Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 11 Jul 2001 to 12 Jul 2001
There are 4 messages totalling 197 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. USGS statistician/modeling position available in La Crosse, WI
2. M.S. Biology Research Assistantship Available
3. Herbert Baker obituary
4. job announcement - forestry technicians needed in Missouri Ozarks
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 10:28:45 -0500
From: Melinda Knutson <melinda_knutson@USGS.GOV>
Subject: USGS statistician/modeling position available in La Crosse, WI
Please forward to all potential job candidates:
The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center is hiring a statistician
(biology) (GS 11/12, term) to work on a bird habitat modeling project. The
position is posted at the USAJOBS web address:
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/TL3660.HTM
Project: The focus is on developing and applying GIS habitat models that
allow prediction of the effects of local and regional management actions on
distributions of high priority bird species or guilds. The models will
provide a framework for planning future field-based research and
prioritizing model parameters for validation. Modeling experience is
essential. This study is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Region 3, the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences
Center, and the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Principal
investigators include Dr. John Sauer, Dr. Melinda Knutson (608-783-7550
ext. 68, melinda_knutson@usgs.gov), and Dr. Eileen Kirsch. Funding is
available for up to 3 years. Questions about the position should be
directed to Dr. Knutson. Job candidates must apply through the federal
Office of Personnel Management (see USAJOBS web address above) by August
22, 2001.
Duty station: This position is located in the Biological Resources
Division, Regional Chief Biologist-Eastern Region, Upper Midwest
Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC), LaCrosse, WI (
http://www.umesc.er.usgs.gov/). The Center conducts multi-disciplinary
ecological research on large rivers, migratory birds, amphibians, large
river fishes, invertebrates, water quality, vegetation, and invasive
species. The staff are dedicated scientists who work closely with
management agencies to provide the science necessary to sustain healthy,
diverse midwestern ecosystems. La Crosse, Wisconsin is a small, growing
city in western Wisconsin. Situated on the banks of the mighty Mississippi
River, among the rolling hills of the Driftless Area, the region offers
many outdoor recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, biking,
and camping. The cost of living is low and the quality of life is high.
The community offers high quality public schools and numerous cultural
activities, including theatre and an outstanding symphony orchestra.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 11:59:41 -0500
From: mvavrek@VM.CC.LATECH.EDU
Subject: M.S. Biology Research Assistantship Available
M.S. Biology Research Assistantship Available
School of Biological Sciences
Louisiana Tech University
A one year, graduate research assistantship is available beginning Fall
2001. The assistantship will be filled on a competitive basis. The
assistantship will be devoted to research involving the physical and
biological factors (including the role of mycorrhizal fungi) in
re-vegetation and bioremediation of oil brine spill sites.
The College of Applied and Natural Sciences, School of Biological Sciences
and the Graduate Program web pages contain basic information about the
programs and faculty.
<http://www.ans.latech.edu/>
<http://www.ans.latech.edu/biosci-index.html>
<http://www.ans.latech.edu/grad-index.html>
For further information concerning the project, contact:
Dr. Wes Colgan, III
wcolgan@latech.edu
Dr. Milan C. Vavrek,
mvavrek@latech.edu
or
Dr. William J. Campbell
campbell@latech.edu
School of Biological Sciences
Louisiana Tech University
P.O. Box 3179
Ruston, LA 71272-0001
Phone: 318-257-4573
FAX: 318-257-4574
General information about the graduate program and applications may be
obtained by contacting:
Dr. William J. Campbell
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research College of Applied and
Natural Sciences
Office of Graduate Studies and Research
School of Biological Sciences
Louisiana Tech University
Box 10197, T.S.
Ruston, LA 71272-0001
Phone: 318-257-4287
Louisiana Tech University is an equal opportunity employer and educator,
and encourages applications from women and minorities
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<
Milan C. Vavrek
Graduate Program Coordinator
School of Biological Sciences
Louisiana Tech University
P.O. Box 3179
Ruston, LA 71272-0001
Phone: 318 257-4573
FAX: 318 257-4574
mvavrek@latech.edu
http://www.ans.latech.edu/homes/mvavrek/
Interdependence, of course, is a fundamental law of nature.
--His Holiness the Dalai Lama
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 12:52:09 -0500
From: "David W. Inouye" <di5@umail.umd.edu>
Subject: Herbert Baker obituary
HERBERT GEORGE BAKER (1920-2001)
By Guy Poole
Daily Planet Staff [Berkeley, California] (07-11-01)
Herbert George Baker, a professor of Botany and Integrative Biology
at UC Berkeley for 33 years, died July 2, at Piedmont Gardens in
Oakland after a long illness. He was 81.
A pioneer in the field of ecology, he authored numerous articles and
books, including four editions of "Plants and Civilization," which
was translated into at least five languages.
Those who knew him will remember the Sunday salons, during which, for
at least two decades on the last Sunday of every month, he and his
wife opened their home to students, faculty and friends for informal
discussions. He was a friend to several generations of students.
From 1957 to 1969 he was director of UC Berkeley's Botanical Gardens.
He was a recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award and when he
retired in 1990 he received the University Citation.
