Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 1 Jul 2001 to 2 Jul 2001
There are 12 messages totalling 683 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Puerto Rico internships
2. Job: Land Steward, and Plant Conservation Intern
3. Global Warming May Threaten 'Living Fossils'
4. algae
5. [Fwd: FW: S. Texas Bombing Range threatens Padre Island]
6. Calculating leaf thickness
7. Graduate RA Available Immediately
8. ELP Fellowship Announcement
9. soil microarthropods: results
10. Summer research interns needed
11. Ph.D. GRA in Landscape Ecology
12. Environmental Job Openings from EnviroNetwork
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 22:51:34 EDT
From: Nick Brokaw <NBrokaw@AOL.COM>
Subject: Puerto Rico internships
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
INSTITUTE FOR TROPICAL ECOSYSTEM STUDIES
TROPICAL FOREST RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR GRADUATES
The Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies of the University of Puerto Ric
is carrying out a census in a 16-ha plot of tropical forest in the Luquillo
Experimental Forest (Caribbean National Forest) in Puerto Rico. The census
started in July 2000 and will continue throughout 2001.
We are looking for eight volunteers to assist in the census. After training
in tree identification, census protocol, and database management the
volunteers will work in the forest to locate, tag, measure, identify, and ma
trees, then enter the data into a computer.
PERIOD: 5 September to 12 December 2001
STIPEND: $500 per month
ACCOMODATION: Free accommodation at El Verde Field Station
TRAVEL: cost of round-trip plane ticket from USA will be reimbursed
Applications to be submitted by 25 July 2001.
REQUIREMENTS:
* College graduate with an interest in ecology and preferably with some
experience of field work and plant identification.
* USA citizen. (We are sorry that we are unable to obtain visas; therefore,
only people with USA citizenship are eligible.)
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
* By REGULAR MAIL (not e-mail) send to the address below:
1. letter describing your relevant experience and indicating why you wish t
work in tropical forest
2. your resume
3. university transcripts (unofficial transcripts will be accepted)
* Have two references send by regular mail or e-mail supporting letters to
the address below (if e-mail, filename should include applicant's name).
* Send applications by 15 July 2001
* Applications and questions should be sent to:
Nicholas Brokaw
Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies
University of Puerto Rico
P.O. Box 363682
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-3682, U.S.A.
phone 787 764-0000, ext 4940
fax 787 772-1481
e-mail: nbrokaw@sunites.upr.clu.edu
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 07:52:29 -0500
From: "David W. Inouye" <di5@umail.umd.edu>
Subject: Job: Land Steward, and Plant Conservation Intern
Bok Tower Gardens is seeking to fill the positions of Land Steward and
Plant Conservation Intern. I would appreciate you posting the enclosed
announcements or passing them on to qualified candidates who may be
interested in applying. Interested applicants should contact me at
863/676-1408 Ext. 13 or by e-mail at ccaplia@boktower.org.
Thank you for your assistance!
Sincerely,
Cari Caplia
****************************************************************************
*******************
Plant Conservation Intern
Bok Tower Gardens seeks a full-time Plant Conservation Intern. This position
will assist with all aspects of the plant conservation program, including,
but not limited to maintaining the Endangered Plant Collection, surveying,
mapping and monitoring of rare plants on-site and in the field, collecting
plant materials for propagation, report writing, guiding tours of the
collection and the Pine Ridge Preserve, propagating native plants,
conducting seed germination studies, and assisting with restoration
activities. A Bachelor's degree in botany, biology, ecology, environmental
studies, horticulture or any combination of natural science is required.
Applicants should have some experience in biological surveying and
monitoring, plant propagation, data collection and analysis, and natural
areas management. Intern must have a personal vehicle and be willing to make
field visits (mileage will be reimbursed). Additional requirements include
the ability to work with little supervision or as part of a team. Experience
working in Florida ecosystems and mapping with a GPS unit is a plus.
This is a one-year, grand-funded position, and is contingent upon funding.
It will start around July 1, 2001 and run through June 30, 2002. Salary is
$8.00 plus housing.
Send letter of interest, resume, three references, and transcripts (copies
OK) to:
Bok Tower Gardens
Attn: Cari Caplia/Human Resources Specialist
1151Tower Blvd.
Lake Wales, FL 33853
Tele: 863-676-1408
Fax: 863/676-6770
E-Mail: ccaplia@boktower.org
************************************************************************
Land Steward
Bok Tower Gardens seeks a Full-time Land Steward. This position will oversee
the ecological management of the natural areas of the Foundation for the
conservation and enhancement of plant, mammal, reptile, and bird habitat.
