Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 9 Apr 2001 to 10 Apr 2001
To: Recipients of ECOLOG-L digests <ECOLOG-L@UMDD.UMD.EDU>
Status: R
There are 6 messages totalling 606 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. CONFERENCE: MANAGING RIVER FLOW FOR BIODIVERSITY
2. Golf Course Water Consumption?
3. FW: Smithsonian's Conservation & Research Center to be shut down!! (2)
4. JOB: Full-Time Research Associate (Plant Ecology), Texas A&M Universit
5. ANNOUNCING HYDROSOFT 2002 CONFERENCE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 10:55:54 -0400
From: Kendra Cipollini <kcipollini@TNC.ORG>
Subject: CONFERENCE: MANAGING RIVER FLOW FOR BIODIVERSITY
"Managing River Flows for Biodiversity: A Conference on Science, Policy
and
Conservation Action
July 30 - August 2, 2001
Colorado State University, Fort Collins (CO)
A diverse partnership of government agencies, non-profit organizations,
and
representatives of water users are convening a conference to address
the
issues of ecologically sustainable water management. The goals of this
conference are to: (1) provide attendees with a better understanding of
the
nature of the conflict between meeting ecosystem needs and human
demands for
water, both in terms of quantity and quality; (2) explain the state of
ecological science concerning the flows required to protect
biodiversity;
and (3) discuss case studies which address inherent conflicts and
potential
solutions as a means of engaging in interdisciplinary dialogue. The
case
studies include: Upper Colorado River Basin, Missouri River,
Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Sacramento/San Joaquin
BayDelta System, Klamath River, Zion National Park, Trinity River,
Beaverkill River, San Pedro River, Roanoke River, as well as examples
from
Brazil and Africa. This four-day conference will be open to 350
attendees
from diverse professional and academic backgrounds. To get more
information
and to register for this conference, please visit
www.freshwaters.org/conference."
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 10:30:31 -0700
From: Steve Erickson <wean@WHIDBEY.NET>
Subject: Golf Course Water Consumption?
Does anyone know of any reliable data on irrigation water consumption
for golf courses in western Washington or Oregon, USA, or British
Columbia, Canada?
Thanks,
-Steve Erickson
Frosty Hollow Ecological Restoration
Box 53, Langley, WA 98260
(360) 579-2332
wean@whidbey.net
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 12:47:17 -0700
From: Madhusudan Katti <mkatti@ASU.EDU>
Subject: FW: Smithsonian's Conservation & Research Center to be shut down!!
------ Forwarded Message
From: Ellen Paul <epaul@concentric.net>
Reply-To: "ORNITH-L: the scientific discussion of
Ornithology"<ORNITH-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU>
Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 15:56:45 -0500
To: ORNITH-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Subject: Re: Smithsonian's Conservation & Research Center to be shut down!!
Please, please - use this energy to write to your Congressional
representatives
and to the Secretary of the Smithsonian. You can find your Congressional
representatives by going to www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.
However, please do NOT send e-mail. Take the time to send a regular letter.
The
Congressional offices are being flooded with e-mail and most of it is
disregarded - especially because they can't tell if it comes from a
constituent
or not.
For the Senate,
The Honorable (full name)
United States Sentate
Washington, DC 20510
For the House,
The Hornorable (full name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
I do not believe there is an e-mail address for Mr. Small on the SI website,
but
again, regular mail is still the best way to make an impact. The address for
the
Office of the Secretary is Smithsonian Institution, 1000 Jefferson Dr.,
S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20560-0016.
If they can raise 10 million for two pandas, surely they can raise a few
more
dollars for CRC. It's hard to understand how they can be short of cash,
seeing
as how the SI and the zoo are coming to resemble giant gift shops with
exhibits
rather than the other way around. A ticket to the IMAX is $10. The food
operations charge exhorbitant prices - surely that must generate some
profit. If
not, someone needs to have Mr. Small look at the concession contracts. I
understand the need to show the public a good time, and have come to accept
that
the museum looks more and more like Disneyland every day - I always wonder
when
it is we'll see animatronics. Poor S.Dillon Ripley would no doubt be
saddened to
see how his recognition of this need to engage the public's interest in the
museum has spun out of control. So they are sucking in cash like there is no
tomorrow - some of it should be going to support the museum's research
functions
- and NOT just high-tech stuff. Whereas only a handful of organizations do
what
CRC does - and they are always having to beg for funds, too.
