Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 11:22:03 -0500
From: Susan Musante
Subject: Laying the Foundation for Conserving Crimea's Biodiversity
February 3, 2000
Contact: Norma Adams
E-mail: norma.adams@wwfus.org
Phone: 202-778-9681
PARTICIPATORY PRIORITY-SETTING:
Laying the Foundation for Conserving Crimea's Biodiversity
WASHINGTON, D.C.--"It is called the 'Emerald Island.' The marvelous =
island, the wondrous Crimea...." So begins Ismail Gasprinskiy's poem, =
which describes the magical beauty of the Black Sea Peninsula of Ukraine. =
For centuries, artists and scientists alike have been drawn to Crimea's =
extraordinary natural diversity, and it is no wonder why. Located at the =
crossroads of temperate and Mediterranean climates, Crimea is a globally =
and locally important center of biological diversity. The level of =
species endemism found here exceeds that of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, =
Bulgaria, and the Carpathians. =20
Today, however, nine years after Ukraine's independence from the former =
Soviet Union, Crimea's biodiversity is at risk. Land degraded by unwise =
farming techniques, coastal areas devastated by poorly planned resort =
development, and fragile cultural and historical sites encroached upon by =
uncontrolled urbanization are just some of the human-induced problems. =20
The book Priority-setting in Conservation: A New Approach for Crimea =
documents an unprecedented participatory process that brought together =
Ukrainian specialists from across a wide range of disciplines and sectors =
to set priorities for conserving Crimea's biodiversity, based upon =
principles of broad participation and transparent decision-making. The =
multidisciplinary and multisectoral involvement that infused this =
conservation needs assessment culminated in a public workshop, held in the =
Crimean coastal town of Gurzuf in November 1997. At the Gurzuf Workshop, =
scientists, government officials, and representatives of nongovernmental =
organizations (NGOs) broke new ground by working tirelessly to establish =
geographic priorities, indicating where to conserve biodiversity, and =
thematic priorities, indicating what specific actions to take.
"Two years before the Gurzuf Workshop, when USAID asked the Biodiversity =
Support Program (BSP) to assess the conservation needs of Crimea, we =
recognized the Peninsula's significance as a center of biodiversity, as =
well as its high scientific and institutional capacity to work toward =
conserving those natural resources," says Mr. Bruce Leighty, Director of =
BSP's Eastern Europe program. "As an autonomous republic of Ukraine, =
Crimea has some jurisdiction to create its own policies. These factors =
helped us decide to support a needs assessment in Crimea as part of a =
larger BSP-supported project in Ukraine."
A variety of techniques were used to gather and process information at the =
Gurzuf Workshop. Geographic priorities were established during mapping =
sessions, which resulted in the set of maps included in the book. =
Thematic priorities were decided through a series of small-group sessions, =
comprised of random selections of Workshop participants, followed by =
presentation and synthesis of results in plenary. The base map selected =
for use at the Workshop--a landscape map of Crimea prepared by Dr. G. Ye. =
Grishankov--shows the Peninsula's geomorphology, soil characteristics, and =
potential vegetation. Although the map is well recognized by specialists, =
in the 30 years since it was first hand-drawn, it had never been officially=
published until now.
Workshop participants reached broad consensus on selecting sites of =
importance to biodiversity conservation. Totaling more than 598,000 =
hectares, these 50 sites represent slightly more than 23% of the estimated =
land area of Crimea. If taken seriously by those responsible for planning =
and land-use decisions in Ukraine and Crimea, identification of these =
sites can potentially mitigate conflicts over future land use for the =
benefit of both human beings and nature.
This conservation needs assessment was unique not only in terms of its =
technical focus on priority-setting. It also represented an unparalleled =
social process. "Through its openness and emphasis on a participatory =
methodology, the priority-setting exercise was a tangible demonstration of =
democratic principles and values," says Dr. Tatiana R. Zaharchenko, BSP's =
Senior Program Officer for Ukraine and facilitator of the process that =
created this book. "By inviting a range of specialists across diverse =
disciplines and sectors to share their knowledge and concerns, stakeholders=
' commitment to priority-setting decisions has been strengthened and their =
ability to implement them has been enhanced."
The chapters of this book, which originated in Russian and English, also =
demonstrate the partnership formed by two disparate worlds in their common =
concern for saving Crimea's natural diversity for current and future =
generations. "At the Workshop in Gurzuf, a community of single-minded =
people dedicated to taking action to conserve nature in Crimea was =
formed," says Professor Vladimir Bokov of Simferopol State University. =
The rich scientific traditions of Ukraine and Russia found in Crimea were =
interwoven with a Western, action-oriented approach to resolving issues. =
The book that resulted reflects the knowledge systems that underlie these =
societies' approaches to conservation issues, as well as their complementar=
ity.
The Russian-English presentation, with Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar =
translations of the Executive Summary, underscores the multicultural =
character of this priority-setting exercise and the range of audiences to =
which the book speaks. Donors, policymakers, scientists, and NGO =
activists--both within Ukraine and throughout the international conservatio=
n community--can use the documented findings and recommendations to better =
understand how to allocate limited resources more effectively and to =
decide what actions are most urgently needed.
