Re: [ECOLOG-L] Defining Biodiversity
As a field ecologist who has frequently evaluated and described natural systems in their entirety and then communicated this information to non-scientists, I find the term and concept of biodiversity very helpful. To me, the best definition is the most general definition: biodiversity relates to diversity of species (including genetic and age diversity) and of structure, currently and over time. A system with high biodiversity tends to be more productive, stable and resilient. A single-age, single-species tree plantation may be productive in economic terms but it lacks species, genetic and structural diversity so it is not as ecologically productive, stable or resilient as it could be because of this lack of biodiversity. Warren W. Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist 9403 SW 74th Ave Tigard, OR 97223 (503) 539-1009 (503) 246-2605 fax -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Alexandre F. Souza Sent: Thursday, 16 December, 2010 13:37 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Defining Biodiversity Hi Euan, I use the broad definition of biodiversity as senctioned by the US Congressional Biodiversity Act, HR1268 (1990), according to which biological diversity means the full range of variety and variability within and among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur, and encompasses ecosystem or community diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity. I think biodiversity should continue to have a broad and all-encompassing meaning, and the communication problem you mention arises much more from the use of the term in place of more specific ones, when we refer to specific issues. When communicating with the public, we should be more specific when speaking about specific issues, rather than abolishing a term that has a broad meaning, and that should be reserved for broad themes. The California Biodiversity Council has a compilation of scientific definitions of biodiverstiy (http://biodiversity.ca.gov/Biodiversity/biodiv_def2.html). Best whishes, Alexandre Date:Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:05:31 -0800 From:Ritchie, Euan euan.ritc...@jcu.edu.au Subject: Defining biodiversity, and does the term capture the public's attention? Hi everyone, I have just returned from the Ecological Society of Australia meeting and a= mong other issues, there was much discussion about the term biodiversity. M= any people argue that this term is hard to define, and importantly, the pub= lic have no idea what it actually means and therefore they have less connec= tion/concern to preserve/conserve species and habitats. I thought it would = be interesting to hear how others define biodiversity, and if this term isn= 't helpful for conveying the importance of species diversity to the public,= what term(s) should we use? Over to you, Euan Dr. Euan G. Ritchie, Lecturer in Ecology, School of Life and Environmental = Sciences 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
[ECOLOG-L] UNEP Policy Series: The role of ecosystems in developing a sustainable Green Economy
The role of ecosystems in developing a sustainable Green Economy The second issue of the UNEP Policy Series on Ecosystem Management titled ‘The role of ecosystems in developing a sustainable ‘Green Economy’discusses how investing in ecosystems can bring about benefits at local as well as at global level e.g. in helping communities adapt to climate change (ecosystem based adaptation), while at the same time enhancing people's livelihoods. Ecosystems and the benefits they provide (e.g. climate regulation, food security, freshwater supply, disaster risk reduction) are fundamental to supporting people’s livelihoods and other life on Earth. Ecosystems play an unequivocal and increasingly important role in both ecosystem-based mitigation (carbon sequestration and storage), and ecosystem-based adaptation (i.e. nature-based societal adaptation to climate change impacts). Simply put, Green Economy can be considered synonymous to a ‘sustainable’ economy that ensures economic systems conserve natural resources through balancing growth and equity. Green Economy balances natural resource values with other values, and takes into account the loss in value of ecosystem services due to environmental impacts. The requirements for greater valuation of ecosystem services fit well with other aspirations of the Green Economy in respect of clean, renewable energy, etc. The key messages in this paper are: Ecosystems provide extensive benefits for supporting and enriching people’s well-being. Ecosystem benefits are not adequately valued or accounted for in national accounts and decisions. Carefully designed response policies for climate change presents an opportunity to get the valuation process right by investing in both adaptation and mitigation. Ecosystem-based adaptation, in particular, can help lead to societal transformational