Guess you can tell where I'm coming from...
--
Ellen Paul
Individually and NOT on behalf of my employer!
Madhusudan Katti wrote:
> Greetings folks,
>
> Yesterday I heard from a colleague the rather shocking news that the
> Smithsonian's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal
> <http://www.si.edu/crc/> is to be shut down permanently after 25
ears of
> operation!! This is part of a downsizing of "science" at the Smithsonia
,
> and will no doubt outrage many of our colleagues throughout the world w
o
> have had associations with the CRC.
>
> Today's Washington Post online carries the article appended below on th
> planned closure:
> <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46701-2001Apr5.html>
.
>
> I have also been digging a bit online (thank you Google) into the backg
ound
> to this budgetary decision. Based on what I have read so far, it looks
ike
> the decision to close the CRC comes from the Smithsonian's Secretary
> Lawrence Small, he of impeccable corporate pedigree (Citicorp/Citibank
o
> Fannie Mae to Smithsonian - for more on this, see, e.g.,
> <http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0217-07.htm>). The Smithsoni
n's Board
> of Regents, which consists of various govt. luminaries including the US
Vice
> President, the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, and others, has
> approved the plan.
>
> The article below gives some indications of the research priorities bei
g
> set for the Smithsonian, with the CRC as one casualty.
>
> I personally feel sad that a world class facility such as the CRC, whic
has
> contributed so much to conservation and research worldwide - many of my
> teachers in India received training there - can be closed down so abrup
ly.
>
> A colleague from the CRC just wrote to me that some of them are trying
o
> generate some external pressure to force reconsideration of this decisi
n.
> I'm not sure who to write to at this point, but I guess one can start w
th
> Mr. Small (contact information should be available through the SI websi
e
> <http://www.si.edu/>.
>
> Madhu
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Madhusudan Katti
> Postdoctoral Research Associate
> Central Arizona-Phoenix LTER Project
> Center for Environmental Studies
> Arizona State University
> Tempe, AZ 85287-3211
>
> Tel: +1 (480) 965-8198
> FAX: +1 (480) 965-8087
> Email: mkatti@asu.edu
> HTTP://caplter.asu.edu/
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> "When conservation organizations begin to advocate sustainable use of
> tropical forests, it is a signal that conservation is on the run."
> - John Terborgh in "Requiem for Na
ure"
> _________________________________________________________________
>
> ------ Forwarded Message
>
> You have been sent this message from mkatti@asu.edu as a courtesy of th
> Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com).
>
> To view the entire article, go to
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46701-2001Apr5.html
>
> Zoo Drops Wildlife Research Facility
>
> The Smithsonian Institution plans to close the Conservation and Researc
> Center, an internationally regarded facility in Front Royal, Va., devot
d to
> wildlife conservation biology.
>
> The move is part of a far-reaching review ordered by Smithsonian Secre
ary
> Lawrence M. Small. The announced goal, to reexamine the focus of scienc
at
> the institution, has raised questions among scientists about its long-
erm
> commitment to research.
>
> Lucy H. Spelman, director of the National Zoo, the Smithsonian unit t
at
> oversees the CRC, informed the zoo's staff on Wednesday that the closin
> would take place by the end of the year. "The resources are simply not
> available to maintain the CRC as a world-class facility and as a center
for
> scientific excellence," Spelman wrote in a memo.
>
> The CRC, set on 3,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, conducts resea
ch
> on endangered species and conducts specialized breeding programs. Scien
ists
> there have reintroduced animals such as the Arabian oryx and black-foot
d
> ferrets of the Great Plains to their native habitats. Their work in ani
al
> biology and conservation includes using radio collars to track wild ibe
es
> through India's Himalayas. The CRC's education programs included a popu
ar
> summer camp run by the Friends of the National Zoo.
