[ECOLOG-L] AGU Session B058: Remote sensing of northern high-latitude terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
Dear Colleagues, We are organizing a session on: B058. Remote sensing of northern high-latitude terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems during the upcoming AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco from 9-13 Dec, 2013. We hope you will consider submitting an abstract to this session if it falls within your research domain. The abstract of the session can be found here: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/sessions/b058-remote-sensing-of-northern-high-latitude-terrestrial-and-aquatic-ecosystems-2/ Abstract submission deadline is August 6, 2013. We hope to see you in San Francisco. Sincerely, Santonu -- Santonu Goswami, PhD Postdoctoral Research Associate Climate Change Science Institute (CCSI) Environmental Sciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory P.O. Box: 2008, MS 6301 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6301 Phone: 865-241-1296 Fax: 865-241-3685 http://santonu.googlepages.com
[ECOLOG-L] Fall 2013 AGU Session H093: Using LiDAR Datasets To Improve Ecohydrological Observations
We are organizing a Fall AGU session that may be of interest to some of you. Title: Using LiDAR Datasets To Improve Ecohydrological Observations Description: LiDAR datasets offer the potential to revolutionize our view of hydrology by providing high spatial resolution measurements over multiple scales. Despite the widespread collection of these datasets, hydrologists have just begun to utilize them for investigating processes due to inconsistent collection and analysis protocols and a lack of models capable of ingesting LiDAR data. To address these current limitations, we are particularly interested in topics that link LiDAR data (airborne or terrestrial) to ground-based observations of terrestrial water and energy fluxes (e.g. stream discharge, evapotranspiration, etc.). We also encourage submission of studies that incorporate LiDAR-derived datasets into physically-based models. Link to AGU session: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/sessions/h093-using-lidar-datasets-to-improve-ecohydrological-observations-2/ Please contact the conveners with any questions: Adrian Harpold, University of Colorado, Boulder (adrian.harp...@gmail.com) Keith Musselman, University of Saskatchewan Peter Kirchner, University of California, Los Angeles
[ECOLOG-L] Island Fox Podcast from the Encyclopedia of Life
In our latest podcast we venture to Santa Cruz Island, off the coast of California, to look into the mystery of the islands tiny foxes, descendants of gray foxes who rafted over from the mainland more than ten thousand years ago and branched off to form a new, smaller species. Despite weighing a mere three pounds, these diminutive grey foxes thrived and for millennia they reigned as the islands top predator. But twenty years ago, their numbers began to plummet, from three thousand in the early 1990s to fewer than one hundred by 2000. Learn how conservationists solved the puzzle of the vanishing foxes and helped them stage a comeback. Listen to the podcast: http://education.eol.org/podcast/island-fox Learn more about the Island Fox on EOL: http://eol.org/pages/328612/overview
[ECOLOG-L] seeking advice: deploying submersible data loggers
Dear Listers, As a part of my PhD project, I am going to deploy a number of water level and temperature loggers (probably type HOBO U20) at different sites of a small river and its floodplain. The system is governed by strong summer and winter inundations, the low-water line is around 0.7 m, strong winter inundations can reach as high as 5 m. I am particularly concerned about loads of tree trunks and timber, which can damage, destroy or detach loggers (and quickly deplete my limited budget). I was wondering if anyone of you has experience with the securely deploying submersible data loggers in comparably dynamic riverine systems. I am considering an approach in which the logger is attached to an erected metal pole, which is rammed deeply into the river bed (e.g., 50 – 80 cm deep). The logger would be attached to the pole downstream (e.g., with cable, cable ties, or similar, and a back-up system, if possible). Do you think this approach is feasible, or did you successfully apply different set-ups? I highly appreciate your advice. Thanks a lot in advance. Best wishes, Claudia Claudia Pogoreutz, M.Sc. PhD student Senckenberg Research Institute Department of River Ecology and Conservation Clamecystraße 12 63571 Gelnhausen Ph: +49-0170-3602210 Email: claudia.pogore...@senckenberg.de
[ECOLOG-L] Ecological Scaling - AGU Session of interest
