Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 13 Dec 2001 to 14 Dec 2001 (#2001-33)
There are 18 messages totalling 1029 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. NWF 2002 Species Recovery Fund
2. Job: community/restoration ecologist, CA State San Marcos
3. Salaries
4. Postdoc in plant phsyiological/evolutionary ecology
5. Everglades
6. Job: AQUATIC VERTEBRATE ECOLOGIST, Univ. of MT
7. motion sensor cameras
8. Smithsonian TECHNICIAN position - Molecular Phylogenetics of New Guinea
Birds
9. Research Intern position: Field and captive study of toxic birds
10. Subsidies listserv
11. gw: Antarctic mud reveals ancient evidence of global climate change
12. gw: The past says abrupt climate change in our future
13. Bacteria and Phosphorous
14. News: 2002 Global Environment Leadership Award announcement
15. GIS/RS Position Announcement
16. Fisheries software for teaching
17. Advanced Conservation GIS Course
18. GIS and Remote Sensing Course
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 18:57:34 -0700
From: David Inouye <di5@umail.umd.edu>
Subject: NWF 2002 Species Recovery Fund
NWF 2002 Species Recovery Fund
Applications are now being accepted for National Wildlife Federation's 2002
Species Recovery Fund (SRF). The fund was created to spur habitat
restoration efforts, species reintroduction projects, and other creative
endeavors that will directly improve conditions for the endangered species
featured in the Federation's Keep the Wild Alive* campaign. Priority is
given to projects that also incorporate a public outreach component and can
be easily replicated.
In 2002, the Keep the Wild Alive campaign will award approximately ten
grants -- each between $3,000 and $7,000 -- to organizations, individuals,
agencies, tribes and universities. The deadline for applications is
February 15, 2002. A list of species that are eligible for funding,
descriptions of projects that received SRF monies the past two years, and
grant guidelines are available at: www.nwf.org/wildalive. For more
information, contact YinLan Zhang at 202-797-6892, or email zhang@nwf.org
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 18:59:29 -0700
From: David Inouye <di5@umail.umd.edu>
Subject: Job: community/restoration ecologist, CA State San Marcos
California State University San Marcos seeks a community/restoration
ecologist for a tenure-track, Assistant Professorship beginning fall 2002.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences with training and
research in community/restoration ecology. Postdoctoral experience is
desirable. Applicants should have a demonstrated ability or potential to
effectively instruct undergraduate and graduate students, establish
community partnerships, and develop an independent, field-oriented research
program with undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate
will develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses (including lab
courses) in the area of community/restoration ecology and contribute to
some of the following: general ecology core course, biostatistics, and
appropriate general education courses. For position details and application
instructions, please see website: http://www.csusm.edu/A_S/FacSearches.
Screening of applications will begin February 1, 2002 and continue until
position is filled. California State University San Marcos is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Title IX Employer. The University has
a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and, in that spirit,
seeks a broad spectrum of candidates including women, members of minority
groups and people with disabilities.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 12:14:25 -0800
From: Erin Schulberger <Ursie77@EXCITE.COM>
Subject: Salaries
I am wondering if there is anyone who could help in pointing me in the right
direction. I am looking for information on salaries of individuals either
working as an Environmental Scientist or in the field of Drinking Water
Analysis, specifically in the area of Microbiology and Organic Chemistry.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Erin Schulberger
Environmental Scientist
North Penn Water Authority
144B Park Avenue
Chalfont, PA 18914
Phone: (215) 822-1759
Fax: (215) 822-7728
ESchulberger@npwalab.org
____________________________________________________________________________
_
Send a friend your Buddy Card and stay in contact always with Excite Messeng
r
http://messenger.excite.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 14:57:39 -0500
From: Jill Johnston <johnston@DOGWOOD.BOTANY.UGA.EDU>
Subject: Postdoc in plant phsyiological/evolutionary ecology
Please direct inquiries to donovan@dogwood.botany.uga.edu
Plant physiological/evolutionary ecology; University of Georgia, Athens
A Postdoctoral Research Associate position funded by NSF is available to
study the evolutionary ecophysiology of desert annuals, starting April 1,
2002. The project will relate leaf traits (gas exchange, WUE, N, SLA,
area, etc.) to survival, growth and fitness in a sunflower species of
hybrid origin. The position will be centered at the University of Georgia
and involve extensive field work in the Great Basin of Utah. The position
requires a Ph.D. and strong quantitative and writing skills. Relevant
experience includes familiarity with desert habitats, and experience with
plant physiological ecology techniques (e.g. plant growth, gas exchange
and water relations techniques) and/or evolutionary genetic techniques
(e.g. phenotypic selection analysis). The successful candidate will be
responsible for leading field studies in Utah for the 2002 and 2003
growing seasons. The salary is competitive and funding is guaranteed for
two years. Review of applications will begin January 21 and continue
until the position is filled. Send application materials (vitae,
statement of research interests, names and contact information of three
references, and reprints) to Lisa Donovan, University of Georgia, Athens,
GA 30602-7271 (email donovan@dogwood.botany.uga.edu). EEO/AA. Donovan
web page: <http://dogwood.botany.uga.edu/~donovan/donovan.html>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 15:13:43 -0500
From: Robert Mowbray <rnmowbray@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: Everglades
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave McNeely"
To: <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: Everglades
> It may be true that the Everglades will be inundated by rising sea leve
> -- but isn't the projection more long-term than 50 years? I thought
> most of it was a meter or so above sea level -- am I wrong?