>
> Devra Kleiman, a program director at Conservation International and the
> former senior research scientist at the National Zoo, said the planned
> closing was a colossal mistake.
>
> "What they are doing is turning the zoo into an attractive facade. But
arts
> of the heart and brain of the zoo's work will be excised," she said.
>
> Just this week, Kleiman said, the zoo's research unit won praise among
> conservationists for its help in saving the golden lion tamarin, a
> squirrel-size monkey of the Brazilian forest that was on the brink of
> extinction. Now the population has been restored to 1,000.
>
> The Conservation and Research Center employs 46 of the National Zoo's m
re
> than 300 workers, an! d it is expected that some in both Front Royal an
> Washington will lose their jobs. But Spelman, in her memo, didn't detai
any
> staff reductions, and Smithsonian officials said yesterday that any
> discussion of cutbacks was premature.
>
> David Umansky, the Smithsonian's director of communications, said, "We
an
> have no comment on our budget submission to the Congress until the Cong
ess
> sees it."
>
> About half of the CRC's staff positions and operating funds will be
> transferred to the control of Dennis O'Connor, the Smithsonian's
> undersecretary for science, Spelman wrote.
>
> Some CRC programs would be transferred from Front Royal to the zoo,
> according to the memo. Few zoos have research divisions as an active pa
t of
> their operations, and the National Zoo's work heightened its reputation
as a
> world-class facility.
>
> A review of scientific work at the Smithsonian has been underway for so
e
> time, and a formal report is expected to be submitted by Small and O'Co
nor
> to the regents at next month's meeting.
>
> The Smithsonian supports researchers at many of its museums. Scientists
are
> an important part of staffs at the National Air and Space Museum and th
> National Museum of Natural History. Other scientific units include the
> Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on the Chesapeake Bay, the
> Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., the Smithson
an
> Tropical Research Institute in Panama and the Smithsonian Marine Statio
at
> Fort Pierce, Fla.
>
> Small has emphasized the importance of scientific research. In a speech
> given last April he said, "It strikes me as one reason we do research a
the
> Smithsonian is that without it we would be a mere storehouse -- immense
but
> lifeless."
>
> Both Small and O'Connor have said the impetus for the review is to deci
e
> what the Smithsonian does best in the sciences and then to fully suppor
> those divisions.
>
> "It is also time, now that we have reviewed all of the units, to ask
> ourselves the question, what are the scientific questions. Science is
> driven by questions, not by organizations," O'Connor said in a recent
> interview. "Everyone agreed that it was time to ask, what are the scien
ific
> questions where the Smithsonian can make the biggest contribution to th
> answer. We are organizing along those focal lines that we think really
> represents our strength."
>
> O'Connor said that the decisions would be based on recognition the
> scientific work has received as well as the questions the scientists ar
> pursuing. They would not be guided by trendiness of the scientific area
,
> cost factors or fundraising strength, he said.
>
> "I don't think you ever eliminate something that is important simply be
ause
> it wasn't bringing in grants. That is flat out," said O'Connor.
>
> The reorganization would emphasize structure, he said, and would be sha
ed
> around "centers of excellence." For example, all the biology work would
be
> organized together.
>
> "The organization will permit us to . . . advertise what we do," O'Conn
r
> said.
>
> O'Connor emphasized that the Smithsonian wants to be out front on certa
n
> sciences and cited recent work by the astrophysics lab as an example. T
e
> lab operates the Chandra X-Ray Observatory with Harvard University.
>
> "It became obvious, for example, probably more than a decade ago when
> satellite-based detectors picked up X-rays in the heavens, that at some
> point, there was going to be a satellite devoted to X-ray astronomy. We
> wanted to be there," O'Connor said. "You really have to position yourse
f,
> and that is what the reorganization is trying to do."
>
> In the preliminary budget submitted to Congress by the White House last
> month, the Smithsonian received an overall increase of 9 percent.
>
> "There are other programs within the Smithsonian that will also be
> eliminated, and other programs that will be significantly reduced. Thes
> changes will occur in the sciences as well as other areas," Spelman tol
the
> staff in her memo.
>
> She also said that funds were being "redirected to support public
> services" throughout the Smithsonian.