change. Embracing and capturing economic values of ecosystem services in mainstream decision making tools and indicators, for example a national income and growth matrix, can help in designing effective policies for sustainable growth and societal well- being. Investing in a new development model using small-scale fiscal stimulus that mobilises the untapped potential of local people is imperative for unleashing a low carbon and Green Economy. The current economic model driving the world economy is not sustainable. There is therefore a need for a new approach to economic development where ecosystems are the underpinning foundations. Link: Policy Series -- - - - - Dr. Richard Tingem Munang Strategic Policy Advisor- Climate Change Development CC DARE United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) P.O. Box 47074 - 00100, Nairobi Kenya Tel: (+254-20)762-5727 Fax: (+254-20)762-4249
[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc available
PostDoc:UniversityofGeorgia.NetworksAndAging The Promislow lab at the University of Georgia is seeking an enthusiastic, independent postdoctoral researcher to study the genetic architecture of aging in* Drosophila*. The goal of this project is to better understand the causes and consequences of aging in natural populations. The successful candidate will apply genetic and genomic approaches to the study of aging in flies, with a focus on the age-related changes in network structure. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in population genetics, genomics, and/or systems biology network analysis. The position is initially available for two years, and may be extended. The postdoc will be among a dynamic, interactive group of evolutionary geneticists at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. Applications should be sent by Jan. 5, 2010 by email to Daniel Promislow ( promis...@uga.edu). Applicants are requested to send a single PDF file that includes a cover letter, a CV and one or two representative publications. Applicants should also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by email. For more information about the UGA Genetics Department, please see: http://www.genetics.uga.edu The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. -- Gary D. Grossman, PhD Professor of Animal Ecology Warnell School of Forestry Natural Resources University of Georgia Athens, GA, USA 30602 Research teaching web site - http://grossman.myweb.uga.edu/http://www.arches.uga.edu/%7Egrossman Board of Editors - Animal Biodiversity and Conservation Editorial Board - Freshwater Biology Editorial Board - Ecology Freshwater Fish Sculpture by Gary D. Grossman www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=2002317id=1348406658http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/album.php?aid=2002317id=1348406658 Hutson Gallery Provincetown, MA - www.hutsongallery.net/artists.html Atelier 24 Lexington, Asheville NC - www.atelier24lexington.comhttp://www.atelier24lexington.com/default.html Lyndon House Art Center, Athens, GA - www.accleisureservices.com/lyndon.shtml
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Defining Biodiversity
This thread contains statements of the kind that I think get us in trouble, if not with the public, then with our scientific rigor. Axel Ringe's post begins with what looks like an inclusion from a previous post with this statement ...one metaphor for biodiversity that I remember was the phrase web of life. The imagery contained in that phrase not only conveys the complexity (species richness)of the organisms making up an ecosystem, but can also convey the importance of the connections and dependencies among those organisms. Pluck one strand, and the whole web may collapse... Sure, it's presented as a metaphor, but is it a good one? First of all, I have never seen a spider web collapse because on strand was plucked. Spiders are better engineers than that. Even if you *sever* a thread, it usually only causes part of the web to fold up on itself. Second, does anyone know of an ecosystem that has collapsed because one species (or some other entity) was plucked? Also, what does it mean to say that an ecosystem has collapsed? That all it's species are extinct? That the habitat that it once occupied is now barren and lifeless? Extreme overfishing may cause an extinction or two, and we can say that the fishery has collapsed, but that collapse is an economic phenomenon, not ecological. The chestnut plague in the early twentieth century virtually wiped out the American chestnut, a dominant species of the eastern forest canopy in many places. This caused hardship for humans who used chestnut products, but I'm not aware of any other species that died off with it. In fact, we could say that many other tree species benefited as they moved into gaps left by the chestnut. Slaughtering the American bison was, in my opinion, a terrible crime, but the vultures loved it, at