A friend who once worked as a park ranger in the Everglades had the
following comments on projected salt water inundation of the Everglades:
"Most of the southern Everglades, which includes Everglades National Park,
is less than a foot--one-third of a meter--above sea level. High points
(hammocks) such as Royal Palm, Pa-Hay-Okee, and Mahogany Hammock, are a few
feet above sea level."
"At present in the Everglades there is a gradual gradation from all fresh
water to all salt water, and that this provides numerous habitats for
creatures that need different amounts of salinity at different times in
their life cycle. Even a
small rise in sea level will truncate this transition zone and push it
farther inland, if not destroying it altogether."
Thus sea level rise may already be having an impact on the Everglades
ecosystem.
> If it is true that the Everglades is likely to be inundated should the
> rise in sea level continue or accelerate, that does not obviate the nee
> for restoration of it and other near sea level settings that have been
> degraded. Instead, it underscores the need for working effectively on
> those environmental problems where we have some hope of success. Many
> believe that global warming, and the consequent sea level rises, may be
> slowed if we have the will to take the needed actions.
But so far there is no indication that we have the will to address global
climate change.
Robert N. Mowbray
Tropical Forest Ecologist/Natural Resource Management Specialist
A Thirty Year Record of Success
2218 Wheelwright Ct.
Reston, VA 20191-2313
Old Indian Sayings:
"We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
we borrow it from our children."
"... we do not control the web of life,
we are a part of it.
What we do to it, we do to ourselves."
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 19:07:45 -0700
From: David Inouye <di5@umail.umd.edu>
Subject: Job: AQUATIC VERTEBRATE ECOLOGIST, Univ. of MT
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
AQUATIC VERTEBRATE ECOLOGIST
SCHOOL OF FORESTRY, THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
POSITION APPOINTMENT: The University of Montana School of Forestry seeks an
individual with teaching and research experience in aquatic vertebrate
ecology. The School of Forestry has approximately 800 undergraduates and
120 graduate students; of these, about 1/3 are in the Wildlife Biology
Program. This appointment involves responsibilities in the Wildlife Biology
Program and the School of Forestry. Wildlife Biology at UM is a joint
program between the School, the Division of Biological Sciences, and the
Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. This is the fourth of five new
positions created to support our growing doctoral program in Fish and
Wildlife Biology. This is a nine-month, tenure track, entry-level position
as an Assistant Professor in the School of Forestry. Employment will begin
fall 2002.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Specific responsibilities include: 1) teach
undergraduate and graduate classes in fisheries or conservation/management
of aquatic vertebrates; experimental design; and related areas; 2) develop a
vigorous, externally funded research program; 3) advise undergraduate
students and direct graduate student research in Fish and Wildlife Biology;
and 4) participate in Wildlife Biology, School of Forestry, and University
committees, and interact with state, federal, and private conservation
organizations.
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate must possess: 1) a
Ph.D. in the area of wildlife biology, fisheries, ecology, or related field
at the time of appointment; 2) a strong record of research achievement at
the interface of conservation/management and aquatic vertebrate ecology,
including publications in peer-reviewed journals and successful development
of grants; 3) a record of coursework in aquatic ecology or fisheries; 4)
strong quantitative skills; 5) teaching experience; and 6) a proven ability
to communicate effectively with students, professionals, and the general
public. The successful applicant is expected to have or develop a vigorous,
externally funded research program in aquatic vertebrate ecology or
fisheries pertinent to conservation issues.
