicant should: 1) have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a
relevant field of study (ecology, geography, geology, biology, etc.); 2) a
strong interest in ecosystem ecology and issues related to environmental
change; 3) a willingness learn techniques used to analyze the chemical
composition of soil, water, and plant samples; 4) an interest in learning
computer modeling and incorporating it into their research; and 5) strong
writing skills and a commitment to the effective communication of science to
technical and non-technical audiences.

To learn more about these opportunities, please contact: 

Dr. William Peterjohn 
Department of Biology
West Virginia University
b...@wvu.edu 
304-293-5201 x 31510.

[ECOLOG-L] Faculty position in sustainability at Northwestern Univ.

[Daniel Larkin]

Despite this opening being advertised by Materials Science and Engineering,
this is a cross-disciplinary position with ecology as one of the search's
target disciplines: http://www.matsci.northwestern.edu/empl_opps.html 

Questions may be directed to mcc_sustainabilitysea...@northwestern.edu. 

---
Faculty Position in Sustainability (cross-disciplinary)

Northwestern University invites applications for a tenure track faculty
position in sustainability.  Sustainability is defined broadly to include
energy and natural resource supply and consumption, environmental science
and technology, Earth and climate science, and their complex
interrelationship with economic, political, and social issues.

The successful candidate should have a PhD in a relevant field, and have
achieved excellence in research and teaching and recognition in the
profession consistent with the rank of Associate or Full Professor in
appropriate department(s).  The candidate is expected to build a significant
program in sustainability that complements other strengths in the McCormick
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Weinberg College of Arts
and Sciences, and builds bridges to policy study in the College and the
Kellogg School of Management.   

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a description of research plans
and teaching interests, and the names and contact information of three
references to http://facposition.northwestern.edu/sustainability/. The
search committee will begin reviewing applications starting December 31, 2010. 

Questions may be directed to mcc_sustainabilitysea...@northwestern.edu. 

Northwestern University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action
employer. Qualified women and minorities are encouraged to apply. It is the
policy of Northwestern University not to discriminate against any individual
on the basis of race, color, religion national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status or
other protected group status.  Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work
in the United States.

Re: [ECOLOG-L] AIC and Occam's Razor

[Bob ohara]

This might shock some people, bit AIC does not give The Truth. If you have a 
model that fits almost as well, but is simpler, then I don't see a problem with 
using it. It's worth checking how much less of the variation is explain (e.g. 
using R^2), and also how different the fitted models are.

AIC has a tendency to give overly complex models (especially with lots of 
data), so I often use BIC instead, which tends too far in the other direction. 
Or, if the full model isn't too big, I don't bother with model selection, and 
report the full model.

HTH

Bob

Bob O'Hara

Tel: +49 69 798 40226 (in Germany)
Mobile: +49 1515 888 5440
WWW: http://www.bik-f.de/root/index.php?page_id=219
Blog: http://blogs.nature.com/boboh/
Journal of Negative Results - EEB: www.jnr-eeb.org
>>> Lee Davis  12/01/10 23:44 PM >>>
I have what might seem to be a simple question regarding AIC and parsimony,
and yet the answers I have found on the subject are unsatisfactory. So,
opinions please.

Here is the scenario:

Let's say that one is using AIC for the selection of nested models to avoid
multiple LRT comparisons. Should you always choose the model with deltaAIC =
0 as the best? What if there is a model with deltaAIC <2 that has fewer
terms? Should it be chosen in the pursuit of parsimony? Or should you report
some support for both models? If so, what is the proper language in this
case?

Let's assume that we are avoiding model averaging.

Thanks,

Lee
-- 
Lee Davis
Graduate Assistant
State University of New York
College of Environmental Science & Forestry
Department of Environmental & Forest Biology
452 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210