Bok Tower Gardens is a 70-year old historic landscape garden and nature
preserve, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Qualifications required include
a Bachelor's degree in natural science and one year experience or
commensurate experience. Applicants should have a knowledge of Florida
native ecosystems and obtain a Florida Certified Burner certificate and
pesticide applicator's license. Additional requirements include: the ability
to work under physically demanding conditions, operate a tractor, chainsaw,
backpack sprayer (other like equipment), work well alone or with a variety
of people, and good written/oral communication skills. Bok Tower Gardens is
an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.
Salary: $11.40 per hour plus full benefits
Send application/r=E9sum=E9 to:
Bok Tower Gardens
Attn: Cari Caplia/Human Resources Specialist
1151 Tower Blvd.
Lake Wales, FL 33853
Tele: 863/676-1408
Fax: 863/676-6770
E-Mail: ccaplia@boktower.org
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 07:56:06 -0400
From: Karen Claxon <kclaxon@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Global Warming May Threaten 'Living Fossils'
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010701/sc/environment_coelacanths_dc_1
html Global Warming May Threaten 'Living Fossils'
By Ed Stoddard
SODWANA BAY, South Africa (Reuters) - They've outlived the dinosaurs and
a whole lot more, but global warming may yet kill off the coelacanth.
Scientists fear the coelacanth -- a ``living fossil'' fish that has been
swimming the seas for an astonishing 400 million years -- will be
threatened if changes in ocean temperatures lead to the destruction of
life-nurturing coral reef systems.
``The coelacanths are vulnerable and global warming could affect them
adversely,'' Horst Kleinschmidt, deputy director general of South
Africa's department of environmental affairs and tourism, told Reuters.
``They are only found at certain depths, so they are no doubt
susceptible to changes in the water (continued)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 08:07:01 -0400
From: Stefani Melvin <smelvin@SFWMD.GOV>
Subject: algae
Hello,
A colleague of mine is trying to put together a document regarding algae
in the Kissimmee River. Algae is not his specialty, and he asked me to
post a question to the list about a good reference for algae. He is
interested in classifying various species as to their flow
tolerance/preference, nutrient requirements, and basically whether they
prefer eutrophic conditions over oligotrophic conditions. Any help
would be greatly appreciated. Please respond directly to him:
dcolang@sfwmd.gov.
Thanks,
Stefani
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 10:09:46 -0500
From: David McNeely <mcneely@UTB1.UTB.EDU>
Subject: [Fwd: FW: S. Texas Bombing Range threatens Padre Island]
Ecolog subscribers may be interested in this. The federal government has a
candidate site to replace the Navy bombing range in Puerto Rico that recentl
was
announced to be closed. It is in unihabited range land in S. Texas that is
ome
to
eight threatened or endangered species of terrrestrial and aquatic vertebrat
s,
is
in relatively natural condition, and is managed by its private owners as a
wildlife
preserve with strictly no hunting or discharge of firearms (at least that is
my
understanding). The Kenedy Ranch is quite an anomoly in today's Texas, and
s a
valuable wild resource. It also lies on the mainland adjacent to the larges
hypersaline lagoon system in North America, and adjacent to Padre Island
National
Seashore, the largest National Seashore and the longest barrier island in th
world. Most of the island's more than 100 mile length is roadless. See be
ow.
David McNeely wrote:
> I understand that the exact area proposed for the bombing range is the
enedy
> Ranch, now owned by a private religious foundation and operated by heir
to
the
> Kenedy Ranch, with profits to the foundation, which funds Catholic char
ties
and
> supports St. Mary's University. The ranch, unlike almost all Texas ran
hes,
> does not allow or sponsor hunting, and no firearms are allowed on the r
nch
for
> that purpose. Besides the cattle operation, the ranch is managed as a
wildlife
> preserve. Less than 1% of the land is suitable for crops, so this
> environmentally damaging activity is not a viable alternative to either
the
> present use, or the bombing range.
>
> The 247,000 acre ranch is also uninhabitated by people -- there are no
dwellings
> within the current boundaries of the ranch. The workforce lives in Sar
ta,
> located on US Hwy 77.
>
> I see no ecological benefit, and a great deal of harm from the establis
ment
of
> this bombing range. Certainly, the present, relatively low impact, ran
hing
> operation is ecologically preferable, on the island, on the bay, and on
the
> mainland.
>
> Just my opinion.
>
> Dave McNeely
>
> Kim Withers wrote:
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Lauris Hollis [mailto:wade_warrior@HOTMAIL.COM]
> > Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 11:40 AM
> > Subject: S. Texas Bombing Range threatens Padre Island
> >
> > Hello Everyone,
> >
> > Please read the following article:
> >
> > Island could see Navy training
> > Perry's first comments based on incorrect info
> > By Paula Caballero
> > Caller-Times
> >
> > Perry
> > Gov. Rick Perry was relying on bad information Wednesday when h
said no
> > amphibious landing training would occur on Padre Island, a governo
's
> > spokesman said.
