Re: [ECOLOG-L] Climate Change Data
Mike, I appreciate your situation, but the fact is that for every person like you there are many others who have little to no science background, routinely ship and receive animals and plants illegally, and decimate vulnerable populations of organisms, among other things as I am sure you are aware. I don't think it is fair to blame the science community for these problems. Again, I am sorry for any impact to your legitimate business, but surely you can understand these issues and see how they arise. Chris * Dr. Christopher Taylor Professor, Aquatic Ecology Department of Natural Resources Management Texas Tech University Box 42125 Lubbock, TX 79049 -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Michael E. Welker Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2011 10:17 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Climate Change Data Warren and forum, Facts and data should rule not abuse of the precautionary principle. Far to often wildlife and environmental extremists (even those in academia or from academia) have abused the precautionary principle. An example would be the use of taking the worse case scenario say for a turtle species age to sexual maturity. By using the oldest age known rather then the average or the most common to push an agenda. This was done in the FL turtle banning agenda by a well known turtle biologist. Take for instance the management of herpetofauna in TX, rather then enacting fair regulations and sustainable harvest management approaches, activities were banned causing private herpers to have to liquidate collections that have taken decades to build. And destroying businesses and breeding programs that contribute to herp conservation through captive propagation of herp species. The precautionary principle is used by agenda pushing academics to scare regulatory biologists (who come from academia! ) because many of the these experts are anti-wild collection and anti-commercialization. They are preservationists not conservationists. And they look at themselves as animal advocates. They are also exempt, as are zoos and museums, from complying to the regulations so it doesn't affect them. Further many use the precautionary principle and the banning agenda to secure grant funding for continued research. An example of this would be the Burmese python problem in the Everglades and the climate model paper. The more famous a researcher becomes the more grant money they get, the bigger labs they have and the higher fees they can charge for consultations and projects. An example of that would be a well known conservation biologist in FL. I have the facts. I just don't want to throw out names because that wouldn't be appropriate. I say stick to facts and data and not abuse the precautionary principle. Mike Welker El Paso, TX - Original Message - From: Warren W. Aney To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2011 6:07 PM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Climate Change Data In the face of uncertainty with potential consequences of great magnitude, the precautionary approach should rule. Under this approach it is safer and more prudent to take effective action to counter climate change than it is to take no action and risk its effects. The costs of taking action are high, but there are also benefits (cleaner air and healthier oceans, for example). The costs of not taking action are potentially catastrophic. Our ancestors will enjoy an improved world and thank us for taking action even if they determine we were wrong. Our surviving ancestors will condemn us if we took no action and this proved to be wrong. I know, this is rhetoric and not science, but I have frequently had to deal with decision making in the face of scientific uncertainty and this is the approach I finally learned to apply or recommend. Warren W. Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist Tigard, OR 97223 -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Hal Caswell Sent: Sunday, 20 March, 2011 15:12 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Climate Change Data Wayne, Whether it's a trick question or not depends, of course, on the details. However, if you really want information about the direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic causes of climate change you could not do better than to start with the 4th IPCC report. This is freely available to anyone with internet access at http://www.ipcc.ch/ It represents the output of the largest scientific collaboration in history. Each volume is prefaced by a summary for policy-makers which is purposely designed to be accessible to non-specialists. Most policy-makers are not, after all, scientists. As you know, one of the essential aspects of any scientific
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Hypothesis Testing in Ecology
Most of studies in ecology are observational not experimental. Perhaps, perhaps not. Depends on who you ask. The point is really moot - if your system is amenable to manipulation, a proper experiment is invaluable. Most field ecologists are dealing with systems that are not easily manupulated. Does this mean they can't do good science, because they are dealing with many intercorrelated gradients that complicate matters? I think not. As Nick Gotelli once told me when I was an impressionable PhD student, Galileo never moved a star. Kind of sums it up. Imagine testing the hypothesis of past competition on Darwin finches under the H-D method. Not sure what H-D is, may have missed it, but regarding Darwin's finches, I think what you are saying is that an experiment can't be conducted that will answer the question of competition past. True, but an accumulation of evidence from a variety of studies spanning behavioral ecology to phylogenetics gives us a pretty strong theory concerning their evolutionary ecology. Of course, something to the contrary could conceivably come up that might make biologists reconsider things. But it ain't happened yet. Pretty strong science I think. However, you might say, but the competition past question still stands... True, science does not provide time machines. I think you might be getting a little hung up on Popper and the role of statistics. Conceptually, I have no problem with Popper, but it's a very narrow view. Stats are useful, but they are just a means to an end and can be easily misused. Likwise, it's important to not confuse the stats with the underlying question! , which is often much more complex than a p-value. Chris ** Dr. Christopher Taylor Professor, Aquatic Ecology Department of Natural Resources Management Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 79409 From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Manuel Spínola [mspinol...