Dear Ecolog subscribers: In case you are going to AGU this December in San Francisco, CA, there is an ecological scaling session that may be of interest. B062. Scaling Ecosystem Observations Through Space and Time https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/sessions/b062-scaling-ecosystem-observations-through-space-and-time-2/ ABSTRACT: There is a need to monitor change in regional to global ecosystem integrity. Projects such as NEON (United States), and TERN (Australia) are established to provide consistent, long-term in situ and remote measurements of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. However, measurements may be spatially distributed across large areas presenting a challenge of interpolation between points and scaling between pixels for regional to global change analysis. This session will explore scaling methods to quantify spatio-temporal change over broad areas. Topics may include methods that: model ecosystem function using multi-scale data; scale between multi-resolution remote sensing pixels and scale in situ point measurements over broad areas. Also - for those interested in issues of error associated with remote sensing methods, please consider: B069. Understanding uncertainty in remotely sensed vegetation data products Section/Focus Group: https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/sessions/b069-understanding-uncertainty-in-remotely-sensed-vegetation-data-products-2/ ABSTRACT: Remote sensing of ecosystems is an efficient means to measure multiple biophysical properties over broad geographical regions. Error sources contributing to final derived data products originate from instrumentation and data collection/processing, and may not be well-understood. Well-characterized uncertainties are important for missions such as ICESAT-II, BIOMASS, HyspIRI, and the NEON Airborne Observatory, as they improve product quality and support large-scale modeling efforts. Possible topics include allometric biomass derivation uncertainty, extrapolation between sites sampled at different scales, limitations in calibration/validation and characterization of active and passive sensors, or unexplored noise sources. Cheers, Leah Leah A. Wasser, Ph.D. --- Remote Sensing Ecologist Senior Science Educator - Universities National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) 814.746.4917 lwas...@neoninc.org
[ECOLOG-L] AGU Fall Meeting Session on Vulnerability, Disturbance Impacts, and Recovery
This year the AGU fall meeting will have a session focusing on Vulnerability, Disturbance Impacts, and Recovery. This session is co-sponsored by the Biogeosciences, Hydrology and Global Climate Change sections. Studies to assess vulnerability (metrics and indicators) under climate change have become widespread in recent years. Vulnerable systems are more susceptible to disturbances that in turn alter biophysical, eco-hydrological, biogeochemical, and societal processes. Under climate change these disturbances are occurring in new ecosystems and in others are projected to increase in frequency, intensity, and spatial extent. This session solicits abstracts encompassing a range of disturbances, including fire, herbivory, biomass removals, land conversion, extreme weather, and invasive species. We seek studies developing vulnerability metrics and indicators; evaluating extent, intensity, and impact of disturbances; and recovery / succession following the events. We further seek studies focusing on (i) extreme disturbance events and (ii) coupling of biophysical and societal systems under change, including analyzing ecological and social trajectories following disturbances. Abstracts can be submitted at: https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/account/ Deadline is August 6th (AGU never accepts late abstracts) We hope to see you all in San Francisco! David Reed (University of Wyoming) Alistair Smith (University of Idaho)
[ECOLOG-L] Job: Aquaculture/Fish Biology, tenure-track, Humboldt State University
Humboldt State University's Department of Fisheries Biology invites applications for an academic year tenure-track position in Aquaculture/Fish Biology. Details here: http://www.humboldt.edu/aps/docs/jobs/2014-15_Vacancies/7581_1415_FISH_Aquaculture_Vacancy.pdfhttp://www.humboldt.edu/aps/docs/jobs/2014-15_Vacancies/7581_1415_FISH_Aquaculture_Vacancy.pdf -- Andrew P. Kinziger, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Curator of Fishes Department of Fisheries Biology Humboldt State University One Harpst Street Arcata CA 95521 707-826-3944
[ECOLOG-L] Job: Quantitative Ecologist - Biostatistician - 2 Year Term
Quantitative Ecologist - Biostatistician - 2 Year Term Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a $430 million dollar observatory project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. For the next three decades NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. NEON will use cutting edge technology including an airborne observation platform that will capture images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, re-locatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who will observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. A leading edge cyber-infrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information. The Observatory will grow to 300+ personnel and will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales. Summary: Working closely with NEONs TOS scientists, the quantitative ecologist/biostatistician will provide guidance and statistical support in developing approaches to optimize ecological sampling designs and data analyses. Particular emphasis will be on assisting with