least for a while. If we want a vivid metaphor to promote conservation and that will stick in the public's mind, maybe we should talk about environmental rape. This makes the point and at also makes clear that we are talking about *human values*, not scientific truths. Now to Warren Aney's quote: ...A single-age, single-species tree plantation may be productive in economic terms but it lacks species, genetic and structural diversity so it is not as ecologically productive, stable or resilient as it could be because of this lack of biodiversity Yes, of course it lacks species, genetic, and structural diversity, because that's how it was defined. This is like saying an all-wood house lacks bricks. It's true, but then what? Further, since it is a plantation, it's not supposed to be ecologically productive. It's supposed to produce whatever its owner's planted it for, presumably wood. Nor is it supposed to be stable or resilient; it's supposed to last for thirty years or so and then be harvested. Admittedly, during this time its low diversity might make it vulnerable to disease outbreaks, but this risk may be economically justified by the ease of managing a uniform stand and then clearcutting it. Why am I kvetching about these points? In the context of a list serve, I think it is fine to throw out ideas and see what people make of them. However, if these issues are not well thought out and carefully articulated before they are advanced as the basis for public policy, they will not hold up well in debate. The proponents may wind up looking bad and their cause harmed rather than helped. Martin M. Meiss 2010/12/16 Warren W. Aney a...@coho.net As a field ecologist who has frequently evaluated and described natural systems in their entirety and then communicated this information to non-scientists, I find the term and concept of biodiversity very helpful. To me, the best definition is the most general definition: biodiversity relates to diversity of species (including genetic and age diversity) and of structure, currently and over time. A system with high biodiversity tends to be more productive, stable and resilient. A single-age, single-species tree plantation may be productive in economic terms but it lacks species, genetic and structural diversity so it is not as ecologically productive, stable or resilient as it could be because of this lack of biodiversity. Warren W. Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist 9403 SW 74th Ave Tigard, OR 97223 (503) 539-1009 (503) 246-2605 fax -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Alexandre F. Souza Sent: Thursday, 16 December, 2010 13:37 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Defining Biodiversity Hi Euan, I use the broad definition of biodiversity as senctioned by the US Congressional Biodiversity Act, HR1268 (1990), according to which biological diversity means the full range of variety and variability within and among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur, and encompasses
[ECOLOG-L] Interpreting quadratic terms in regression
Hello Listserv: I am requesting your help in interpreting the results of quadratic terms in multiple regression. I've hypothesized a curvilinear relationship (inverted U) between a dependent and an independent variable. To test this hypothesis, I centered the independent variable, squared it and entered it along with the linear term in the regression model. I got different results with independent variables and I have tried to summarize them in the following questions: 1. Is it necessary to have a positive linear term and a negative quadratic (squared term) to support the curvilinear relationship? 2. Is it necessary to have a significant linear term too? How you interpret the result when both the linear and quadratic terms are significant compared to when the quadratic term is significant while the linear term is not? 3. How do you interpret when both the linear and quadratic terms have negative beta coefficients? I would greatly appreciate your time and help. Happy holidays. Thanking you. Nabin Baral
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Interpreting quadratic terms in regression
Although it seems heretical to many ecologists who like to play with statistics, it sometimes happens that curvilinear relationships can have functional causes that are fundamentally described by mathematical relationships. For example, although you can describe a growth curve by a parabola, an exponential curve not only gives a better fit but actually describes what is happening. There is virtually no biological process that is fundamentally described by a polynomial. Exponentials, yes. Hyperbolic tangents, yes. But quadratics? Statistical fittings, especially when using biologically meaningless functions like polynomials, are merely descriptive and offer lttle insight into biological processes. If one can develop even a simple biological model of the processes involved, that may suggest functional forms that offer true insight and understanding. Bill Silvert - Original Message - From: Nabin Baral nbaral2...