He was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, a member of the Association for Tropical Biology, the
American Institute for Biological Science, the International
Association of Botanic Gardens, the Society for the Study of
Evolution (former President), and the Botanical Society of America
(former president).
Born in Brighton, England in 1920, Baker received a bachelor's degree
from the University of London in 1941 and his doctorate in 1945. He
came to the United States in 1957.
He was preceded in death by Irene, his wife of 44 years, in 1989. He
is survived by his daughter Ruth Grimes of Berkeley; his grandson
Michael Grimes of Houston, Texas; and his sister Evelyn Baker of
Brighton, England.
At his request no funeral services will be held.
--
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 11:04:26 -0500
From: Jennifer Grabner <grabnj@MAIL.CONSERVATION.STATE.MO.US>
Subject: job announcement - forestry technicians needed in Missouri Ozarks
Please post and pass along to potentially interested colleagues, students, =
etc.
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO ME. SEE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.
Job Announcement:
Forest Technicians: The Missouri Department of Conservation is now =
accepting applications for forestry technician positions for the Missouri =
Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP). Study sites are located in the =
southeast Missouri Ozarks in Reynolds, Shannon, and Carter Counties. For =
more information about the MOFEP study, please visit our Web site at: =
http://www.snr.missouri.edu/mofep/. Work includes the inventory of trees, =
shrubs, and woody vines in permanent research plots from September 5, 2001 =
to April 30, 2002. Work will be almost entirely outdoors and often in =
rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions. Preference will be given to =
applicants with training or course work in dendrology and/or plant =
taxonomy and experience with map reading and orienteering. Five positions =
are presently available, each pay $8.29/hour. Housing and work transportati=
on are provided. Application deadline is August 10, 2001. For more =
information, and to apply, contact Randy G. Jensen at Rt. 2 Box 198, =
Ellington, MO 63638; phone: 573-663-7130; e-mail: jenser@mail.conservation.=
state.mo.us
------------------------------
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - <first ever> to 13 Jul 2001
There are 17 messages totalling 997 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. calculating slopes of curves (3)
2. book on arctic oil impact on biota
3. Job Announcement - Forestry Technicians, Missouri
4. National Science Foundation Receives 9% Boost From House Appropriations
5. Environmental Job Openings from EnviroNetwork (2)
6. Herbert Baker obituary
7. New Funding for Stormwater, Water Reclamation Research Announced
8. Herbert Baker will be sorely missed
9. **Integrated Taxonomic Information System**
10. Sulfur Cinquefoil
11. Ph.D. Research Assistantship, UW Madison
12. a draft strategy for coastal habitat restoration
13. News: Some Experts Fear a Sharp Climate Shift
14. Job announcement for ECOLOG-L
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 16:30:37 -0400
From: Scott Ruhren <myrmec@RCI.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject: calculating slopes of curves
A student in our department is investigating the heritability of floral
traits in lilies. One of the traits she would like to compare is petal
curvature. She would like some advice on calculating slopes of irregular
curves (ex. a petal or leaf edge). Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Scott
--
Scott Ruhren, PhD
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
1 College Farm Rd
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1582 USA
e-mail: myrmec@rci.rutgers.edu
Phone: 732-932-4520 FAX: 732-932-4517
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 15:35:45 -0500
From: Owen Sholes <osholes@EVE.ASSUMPTION.EDU>
Subject: book on arctic oil impact on biota
In the January issue of Bioscience, there was a favorable review by Bill
Steever of a book, "The Natural History of an Arctic Oil Field: Development
and the Biota" edited by Joe Truett and Stephen Johnson (published by
Academic Press). The book reports little or no impact of oil development
on the plants or animals of the region, and gives credit (as does the
reviewer) to the efforts of the oil companies to reduce environmental
damage.
I would like to hear from anyone who knows the North Slope ecosystem and/or
the authors whether this book is as credible as it seems in this review (I
haven't seen the book). As a decision approaches on drilling in ANWR, such
a book may become part of the debate. Should it?
Owen Sholes
********************************
Owen Sholes
Associate Professor of Biology
Dept. of Natural Sciences
Assumption College
Worcester, MA 01609
osholes@assumption.edu
508 767 7483
fax 508 756 1780
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 13:49:17 -0500
From: Thomas G Kulowiec <tkulowie@COIN.ORG>
Subject: Job Announcement - Forestry Technicians, Missouri
I appologize for any cross-posting. Please pass along the Job
Announcement below to anyone who might be interested.
Please do not reply back to me. If you have any questions regarding the
position listed below, contact information is given toward the end of the
announcement.
Thanks.
Tom Kulowiec
Database Manager
Missouri Department of Conservation
*******************************
JOB OPPORTUNITY
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
FOREST TECHNICIANS
(5 POSITIONS)
General Information:
The Missouri Department of Conservation is now accepting applications fo
five forestry technicians positions for the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosys
em
Project. Work includes the inventory of trees, shrubs, and vines in
permanent research plots from September 5, 2001 to April 30, 2002. Work
will be almost entirely outdoors and often in rugged terrain. Pay is
$8.29/hr. Housing and work vehicle will be provided.