Preferred qualifications include experience teaching courses in fisheries
and aquatic vertebrate ecology, post-doctoral experience and training,
active participation in professional organizations, and experience with
resource management agencies. Preference may be given to applicants whose
research complements research programs in the Wildlife Biology Program
(www.forestry.umt.edu/academics/wildlife
<http://www.forestry.umt.edu/academics/wildlife>).
THE COMMUNITY AND RESOURCES: National and State Forests, Parks, Wildlife
Refuges, and Wilderness Areas surround Missoula, a city of approximately
55,000 people. Scientists and students also have access to the School of
Forestry's Lubrecht Experimental Forest and Bandy Experimental Ranch, the
Flathead Lake Biological Station, and the Boone and Crockett Club's Theodore
Roosevelt Memorial Ranch.
APPLICATION INFORMATION: Screening of completed applications will begin 18
February 2002 and continue until a suitable candidate is appointed. A
complete application will include statements of teaching and research
interests, curriculum vitae, recent publications, academic transcripts, and
3 letters of reference (under separate cover). All application materials
should be sent to: Dan Pletscher, Search Committee Chair, Wildlife Biology
Program, School of Forestry, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812;
telephone: 406-243-5272; email: pletsch@forestry.umt.edu
<mailto:pletsch@forestry.umt.edu>. No faxed or email applications will
be
accepted.
The University of Montana is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer and encourages applications from minorities and women. Qualified
applicants can request veterans' preference in accordance with State law.
This position announcement can be made available in alternative formats
uponrequest.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 14:46:45 -0800
From: Debbie Brewer <dabbrewer@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: motion sensor cameras
Greetings All,
We have installed a Wildlife Water guzzler and are
interested in documenting the wildlife that is
visiting this water hole. Can anyone recommend a
motion sensor camera that would be useful for this
task? I know that a lot of work has been done using
this type of equipment, but don't know the specifics.
Debbie A Brewer, M.S.
Wildlife Biologist
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
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your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com
or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 14:44:04 -0500
From: John Dumbacher <dumbacherj@NZP.SI.EDU>
Subject: Smithsonian TECHNICIAN position - Molecular Phylogenetics of New
Guinea Birds
Molecular Evolution Laboratory Technician (Molecular Biology), IS-5 or IS-6,
Smithsonian Institution.
This one-year position will provide research and analytical support for mole
ular genetics research on the lowland phylogeography of New Guinea birds. T
e position is in the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Museum of Natur
l History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, but the duty station wil
be at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. The technician will conduct
laboratory procedures including isolation of DNA from tissues, set-up and ru
ning of polymerase chain reactions (PCR), DNA sequencing, and assisting with
analyses of phylogeography. The technician will enter data into computer da
abases, and assist with general lab maintenance, preparation of solutions, i
ventory and stocking of general lab supplies. The technician will be requir
d to attend meetings of laboratory staff. The position requires a bachelor's
degree in a biological or chemical science, and some experience in basic DNA
and laboratory methods.
Our lab is a dynamic group with two principle investigators, several postdoc
, three or more graduate students, and multiple technicians. Other active p
ojects range from population genetics to phylogenetics to genetics of diseas
, and focal taxa come from around the globe. This would be an ideal positio
for someone considering graduate school in evolutionary biology and who wou
d like additional laboratory experience. Washington, DC is a vibrant city w
th many scientific and cultural opportunities, and the National Zoo is centr
lly located in a pleasant and multicultural section of the District.
For more information, contact John Dumbacher, at dumbacherj@nzp.si.edu, Mole
ular Genetics Lab, National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washi
gton, DC 20008, 1-202-673-4781. To apply, send curriculum vitae, statement
f interests, and at least two letters of recommendation. Deadline for appli
ations is 10 January 2002.
John P. Dumbacher
Conservation Research Center
National Zoological Park
Smithsonian Insitution
1500 Remount Road
Front Royal, VA 22630-5972 USA
1-540-635-6592 (Office)
1-540-379-6387 (Mobile)
1-540-635-6506 (Fax)
dumbacherj@nzp.si.edu
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 14:48:37 -0500
From: John Dumbacher <dumbacherj@NZP.SI.EDU>
Subject: Research Intern position: Field and captive study of toxic birds
Research Intern: Ecology and natural history of chemical defense in New Guin
a birds:
This 7-10 month research intern will assist in studies of the ecology and ph
siology of chemical defense in New Guinean Pitohui birds. These are among t
e world's only poisonous birds, and these studies are designed to further in
estigate the natural history of toxin use in this group. The intern may wor
in both the field (Papua New Guinea) and with a captive population of Pitoh
i birds that will be housed at Smithsonian's Conservation and Research Cente
(CRC) in Front Royal, Virginia. Field duties will include observing feedin
and mating behaviors of pitohuis, using mist-netting, color-banding, and ra
io-telemetry to study movements, making collections of natural food items, a
d using simple chemical tests for toxins. The intern may also help collect
irds to start a captive research population at the CRC in Front Royal. At C
C, the student will help enter and analyze field data, and work with captive
birds to assist in behavioral and chemical studies. Applicants s!