@yahoo.com To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: sexta-feira, 17 de Dezembro de 2010 14:27 Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Interpreting quadratic terms in regression Hello Listserv: I am requesting your help in interpreting the results of quadratic terms in multiple regression. I've hypothesized a curvilinear relationship (inverted U) between a dependent and an independent variable. To test this hypothesis, I centered the independent variable, squared it and entered it along with the linear term in the regression model. I got different results with independent variables and I have tried to summarize them in the following questions: 1. Is it necessary to have a positive linear term and a negative quadratic (squared term) to support the curvilinear relationship? 2. Is it necessary to have a significant linear term too? How you interpret the result when both the linear and quadratic terms are significant compared to when the quadratic term is significant while the linear term is not? 3. How do you interpret when both the linear and quadratic terms have negative beta coefficients? I would greatly appreciate your time and help. Happy holidays. Thanking you. Nabin Baral
[ECOLOG-L] Call for Nominations: 7th annual Michigan Early Career Scientists' Symposium: Infectious Disease across Scales:
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS SEVENTH ANNUAL UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN EARLY CAREER SCIENTISTS SYMPOSIUM INFECTIOUS DISEASE ACROSS SCALES The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan invites nominations of outstanding scientists early in their careers to take part in an exciting symposium on infectious disease ecology and evolution. This symposium will be held in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, 16 April 2011. Eight scientists will be selected to present their work. The theme of the symposium will be Infectious disease across scales: the complexity of pathogen ecology and evolution. We are therefore seeking nominations for scientists whose work addresses host-pathogen or host-parasite systems at the within-host level, at the community level (multiple pathogens and/or hosts), considers the (co)evolutionary dynamics of disease systems, or that bridges one or more of these scales. We are especially interested in junior researchers with strong field or laboratory research programs that address fundamental theoretical questions and theoreticians whose work is especially intimately connected with data. Early career scientists are defined as senior graduate students (who stand to receive their Ph.D. within one year), postdoctoral researchers, and first- or second-year tenure-track faculty. Advisors and senior colleagues are encouraged to submit nominations. A nomination consists of a brief letter of recommendation addressing the nominee’s scientific promise and ability to give a good talk, the nominee's curriculum vitae, and a brief abstract of the proposed presentation ( 200 words, written by the nominee). Nominations may be sent electronically (in one file if possible) to eeb-ecss-nominat...@umich.edu using your nominee's name as the subject line (last name first, please). More information is available at http://sitemaker.umich.edu/ecss2011. All nominations must be received by January 10, 2011. Selected participants will be contacted by January 31, 2011. For more information, contact Gail Kuhnlein at kuhnl...@umich.edu. 2011 ECSS organizing committee: Aaron King kin...@umich.edu Mercedes Pascual pasc...@umich.edu Pejman Rohani roh...@umich.edu Andres Baeza (abae...@umich.edu) Micaela Martinez-Bakker (bakke...@umich.edu) Gail Kuhnlein (kuhnl...@umich.edu) Michigan EEB website: http://www.eeb.lsa.umich.edu
[ECOLOG-L] New Mammalogy Lab/Field Manual
Those of you teaching Mammalogy, Wildlife Biology, or Field Ecology courses may be interested in a new lab/field manual Mammalogy Techniques Manual $29.99 Available only online at: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/mammalogy-techniques-manual/14256680?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/2 For additional information see: http://www.wildmammal.com/manual.html Mammalogy Techniques Manual is a lab and field techniques manual for students studying mammalogy. The manual includes 14 chapters covering topics such as radio and GPS tracking, mark and recapture studies, camera trapping studies, optimal foraging, behavioral studies, among others. Each chapter includes a series of exercises for students to complete along with background information, sample data sets, and detailed descriptions of software (mostly Open Source) used to complete the exercise. 14 Chapters 293 pages 151 Figures 30 Tables
[ECOLOG-L] Ecosystem Services: Pricing to Peddle?