> > "He has since learned that the Navy did have plans for amphibio
s
> > exercises," spokesman for the governor Ray Sullivan said Thursday.
> > Gary Bushell, a consultant to the Corpus Christi Chamber of Com
erce who
> > has worked on the proposal, said perhaps Perry had not been fully
riefed on
> > the naval training center, which would include a bombing range and
> > amphibious landing training.
> > Those who proposed the plan briefed Perry's staff in April.
> > "A lot can be lost in translation," Bushell said. "Obviously we
had told
> > staff there would be no firing on the island, no shelling of the i
land, no
> > bombing of the island in any fashion. But it is between the gulf a
d the
> > shoreline, so we have to get across in some fashion."
> > A 222,000-acre area in Kenedy County is among several locations
being
> > considered after President Bush's announcement that the Navy would
leave a
> > controversial bombing range in Vieques, Puerto Rico, in two years.
The South
> > Texas area could support large-scale land, air and sea assaults.
> > The area would stretch south about 20 miles along the coastline
from
> > Baffin Bay. Three 1.24-mile corridors are planned so amphibious la
ding
> > vehicles could cut through the Padre Island National Seashore and
he Laguna
> > Madre to get to the mainland.
> > The 20 miles of Intracoastal Waterway and the 20 miles of Padre
Island
> > National Seashore would need to be closed off when amphibious vehi
les
> > crossed, Bushell said. The closures would probably last about 24 h
urs, but
> > operations on the mainland could last about a week at a time. Exer
ises
> > would occur four to five times a year, he said.
> > Perry's staff wouldn't comment further Thursday on whether the
> > involvement of Padre Island changed the governor's assessment of t
e
> > proposal as an interesting concept. Perry also said Wednesday he t
ought the
> > will of most people in the state was that Padre Island should not
e
> > degraded in any form or fashion.
> > "I think this shows that we need to be cautious, and there are
till many
> > unanswered questions about the proposal," Sullivan said. "The gove
nor looks
> > forward to hearing from all sides on the proposed bombing range."
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 10:05:26 -0600
From: "Richard L. Boyce" <rboyce@DU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Calculating leaf thickness
At 12:00 AM -0400 7/2/01, Automatic digest processor wrote:
>Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 15:14:03 -0700
>From: Jonathan Greenberg <greenberg@UCDAVIS.EDU>
>Subject: Calculating leaf thickness
>MIME-version: 1.0
>Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
>Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
>
>Does anyone know who makes a caliper or whatever that would be good
>for measuring leaf thickness? Anyone have a used one they want to
>sell? Thanks!
>
>--j
>--
>
>::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
>Jonathan Greenberg
>Graduate Group in Ecology, U.C. Davis
>http://www.anthro.ucdavis.edu/~greenberg
>http://www.cstars.ucdavis.edu
>AIM: jgrn307
>::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jonathon,
I've used a good-quality micrometer to measure conifer needle
thickness in the past, and that seems to work quite well. It's also
quite likely you can bum one off of your local machine shop if your
budget is tight.
--
=============================
Richard L. Boyce
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Denver
Denver, CO 80208 USA
(if not using US Mail, use the following street address:
2190 E. Iliff Ave.
Denver, CO 80210)
303-871-3538
303-871-3471 (fax)
rboyce@du.edu
http://www.du.edu/~rboyce/boyce.html
=============================
Bill: You despise Windows, don't you?
Steve: If I even considered using it, I probably would.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 12:39:07 -0400
From: "Frank P. Day" <fday@ODU.EDU>
Subject: Graduate RA Available Immediately
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP: ELEVATED CO2 STUDY AT KENNEDY SPACE CE=
NTER
Need to fill a research assistantship immediately. The successful appli=
cant
will conduct research on the effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dio=
xide
on plants. The research project is being conducted at Kennedy Space Cen=
ter
in Florida. Work will primarily involve digitizing images of fine roots=
using minirhizotron technology and extracting and analyzing root/soil c=
ores
from the experimental chambers. The student would be expected to develo=
p
his/her master's thesis or doctoral dissertation around the research. T=
he
stipend is $ 14,000 per year plus full tuition waiver for a doctoral
student. If interested, contact Dr. Frank P. Day immediately and submit=
a
resume with cover letter (include GPA and GRE scores) to Dr. Frank P. D=
ay,
Dept. of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 2352=
9.
Telephone (757-683-4198); e-mail (fday@odu.edu).
=
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 07:00:35 -1000
From: Dan Gruner <dgruner@HAWAII.EDU>
Subject: ELP Fellowship Announcement
The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) invites applications for the ELP
Fellowship Class of 2002-2004.