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 8:49 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Hypothesis Testing in Ecology Hi Martin, If you state a scientific hypothesis you need to derive predictions from it, and sometimes you can state the predictions as statistical hypotheses, but not always, in fact, Karl Popper was not thinking on statistics or statistical hypotheses. As Malcolm McCallum said if you use statistics to test a scientific hypothesis I think you are in a more shaking ground, statistics has its own problems. By the way, statistics is inductive. Some people are using information theoretic approaches like AIC (Akaike Information Criterion) to work with what they believe are scientific hypothesis but I don't think so. They have a set of models but not necessarily a set of scientific hypotheses. Other problems of working with hypothesis in ecology are the multicausality of ecological phenomena and the limitation of conducting experiments at some spatial and time scales. Most of studies in ecology are observational not experimental. More on Popper. Karl Popper did not believe that the theory of evolution by natural selection was a scientific theory. He argument that you cannot falsify an hypothesis derived from that theory. How do you falsify that hypothesis using a critical experiment as the H-D followers call it? Best, Manuel On 28/02/2011 05:16 p.m., Martin Meiss wrote: I'm not sure I understand Manuel's distinction between statistical hypootheses and scientific hypothesis. Is not the former supposed in some way to mathematically embody/parameterize the latter? But in any case, it seems to me that it is often hard to rigorously formulate a null hypothesis and a corresponding working hypothesis. Suppose you hear an account where someone had a feeling of foreboding about his mother, only to discover later that just when he was having that feeling, his mother, thousands of miles away, had suddenly died. When people tell stories like this, it's often followed with a challenge, like you can't tell me that's just a coincidence! Well, I'd like to say it is a coincidence, but how could you test it? What is the expected number of times you should have a feeling of foreboding about your mother and she DOESN'T die? What is the expected number of times mothers should die without their sons/daughters having feelings of foreboding? How close to the actual time of death does the feeling of foreboding have to be before we can count it? How creepy does a feeling have to be before it reaches the threshold of genuine foreboding? Now, this doesn't sound very ecological, but I'll bet readers of this listserv can come up with examples from biology that approach this level of nebulosity. Here's my stab at it: How K-selected must an organism be before we say it is K-selected (or r-selected). How
[ECOLOG-L] Coop Unit position in Aquatic Ecology at Texas Tech
Dear Colleagues, The US Geological Survey invites qualified applicants for the position of Assistant Unit Leader at the Texas Cooperative Fish Wildlife Unit. The general field of expertise for this position is applied Aquatic Ecology/Biology. This is a federal government position and US citizenship is required. The incumbent will hold a faculty appointment at Texas Tech University and will be responsible for teaching, research and other duties as listed on the complete job description at the USA Jobs website, http://www.USAJobs.gov; position number is CR-2010-0121. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Please forward to others as you see fit. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Reynaldo Patino of the Texas Cooperative Fish Wildlife Unit at his e-mail address or telephone number below. Thank you. Reynaldo Patiño Unit Leader and Professor USGS Texas Cooperative Fish Wildlife Research Unit Texas Tech University Agricultural Sciences, Rm 218 15th and Boston Lubbock, TX 79409-2120 (806) 742-2851, extension 261 (voice) (806) 742-2946 (fax) reynaldo.pat...@ttu.edumailto:reynaldo.pat...@ttu.edu http://www.tcfwru.ttu.edu/default.aspx * Dr. Christopher Taylor Department of Natural Resources Management Texas Tech University Box 42125 Lubbock, TX 79049
[ECOLOG-L] Hanna Multiparameter water quality meters
Hello, Has anyone had any experience with the Hanna multiparameter meters? I'm particularly interested in how they compare with the YSI meters regarding ease of use and setup, ability to bounce off rocks, get wet, etc. Thanks, Chris *** Dr. Christopher M. Taylor Dept. of Natural Resources Management Mail stop 2125 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 79409 Phone: 806-742-1983 Fax: 806-742-2280 P Before printing this e-mail ask if it is absolutely necessary
Fisheries/Aquatic Biologist position at Texas Tech
Colleagues, =20 The following position in my department is still open and I encourage potential applicants to have a closer look. Having just started here myself this semester, I can tell you that the department is in a new and exciting growth phase. Start-up funds and salaries are highly competitive and the university offers much in the way of collaborative opportunity, culture, and other scholarly activities. Lubbock's location puts several different river basins within easy reach (Pecos, Brazos, Red, Canadian, and Colorado) and thousands of playa lakes dot the surrounding landscape. I would be pleased to provide more information to interested folks. =20 =20 Chris Taylor =20 =20 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND NATURAL RESOURCES, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY, LUBBOCK, TEXAS =20 POSITION: Applications are invited for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level. This is a 9-month teaching and research position. Summer salary is dependent upon availability of research grants. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a research program addressing the conservation and management of aquatic systems, teach undergraduate courses in the Fisheries Management program, and develop a graduate course(s) in their area of expertise. =20 THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Natural Resources Management consists of 17 full-time and 14 adjunct faculty members. About 160 undergraduate students and 40 graduate students are currently enrolled. Degrees are offered at the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Range Science, Wildlife Science, and Fisheries Science. The Department also administers a B.S. program in Environmental Conservation of Natural Resources. Intra- and inter-departmental collaboration is common. The department administers a research area near campus which holds several artificial ponds, a playa lake, and storage and maintenance facilities. =20 THE COLLEGE: The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources includes six academic departments. Enrollment is 1,200 undergraduate and 265 graduate students. Research and teaching programs are supported by