With the recent postings on biodiversity, biowealth, ecosystem services, etc., I thought it appropriate to relay the recent Daly News: Ecosystem Services: Pricing to Peddle? by Brian Czech On November 15, five nations issued a complaint about a UN initiative called the “Global Green New Dealhttp://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/GlobalGreenNewDeal/tabid/1371/Default.aspx.” These nations claim that “nature is seen [by the UN] as ‘capital’ for producing tradable environmental goods and services.” They express their concern about the “privatization and the mercantilization of nature through the development of markets for environmental services.” They also declare their “condemnation of unsustainable models of economic growth.” For the purposes of this week’s Daly News, it matters little who these nations arehttp://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=3443, nor does it matter if their interpretation of the Green New Deal is completely accurate. What does matter is that their complaint ripens our attention to a widespread and growing controversy about the implications of valuing ecosystem services. The good news from the Green New Deal is that ecological microeconomics (such as valuing ecosystem services) has risen from the recesses of academia into the realm of international diplomacy. The bad news is that ecological macroeconomics (such as limits to growth) apparently has not. Let’s take a look at the implications. The primary distinction of ecological economics, in contrast with conventional or “neoclassical” economics, is that ecological economists recognize limits to growth and a fundamental trade-off between economic growth and environmental protection. The economic pie can only get so big even if all its pieces are correctly priced, including ecosystem services. Because the economic pie can only get so big, society must also pay greater attention to fairly distributing the pieces. In order to protect the environment, and to help allocate resources in the fairest manner, it helps to recognize the economic value of ecosystem services. That’s what ecological microeconomics is all about; estimating the value of natural capital and ecosystem services. In mainstream economic circles, on the other hand, limits to growth are seen as nonexistent or too far off to worry about. That leads to a nonchalant attitude about fairness; just grow the economy because a “rising tide lifts all boats.” Traditional economists don’t mind valuing ecosystem services, however. As long as the prices are right, and markets are established, ecosystem services can be allocated efficiently, just like steel and milk into guns and butter. The valuation of ecosystem services provides some common ground for neoclassical and ecological economics. That should be a good thing. However, common ground can be a minefield, too. Many a well-meaning bureaucrat and diplomat are stumbling toward the landmines. Perhaps the two most common concerns about valuing ecosystem services are: 1) Many ecosystem services are beyond the ability of humans to estimate the value of, much less to “price” for the market. “Value of the ozone layer? Priceless.” 2) The valuing of ecosystem services begs a market, then monetization of the services such that they are viewed as commodities to be traded like hogs or hoola hoops. For many cultures this offends the senses of dignity and harmony with the natural world. “Would you take 40,000 hogs for the climate regulation provided by that forest over there?” But my concern is with another problem; namely, our inattention to where the money comes from to pay for services such as water filtration, carbon sequestration, pollination, etc. There seems to be an attitude that, if we just throw enough money at a problem, we’ll solve it. And that is precisely the attitude that creeps in when ecological microeconomics is not complemented with a healthy dose of ecological macroeconomics. Markets convey the idea that you can have as much as you want as long as you pay the right price; ecological macroeconomics says the total is limited and the right market price should simply ration the limited total. And if the total is not limited then it is hard for the price to be “right”. We especially need more awareness of the trophic origins of moneyhttp://steadystate.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/CASSE_Brief_TrophicStructureOfTheEconomy.pdf. Money doesn’t grow on trees, but it does come from the ground in a very real sense. The amount of money available for the purchasing of guns, butter, hogs or carbon sequestration originates from the agricultural and extractive surplus that frees the hands for the division of labor. In other words, it is not the ozone layer that “generates” money for throwing at its priceless service. Nor does the North Pole “generate” the money for ecotourists to witness it. What
[ECOLOG-L] Understanding that diversity is the rule, not the exception Re: [ECOLOG-L] Defining Biodiversity