evaluation of spatial sampling designs and temporal sampling strategies for a wide range of ecological taxa and environmental processes. These evaluations will include identifying metrics to assess confidence in density estimates and optimizing the spatiotemporal sampling approach using initial and prototype datasets from Observatory sites. The ideal candidate will also have the capability to develop approaches for quantifying and tracking uncertainty, calculating error budgets, and developing models for trend detection. This position reports to the Assistant Director of the Fundamental Sentinel Unit. Must have permanent authorization for US employment. Term: This position will be a two year term assignment. Location: This position will be located at NEON Headquarters in Boulder, CO. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Develop, test and assist in the implementation of statistical and modeling applications used by TOS staff. Play a key leadership role in utilizing statistical and modeling strategies to optimize TOS sampling designs and in developing integrated statistical analyses. Provide critical input to field protocol development and QA/QC plans. Conduct statistical analyses and modeling in collaboration with science staff and external experts. Participate in the development and approval of standardized documentation for these processes, following documentation standards. Collaborate with NEON Cyber-Infrastructure, Data Products and Science teams as well as external users. Provide training to users on specialized applications as needed. Communicate efforts to the ecological community (e.g. presentations, reports, publications). Required Education: PhD in biology, ecology, statistics, applied mathematics, or related field or MS plus 2 or more years experience as a quantitative ecologist supporting biostatistical and ecological modeling tools and applications. Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills: Strong record of achievement in the areas of quantitative ecology, ecological modeling and analysis, and/or statistical applications in ecological investigations. Strong analytical and creative problem skills demonstrated ability to successfully apply experience and judgment to both short- and long-term challenges. Ability to effectively explain complex statistical approaches to individuals from different disciplinary backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a wide range of scientific, technical, and management staff, stakeholders, and vendors. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with employees from a variety of scientific backgrounds and degrees of interest/skill in ecological modeling and statistical approaches. Ability to work independently and as part of an active science team. Experience using hierarchical Bayesian methods. Expertise with common statistical software packages (e.g., R, Matlab). Scientific writing and review. Open to undertaking responsibilities beyond those associated with individually assigned projects. Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills: Knowledge of field biology protocols and practices History of active engagement with the ecological and broader natural sciences communities. Experience with large scale inventory and monitoring programs. Proficiency with RDBMS-based (MySQL, Oracle) applications, database concepts, major programming languages (e.g. C/C+), and scripting languages (e.g. Python). Experience using Monte Carlo modeling techniques. Experience with software, models, and methods
[ECOLOG-L] MS Assistantship in Behavioral Ecology
One MS Graduate Assistantship is available in the Department of Biology at Stephen F. Austin State University for a highly motivated student to work on behavioral and sensory ecology of fishes. The student will contribute to a project linking visual system physiology and genetics to sexual selection and behavioral isolation in colorful freshwater fishes. This project is integrative and students with broad training in biology are encouraged to apply. The student will also have the opportunity to develop an independent thesis project related to this or other topics of interest in behavioral ecology, conservation biology, or reproductive ecology. More information on research in the lab is available at http://faculty.sfasu.edu/gummj/Jennifer_Gumm/ This position will be funded through a combination of teaching and research assistantships and include stipend and opportunities for summer salary. Qualifications: BS in Biology or related field. GRE (verbal and quantitative) with acceptable scores that vary in coordination with overall GPA, and a GPA of 3.0 in Biology and related science courses are minimum requirements. For more information on admissions visit: http://www.sfasu.edu/graduate/84.asp Please also see the Department of Biology: http://www2.sfasu.edu/biology/ and Stephen F. Austin State University http://www.sfasu.edu/ To apply please send a statement of interest and a CV/resume of related research, coursework, GPA, GRE, and any other relevant experience to Jennifer Gumm (gummj (at) sfasu (dot) edu Applications will be considered as they are received and until the position is filled.