hould be in good physical condition, have a B.S. in biology or a related fie
d, and have some relevant field experience and a desire to work in New Guine
. Prior experience with field techniques, GIS, or traveling to developing t
opical countries should be mentioned in your application. Stipend levels ar
subject to approval and will be commensurate with experience level, but are
expected to be in the range of $1100 to $1500 per month. Starting date is e
pected to be around 1 March 2001.
This position would be ideal for a person considering graduate school, or an
established student wishing to gain experience working in Papua New Guinea.
For more information, contact John Dumbacher, at dumbacherj@nzp.si.edu, Mole
ular Genetics Lab, National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washi
gton, DC 20008, 1-202-673-4781 (http://www.mnh.si.edu/GeneticsLab/StaffPage/
umbacherJ/jdumbacher.html). To apply, send curriculum vitae, statement of i
terests, and at least two letters of recommendation. To receive full consid
ration, applications should be received by 20 January 2002.
John P. Dumbacher
Conservation Research Center
National Zoological Park
Smithsonian Insitution
1500 Remount Road
Front Royal, VA 22630-5972 USA
1-540-635-6592 (Office)
1-540-379-6387 (Mobile)
1-540-635-6506 (Fax)
dumbacherj@nzp.si.edu
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 20:00:46 +0000
From: Douglas Yu <douglas.yu@UEA.AC.UK>
Subject: Subsidies listserv
Some previous postings revealed an interest in perverse subsidies.
Perhaps Ecologgers would be interested in this listserv, the
description of which I append here:
The Subsidy Watch listserv contains information on the latest
publications on subsidies that affect the environment, including
newspaper articles, academic and government publications, and any
other sources we can find in English. In order to make it as
efficient as possible for the reader, IISD summarizes or excerpts
each source article with a brief paragraph, or uses the abstract if
there is one. The full citation for the original, or the URL if it is
from an Internet source, will be given.
Subscriptions can be had at
http://iisd.ca/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=subsidywatch&text_mode=0
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 20:13:12 -0500
From: Karen Claxon <kclaxon@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: gw: Antarctic mud reveals ancient evidence of global climate chang
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-12/su-amr121101.php
Contact: Mark Shwartz
mshwartz@stanford.edu
650-723-9296
Stanford University
Antarctic mud reveals ancient evidence of global climate change
Scientists concerned about global warming are especially troubled by
dramatic signs of climate change in Antarctica - from rapidly melting
glaciers to unexplained declines in penguin populations.
Records show that average winter temperatures are 10 degrees higher in
parts of Antarctica today than they were 50 years ago. If that warming
trend continues, say many climate experts, the vast Antarctic ice sheets
could melt, causing catastrophic coastal flooding as the world`s oceans
rise.
Ironically, say researchers, the most pristine continent on Earth is
heating up primarily because of increased greenhouse gas emissions from
cars, power plants and other human endeavors elsewhere on the planet.
But new geologic evidence unearthed from deep-sea mud deposits strongly
suggests that Antarctica experienced periods of extreme warming and
cooling long before the invention of the automobile.
"We`ve got a sedimentary record that reveals very significant changes in
water temperature and ice melt during the past 7,000 years," says Robert
Dunbar, professor of geological and environmental sciences at Stanford.
"The cause of these highly variable climate changes is still a mystery."
Glacial evolution
Dunbar and Boston University collaborators Richard W. Murray and Kelly
A. Kryc will present their findings at the annual meeting of the
American Geophysical Union (AGU) in San Francisco on Dec. 14, during a
session titled, "Antarctic Glacial Evolution: the Marine Geologic Record
II."
The researchers based their study on a bioigeochemical analysis of
sediments obtained during a recent cruise of the JOIDES Resolution, a
research vessel operated by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) - an
international project dedicated to exploring the geological history and
evolution of the Earth. ODP is principally funded by the National
Science Foundation with additional support from institutions
representing nearly two dozen other countries, including Germany, Japan
and Australia.