Ecolog While most of the comments on Ritchie's thread were useful to me, I'm not sure any of them directly answered Euan's question-- . . . if this term isn't helpful for conveying the importance of species diversity to the public, what term(s) should we use? As I said, I dunno. But it has (finally) occurred to me that the message should be that life IS diverse; it is NOT a fixed number of species, even counting the unknown ones --it is a continuum of life that is, as far as we know, a continuously-changing, but always related, phenomenal phenomenon. Just simply that is more important as a portal to understanding than all the cute Nature TV programs put together, none of which, as far as I know, have ever advanced this idea. I hope I am wrong about this, and I earnestly hope I will be inundated with examples to the contrary. If not, why not produce one? If not, why not just keep hammering away at that point or a superior or a more creative statement? Most of all, I am eager to hear more of the discussion Euan had with his colleagues, and what conclusion(s) they may have reached. WT - Original Message - From: Martin Meiss mme...@gmail.com To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 6:27 AM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Defining Biodiversity This thread contains statements of the kind that I think get us in trouble, if not with the public, then with our scientific rigor. Axel Ringe's post begins with what looks like an inclusion from a previous post with this statement ...one metaphor for biodiversity that I remember was the phrase web of life. The imagery contained in that phrase not only conveys the complexity (species richness)of the organisms making up an ecosystem, but can also convey the importance of the connections and dependencies among those organisms. Pluck one strand, and the whole web may collapse... Sure, it's presented as a metaphor, but is it a good one? First of all, I have never seen a spider web collapse because on strand was plucked. Spiders are better engineers than that. Even if you *sever* a thread, it usually only causes part of the web to fold up on itself. Second, does anyone know of an ecosystem that has collapsed because one species (or some other entity) was plucked? Also, what does it mean to say that an ecosystem has collapsed? That all it's species are extinct? That the habitat that it once occupied is now barren and lifeless? Extreme overfishing may cause an extinction or two, and we can say that the fishery has collapsed, but that collapse is an economic phenomenon, not ecological. The chestnut plague in the early twentieth century virtually wiped out the American chestnut, a dominant species of the eastern forest canopy in many places. This caused hardship for humans who used chestnut products, but I'm not aware of any other species that died off with it. In fact, we could say that many other tree species benefited as they moved into gaps left by the chestnut. Slaughtering the American bison was, in my opinion, a terrible crime, but the vultures loved it, at least for a while. If we want a vivid metaphor to promote conservation and that will stick in the public's mind, maybe we should talk about environmental rape. This makes the point and at also makes clear that we are talking about *human values*, not scientific truths. Now to Warren Aney's quote: ...A single-age, single-species tree plantation may be productive in economic terms but it lacks species, genetic and structural diversity so it is not as ecologically productive, stable or resilient as it could be because of this lack of biodiversity Yes, of course it lacks species, genetic, and structural diversity, because that's how it was defined. This is like saying an all-wood house lacks bricks. It's true, but then what? Further, since it is a plantation, it's not supposed to be ecologically productive. It's supposed to produce whatever its owner's planted it for, presumably wood. Nor is it supposed to be stable or resilient; it's supposed to last for thirty years or so and then be harvested. Admittedly, during this time its low diversity might make it vulnerable to disease outbreaks, but this risk may be economically justified by the ease of managing a uniform stand and then clearcutting it. Why am I kvetching about these points? In the context of a list serve, I think it is fine to throw out ideas and see what people make of them. However, if these issues are not well thought out and carefully articulated before they are advanced as the basis for public policy, they will not hold up well in debate. The proponents may wind up looking bad and their cause harmed rather than helped. Martin M. Meiss 2010/12/16 Warren W. Aney a...@coho.net As a field ecologist who has frequently evaluated and described natural systems in their entirety and then communicated this information to non-scientists, I
[ECOLOG-L] Announcing our 2011 Research Ambassador Fellows