Application deadline: October 2, 2001
Application and information available at: www.elpnet.org
ELP is a non-profit organization that seeks to transform public
understanding of environmental issues by training and supporting visionary,
action-oriented emerging leaders. Through its fellowship program, ELP
provides training and project support to 25 talented individuals each year
from nonprofits, business, government, and higher education. ELP is
committed to fostering a reflective, diverse environmental movement capable
of responding to our complex social and environmental challenges.
FELLOWSHIP DETAILS
The ELP Fellowship is an innovative national program designed to build the
leadership capacity of the environmental field's most promising emerging
professionals. We define emerging professionals as practitioners who are
relatively new to the environmental field with approximately three to ten
years of experience. Each year, a new class of fellows is chosen to join a
select group of environmental professionals from diverse backgrounds,
sectors, and areas of expertise. The three-year fellowship offers unique
networking opportunities, intensive leadership and skills training, project
seed money, technical assistance, and mentoring. Fellows receive a $2,000
participation stipend; travel and accommodations for four training
retreats; access to funding for capacity building leadership activities;
and national recognition through the program. The ELP Fellowship provides
an opportunity for talented individuals to have a unique and substantial
impact on the environmental movement through collaboration with other
emerging leaders.
*Required Commitments
Applicants for the ELP Fellowship must commit to participating in four
retreats over three years-two retreats in the first year and one retreat in
the summer of each subsequent year. In 2002, retreats will be held April
3-7, 2002 at the Trinity Conference Center in West Cornwall, CT, and August
14-18, 2002 at Sleeping Lady Retreat Center in Leavenworth, WA.
Participation in all ELP retreats-in their entirety-is a mandatory
component of the fellowship. ELP pays all retreat travel and
accommodation costs. In addition, each fellow conducts a leadership
building project with support from the ELP Activity Fund. While fellows
must participate in fellowship activities throughout the year and complete
periodic assignments, they are expected to continue their full-time jobs or
studies.
BECOMING A FELLOW
*Who Should Apply?
The ELP Fellowship targets newly established environmental practitioners
eager to connect their specialized work to larger environmental and social
concerns. While applicants need not be young in age, they should be
relatively new to the environmental field with approximately three to ten
years of professional or post-undergraduate experience. ELP promotes
diversity of race and ethnicity, gender, sector, professional background,
and issue expertise in the environmental field. In choosing each class of
fellows, ELP seeks individuals from across these broad spectrums.
Demonstrated talent as a practitioner or scholar is a prerequisite.
Participants will be evaluated on the basis of their past accomplishments,
promise for future leadership, and potential as interdisciplinary thinkers
and effective communicators. Successful applicants will be able to
articulate a clear understanding of how their specialized work fits into
complex social, economic, and environmental issues.
*How will applicants be evaluated?
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the accomplishments, background,
and professional progress as shown in their resume or c.v.; the
recommendations of colleagues who have worked closely with the applicant;
and the clarity, breadth, and thoughtfulness of responses to the narrative
questions in the fellowship application.
ELP also evaluates applicants' leadership potential; originality of ideas;
ability to convey a persuasive, coherent vision for environmental progress;
and ability to reach key constituencies and work across disciplines and
issues. Successful applicants will also clearly articulate the utility of
the fellowship to their personal and professional development.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications must be mailed to the ELP Fellowship Office, and postmarked by
Monday, October 1, 2001. Each application will be reviewed by the ELP
Fellowship Selection Committee that is composed of professionals from
diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and institutions. Final decisions will
be made and all applicants will be notified by December 21, 2001.
Applications and further details are available at www.elpnet.org.
* * *
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
P.O. Box 446
Haydenville, MA 01039
413.268.0035, Fax: 413.268.0036
info@elpnet.org
www.elpnet.org
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 12:24:55 -0400
From: "Kelly L. Decker" <kdecker@ZOO.UVM.EDU>
Subject: soil microarthropods: results
I got many responses to my inquiry about soil microarthropods. All but one
suggested Dindal, D.L. 1990: " Soil Biology Guide" . I deleted the other, af
er
passing it to my student. It was a general Insect taxonomy guide, I think.
Among other useful things, there are some good microarthropod extraction
techniques in Robertson et al. (1999) "Standard Soil Methods for Long-Term
Ecological Research."
Kelly
**********************************************************************
Kelly Decker
Postdoctoral Fellow
School of Natural Resources
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05401
http://www.hbrook.sr.unh.edu/cvs/cvs.htm
http://snr.uvm.edu/dwang/interact/index.html
http://snr.uvm.edu/dwang/sandbox/index.html
**please note new e-mail**
**kdecker@zoo.uvm.edu**
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 21:07:53 -0400
From: Katie Hughes <katie_hughes@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Summer research interns needed
Hello!