Location Of Position:
Study sites are located in the southeast Missouri Ozarks in Reynolds,
Shannon, and Carter counties. Work will be based out of Ellington, MO.
Who May Apply:
Preference will be given to applicants with training or course work in
dendrology and/or plant taxonomy and experience with map reading and
orienteering.
How to Apply:
Submit 1)cover letter (specify area of interest), 2)current resume,
3)list of references reflecting a complete record of education and
experience, and 4)college transcripts to:
Randy G. Jensen
RT 2 Box 198
Ellington MO 63638
(573) 663-7130
jenser@mail.conservation.state.mo.us
Applications must be received no later than 5:00pm, Friday, August 10, 2
01.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is and Equal Opportunity Employer M/
.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 16:23:45 -0400
From: Kevin Hutton <khutton@NCSEONLINE.ORG>
Subject: National Science Foundation Receives 9% Boost From House Appropriat
ons
Subcommittee
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Precedence: bulk
Sender: ncse-owner@csf.colorado.edu
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RECEIVES 9% BOOST FROM HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
SUBCOMMITTEE
[HTML Version - including properly formatted table - can be found here:
http://www.cnie.org/updates/105.htm ]
The House Appropriations Subcommittee for VA, HUD and Independent
Agencies allocated funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF)
today. The NSF's 9% increase in this bill is more than the 1% increase
initially proposed in the budget.
The full Committee will consider this bill on July 17. The Senate must
also vote on how much money to allocate to the NSF. The House and Senate
must then reconcile any differences. Historically, the final increase
for NSF is greater than the initial Subcommittee bill.
Within the Subcommittee's bill, total appropriations for the NSF,
including Research and Related Activities (R&RA), Major Research
Equipment, and Education and Human Resources, received a total of
$4,840.1 million, which is $367.6 million or 9% more than the
Administration's request.
R&RA received a proportional increase of $315.4 million over the
Administration's request of $3,326.9 million for a total of $3,642.3
million.
A complete table comparing allocations for the NSF budget between the
current plan, the Administration s request and the Subcommittee s bill
can be found online at http://www.cnie.org/updates/105.htm
NCSE will continue to follow and report progress in this area in the
updates section of the NCSE website.
Selected Directives:
$10m identified for operation of terascale operations
$9m for ALMA moved from R&RA to MRE
$5m identified for CRI
$35m recommended for Terascale MRE
$35m recommended for HIAPER
$15m recommended for IceCube
$200m recommended for MSPI
$10m recommended for scholarship programs identified in HR1858
--
Kevin Hutton, Webmaster
National Council for Science and the Environment
1725 K St. NW Suite 212 Washington, DC 20006
http://www.cnie.org
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 16:00:38 -0400
From: EnviroNetwork@NATURALIST.COM
Subject: Environmental Job Openings from EnviroNetwork
Title: Ecological Engineer
Company: Living Machines, Inc.
Location: Taos, New Mexico
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4175
Title: Post-Doctoral Social and Community Impact Analyst
Company: New England Fishery Management Council
Location: Newburyport, Massachusetts
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4174
Title: Administrator
Company: Taiga Rescue Network
Location: Jokkmokk, Sweden
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4173
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 23:54:54 -0700
From: Wayne Tyson <landrest@UTM.NET>
Subject: Re: Herbert Baker obituary
If someone hasn't already, I hope a website will be established to make Dr.
Baker's work and words available, as well as stories about him. One of the
truly fine human beings I've had the honor (too briefly) of meeting.
WT
At 12:52 PM 7/12/2001 -0500, David W. Inouye wrote:
>HERBERT GEORGE BAKER (1920-2001)
>
>By Guy Poole
>Daily Planet Staff [Berkeley, California] (07-11-01)
>
> Herbert George Baker, a professor of Botany and Integrative Biolo
y
>at UC Berkeley for 33 years, died July 2, at Piedmont Gardens in
>Oakland after a long illness. He was 81.
> A pioneer in the field of ecology, he authored numerous articles
nd
>books, including four editions of "Plants and Civilization," which
>was translated into at least five languages.
> Those who knew him will remember the Sunday salons, during which,
for
>at least two decades on the last Sunday of every month, he and his
>wife opened their home to students, faculty and friends for informal
>discussions. He was a friend to several generations of students.
> From 1957 to 1969 he was director of UC Berkeley's Botanical Gar
ens.
>He was a recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award and when he
>retired in 1990 he received the University Citation.
> He was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement o
>Science, a member of the Association for Tropical Biology, the
>American Institute for Biological Science, the International
>Association of Botanic Gardens, the Society for the Study of
>Evolution (former President), and the Botanical Society of America
>(former president).
> Born in Brighton, England in 1920, Baker received a bachelor's de
ree
>from the University of London in 1941 and his doctorate in 1945. He
>came to the United States in 1957.
> He was preceded in death by Irene, his wife of 44 years, in 1989.
He
>is survived by his daughter Ruth Grimes of Berkeley; his grandson
>Michael Grimes of Houston, Texas; and his sister Evelyn Baker of
>Brighton, England.