>
> ------ End of Forwarded Message
------ End of Forwarded Message
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 12:47:55 -0700
From: Madhusudan Katti <mkatti@ASU.EDU>
Subject: FW: Smithsonian's Conservation & Research Center to be shut down!!
------ Forwarded Message
From: "George J. Nozicka" <gnozicka@qrc.com>
Reply-To: "ORNITH-L: the scientific discussion of
Ornithology"<ORNITH-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU>
Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 15:57:21 -0500
To: ORNITH-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Subject: Re: Smithsonian's Conservation & Research Center to be shut down!!
If anyone wishes to express their concern about the planned closing of this
important facility, the e-mail address of Mr. Lawrence Small, the Secretary
of the Smithsonian, is si.smalll@ic.si.edu
The e-mail of address of Dennis O'Connor, the Smithsonian's Provost is
si.oconnord@ic.si.edu
------ End of Forwarded Message
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 14:52:58 -0500
From: Steve Archer <sarcher@NEO.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: JOB: Full-Time Research Associate (Plant Ecology),
Texas A&M University
POSITION: Research Associate (Plant Ecology) at Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: MS in botany, plant ecophysiology, plant
ecology, soil science, rangeland ecology or related field.
SALARY: negotiable; minimum of $30,000/y plus benefits
BENEFITS: group health insurance (see http://www.tamu.edu/hrd/)
POSITION DESCRIPTION: The individual in this position will interact
with members of a multidisciplinary research team working in
temperate and subtropical savannas and will interface with
collaborators in landscape ecology, remote sensing and ecosystem
modeling. Research emphasizes tree-grass and tree-shrub interactions
in the context of patch dynamics and secondary succession. Ongoing
studies are focused on root biomass and turnover, soil nutrient
fluxes, plant gas exchange, plant and soil water relations, and
population biology. Regular multi-day field trips to research sites
in north, central and southern Texas (5-6 hours drive from campus)
for data and sample collection required. Must be physically fit and
capable of working outdoors under rigorous climatic conditions at
remote sites. Supervision and coordination of activities of
undergraduate student workers, technicians and graduate students in
the processing of plant, soil, and water samples for chemical and
stable isotope analysis are an important component of the position.
Management and statistical analysis of extensive databases and the
preparation of manuscripts will also be important responsibilities.
For program overview, see http://cnrit.tamu.edu/rlem/faculty/archer/.
Contact sarcher@neo.tamu.edu (PH: 979-845-0283) with questions.
APPLICATIONS: Send a cover letter stating reviewing background and
interests, C.V. and names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail
addresses of three references to: Employment Office, ATTN: Position
Number 010991, 809 East University Drive, Suite 101A, Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX 77840. NOTE: Be sure to refer to
Position Number 010991.
DEADLINES: This is an anticipated opening that may occur as early as
late-April 2001.
Closing date for applications is 18 May 2001 or until suitable
candidate is found. Starting date is flexible and dependent upon the
anticipated vacancy.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 17:49:31 +0100
From: Lucy Southcott <lsouthcott@WESSEX.AC.UK>
Subject: ANNOUNCING HYDROSOFT 2002 CONFERENCE
Dear Colleague
Please find below the Call For Papers for HYDROSOFT 2002
2002, which is taking place from 29 - 31 May 2002, Montreal,
Canada
Full details can be viewed at
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2002/hy02/
If you are not the right point of contact for this material I apologise,
and would appreciate you forwarding this to the correct person or
providing me with the contact details.
Sincerely
Lucy Southcott
Conference Secretariat
=================================================
CALL FOR PAPERS AND PARTICIPATION
=================================================
The Ninth International Conference on Hydraulic Information
Management
HYDROSOFT 2002
29 - 31 May 2002, Montreal, Canada
Organised by
Wessex Institute of Technology, UK
FOR THE LATEST CONFERENCE INFORMATION VISIT
OUR WEB SITE AT: http://www.wessex.ac.uk
INTRODUCTION
=================================================
HYDROSOFT 2002 is the ninth conference in this successful
series on Hydraulic Information Management . The series first
started in Portoros, the former Yugoslavia (1984) and continued in
Southampton, UK (1986); Boston, USA (1990); Valencia, Spain
(1992); Porto Carras, Greece (1994); Penang, Malaysia (1996);
Lake Como, Italy (1998) and Lisbon, Portugal (2000).