[ECOLOG-L] Asst. Research Professor - South Dakota State University
For more information, contact the search committee chair at the email address listed below. Three Assistant Research Professors South Dakota State University The Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence seeks a person with considerable research experience focused on terrestrial remote sensing science and applications in each of three research areas: [1] Fusion of multi-temporal Landsat and MODIS data for systematic terrestrial monitoring at global scale; deployment of the monitoring system on high performance computing facilities; [2] Landscape ecology with emphasis on impacts of land cover/land use and climate change on grassland and wetland ecosystems, and conservation planning in fragmented agricultural landscapes; and [3] Land cover/land use change in South American tropical ecosystems using multispectral and hyperspectral data. Each position is externally funded at the 10-month level. Each successful candidate is expected to secure externally funded research grants, recruit, and mentor Ph.D. students and post-doctoral researchers, and undertake service to international and/or national research organizations and to the research and university communities.Minimum qualifications include an earned doctorate in Geography or appropriate related field with a background in remote sensing; minimum of three years of experience conducting externally funded research; scholarly activity, including collaborative research and peer-reviewed publications as first author; Principal Investigator on at least one research proposal submitted to a U.S. federal funding agency (excluding post-doctoral fellowships); demonstrated ability to communicate effectively; ability to work collegially in a group setting; and commitment to principles of affirmative action and equal employment opportunity. Desired qualifications differ by position: for [1] Experience developing, refining, and implementing algorithms to process large volumes of remote sensing data using C and scripts in a Linux environment; and strong publication record in terrestrial remote sensing; for [2] Experience working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team composed of hydrologists, atmospheric scientists, and wildlife biologists; and strong publication record in both applied and theoretical ecology; for [3] Field experience with governmental agencies and NGOs working in the tropics/Amazon; and experience managing/supervising students and/or technical staff. For questions, contact the search committee chair, Dr. David Roy via email at david@sdstate.edumailto:david@sdstate.edu. Application deadline is July 5, 2013. To view full position descriptions and to apply, visit https://YourFuture.sdbor.edu, search for the position, and follow the electronic application process. For questions on the electronic employment process, contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128. SDSU is an AA/EEO employer.
[ECOLOG-L] Post-doctoral Position in Riparian Plant Ecology -readvertisement
Riparian Vegetation Post-doctoral Position, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, Arizona Identifying trends in riparian and marsh vegetation downstream from Glen Canyon Dam and making linkages between vegetation response and changes in river channel dynamics. Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center is seeking a highly motivated, senior post-doctoral researcher for a project involving establishing linkages between vegetation changes and changes in associated physical and cultural resources as a result of river regulation. The interdisciplinary nature of this project favors a candidate with a strong analytic background and familiarity with hydrologic principles and has a Ph.D. in ecology, plant ecology, botany, forestry or related field. The successful candidate is capable of conceiving, formulating, and conducting research pertinent to the proposed research. The researcher has experience working independently and as a full member of a research team and must have a demonstrated ability to plan and execute research tasks by clearly defining problems, developing and executing research plans, and has a proven record of publications in peer-reviewed journals. The position has an initial 2-year appointment that can be extended depending on the progress, interest and career goals of the candidate. This appointment is limited to U.S. Citizens. For more information, contact Barbara Ralston (brals...@usgs.gov). This is a re-advertisement of a previous announcement. Review of applicants will begin on July 10 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Preferable start date is September 1, 2013. How to Apply: Interested candidates should send letter of interest, C.V, unofficial transcripts and contact information to Scott Vanderkooi (svanderk...@usgs.gov) and Barbara Ralston (brals...@usgs.gov).