facilities on 20,000 acres consisting of 4 farms and an experimental ranch. Cooperative relationships exist between the College and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Cooperative Extension, and USDA-ARS. The Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is housed within the College and is closely aligned with the Department. =20 THE UNIVERSITY: Texas Tech University is one of four major state-supported multidisciplinary universities in Texas. The University consists of ten colleges, a School of Law, The Graduate School, and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Currently, 28,000 students attend classes at the Lubbock campus. A newly created Water Center resides within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The Texas Tech Libraries are among the top 50 research libraries in the nation and a pioneer in electronic resource offerings. The university also administers a 411 acre field station on the South Llano River in the Texas hill country. The City of Lubbock is situated on the Llano Estacado (Southern High Plains). It has about 210,000 residents and moderate to low cost of living.=20 =20 QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree in related areas and post-doctoral experience is preferred. Preference will be given to individuals with demonstrated ability to obtain extramural funding, and to those individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas: fisheries management (including fish population dynamics or genetics), limnology or aquatic ecology/entomology. Ability to teach and mentor students at the undergraduate and graduate levels is necessary. Capability to organize and conduct research is essential. Peer-reviewed publication of research results is expected of departmental faculty. =20 SALARY: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The individual will be eligible for a generous benefit package made available to all faculty members at Texas Tech University. =20 APPLICATIONS: Applicants must use the on-line employment website at http://jobs.texastech.edu http://jobs.texastech.edu/ (Requisition number: 74830). Additionally, applicants should have five reference letters and original transcripts forwarded to: Christopher Taylor, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Box 42125, Lubbock, Texas 79409. Review of applicants will begin 15 November 2007 and will continue until the position is filled. For questions or assistance please contact Chris Taylor at [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (806-742-1983). =20 Texas Tech University is an EEO/AA Institution =20 =20 *** Dr. Christopher Taylor Dept. of Natural Resources Management Mail stop 2125 Texas Tech
Fisheries/Aquatic Biology job at Texas Tech
=20 =20 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND NATURAL RESOURCES, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY, LUBBOCK, TEXAS =20 POSITION: Applications are invited for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level. This is a 9-month teaching and research position. Summer salary is dependent upon availability of research grants. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a research program addressing the conservation and management of aquatic systems, teach undergraduate courses in the Fisheries Management program, and develop a graduate course(s) in their area of expertise. =20 THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Natural Resources Management consists of 17 full-time and 14 adjunct faculty members. About 160 undergraduate students and 40 graduate students are currently enrolled. Degrees are offered at the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Range Science, Wildlife Science, and Fisheries Science. The Department also administers a B.S. program in Environmental Conservation of Natural Resources. Intra- and inter-departmental collaboration is common. The department administers a research area near campus which holds several artificial ponds, a playa lake, and storage and maintenance facilities. =20 THE COLLEGE: The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources includes six academic departments. Enrollment is 1,200 undergraduate and 265 graduate students. Research and teaching programs are supported by facilities on 20,000 acres consisting of 4 farms and an experimental ranch. Cooperative relationships exist between the College and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Cooperative Extension, and USDA-ARS. The Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is housed within the College and is closely aligned with the Department. =20 THE UNIVERSITY: Texas Tech University is one of four major state-supported multidisciplinary universities in Texas. The University consists of ten colleges, a School of Law, The Graduate School, and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Currently, 28,000 students attend classes at the Lubbock campus. A newly created Water Center resides within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The Texas Tech Libraries are among the top 50 research libraries in the nation and a pioneer in electronic resource offerings. The university also administers a 411 acre field station on the South Llano River in the Texas hill country. The City of Lubbock is situated on the Llano Estacado (Southern High Plains). It has about 210,000 residents and moderate to low cost of living.=20 =20 QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree in related areas and post-doctoral experience is preferred. Preference will be given to individuals with demonstrated ability to obtain extramural funding, and to those individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas: fisheries management (including fish population dynamics or genetics), limnology or aquatic ecology/entomology. Ability to teach and mentor students at the undergraduate and graduate levels is necessary. Capability to organize and conduct research is essential. Peer-reviewed publication of research results is expected of departmental faculty. =20 SALARY: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The individual will be eligible for a generous benefit package made available to all faculty members at Texas Tech University. =20 APPLICATIONS: Applicants must use the on-line employment website at http://jobs.texastech.edu http://jobs.texastech.edu/ (Requisition number: 74830). Additionally, applicants should have five reference letters and original transcripts forwarded to: Christopher Taylor, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Box 42125, Lubbock, Texas 79409. Review of applicants will begin 15 November 2007 and will continue until the position is filled. For questions or assistance please contact Chris Taylor at [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (806-742-1983). =20 Texas Tech University is an EEO/AA Institution =20