> At his request no funeral services will be held.
>--
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 07:46:43 -0500
From: klompkri@VOYAGER.NET
Subject: Re: calculating slopes of curves
Hello Scott,
My suggestion may not be applicable if you are strictly interested in
'slope', although if you are interested in how the 'shape' of the
petal varies, it might be something you can adapt to answer your
question. I am looking at using the "Gini" coefficient to describe
change in shape (cross-sectional profile) of a streambed along a river
continnuum. The Gini coefficient was initially developed in the field
of economics to describe the distribution of incomes, but for my
situation, conveniently indicates the degree to which the stream
channel becomes wider and shallower or narrower and deeper, along with
estimable confidence limits. Check out the following reference (and
references therein):
Olson-Rutz, K.M. and C.B. Marlow. 1992. Analysis and Interpretation of
Stream Channel Cross-Sectional Data. North American Journal of
Fisheries Management 12:55-61.
Regards,
K. Klomp
********
Scott Ruhren <myrmec@RCI.RUTGERS.EDU> wrote:
> A student in our department is investigating the heritability of
floral
> traits in lilies. One of the traits she would like to compare is
petal
> curvature. She would like some advice on calculating slopes of
irregular
> curves (ex. a petal or leaf edge). Any advice would be appreciated.
> Thank you.
> Scott
>
> --
> Scott Ruhren, PhD
> Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
> Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
> 1 College Farm Rd
> New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1582 USA
>
> e-mail: myrmec@rci.rutgers.edu
> Phone: 732-932-4520 FAX: 732-932-4517
>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 07:57:32 -0500
From: Christopher J Wells <chris_wells@USGS.GOV>
Subject: Re: calculating slopes of curves
There's a facinating old book that I read years ago entitled something
like, "On Growth and Form" by D'Arcy W. Thompson, I think. I believe it
was orig written in mid 20th century. No doubt dated, but a good writing
style. It would be a fine book to own if one were interested in an
introductory exposition of mathematics in biological sciences (mostly
natural history).
An easier solution would be to look through a book of mathematical figures
and find one that approximates the curve you're interested in. Then make
the appropriate measurements of the organ in question to refine the formula
for each taxon and compare differences. How does one objectively compare
formulas for significant differences?
Its a safe bet that somebody out there in the ether has a solution.
--chris
Christopher J Wells
Geographer
National Wetlands Research Center
Biol. Res. Div./U.S. Geol. Surv.
myrmec@RCI.RU
TGERS.EDU To: ECOLOG-L@UMDD.UMD.EDU
cc:
07/12/01 Subject: calculating slopes of
curves
05:30 PM
A student in our department is investigating the heritability of floral
traits in lilies. One of the traits she would like to compare is petal
curvature. She would like some advice on calculating slopes of irregular
curves (ex. a petal or leaf edge). Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Scott
--
Scott Ruhren, PhD
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
1 College Farm Rd
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1582 USA
e-mail: myrmec@rci.rutgers.edu
Phone: 732-932-4520 FAX: 732-932-4517
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 10:51:19 -0400
From: jami montgomery <jmontgomery@WERF.ORG>
Subject: New Funding for Stormwater, Water Reclamation Research Announced
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), a nonprofit water =
quality research organization in Alexandria, Va., invites proposals on =
three new research projects, worth a total of $1,090,000, to address =
cutting-edge water quality issues through collaborative funding and state =
of the art research. Stormwater and urban drainage, water reuse and =
recycling, and the detection, monitoring, and removal of various contaminan=
ts form the basis for WERF's 2001 solicited research topics.
WERF and British counterpart United Kingdom Water Industry Research =
(UKWIR) have jointly developed and allocated $590,000 to funding Post-Proje=
ct Monitoring of BMP/SUDS To Determine Performance and Whole-Life Costs =
(WERF project number 01-CTS-21-T). Best management practices (BMP) and =
sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) are becoming more popular as =
local governments and utilities attempt to find methods to combat the =
adverse impacts of stormwater. But there has been little systematic =
research to date on the costs, long-term effectiveness, and ecological =
impacts of BMP/SUDS. This project will assess the design, performance, and =
life-cycle costs (capital as well as operation and maintenance) of =
selected BMP/SUDS.
Results from recent research indicate that endocrine-disrupting compounds =
are present in municipal wastewater effluent at concentrations capable of =
severely affecting fish. The second RFP, The Use of Bioassays and Chemical =
Measurements To Assess the Removal of Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in =
Water-Reclamation Systems (WERF project number 01-HHE-20-T) seeks to =
combine chemical analysis with bioassays in evaluating the ability of =
different treatment processes to remove endocrine-disrupting compounds =
from recycled water. This RFP, worth $300,000, has been developed and =
jointly funded by the WaterReuse Task Force, representing WERF, the =
American Water Works Association Research Foundation, the National Water =
Research Institute, and the WateReuse Foundation.=20
While diverse classes of pharmaceutics and their metabolites have been =
identified in wastewater and the aquatic environment, the risk to public =
health from exposure to these contaminants is unknown. WERF's third RFP, =
Evaluation and Testing of Bioassays for Pharmaceutics in Reclaimed Water =
(01-HHE-21-T), also developed and funded by the Water Reuse Task Force, =
will validate the use of bioassays for detecting and quantifying one or =
more major classes of pharmaceutical contaminants. This approach will =
serve as a model for developing assays for other classes of pharmaceutics =
that pose potential health risks to aquatic life and humans. The project =
will be funded at $200,000.