Copies of the book are available free of charge from the Biodiversity =
Support Program, 1250 24th St NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20037; (202) =
861-8347. In Europe, copies are available from the Association for the =
Support of Biological and Landscape Diversity in the Crimea "Gurzuf-97," =
the NGO created as a result of this priority-setting process.
Contacts
USA
Mr. Bruce Leighty
Biodiversity Support Program
phone: (202) 778-9685
fax: (202) 861-8324
e-mail: bruce.leighty@wwfus.org
http://www.BSPonline.org
Ukraine
Prof. Vladimir Alexandrovich Bokov
Simferopol State University
phone/fax: 38-0652-48-13-32
e-mail: bokov@cris.crimea.ua
http://www.ccssu.crimea.ua/internet/Education/pontida/index.html
***
The Biodiversity Support Program (BSP) is a USAID-funded consortium of =
World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and World Resources Institute.=
BSP promotes conservation of the world's biological diversity, believing =
that a healthy and secure living resource base is essential to meeting the =
needs of present and future generations.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 10:22:35 -0500
From: rybczyk
Subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Faculty Position
Wildlife/Fisheries Biologist. The Dept. of Biological and Environmental
Sciences at California University of Pennsylvania welcomes applications for
a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level beginning August,
2000. The successful applicant's duties will include teaching courses in
fisheries and wildlife management and population dynamics. The successful
candidate should have demonstrated, and be able to maintain, externally
funded research in one or more of the following areas - wildlife population
dynamics, wildlife ecology, integration of wildlife management and other
land-use practices, and socioeconomic aspects of wildlife management.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Wildlife and/or Fisheries Science or
related field. Applicants should be ambulatory for the required field
trips in the above courses. Applicants should have a strong commitment to
maintain productive research programs involving undergraduate and graduate
(M.S.) students. Send: (1) a letter of interest; (2) curriculum vitae; (3)
all transcripts (unofficial); and (4) the names of five references,
including their complete addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses;
to: C. Allan Miller, Search Committee Chair, Department of Biological and
Environmental Sciences, California University of Pennsylvania,
California, PA 15419. Application deadline 15 April, 2000. For more
information about the University, please visit our website at
http://www.cup.edu/. CU is an equal opportunity employer.
John M. Rybczyk, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Biological and Environmental Sciences Department
California University of Pennsylvania
250 University Ave.
California, PA 15419
Ph#: 724-938-5955
FAX: 724-938-4370
email: rybczyk@cup.edu
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 09:32:26 -0500
From: Jennifer Fontes
Subject: USGS internship in Woods Hole - USGS #232
USGS Earth Science Intern Program*
Administered by The Environmental Careers Organization
Location: Woods Hole, MA
Start Date: ASAP
Deadline: March 16, 2000
Length: 2 Years
Description: Project #232 Closing Date March 8, 2000
This project is mapping the seafloor offshore of the New York-New Jersey
Metropolitan area using digital multibeam bathymetric and sidescan sonar
imagery. The maps of the seafloor geology provides the regional framewor=
k for
the USGS investigations of pollution and biological habitat in the New Yo=
rk
Bight, background for a wide range of management issues concerning living=
and
non-living resources, and a baseline for assessing anthropogenic impact a=
nd
change. The data include side scan sonar, multibeam bathymetry and
backscatter, high resolution seismic reflection profiling, bottom photogr=
aphy
and sediment samples.
Objectives of Internship:
The intern will be part of a team that is involved in all aspects of map
making, including at-sea acquisition, processing, and compilation of imag=
ery
for publication. The focus of this internship will be assembly and
publication
of a series of maps (in both paper and digital format) of the seafloor
offshore
of the New York and Hudson Shelf Valley. The intern will also assist in =
the
development of a GIS for this region. The intern will be part of a team =
that
is responsible for field observations and with processing, analysis,
interpretation, publication, and distribution of observations.
Specific Tasks:
1. Use GIS and graphics software to create and edit seafloor maps for
publication. The intern will assist in the preparation and publication o=
f a
series of maps of the New York Bight Apex and the Hudson Shelf Valley (in=
both
paper and digital format).
2. Participate on research cruises to conduct multibeam and sidescan sona=
r
surveys, and to collect geologic and multibeam data in the Hudson Shelf V=
alley
and the New York Bight (depending on starting date of internship).
3. Compilation of maps and databases for publication in CD-ROM format.
4. Performs a wide variety of tasks to assist in data processing, analysi=
s,
and
display of sidescan sonar and multibeam data. Processes, analyses, displ=
ays,
and distributes data using graphics (CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator),
spreadsheet (excel), database (Access), word processing, and GIS (ArcView=
)
programs.
5. Daily communication with team members to schedule common activities an=
d
equipment, set priorities, and insure that tasks are completed in a timel=
y
manner.=20
Work Experience Benefit(s) to Intern:
The intern will have the opportunity to enhance his/her skills in the var=
ious
processes associated with digital mapping that range from the acquisition=
of
raw data to the compilation of finished maps. Other team members using t=
he
geologic maps include oceanographers, geochemists, engineers, and data
specialists. In addition, the intern will benefit from participation in =
a
marine oceanographic research team working on a range of projects. The i=
ntern
will be exposed to a diversity of oceanographic research at the USGS Wood=
s
Hole
Field Center, through contacts with researchers and technical staff in th=
e
Woods Hole community (including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and =
the
National Marine Fisheries Service), through the many lectures available i=
n the
Woods Hole community.