The management of information is a critical factor in the
assessment of all aspects of engineering analysis and design
particularly in the field of hydrology and hydraulic engineering. In
addition the collection and generation of simulated data is
frequently used to control the performance of hydraulic systems
and therefore it is essential that data is managed in a cost effective
and efficient manner to produce an optimised solution. Hydraulic
engineering covers the broad areas of groundwater flow, open
channel flow and pressure flow. The HYDROSOFT conference has
always been associated with all aspects of hydrology and hydraulic
engineering, including water resources, and in particular with the
latest software developments in these areas. In addition to this
traditional base, this current conference will focus on the way in
which hydraulic information is managed to best advantage.
With the recent concern over the effects of climate change, it is
essential that the balance between different water systems such
as groundwater, rivers and lakes are observed to enable better
predictions to be produced. Furthermore these effects should be
observed at an international level in order for the complete global
system to be assessed which requires the co-operation between
international scientists in the field. HYDROSOFT 2002 offers a
unique opportunity for this to take place.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Scientists in industry, research organisations, government and
academia interested in all aspects of hydraulic engineering
software and the management of information in this field.
CONFERENCE TOPICS
=================================================
Hydrodynamic Modelling
DAM Breaking and Flooding
Hydaulic Networks and Water Supply
Open Channel Flow
Coastal and Estuarial Engineering
Wave Propagation
Hydrology
Water Resources
Groundwater and Aquifer Modelling
Water Quality and Treatment
Hydraulic Software
Hydraulic Informatics
High Performance Software
Decision Support Systems
Real Time Management and Risk Assessment
Numerical Modelling
Model Heuristic
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
View the International Scientific Committee at:
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2002/hy02
CALL FOR PAPERS
=================================================
Papers are invited on the topics outlined above and others falling
within the scope of the meeting. Abstracts of no more than 300
words should be submitted by mail, fax, email or via our website as
soon as possible.
Abstracts should clearly state the purpose, results and
conclusions of the work to be described in the final paper. The final
acceptance will be based on the full-length paper. The author must
attend the conference to present the paper, if accepted. Each
submitted paper is subject to a separate registration.
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION
We strongly encourage the submission of abstracts electronically.
Please complete the ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FORM on our
website at:http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2002/hy02
OR submit your abstract via email to the Conference Secretariat at:
lsouthcott@wessex.ac.uk. Please insert HYDROSOFT 2002 in the
subject line and also include your name, full address
and conference topic in the main body of your email.
For further instructions on paper submission, please see:
http://www.witpress.com/authors.htm#Conference
TIME SCHEDULE
Submit Abstract (300 words):
As soon as possible
Submit Final Camera-ready Paper:
18 December 2001
PROCEEDINGS
=================================================
The Proceedings of this conference will be published in hard cover
book form by WIT Press and will be available to delegates at the
time of registration. In addition the Proceedings will be widely
distributed after the conference through the international book
trade. The language of the conference will be English.
DETAILS OF PREVIOUS PROCEEDINGS IN THE SERIES are
available at: http://www.witpress.com
CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT
=================================================
Lucy Southcott
Conference Secretariat
HYDROSOFT 2002
Wessex Institute of Technology
Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst
Southampton, SO40 7AA, UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 238 029 3223
Fax: + 44 (0) 238 029 2853
Email: lsouthcott@wessex.ac.uk
=================================================
If you do not wish to receive future updates on conferences within
this field please email: REMOVE@wessex.ac.uk
=================================================
------------------------------
End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 9 Apr 2001 to 10 Apr 2001
**************************************************
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
Thanks to discussion with TVR, I have decided to put a link to back files of the discussion group. This months back files.
The link to complete archives is available elsewhere.
This text was originally an e-mail. It was converted using a program
RUPANTAR- a simple e-mail-to-html converter.
(c)Kolatkar Milind. kmilind@ces.iisc.ernet.in