All proposals must be delivered to WERF by close of business, 30 August =
2001. The RFPs and instructions on submitting proposals are available on =
the WERF website at http://www.werf.org/requests/SUB_rfp.htm. For more =
information, call WERF at (703) 684-2470, extension 7900; fax (703) =
299-0742; or email dmorroni@werf.org.=20
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 16:30:38 +0100
From: Mark Gardener <M.C.Gardener@OPEN.AC.UK>
Subject: Herbert Baker will be sorely missed
I never met Herbert Baker but he inspired me - my PhD studies are founded on
his original works on amino acids in nectar. I profoundly regret that I will
never be able to meet this exceptional man. He will be sorely missed.
Mark Gardener
Ecology and Conservation Research Group
Department of Biological Sciences
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
+44(0)1 908 653099
m.c.gardener@open.ac.uk <mailto:m.c.gardener@open.ac.uk>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 13:48:26 -0400
From: Karen Claxon <kclaxon@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: **Integrated Taxonomic Information System**
INTERNET NEWSBRIEF, July 13, 2001
Internet Newsbrief is a weekly service from the EPA Headquarters Library
that provides a sampling of new and/or useful Internet resources for EPA
staff and other environmental professionals. The Internet Newsbrief is=
also available on the Web at: http://www.epa.gov/natlibra/hqirc/inb.htm
**Integrated Taxonomic Information System**
** EPA INFORMATION **
Integrated Taxonomic Information System http://www.itis.usda.gov
The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) is an database with
reliable information on species names and their hierarchical
classification. The database will be reviewed periodically to ensure
high quality with valid classifications, revisions, and additions of
newly described species. The ITIS includes documented taxonomic
information of flora and fauna from both aquatic and terrestrial
habitats. ITIS does not intend to serve as a forum for cutting-edge
taxonomic classifications. Rather, ITIS is meant to serve as a standard
to enable the comparison of biodiversity datasets, and therefore aims to
incorporate classifications that have gained broad acceptance in the
taxonomic literature and by professionals who work with the taxa
concerned. A detailed overview of ITIS is given at the site
(http://www.itis.usda.gov/organ.html). ITIS is a partnership between a
number of US and international agencies: EPA, National Oceanic &
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Museum of Natural History -
Smithsonian Institution, Natural Resources Conservation Service,
National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada, National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of
Biodiversity (Conabio).
** GOVERNMENT INFORMATION **
Taxonomic Resources Expertise Directory
http://www.nbii.gov/datainfo/syscollect/tred/index.html
A Taxonomic Resources Expertise Directory (TRED) is an integral part of
the ITIS. The TRED facilitates the ITIS review process and allows those
in need of more detailed information to locate appropriate taxonomic
specialists. The TRED will also help to identify gaps in expertise
across the range of taxonomic levels. Taxonomists will be able to enter
their expertise information for the TRED database either on the World
Wide Web or through a paper form.
** INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION **
Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Canada
http://sis.agr.gc.ca/itis/
This is the Canadian version of ITIS. It is maintained by the Eastern
Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre (ECORC), which is one of the 19
research centres of the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada that=
focus on strategic and specialized research of national importance.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Mexico
http://siit.conabio.gob.mx/
This is the Mexican version of ITIS. It is maintained by Conabio, whose
mission is to co-ordinate conservation and research efforts designed to=
preserve biological resources. Conabio promotes and develops
scientifically-based activities whose aim is to explore, study, protect
or find a sustainable use for biological resources.
** BUSINESS/NON-PROFIT INFORMATION **
International Species Information System http://www.isis.org/
The International Species Information System (ISIS) is a computer-based
information system for wild animal species held in captivity. The ISIS
central database hold information on 1.44 million zoological animals of=
nearly 8,000 species held in 576 institutions in 54 countries. ISIS'
Animal Records Keeping System (ARKS) in used for institutional animal
records by 573 of ISIS' 576 members. ISIS offers services of immediate
use to zoological institutions, and is building an accessible archive of
the data needed for the longer term.
BioNET-INTERNATIONAL http://www.bionet-intl.org/
BioNET-INTERNATIONAL, the Global Network for Taxonomy, is a world-wide,=
inter-governmental initiative for capacity building in taxonomy
(biosystematics) in developing countries. BioNET-INTERNATIONAL is
dedicated to enabling developing countries to achieve realistic
self-reliance in the skills of identifying and. understanding the
relationships of the different organisms which constitute our living
environment
Global Biodiversity Information Facility http://www.gbif.org/
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) will be an
interoperable network of biodiversity databases and information
technology tools that will enable users to navigate and put to use the
world's vast quantities of biodiversity information to produce national
economic, environmental and social benefits. The purpose of establishing
GBIF is to design, implement, co-ordinate, and promote the compilation,
linking, standardization, digitization and global dissemination of the
world's biodiversity data, within an appropriate framework for property
rights and due attribution. This site has a good collection of links on
Biodiversity ( http://www.gbif.org/frames/hotlinks.htm).