Please post this announcement on your online job boards.
Thanks,
Katie
RESEARCH INTERNS needed immediately through August 20 2001, for a study of
Burrowing Owls in eastern Wyoming. Duties include conducting standardized
surveys to locate active owl nests, trapping and banding juvenile and adult
owls at nests, monitoring owl nests to estimate reproductive success, and
measuring vegetation at owl nests. A $400/month stipend (possibly more),
field housing and transportation, and travel reimbursement to field site are
provided. Some field experience is preferred, but enthusiasm can
substitute. To apply, send or email resume (email best), including name,
address, phone number, and email address of 3 references, to Katie Hughes,
P.O. Box 595, Wright WY 82732, email: katie_hughes@hotmail.com, phone:
307-349-0893.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 16:02:02 -0500
From: Mark MacKenzie <mackemd@AUBURN.EDU>
Subject: Ph.D. GRA in Landscape Ecology
****PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY****
Ph.D. GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP IN
LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY
SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE SCIENCES
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Project Title: The Alabama Gap Project
Description: Research will focus on state-wide land cover classification in
conjunction with the Alabama Gap Project. It is anticipated that the
successful
candidate will develop a research project dealing with landscape issues
incorporating the resultant land cover classification. The student will also
interact
with project staff including School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
faculty and
staff, staff of the Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and
state
agency personnel.
Qualifications: Candidates should have a Master's degree in an ecological
discipline. Strong quantitative skills and a knowledge of landscape ecology,
GIS
(specifically Arc/Info and Arc/View), remote sensing and image processing
(specifically Erdas Imagine), and GPS are highly desirable.
Stipend: $15,300/year
Available: The successful candidate will start August 2001 or January 2002
(if
required).
Application: Details for application to the Auburn University Graduate
School
through the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences are available at:
http://www.forestry.auburn.edu
Send letter of interest, CV, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and the
names,
phone numbers, and email address of 3 references to:
Dr. Mark MacKenzie
School of Forestry of Wildlife Sciences
106 M. White Smith Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5418
(334) 844-1014
email: mackemd@auburn.edu (communication via email is encouraged)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 16:00:54 -0400
From: EnviroNetwork@NATURALIST.COM
Subject: Environmental Job Openings from EnviroNetwork
Title: Assistant to the President/CEO
Company: Horizon Organic Dairy
Location: Boulder, Colorado
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4096
Title: Local Group Assistance Coordinator - Northern Regi
Company: River Alliance of Wisconsin
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4094
Title: Internships
Company: Sustainable Strategies
Location: Concord, Massachusetts
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4093
Title: CAD Tech/Draftsperson
Company: Sustainable Strategies
Location: Concord, Massachusetts
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4092
Title:
Company: Sustainable Strategies
Location:
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4091
------------------------------
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 29 Jun 2001 to 30 Jun 2001
There are 2 messages totalling 189 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. ECOLOG-L: Ratio of water uptake to biomass
2. 2001 Berlin Conference on the Human Dim. of Global Environmental Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2001 10:53:39 -0400
From: "David M. Bryant" <dmbryant@CISUNIX.UNH.EDU>
Subject: Re: ECOLOG-L: Ratio of water uptake to biomass
Wayne,
>Can GE'd crops produce more food for the exploding population (thus driv
ng
>an further accelerated rate of increase, ad nauseam?) if the amount of
>water (not to mention "fertilizer") is held constant? (I won't complica
e
>matters by asking about the amount of existing ecosystem-occupied land t
at
>will be deleted by the added cultivation. Yet.)
In direct answer to your question: Yes GE food crops could potentially
prodcue more food with less water/fertilizer but this would necesarily, by
definition, impart greater competitive advantages over native species. WUE
has been increased by traditional breeding programs and developmnet of C4
grasses as crop spp. It is my supposition that GE's would try to maximize
WUE by whatever gene could be added. Again the resut would be to produce
plants that could grow in habitat previously occupied by extremophiles,
thus supplanting them and whatever other species that rely on them.
Therefore, a dramatic shift in community structure and thus ecosystem
function would result.
Once the intensive management requirement is removed from agriculture, we
risk development of invasive species. By transgenic engineering we enhance
this risk by producing species that never before existed, and therefore
have no predictable outcome, or method of remediation.
I would be supportive of GM production of species that mediated application
of fertlizers, pesticides and irrigation provided they could not
reproduce. I also realize the social and economic barriers to such a
system, but we need to make a choice as to which is preferable: production
of GM exotics with the potential for extreme aggressive invasion, or
denying farmers the ability to save GM seed.