In September we announced our Research Ambassador Fellowship program, which will bring academic researchers to The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA for 3-4 days of outreach events, interdisciplinary dialogue, and communications training and mentoring. We’ve had an overwhelming response, with more than 35 applications received, and lots of conversation with others interested in the program. We have selected 10 Fellows that will represent our first cadre of Fellows. We are excited to announce our first group, which include: Dr. Denise Bruesewitz Postdoctoral Researcher University of Texas at Austin Research includes: freshwater ecology, biogeochemistry Dr. Ankur Desai Assistant Professor University of Wisconsin-Madison Research includes: biogeochemistry, meteorology Dr. Matthew Hurteau Assistant Research Professor Northern Arizona University Research includes: climate change mitigation Dr. Doug Levey Professor University of Florida Research includes: landscape ecology and conservation biology Ms. Aurora MacRae-Crerar Doctoral Student University of Pennsylvania Research includes: soil microbial communities, biogeochemistry Ms. Molly Mehling Doctoral Candidate Miami University Research includes: community ecology, ecotoxicology Ms. Katie Renwick Doctoral Student Colorado State University Research includes: temperate forests, disturbance ecology Dr. Rebecca Trueman Assistant Professor Concordia University Chicago Research includes: biogeochemistry, wetland ecology Dr. Divya Uma Postdoctoral Fellow University of Maryland Research includes: behavioral and sensory ecology Dr. Alan Wilson Assistant Professor Auburn University community ecology and genetics, limnology We’re particularly excited that this group includes researchers well established in their professions, and younger scientists early in their research. We encourage you to visit www.researchambassador.com where we will post updates on Fellows’ activities. The Research Ambassador Program provides appropriate guidance and rewards to academic ecosystem scientists to link their research to an existing interest, trade, or hobby of a segment of the public in non-academic venues to enhance public engagement and understanding, particularly to environmentally unaware public audiences in non-academic settings. For more information, contact: Amy Stasch Program Manager The Research Ambassador Program The Evergreen State College stas...@evergreen.edu www.researchambassador.com
[ECOLOG-L] Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre - Filmmaking for Scientists Announcement
Greetings The Vancouver Aquarium has teamed up with ScienceFilm to provide a week long immersion course on telling science stories through film. It is ideal for working researchers, students, NGOs, communications professionals and other science professionals. Hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium, it's an exciting opportunity to gain valuable science communication skills and apply them to research, management, conservation or web-related projects. Please forward this announcement and attached flier to any colleagues who may be interested: *Workshop Announcement:* *Science Filmmaking at **Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre**, January 2011 * *Overview: *This 7-day immersion workshop will teach participants to communicate scientific findings, natural history information, or conservation messages by creating compelling, professional-quality videos. Topics will include story selection, planning, writing, camera technique, voice-overs, technical aspects of video and audio production, basic video and audio editing, project output, and distribution. These technical elements will underpin the main focus of the workshop: effective storytelling through video. The hands-on approach will be emphasized, and participants will put concepts introduced in lecture into daily practice. Opportunities will exist for shooting in the field and studio. Collaborative opportunities may arise between participants and researchers and staff working at the Vancouver Aquarium. Participants will also critique existing documentaries, and by the end of the workshop, students will produce a short film on a topic of their choosing. * * *Target audience* : This workshop is intended for researchers and communicators at any academic level (undergraduate, graduate, postdoc, faculty, staff, or emeritus) as well as professionals (government, NGO, industry, etc.). Interested individuals from the general public will also be accepted. No prior film making experience is required. The workshop will run with a minimum of 10 participants, and a maximum of 20. * * *Instructors: *Jeff Morales (National Geographic Film Television, amp; VONIGO Films) and Dr. Colin Bates (Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre Department of Botany, University of British Columbia). *Where:* Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Vancouver, BC *When:* Jan 10 - 16, 2011 *Cost:* CAD $1200. Includes workshop fees, some supplies equipment, and lunches. Registration deadline is January 4, 2011. For further information and application materials, contact Jeff Morales ( j...@sciencefilm.org) and check out attached brochure. Thanks, and we hope to see you in Vancouver in the New Year. If you know of anyone else who might be interested, please pass this along. Cheers, Colin Bates Jeff Morales
[ECOLOG-L] PhD Studentship in Community Ecology, University of Zurich