DISCLAIMER
The information provided in Internet Newsbrief was correct, to the best
of our knowledge, at the time of publication. It is important to
remember, however, the dynamic nature of the Internet. Resources that
are free and publicly available one day may require a fee or restrict
access the next, and the location of items may change as menus and
homepages are reorganized.
Permission is granted to make and distribute copies of Internet
Newsbrief provided appropriate credit is given to the U.S. EPA
Headquarters Library and the disclaimer paragraph is included.
**Viewpoints expressed in the summaries do not necessarily reflect EPA
policy or views**
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 10:40:11 -0700
From: Kate Dwire/NONFS/USDAFS <kdwire@FS.FED.US>
Subject: Sulfur Cinquefoil
We're studying the ecology and demography of sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla
recta), a non-native invasive species in NE Oregon.
We are attempting to age populations by counting rings in the taproot. Has
anyone else done this for sulfur cinquefoil, other Potentilla species, or
other sepcies in the Rosaceae?
We're interested in communicating with other researchers who are studying
the species - please respond regarding any ongoing or past research.
Thanks.
Kate Dwire, Ecologist
Pacific Northwest Research Station
1401 Gekeler Lane
La Grande, Oregon 97850
541-963-6576
email: kdwire@fs.fed.us
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 12:20:37 -0500
From: Melinda Knutson <melinda_knutson@USGS.GOV>
Subject: Ph.D. Research Assistantship, UW Madison
Please forward to all potential candidates:
Position: Ph. D. Research Assistantship
Where: Department of Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Start Date: October 2001 or later
A Ph.D Assistantship is available for a project involving field validation
of GIS models being developed for bird conservation planning in the
Midwest. The project is a collaborative project between the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, USGS
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, and US Fish and Wildlife Service Region
3. Work at the University will be supervised by Dr. Christine Ribic, USGS
Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. The USGS Upper Midwest
Environmental Sciences Center contact will be Dr. Melinda Knutson.
Work will focus on FWS Region 3, with emphasis on an ecoregion spanning
parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan (the Prairie Hardwood Transition
Bird Conservation Region). USFWS refuges and wetland management districts
within the ecoregion will also be involved. The project will focus
initially on high priority species for which we can build reasonable
GIS-based habitat models.
We are looking for a highly motivated person who works well in a
collaborative setting, has skills in bird identification (sight and song),
quantitative or modeling skills, and GIS experience (or willingness to
learn GIS). Applicant must meet the requirements for admission into the
Department of Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin- Madison and be
eligible for USGS student employment.
For more information regarding the project, please contact Dr. Melinda
Knutson (melinda_knutson@usgs.gov) between 16 July- 4 September or Dr.
Christine Ribic (caribic@facstaff.wisc.edu) after 4 September.
Information about the Department of Wildlife Ecology and admission
requirements can be found at http://wildlife.wisc.edu. Information and
eligibility requirements for USGS student programs can be found at
http://interactive.usgs.gov/Student/Benefit/seep.asp.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 17:50:04 -0400
From: Terry McTigue <Terry.Mctigue@NOAA.GOV>
Subject: a draft strategy for coastal habitat restoration
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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Restore America's Estuaries (RAE), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's (NOAA) National Ocean Service and National Marine
Fisheries Service have been working with state and federal agencies,
non-profit organizations, scientists and others to develop a National
Strategy to Restore Coastal Habitat: Restoring America's Estuaries. This
draft Strategy represents a comprehensive approach to maximize the
benefits derived from habitat restoration projects and to foster the
coordination of federal and non-federal activities related to
restoration of coastal habitat. It seeks to ensure that restoration
priorities are established, diverse programs are coordinated to maximize
benefits, and public expectations are both established and met.
Please consider reviewing the draft Strategy document. We would greatly
appreciate your input.
http://restoration.nos.noaa.gov/welcome.html
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adr:;;1305 East-West Highway, Station 10411;Silver Spring;Maryland;20910;USA
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--------------0FF7D156171987B67C5F4AFE--
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 16:00:39 -0400
From: EnviroNetwork@NATURALIST.COM
Subject: Environmental Job Openings from EnviroNetwork
Title: Program Director
Company: Gathering Waters Conservancy
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4187
Title: Legal Interns
Company: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England Regional Office
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4186
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Company: Global Recruitment Specialists (recruiter)
Location: Washington, DC
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4185
Title: Manager of Foundation and Corporate Relations
Company: Global Recruitment Specialists (recruiter)
Location: Washington, DC
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4184
Title: Environmental Education Coordinator
Company: Seatuck Environmental Association
Location: Islip, New York
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4183
Title: Executive Director
Company: 1000 Friends of Oregon
Location: Portland, Oregon
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4182
Title: Natural Resource Specialist
Company: USDI, Bureau Of Indian Affairs
Location: Ashland, Wisconsin
For more information click below:
http://www.naturalist.com/eco-jobs/index.cfm?temp=job&job=4181
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 15:33:52 -0700
From: Ashwani Vasishth <vasishth@USC.EDU>
Subject: News: Some Experts Fear a Sharp Climate Shift
This is, IMO and from a policy perspective, an orders of magnitude better
reportage on the complexities of current knowledge about climate change
prediction science than anything I've seen in the popular press in the
recent past.