But if we do not make the public aware of the potetential threat of GM
invasives, the decision will be made by default. In which case feeding
humans may not be a problem but feeding all the other species might...
David M. Bryant dmbryant@cisunix.unh.edu
Dept. of Natural Resources 603-862-4433
215 James Hall
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824
"Not all that is counted counts
and not all that counts can be counted"
A. Einstein
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2001 19:46:21 +0200
From: Klaus Dingwerth <dingwert@ZEDAT.FU-BERLIN.DE>
Subject: 2001 Berlin Conference on the Human Dim. of Global Environmental Ch
nge
CALL FOR PAPERS
"Global Environmental Change and the Nation State"
2001 Berlin Conference on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental
Change
Berlin, 7-8 December 2001
The Environmental Policy and Global Change Working Group of the German
Association for Political Science (DVPW) invites papers for the 2001 Berlin
Conference on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change. The
conference, to be held in Berlin on 7-8 December 2001, will address the
theme "Global Environmental Change and the Nation State". Given the need for
broad interdisciplinary analysis of this topic, we welcome contributions not
only from scholars working on environmental policy, but also from those
working in the areas of international relations, comparative public policy,
and international and comparative law. The 2001 Berlin Conference has been
endorsed by the Institutional Dimensions core project (IDGEC) of the
International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change
(IHDP), and is supported by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact
Research (PIK) and the Environmental Policy Research Unit of the Free
University of Berlin.
The key note address will be delivered by Dr Klaus Toepfer, Executive
Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The global environmental crisis has contributed substantially to a general
awareness of a complex web of interdependence relationships among nation
states. Global climate change, the world-wide spread of persistent organic
pollutants, the staggering loss of the Earth's biological diversity and the
depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer are just the most well-known
examples. Other environmental problems are more local in nature, but still
have significant international repercussions. Some problems may only be
solved by international cooperation, such as long-range air pollution.
Others threaten to create national and international conflicts, as many
suspect to be the case with escalating local water shortages. The
interdependence of nation states also has a bearing on possible solutions.
National decision-makers might refrain, for instance, from taking
environmental action out of fear of negative trade consequences in the
global market place.
These developments call for a systematic reassessment of the role of the
nation state in global environmental policy. So far, two distinct yet
interrelated communities of researchers have been engaged in this challenge.
One group of researchers, trained mainly in international relations and law,
have focused on international environmental institutions as agents of
environmental governance in the global realm. Once environmental regimes
have been established, the nation state is essentially seen as reacting and
implementing--an actor whose behaviour is shaped by international
institutions that need to be strengthened and made more effective.
A different group of researchers--mostly from the field of comparative law
and politics, innovation studies, and environmental policy--have asserted
that the role of the nation state remains central. The claim is that
national environmental policies, rather than international institutions,
have been responsible for most environmental successes of the last decades.
According to these scholars, environmental research thus needs to focus on
the processes by which nation states cause or influence the diffusion of
innovative environmental policy around the world.
Our conference is meant to engage both communities in fruitful debate and to
seek common ground between what we conceive of as vertical (i.e., triggered
by international institutions) and horizontal environmental policies. We do
not assume that either one of these research approaches will explain all
past experiences of environmental policies. In any given case, national
environmental policies will be influenced both by direct contacts with other
countries (horizontal environmental policies) and by international
institutions (vertical environmental policies).
We are interested, however, in a deeper understanding of the exact
interlinkages of the various factors at play in specific cases. What
precisely is the role of horizontal diffusion of environmental policies, and
conversely, which national behaviour can be ascribed to the effects of
international institutions? We are particularly interested in a debate on
new forms of global environmental governance that link global institutions
with a significant degree of national decision-making, such as the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety or the Rotterdam Convention.
While we welcome all contributions that address the (changing) role of the
nation state in global environmental change, we are especially interested in
papers that endeavour to:
- Analyse through detailed case studies specific environmental policies
within nation states (or within the European Union) with a focus on the
comparative influence of (i) international institutions versus (ii)
horizontal policy diffusion processes;
- Examine interaction processes between international and European
institutions and organisations on the one hand, and national environmental
policy-making on the other;
- Investigate forms of international governance that combine a minimum
amount of international or European harmonisation with a large degree of
deference to national decision-making, such as the Biosafety Protocol;
- Examine from a legal perspective the sovereign autonomy of the nation
state in international environmental governance, for example regarding
limitations imposed by concepts such as 'common concern', 'common heritage',
and public trusteeship for common property resources;
- Analyse the role of non-state actors, such as environmentalist groups or
industry, in bridging the global/national dichotomy.