PhD Studentship in Community Ecology, University of Zurich Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zürich Biodiversity faces many threats. Two of particular importance are reductions in the amount of suitable habitat and changes in environmental conditions. Predicting the consequences of these joint threats to biodiversity requires an understanding of effects across multiple levels of ecological organisation: individual, population, community, and ecosystem. Also required is an understanding of how effects at one level of organisation create knock-on effects at other levels of organisation. For example, how changes in individual behaviour translate into a change in population dynamics. Experiments with small laboratory-based aquatic communities provide an excellent tool with which to study effects of habitat availability and environmental change across levels of ecological organisation. Such communities allow long-term experiments with carefully constructed communities, containing few to many species, short to long food chains, and low to high trophic diversity. Long-term experiments (many generations of the dominant organisms) can be carried out during quite short experiments, and observations can be made across levels of ecological organisation. Mathematical models can be used to link observations across levels of organisation. The project will give the successful applicant an opportunity to perform unique experimental investigations that will advance knowledge about joint effects of habitat size and environmental change. The PhD will be jointly supervised by Prof. Owen Petchey and Dr. Dennis Hansen, and will be held in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Zürich, Switzerland. Funding is available for at least three years. Applicants must have a Masters Level Degree in Ecology or a closely related subject, and are asked to provide a CV, including the names and contact details of three academic referees, and a one page research proposal based on the general project description and relevant published literature. Informal enquiries should be made to o.petc...@sheffield.ac.uk or dmhan...@stanford.edu. Applications should be emailed as a single pdf-file directly to Owen Petchey before January 31st 2011. For more information The University of Zürich: www.uzh.ch Life Sciences Zürich Graduate School: www.lszgs.ch Faculty of Science: www.mnf.uzh.ch/forschung/institute-der-mnf.html Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies: www.ieu.uzh.ch Petchey Group (Sheffield address… will change to Zürich soon): owenpetchey.staff.shef.ac.uk Dennis Hansen: plant-animal.org
[ECOLOG-L] 2 Seasonal FT Biolog ical Techn icians (ST EP)
2 Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) opportunities exist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to assist a project researching Long-billed curlew chick survival, movement, and habitat use. Project duration: early March - July 2011 with the possibility to extend through August. Study sites: Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge and Umatilla Chemical Depot near Hermiston, OR. Primary duties include 1) locating nests 2) vegetation sampling 3) data entry and 4) radio telemetry though additional duties will be assigned. Housing will be at Umatilla NWR. Vehicles will be provided during work hours. Extremely variable working hours includes weekdays, weekends, split-shifts, pre-dawn, and night work. Salary: Hourly. During peak season, will exceed 40 hour weeks, but no overtime pay is available. Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least age 18 years old. Applicants MUST be accepted for enrollment, or enrolled, as a HALF TIME degree-seeking student at an accredited technical or vocational school, or 2 or 4 year college or university and have a 2.0 GPA. Candidates should be working toward a bachelors in the sciences. Students graduating in spring 2011 and are not enrolled in courses for fall 2011 are not eligible to apply. Student is not required to be enrolled during the summer session, however. Successful candidates will have a strong interest in field biology. I also hope they possess a positive attitude, sense of humor, work well independently and with coworkers. They should be prepared to work long days in the field under adverse conditions (ie. heat, cold), be meticulous in collecting and recording data, be in good physical condition, possess good communication skills, be dedicated to study in spare time, and have a valid Driver’s License. Preferred experience: experience with maps, GPS, and compass. This is an entry level position that will expose you to many techniques in field biology and is a good resume builder. Please send a cover letter highlighting your related field experience, a resume, and contact information for three references to: Sidra Blake (sidrabl...@hotmail.com). Put in the subject header “STEP”. Selected students will be required to submit and pass for STEP eligibility (*form) and provide official transcripts. Salary: GS 03-05 ($11.55-15/hr) commensurate on experience Last Date to Apply: January 29, 2011 Contact: Sidra Blake Email: (sidrabl...@hotmail.com) preferred Phone (509)430-3055 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (509)430-3055