In 1998, ODP scientists extracted a 150-foot-long sediment core from the
muddy bottom of the Palmer Deep - a submerged section of the continental
shelf along the west Antarctic Peninsula about 3,000 feet below sea
level. The sediment sample was loaded with the shells of microscopic
creatures called diatoms dating back some 10,000 years to the beginning
of the Holocene - the most recent geologic epoch.
"The Antarctic Peninsula is an ideal region to investigate climate
change at decadal to millennial time scales due to its location in one
of the Earth`s most dynamic climate systems," notes Dunbar. "The ODP
sample gives us the first continuous, high-resolution Holocene sediment
record from the Antarctic continental margin."
The sediment sample revealed higher concentrations of diatom shells
during the mid-Holocene, roughly 5,500 to 7,000 years ago, which
indicates that the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula were more
biologically productive then.
According to Dunbar, higher productivity suggests that sea ice was less
abundant during the mid-Holocene - a further indication that
temperatures were higher.
"We think it was quite a bit warmer then," he observes, noting that
geochemical analysis of the sediment also revealed higher levels of
nitrogen during the mid-Holocene.
"Warmer temperatures may have produced freshwater streams that fed
nitrogen and other nutrients into coastal waters," he explains.
Climate surprises
Further analysis revealed other surprises. According to the researchers,
Western Antarctica appears to have undergone periods of warming and
cooling during the mid-Holocene - regular cycles lasting 400, 200, 140
and 70 years.
"We believe these cycles of warming and cooling may have been caused by
variations in the amount of energy emitted by the Sun," says Dunbar,
noting that solar activity routinely increases and decreases on a
predictable 11-year cycle.
There may be other explanations for these ancient periods of cooling and
warming, he adds, but one fact is certain: They were not caused by
people.
However, Dunbar is careful to point out that, while increased solar
activity may be influencing climate change today, it is a separate
phenomenon from the greenhouse effect, which is largely attributed to
human-induced CO2 emissions.
Lake Titicaca
The Palmer Deep findings mirror Dunbar`s recent studies at Lake
Titicaca, which is located more than two miles above sea level on the
border of Peru and Bolivia. Those studies revealed that, during the
mid-Holocene, water levels in the high-altitude lake rose and fell as
much as 250 feet, as Titicaca experienced drought and increased
rainfall.
"These results, combined with the Antarctica findings, indicate that
something major happened in the Pacific in the past few thousand years,"
says Dunbar. "Traditionally this was considered a region with a very
stable climate, but clearly there are forces operating in the Pacific
and perhaps globally that we need to figure out. If there is a theme for
all of these studies it`s that we really don`t understand the climate in
the Southern Hemisphere.
Dunbar and Stanford graduate student Harold Rowe will present their Lake
Titicaca findings at an AGU poster session on Dec. 12 at 8:30 a.m.
East Antarctica Ice Sheet
The AGU session also will feature a presentation by Stanford graduate
student Kevin Theissen on the Lambert Glacier-Amery Ice Shelf system,
which is part of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet - the largest ice mass on
Earth. Theissen will describe how the ice sheet periodically advanced
and retreated during the Pleistocene Epoch - between 780,000 and 1.3
million years ago.
The study is based on core samples drilled in the Prydz Bay region of
eastern Antarctica during an ODP cruise in early 2000.
Based on the geochemical record from the early Pleistocene, says
Theissen, it appears that there was a brief interval of warmer
conditions accompanied by a reduction of the ice sheet.
"How warm it was relative to the present, we don`t know," he observes.
"Afterwards, the record indicates that conditions became gradually
cooler in the Prydz Bay region."
Theissen notes that there only have been a few significant advances of
the Amery Ice Shelf system in Prydz Bay in the last 780,000 years,
suggesting that maximum ice volumes in the interior of the East
Antarctic Ice Sheet - the source of the Lambert Glacier-Amery Ice Shelf
system - have decreased since that time.
"A greater understanding of the history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet
is important because of significant questions about its future behavior
and stability," he says.
Some climate experts predict that, if the ice sheet melts, the world`s
oceans could rise some 170 feet, submerging many low-lying countries as
well as the entire state of Florida.
"As we continue to work on the record from Prydz Bay, we hope to make
correlations with other areas of eastern Antarctica, which should help
us understand how and why the ice sheet changed during the Pleistocene,"
Theissen observes.
###
In addition to Dunbar, Theissen`s AGU collaborators include Alan Cooper,
consulting professor of geological and environmental sciences, and
Science and Engineering Associate David A Mucciarone.