[ECOLOG-L] postdoc survey alternative link
Dear Ecolog: Some versions of the postdoc survey link sent out earlier in the week seem to be broken. Please try one of the links below, or email if you are still having difficulties. Many thanks to everyone who has responded so far. Take the Surveyhttps://umn.qualtrics.com/WRQualtricsSurveyEngine/?Q_SS=7UurbLn42HJqOd7_bQ3PawmGTCwqqep_=1 Or here: http://tinyurl.com/ecopds === Dear Ecolog: We invite you to fill out a survey, providing your opinion on the support available to postdocs in ecology. We are looking for participation from current, former, and future postdocs about what societies like ESA and ecologists as a community can do to improve the postdoc experience. The survey is available here: https://umn.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bQ3PawmGTCwqqep Responses from the survey will help guide discussions of WK 50 (Getting though the Postdoctoral Phase to an Academic Job, see details below) at ESA this August. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and responses are completely confidential. Please pass this on to anyone who self-identifies as part of the ecology community, who may be interested in completing it. Whether you fill out the survey or not, we invite you to attend our workshop at ESA. Feel free to email allison.s...@anu.edu.aumailto:allison.s...@anu.edu.au or daniel.stan...@anu.edu.aumailto:daniel.stan...@anu.edu.au with any questions. Thanks in advance for your participation. -- WK 50: Getting though the Postdoctoral Phase to an Academic Job Thursday, August 8, 2013: 11:30AM to 1:15PM http://eco.confex.com/eco/2013/webprogrampreliminary/Session8891.html Postdoctoral positions have now become nearly prerequisite of academic careers in ecology, yet remain one of the most nebulous career stages. Postdocs face a suite of concerns (e.g., time management, balancing projects, mentoring, job applications and negotiations), while often falling through the cracks on issues such as funding (e.g., no longer receiving student discounts, yet not having their own grants to help defray conference and publication costs). Furthermore, the short-term nature and variety of formats of postdoctoral appointments make it difficult to establish unified support schemes and can lead to the feeling of a postdoc “holding pattern”. This workshop will focus on developing solutions to issues that arise in the transition from graduate school to professorship via the postdoc stage. It will start with short presentations by ~3 panelists with extensive experience with postdoc issues. The bulk of time (45min) will be spent in smaller group brainstorm sessions, guided by specific topics solicited beforehand (e.g., via Ecolog). Each group discussion will be moderated to focus on identifying concrete strategies to improve support for postdocs within ESA, and to avoid the airing of grievances that can dominate discussions of postdoc employment. The workshop will close with a compilation of the ideas developed by each group. The findings of the workshop will be written up and publicly distributed (e.g., in the ESA Bulletin). Additional outcomes may include the creation of an ESA postdoctoral group, and workshops/sessions at future ESA meetings that specifically target those needs raised in this workshop.
[ECOLOG-L] AGU session on impacts of disturbance and extreme climate events on carbon dynamics (B031)
Hi All, I would like to bring our AGU session to your attention. Shuguang (Leo) Liu and I are convening a session on the impacts of disturbance (e.g., fire, hurricane, insect outbreaks, and harvesting) and extreme climate events (e.g., drought, heat waves, spring freeze) on carbon dynamics again at the AGU Fall Meeting (San Francisco, CA, Dec 9-13, 2013). Our session at the 2011 and 2012 AGU meetings was well attended and successful. If you have been recently conducting research on this topic, you are welcomed to submit an abstract to our session. The abstract submission is now open, and will close by August 6, 2013. Below is a brief description for our session: B031: Impacts of Extreme Climate Events and Disturbances on Carbon Dynamics Sponsor: Biogeosciences (B) Conveners: Jingfeng Xiao, Shuguang (Leo) Liu Disturbances (e.g., fire, hurricane, and insect outbreaks) and extreme climate events (e.g., drought, heat and cold waves) substantially affect carbon cycle processes. However, their impacts on terrestrial carbon dynamics over landscapes, regions, and continents are not well understood. We invite submissions that investigate and quantify the impacts of extreme climate events and disturbances on the terrestrial carbon dynamics over various spatial and temporal scales using observations (e.g., eddy covariance flux measurements, and national inventories), remote sensing, state-of-the-art modeling approaches (e.g., ecosystem models, upscaling methods), and model-data fusion techniques. Please feel free to contact me (j.x...@unh.edu) or Leo (s...@usgs.gov) if you have any questions and to forward this message to your colleagues, students, and post-docs who might be interested in contributing to this session. I look forward to seeing you at AGU. Jingfeng -- Jingfeng Xiao, PhD Research Assistant Professor Earth Systems Research Center (formerly Complex Systems Research Center) Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space University of New Hampshire 449 Morse Hall, 8 College Road Durham, NH 03824 Email: j.x...@unh.edu http://globalecology.unh.edu Tel: (603) 862-1873; Fax: (603) 862-0188