=20
=20
Specific Qualifications Required:
In order to be eligible for this program you must have graduated from a U=
S
College or University within the last 12 months (US Citizens that studied
abroad are also eligible). Non-US Citizens must have attended college in
the US
and be eligible to work in the US for up to two years, without sponsorshi=
p.=20
Former full-time permanent employees of the USGS are not eligible for the
Earth
Science Intern Program.
A Bachelor=92s or Master=92s Degree in science (Oceanography, Marine Geol=
ogy,
Geography, Computer Science, Physics or Matehematics). Proficiency with =
GIS
(ArcView), Graphics (Adobe Illustrator), and web (Front Page) software.=20
Knowledge of common research practices acquired from a minimum of 6 month=
s
work
experience or internship in a research environment. Demonstrated ability=
to
acquire new skills readily, superior organizational skills, and proficien=
cy
with desktop computer hardware and software.
=20
Additional Qualifications Desirable:
Knowledge of Cartography, experience developing and maintaining WWW pages=
, and
experience with going to sea and/or collecting data at sea.
Stipend:
$26,916 - $33,381 commensurate with experience/Year (2.5% cost of living
increase in July 2000). You would officially be employed by the Environme=
ntal
Careers Organization, not the USGS. ECO would handle all administrative
functions of employment such as payroll, sick leave, timesheets, taxes, e=
tc.=20
Benefits are limited. Earth Science Interns, through ECO, are eligible f=
or 3
sick days in the first year of the position and 5 days of vacation in the
second year, if the position is extended. An optional employee paid heal=
th
program is available (the plan is similar to a catastrophic insurance pla=
n
not
a typical HMO).=20
Contact:
If you are interested in applying for this particular position please sen=
d a
cover letter stating your interest in Project #232, resume, computer skil=
ls
listing and reference list to Jennifer Fontes at the Environmental Career=
s
Organization, 179 South Street, Boston, MA 02111. You may also fax or em=
ail
this information to FAX 617-426-8159, email jfontes@eco.org (Only candida=
tes
that will be referred to the USGS will be contacted.) The last date to su=
bmit
materials for this particular project is March 8, 2000. View ECO=92s home=
page at
<http://www.eco.org/>www.eco.org for other opportunities.
Jennifer Fontes
Internship Program Coordinator
Environmental Careers Organization
179 South Street
Boston, Ma. 02111
jfontes@eco.org
Fax - 617-426-8159
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 08:45:06 -0600
From: Marian Smith
Subject: Post doctoral position
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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Date sent: 29 Feb 2000
Send reply to: Marian Smith msmith@siue.edu
From: Marian Smith msmith@siue.edu
Subject: Post doctoral position
To: ECOLOG-L@UMDD.UMD.EDU
One year post-doctoral position available July 1, 2000. Applicant must =
have recently completed a PhD in some area of plant ecology or =
population biology and have a thorough knowledge of population modeling. =
Applicant must have skill and experience with data analysis, and possess =
good communication and organizational skills. Duties will include =
managing a research laboratory consisting of ca. 10 MS-level and =
undergraduate students, compiling and analyzing accumulated field data, =
and assisting in manuscript and report writing. Salary will be =
approximately $20,000 plus full University benefits (a total package of =
$28,500). For information about our research lab see =
www.siue.edu/~msmith. Applications should be received by May 15, 2000. =
Send cv and names, phones numbers and e-mail addresses of 3 references =
to Dr. Marian Smith, Department of Biology, Southern Illinois =
University, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1651. If you have any questions about =
the position, email Dr. Smith at msmith@siue.edu.
=20
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Date sent: 29 Feb 2000
Send reply to: Marian Smith msmith@siue.edu
From: Marian Smith msmith@siue.edu
Subject: Post doctoral =
position
To: ECOLOG-L@UMDD.UMD.EDU
One year post-doctoral position =
available=20
July 1, 2000. Applicant must have recently completed a PhD in some area =
of plant=20
ecology or population biology and have a thorough knowledge of =
population=20
modeling. Applicant must have skill and experience with data analysis, =
and=20
possess good communication and organizational skills. Duties will =
include=20
managing a research laboratory consisting of ca. 10 MS-level and =
undergraduate=20
students, compiling and analyzing accumulated field data, and assisting =
in=20
manuscript and report writing. Salary will be approximately $20,000 plus =
full=20
University benefits (a total package of $28,500). For information about =
our=20
research lab see http://www.siue.edu/~msmith">www.siue.edu/~msmith.=20
Applications should be received by May 15, 2000. Send cv and names, =
phones=20
numbers and e-mail addresses of 3 references to Dr. Marian Smith, =
Department of=20
Biology, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1651. If =
you have=20
any questions about the position, email Dr. Smith at msmith@siue.edu.
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------------------------------