By Mark Shwartz
----------------------------------
News Service website: http://www.stanford.edu/news/
Stanford Report (university newspaper): http://news.stanford.edu/
Most recent news releases from Stanford:
http://wwwleland.stanford.edu/dept/news/release/curindex.html
To change contact information for these news releases: email:
stanford.report@forsythe.stanford.edu Phone: (650) 723-2558
COMMENT: Robert B. Dunbar, Department of Geological and Environmental
Sciences (650) 725-6830 or (650) 723-0847; dunbar@pangea.stanford.edu
EDITORS: The American Geophysical Union (AGU) will hold its annual fall
meeting Dec. 10 to 14 at the Moscone Convention Center, 747 Howard
Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Several Stanford scientists will
participate in AGU Session PP52B, ``Antarctic Glacial Evolution,`` on
Friday, Dec. 14, at 1:30 p.m. PT in Room 132. For more information,
visit the AGU website at http://www.agu.org. Photographs of recent
Antarctic expeditions are available at http://newsphotos.stanford.edu
Relevant Web URLs:
http://pangea.stanford.edu/isotope/dunbar/dunbar_ges.html
http://www.oceandrilling.org/ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/warnings
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 20:30:36 -0500
From: Karen Claxon <kclaxon@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: gw: The past says abrupt climate change in our future
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-12/ps-tps120701.php Public
release date: 13-Dec-2001
Contact: A'ndrea Elyse Messer
aem1@psu.edu
814-865-9481
Penn State
The past says abrupt climate change in our future
San Francisco - Past climates changed abruptly, suggesting that abrupt
changes in the future will also occur, according to a Penn State
geoscientist.
"When we look at records of the past, climate often changed abruptly
rather than smoothly," says Dr. Richard B. Alley, the Evan Pugh
professor of geosciences at Penn State. "This is true wherever and
whenever you look."
Alley, who is currently chairing the National Academy of Science
Committee on Abrupt Climate Change: Science and Public Policy, told
attendees today (Dec. 13) at the fall meeting of the American
Geophysical Association in San Francisco, that while studies of ice
cores, sediments and other relics of the past indicate these abrupt
changes, the models currently used by those predicting the future of
climate change do not do a good job of simulating abrupt changes in the
past.
"If we look at what we know about climate, there is much we don't
understand," says Alley. "However, we do know that abrupt change
occurred in the past."
The abrupt changes are especially notable in temperature near the north
and south poles and in precipitation away from the poles. In the near
term, nature sometimes changes smoothly, sometimes remains the same and
sometimes changes all at once. In the long term, abrupt change appears
to be the norm. Current models all tend to change smoothly and do not
capture abruptness.
"It is possible that climate change in the future will include
abruptness, even though the current models do not show this," says
Alley.
The Penn State geoscientist suggests that climate change includes a
process of approaching and crossing a series of thresholds. Climate
forcing factors are like a tower of blocks. Building the tower, blocks
can be added, and the tower remains stable, but eventually the block
height crosses the threshold of stability and the tower abruptly
topples. With climate, the thresholds in the past have sometimes been
reached in as few as 10 years.
"It will be a long time, if at all, before we are really good at
predicting climate change and it may not be easy," Alley says. "Any
reality may be very different from the predictions and we need to
anticipate changes and surprises. We need to build uncertainty into our
models of dealing with climate change."
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 17:11:12 -0800
From: Marc Boucher <dirtcola@HOME.COM>
Subject: Bacteria and Phosphorous
Can someone help me out? I'm looking for some information on the role
bacteria play in the cycling of phosphorous in aquatic systems. Any
response would greatly be appreciated!!
Thanks a a lot!
Marcus Boucher
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 21:12:30 -0800
From: Ashwani Vasishth <vasishth@USC.EDU>
Subject: News: 2002 Global Environment Leadership Award announcement
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 15:21:44 -0500
From: Harcher@worldbank.org
To: Environmentaljournalists@Yahoogroups.Com
Subject: [environmentaljournalists] For immediate release: 2002 Global
Environment Leadership Award announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GEF: Nominations Open for the 2002 Global Environment Leadership Award
Contact: Hutton Archer (202) 458-7117
harcher@worldbank.org
Washington, December 12, 2001 -- The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
announced today that it is accepting nominations for the 2002 Global
Environment Leadership Award. The Award recognizes "sustained leadership
of significant national and/or international actions to protect the global
environment by an individual, group or organization in government, the
private sector or the non-government arena."