Ashwani
Vasishth vasishth@usc.edu
http://www-scf.usc.edu/~vasishth
* * * * *
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-071301extreme.story
Los Angeles Timse:
July 13, 2001
Some Experts Fear a Sharp Climate Shift
By USHA LEE McFARLING, Times Science Writer
AMSTERDAM -- As climatologists gather here this week to discuss new
research on global warming, a disquieting idea has been gaining
currency--the possibility that small shifts in global temperature could
lead to sudden and abrupt climate changes.
What makes such projections important is not their likelihood, which is
uncertain, although a growing number of scientists believe that sudden
changes in climate are a possibility. Instead, the chief significance for
policymakers and the public lies in what the new research suggests about
scientific uncertainty and risk.
Until recently, much of the climate debate has centered on whether global
warming is occurring at all. Most climate models had assumed a slow,
steady increase in temperature and forecast gradual changes with gradual
effects.
But newer, more sophisticated models suggest that the Earth's climate
system is "nonlinear"--in other words, small changes can have large
effects on everything from ocean and land temperatures to drought and
monsoon patterns, icecaps and tropical rain forests.
Though loath to cry wolf, more and more experts are beginning to publicly
discuss--and personally fear--changes that are far more dramatic, and
potentially faster, than those at the center of discussion so far. Some
events could permanently alter life on Earth.
For example, one projection is that melting Arctic ice could cause a flow
of fresh water into the North Atlantic that would shut down the Gulf
Stream this century. That warm current moderates the European climate, and
turning it off would make a swath of land from London to Stockholm
miserable.
"Sometimes very small, innocent changes can trigger huge changes," said
Will Steffen, executive director of the Sweden-based International
Geosphere-Biosphere Program, or IGBP, which is coordinating the Amsterdam
conference. "Sometimes you hit it with a hammer and nothing happens. We
simply do not know. We are heading into uncharted waters."
In the global warming debate, a chief argument of industry, joined by Bush
administration officials and some scientists, is that the U.S. and its
allies should not rush into potentially costly measures to head off
possible climate change because our knowledge of the subject is limited.
Many scientists, however, say that argument is precisely backward. The
possibility of sudden, dramatic climate shifts means that, although there
is a risk that current models are too pessimistic, there is also a
substantial risk that they are too optimistic.
A prominent advocate of the go-slow school of thought is Sallie Baliunas
of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, an expert on how the
sun and its heat output have varied through time.
Her research is funded by federal agencies but she accepts money--to
"travel around and speak"--from firms that have advocated a go-slow
approach on global warming. She argues that computer models are
unreliable, exaggerate warming trends, fail to adequately take into
account natural fluctuations in temperature and do not explain why no
warming has been seen in the upper atmosphere.
"The best evidence says [climate change] is slow to work, so we have a
window of opportunity," she said.
As advocates of that school of thought note, many climate scientists a
decade ago feared that global warming could cause a catastrophic melting
of the massive West Antarctic ice sheet. Such an event would release huge
amounts of water into the seas, devastating many of the world's highly
populated, low-lying coastal areas.
Recent studies, though, suggest that the Antarctic icecap is stable--and
actually growing as more precipitation falls there.
Other scientists argue that because knowledge is uncertain, it is crucial
to begin cutting emissions of carbon dioxide and other so-called
greenhouse gases to slow the rate of climate change.
"We could be either under- or overestimating the effect of human
activities on climate," said Robert Watson, chief scientist at the World
Bank and head of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "So
why should we be complacent?"
Paul Crutzen, an atmospheric chemist working in Germany who won the Nobel
Prize for explaining the hole in the atmosphere's ozone layer, makes a
similar point. There is not enough room to take chances with the climate,
he argues.
The chief cause of the hole, which appeared over Antarctica in the final
decades of the 20th century, was chlorofluorocarbons--chemicals used as
refrigerants and as propellants in spray cans. Had chemists earlier in the
century decided to use bromine instead of chlorine to produce coolants--a
mere quirk of chemistry--the ozone hole would have been far larger,
occurred all year and severely affected life, he said.
"Avoiding that was just luck," he said, noting that no scientist had
predicted the hole or its impact. "We missed something very
important. There may be more of these things around the corner."
What climate watchers fear most are shifts that could "kick the climate
system" into an entirely new state, said Berrien Moore III, chairman of
the IGBP. That could cause "unpredictable consequences with cascading
effects."
Such shifts have occurred before. A tiny change in the Earth's orbit, for
example, altered precipitation and temperature patterns enough to convert
what was once fertile African savanna into today's dry Sahara. "There are
caves in today's desert that show giraffes and all kinds of other
animals," said Robert J. Scholes, a South African climatologist.