The conference will be held in English. Proposals for papers should be sent
by e-mail to Frank Biermann at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact
Research (biermann@pik-potsdam.de). The body of the e-mail (no attachments
please) should contain (i) the title of the proposed paper, (ii) an abstract
of approximately 200 words, and (iii) the complete address and professional
affiliation of all (co)-author(s).
The deadline for proposals is 15 September 2001.
All paper submissions will be reviewed before being accepted. Notification
of the decision will be sent by e-mail no later than 1 October 2001. We are
making all efforts to ensure funding to reimburse the travel costs of
conference participants. Paper presenters and other participants are asked
to contribute a registration fee of 100 DM (50 DM for students with valid
student ID) upon registration.
Further information about this conference will be made available at
www.environmental-policy.de. If you have any further questions, please
contact Frank Biermann at biermann@pik-potsdam.de or Klaus Dingwerth at
dingwert@zedat.fu-berlin.de.
------------------------------
Subject: Volume 5, Issue 1 of Conservation Ecology published
Dear Conservation Ecology Subscribers,
Conservation Ecology announces the publication of Volume 5, Issue 1.
The issue contains a special feature on pollinator declines in North
America as well as a number of other insightful articles. The Table of
Contents is provided below.
The full issue is available immediately at the main site for
Conservation Ecology
(http://www.consecol.org/Journal/vol5/iss1/index.html). All the
articles in this latest issue should be available from the following
mirror sites within 48 hours:
Australia
(http://life.csu.edu.au/consecol/vol5/iss1/index.html)
Brazil
(http://www.bdt.org.br/cons_ecol/vol5/iss1/index.html)
South Africa
(http://sunsite.wits.ac.za/eco/vol5/iss1/index.html)
Sweden
(http://se.consecol.org/vol5/iss1/index.html)
As always, we welcome your comments.
Sincerely,
Shealagh Pope
sepope@consecol.org
Managing Editor
Conservation Ecology
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Volume 5, Issue 1
Table of Contents
Conservation Ecology, 2001: A Journal for Both Authors and Readers
C. S. Holling
EDITORIAL
Crisis and Transformation
Don Ludwig
SPECIAL FEATURE ON POLLINATOR DECLINES
Causes and Extent of Declines among Native North American Invertebrate
Pollinators: Detection, Evidence, and Consequences
James H. Cane and Vincent J. Tepedino
Ups and Downs in Pollinator Populations: When is there a Decline?
David Ward Roubik
Variation in Native Bee Faunas and its Implications for Detecting
Community Changes
Neal M. Williams, Robert L. Minckley and Fernando A. Silveira
The Native Bee Fauna of Carlinville, Illinois, Revisited After 75
Years: a Case for Persistence
John C. Marlin and Wallace E. LaBerge
North American Dipteran Pollinators: Assessing Their Value and
Conservation Status
Carol Ann Kearns
Butterfly Species Richness Patterns in Canada: Energy, Heterogeneity,
and the Potential Consequences of Climate Change
Jeremy T. Kerr
Habitat Fragmentation and Native Bees: a Premature Verdict?
James H. Cane
Population Genetic Aspects of Pollinator Decline
Laurence Packer and Robin Owen
Using Pollination Deficits to Infer Pollinator Declines: Can Theory
Guide Us?
James D. Thomson
The Economic Impacts of Pollinator Declines: An Approach to Assessing
the Consequences
Peter G. Kevan and Truman P. Phillips
REPORTS
Communicating Ecological Indicators to Decision Makers and the Public
Andrew Schiller, Carolyn T. Hunsaker, Michael A. Kane, Amy K. Wolfe,
Virginia H. Dale, Glenn W. Suter, Clifford S. Russell, Georgine Pion,
Molly H. Jensen, and Victoria C. Konar
PERSPECTIVES
An Immune System Perspective on Ecosystem Management
Marco A. Janssen
COMMENTARY
Ecosystems and Immune Systems: Hierarchical Response
Provides Resilience against Invasions
Craig R. Allen
Ecosystems and Immune Systems: Useful Analogy or Stretching a
Metaphor?
Brian Walker
Immune Systems and Ecosystems
Simon A. Levin
The Sorcerer's Tool: Technology as Servant or Master?
Michael Ellerbrock
Exploring the Linkages between Climate Change and Sustainable
Development: A Challenge for Transdisciplinary Research
Mohan Munasinghe
BOOK REVIEW
A. Wood, P. Stedman-Edwards, and J. Mang, editors. 2000.
The Root Causes of Biodiversity Loss. World Wildlife Fund
and Earthscan Publications Ltd., London, UK.