In making the announcement, Mohamed T. El-Ashry, Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the GEF, said "In 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg will mark the tenth anniversary of the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) at Rio.
It is our intention, through our 2002 Award, to recognize the most
deserving champion of the global environment in the last decade."
The first Global Environment Leadership Award was presented in 1998 to
Costa Rica's President José María Figueres for his efforts to phase out
fossil fuels in Costa Rica by the year 2010 and for instituting the
pioneering concept of payment for environmental benefits from forests like
watershed services and greenhouse gas absorption. The 1999 Award was
presented jointly to Professor Bert Bolin, former chairman of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Ambassador Bo
Kjellén, former Swedish ambassador for the environment and chief climate
change negotiator for nine years. Environmental journalist Anil Agarwal of
India and Earth Day Coordinator Denis Hayes of the USA jointly received
the 2000 Award. No selection was made in 2001.
Nominations for the 2002 Award will be reviewed by a selection panel of
prominent international environmentalists.
Nominations must be received by February 28, 2002, and should consist of a
letter describing, in about 1000 words, why the nominee deserves this
recognition, detailing specific actions to resolve global environment
concerns, as well as their impacts and results. A curriculum vitae may be
attached in addition to the nominating essay. Self nominations will not be
considered. The winner will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2002 and
the Award presented at a ceremony in May 2002.
All submissions and inquiries related to this Award should be directed
to:
Mr. Hutton Archer
GEF Secretariat
1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
(202) 458-7117
(202) 522-3240 (fax)
harcher@worldbank.org
The GEF is a multilateral financing mechanism created in 1991 to address
global environmental issues that do not normally get funded through
national, bilateral, and international finance. Following its
restructuring and replenishment in 1994 at the level of $2 billion, it has
emerged as the principal international funding mechanism for the global
environment. Its second replenishment in 1998 added commitments of $2.75
billion for the following four years. The GEF complements other actions
and funding for local, national, and regional environmental concerns.
What has the GEF contributed?
So far, the Facility has programmed more than $3.5 billion and leveraged
another $8 billion for actions in 156 countries to reduce the risk of
climate change; to conserve and use biodiversity sustainably; to protect
international waters; and to phase out ozone depleting substances and
persistent organic pollutants. GEF funds build developing country capacity
to recognize and address these global environmental concerns within their
borders. Equally important, GEF projects help governments lay the
foundation for sustainable development through technology transfer and
policy support. Most of its resources support efforts by developing
countries and economies in transition to implement the climate change and
biodiversity conventions. It acts as the financial mechanism for these and
for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Who are its stakeholders?
The GEF is the first major strategic alliance between the United Nations
and Bretton Woods institutions. Through its implementing agencies ? UNDP,
UNEP, and World Bank ? the GEF operates in more than 156 countries. Other
international bodies have been accorded opportunities to work directly
with the GEF in project identification and preparation. These include the
African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank,
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the
International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization. The GEF has 171 member countries and
is governed by a Council whose membership and decision-making balance
equally the interests of donors and recipients. The GEF welcomes the
private sector, NGOs, and public involvement in its projects.
What is the value added of the GEF?
GEF has an influence that goes beyond its direct ability to finance
individual projects. GEF has a leverage that is financial, strategic, and
intellectual It leverages financial resources from its client countries,
multilateral institutions, and the private sector for actions to protect
the global environment. It is at the node of a number of international
political forces, from its member countries, from the environmental
conventions, from related international organizations, from NGOs and from
other stakeholders. As a strategic alliance, it is able to bring together
the best its implementing agencies have to offer for the effective
implementation of internationally negotiated agreements. It is also a
major "consumer" of scientific and technical information on the global
environment. By absorbing the lessons of many and sharing its own unique
experiences, the GEF is catalyzing positive change for the global
environment.
To learn more about GEF visit: http://www.gefweb.org/
To view this press release on the web visit:
http://www.gefweb.org/Whats_New/2002_GELA_Announcement.pdf
___________________________________________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 11:34:48 -0500
From: "Mckamey, Natalie R" <nat@INDIANA.EDU>
Subject: GIS/RS Position Announcement
We are advertising the position listed below with a closing date of January
1, 2002. We would appreciate your assistance in forwarding the
advertisement to any interested persons you know. This is a minimum one
year position, possibly two years, with possibility of extension. We are in
Year 2 of a 5 year grant.