"Abrupt changes in the Earth's systems can occur when thresholds are
crossed," said Moore, a climate researcher at the University of New
Hampshire. "Those changes may involve rather distant, telegraphed
connections."
One current possibility is the melting of the Arctic sea ice.
Arctic snow and sea ice moderate the climate by covering a massive portion
of the Earth's surface. This white, frozen blanket reflects sunlight and
heat back into space, cooling the planet. If much of the ice melted and
the Arctic Ocean became an open sea, the resulting big, dark patch would
absorb heat and lead to even more warming.
Oleg Anisimov, an expert on the planet's icy "cryosphere" at the State
Hydrological Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia, said Thursday that such
a shift is already occurring. The snow and sea-ice cover in the Arctic has
decreased 10% since the 1970s, and the ice has thinned markedly in that
time, he said. "Such changes are already enhancing the greenhouse
effect," he said.
Research published June 21 in the journal Nature suggests that freshwater
flows in the Nordic seas are increasing and may be slowing the crucial
circulation of warm water, said Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute
for Climate Impact Research in Germany.
Anisimov said the increased flow of Siberian rivers also provides evidence
that Arctic waters are freshening. Thawing permafrost in the region, he
said, could also fuel warming by allowing decomposing material to emit
greenhouse gases now trapped in frozen soil.
* * *
Copyright 2001 Los Angeles Times
==========
** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material
is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest
in receiving the included information for research and educational
purposes. **
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 14:24:33 -0500
From: UW Center for Limnology <limnology@MHUB.LIMNOLOGY.WISC.EDU>
Subject: Job announcement for ECOLOG-L
Research Program Manager, Center for Limnology, University of
Wisconsin (50% time)
This individual will assist with managing the day-to-day research
operations of the North Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research
projects. Duties include tracking research expenditures; organizing
meetings; assisting with development of project web sites; assisting
with preparation of research proposals to funding agencies;
supervision student hourly helpers; serving as liaison with federal
and non-federal funding agencies and relevant networks; assist with
preparation of reports, presentations and protocols. BA/BS in the
natural sciences required, and candidates should have at least 1 year
of experience in biological research, working knowledge of
Windows-based software for word processing, graphics, spreadsheets,
and a familiarity with scientific software is desirable. Candidates
must have excellent organizational and written and oral
communications skills, be able to work independently and be effective
working in a cooperative team setting with personnel in diverse
positions. More information is available at
http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/pvl/pv39996.html Application materials due
date is 7/27/01. Mail materials to: Denise Karns, Center for
Limnology, University of Wisconsin 680 North Park Street, Madison WI
53706.
------------------------------
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 13 Jul 2001 to 14 Jul 2001
There is one message totalling 56 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. RIPARIAN-BEAVER RESEARCH ASSISTANT IN COLORADO
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 17:45:59 -0600
From: Bruce W Baker <bruce_baker@USGS.GOV>
Subject: RIPARIAN-BEAVER RESEARCH ASSISTANT IN COLORADO
RIPARIAN-BEAVER RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Project Title: Beaver ecology relative to tamarisk and willow competition
in western shrub-steppe riparian ecosystems.
Project Description: Tamarisk is an invasive riparian shrub that has
replaced native willow along many higher order streams in the west. Beaver
cut tamarisk for dams and willow for dams and food. Beaver dams trap
sediment and raise the water table, influencing plant establishment by seed
and cuttings and survival by changes in water level fluctuation. Thus,
beaver may help control tamarisk by creating a competitive advantage for
willow, an obligate phreatophyte.
To test this hypothesis, we will attempt to locate and monitor 20-30
recently-initiated beaver dams and nearby paired control sites. Plots
established at each site will evaluate hydrologic and other effects of
beaver dams with and without simulated/actual beaver cutting.
Project Duties: You will be the primary investigator in the field; other
team members and interns will assist as needed. You will locate beaver dams
on selected streams, establish and monitor sampling plots, collect and
organize field data, and assist preparation of publications (with
appropriate authorship). Other team members will direct the research,
complete statistical data analysis, and assist with fieldwork.
Project Location: The primary location will be the Douglas Creek watershed
in northwestern Colorado (south of Rangely). Other locations may include
southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah.
Project Start: about August 20, 2001. Duration: about 2 years, full time 8
- 10 months/year (winters off).
Qualifications: B.S. or M.S. in ecology or related field. Prefer knowledge
and experience in wetland plant ecology and hydrology.
Salary: $12 - $18/hr, depending on education and experience. Field housing
and per diem provided. Project funded by USGS.
Project Team: Bruce Baker, Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS; Doug
Andersen, Ecologist, USGS; Bruce Lubow, Biometrician, Colorado State
University; technician/volunteer help as needed.
To Apply: Send resume, course list or transcripts, 3 letters of
recommendation or reference contacts, and letter of interest to Dr. Bruce
W. Baker via E-mail (preferred) at bruce_baker@usgs.gov or to 4512 McMurry
Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80525-3400.
Deadline: ASAP, until suitable candidate found.
------------------------------
End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 13 Jul 2001 to 14 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