Marieke Heemskerk
DISCUSSION
Fixed Visions and Visionaries
Jaswinder S. Sandhu
Theories, Computer Models, and Sustainable Futures
Hsin Chi
Path Dependence, Escaping Sustained Yield
Bill Henderson
SERVICES TO READERS
Announcements and Advertisements
From LISTSERV@UMDD.UMD.EDU Tue Jul 3 14:03:54 2001
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 00:00:14 -0400
From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@UMDD.UMD.EDU>
Reply-To: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news"
<ECOLOG-L@UMDD.UMD.EDU>
To: Recipients of ECOLOG-L digests <ECOLOG-L@UMDD.UMD.EDU>
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 30 Jun 2001 to 1 Jul 2001
There are 4 messages totalling 153 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Thank you for sources
2. "Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America" Reprint
3. Research Associate in Grassland Ecology
4. Calculating leaf thickness
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 10:48:48 -0400
From: "Kelly L. Decker" <kdecker@ZOO.UVM.EDU>
Subject: Thank you for sources
Thanks to everyone who sent sources for soil microarthropod determinations.
know it will be very helpful to my student.
Take care,
Kelly
**********************************************************************
Kelly Decker
Postdoctoral Fellow
School of Natural Resources
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05401
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 12:06:38 -0400
From: Frances Reed <FReed@BLACKBURNPRESS.COM>
Subject: "Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America" Reprint
Dear Ecolog-l subscriber:
We are a relatively new publishing company, dedicated to keeping in print
and available for purchase book titles which larger publishers have lost
interest in and have declared "out of print". We are especially interested
in scientific and technical titles.
This is to announce that "Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America" by E.
Lucy Braun is now available again and back in print from the Blackburn
Press.
For more information point your browser to
http://www.blackburnpress.com/decfor.html
We're also interested in hearing of other titles we might consider returning
to print. Suggestions are welcome.
Thanks very much.
Frances
Frances Reed
Publisher
The Blackburn Press
973-228-7077
973-228-7276 (fax)
freed@blackburnpress.com
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 13:39:30 +0100
From: "J. Hall Cushman" <cushman@SONOMA.EDU>
Subject: Research Associate in Grassland Ecology
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN GRASSLAND ECOLOGY
A full-time research position in grassland ecology and conservation
biology is available in the Department of Biology at Sonoma State
University. The successful candidate will assist with ecological
research that examines the influence of feral pig disturbances on
grassland communities along the coast of northern California. These
non-native mammals have invaded vast areas of California yet very
little is known about how they affect natural landscapes. Funded by
the California Department of Fish and Game, this project uses field
experiments to assess the impact of these invasive mammals on soil
characteristics and patterns of plant species richness and diversity.
The successful candidate will 1) maintain existing field experiments,
2) work closely with faculty, graduate students and undergraduates to
collect, manage and analyze data, 3) summarize results in written and
oral form, 4) manage an active research laboratory (order supplies,
process expense claims, manage project budgets, etc.), and 5) liaise
with university and agency administrators.
A bachelors degree in biology is required, and preference will be
given to applicants who have a strong background in plant ecology and
field research. The successful applicant must have 1) the ability to
work effectively and independently within a collaborative research
environment, 2) basic knowledge of computer operations (and
familiarity with Macintosh OS), 3) strong written and oral
communication skills, 4) knowledge or willingness to learn about soil
analyses, statistics, computer programs and various research
techniques, and 5) ability to work intensively in the field for
extended periods.
This position is for one year, with an option for a two year,
depending on performance and budgetary considerations. The salary
range for this position is $27,000-31,068/year, with placement within
the range based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include
health, dental, and vision care.
To be considered for this position, please include a completed
application form, a cover letter detailing your experience and
background, a current resume, and the names and addresses (including
email) of three references familiar with your background in biology
and research. When preparing an application, please consult the
formal posting for this position, which can be found at
www.sonoma.edu/HS/jobopps.html.
Review of applications will start July 9, 2001 and continue until
position is filled. The desired start date is August 20, 2001.
If interested in further details on the position, please contact Dr.
Hall Cushman (cushman@sonoma.edu).
___________________________________________________________
J. Hall Cushman, Associate Professor
Department of Biology
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Office: 707/664-2142
Labs: 664-2512, -3048
Fax: 664-3012
Email: cushman@sonoma.edu
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 15:14:03 -0700
From: Jonathan Greenberg <greenberg@UCDAVIS.EDU>
Subject: Calculating leaf thickness
Does anyone know who makes a caliper or whatever that would be good
for measuring leaf thickness? Anyone have a used one they want to
sell? Thanks!
--j
--
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jonathan Greenberg
Graduate Group in Ecology, U.C. Davis
http://www.anthro.ucdavis.edu/~greenberg
http://www.cstars.ucdavis.edu
AIM: jgrn307
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
------------------------------
End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 30 Jun 2001 to 1 Jul 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