Many thanks,
Nat McKamey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Natalie Oliphant McKamey
CIPEC
408 N. Indiana Ave.
Bloomington, IN. 47408
(812) 856-0031
nat@indiana.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist
The Center for the Study of Institutions, Population, and Environmental
Change (CIPEC) at Indiana University has an opening for a Research Associate
to work as a GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist I or II, depending on the
successful applicant's qualifications.
GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist I
This individual will collect and process spatial data and perform GIS/RS
analysis in support of CIPEC research project activities. Data collection
duties include the pre-processing (geo-referencing, calibration, topographic
normalization) and classification of remotely sensed imagery. Analytical
work includes the integration of spatially explicit social and biophysical
data using GIS/RS and statistical techniques. This position also involves
careful documentation of GIS/RS datasets. A minimal amount of field work
will be involved, including collection of forest field data using GPS and
forest mensuration tools.
Requirements: B.A. or B.S. in Geography, Anthropology, Geology,
Environmental Science, or related field.
GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist II
This individual will collect and process spatial data, perform advanced
GIS/RS analysis, and manage teams composed of students and staff working on
GIS/RS tasks. Analytical work includes the integration of spatially explicit
social and biophysical data using GIS/RS and statistical techniques. Data
collection duties include accuracy assessment of processed datasets
including classification of remotely sensed data, geo-referencing, and
topographic normalization. Individual will train and supervise students and
staff in relevant GIS/RS techniques in support of research activities. Field
work activities include collection of forest field data using GPS and forest
mensuration tools, coordination and organization of teams collecting field
data, and managing data entry of field data.
Requirements: M.A. or M.S. in Geography, Anthropology, Geology,
Environmental Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
This position is being filled in relation to a large multidisciplinary
project related to the study of social and biophysical factors contributing
to land-cover change. For detailed information about CIPEC, please see our
web site at http://www.cipec.org <http://www.cipec.org> . Details of
he
specific project this position is related to can be found here:
http://www.cipec.org/research/biocomplexity/index.html
<http://www.cipec.org>
Please submit a letter of interest and curriculum vita to: GIS/RS Search
Committee, CIPEC, Indiana University, 408 North Indiana Avenue, Bloomington,
IN 47408. Direct any inquiries via e-mail to Nat McKamey at nat@indiana.edu.
Deadline for applications is January 1, 2002.
Indiana University is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer. If
you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made
to accommodate most needs. Please contact this office at 812-855-2230 for
assistance.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 13:26:38 -0000
From: David Griffiths <D.Griffiths@ULST.AC.UK>
Subject: Fisheries software for teaching
I have a class of Biology/Environmental Science students, with
limited maths/computing skills, and would like to get them to
explore e.g. the effects of fishing on fish population dynamics,
fishing regulation strategies on yields.
Does anyone know of user friendly software that will allow students
to investigate such topics?
Replies to me please - if there is sufficient interest I will post a
summary.
David Griffiths
School of Biological & Environmental Studies,
University of Ulster,
Coleraine,
UK
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 14:12:36 +0000
From: Melissa Songer <crcgis@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Advanced Conservation GIS Course
The Smithsonian Conservation and Research Center is offering the following
advanced Conservation GIS and Remote Sensing Course this year:
Advanced GIS & Remote Sensing:
Measuring Landcover Change and its Impact on Endangered Species
MARCH 11-15, 2002
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This one-week advanced GIS and remote sensing course provides
conservationists with an opportunity to learn how GIS and remote sensing can
be used to assess the conservation status of endangered species. Each
participant will be provided with their own desktop computer for all lab
exercises. During the hands-on exercises participants will use the Internet,
ArcView, ArcView Spatial Analyst, ERDAS Imagine, Fragstats, and other
spatial analysis programs. Instructors will lead participants step-by-step
through the process of:
* conduct a regional conservation assessment using GIS to determine critical
conservation areas for an endangered species
* acquiring multi-date satellite imagery to quantify land cover change and
to map the extent of the remaining habitat
* using landscape analysis to determine optimal landscape configurations for
conserving the endangered species.
TRAINING LOCATION
The course will be taught at the National Zoological Park's Conservation and
Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia. The Center is located at the
north entrance of the Shenandoah Park approximately 70 miles west of
Washington, D.C. Pick-up from Washington Dulles Airport can be arranged.
Participants will be housed at the CRC and meals provided at the CRC's
Conference Center. All computer labs will be taught at the Center's Spatial
Analysis Lab. The lab is equipped with various PC's, a GPS Base station,
two digitizers, and color plotters and printers.
Visit the following web address for more details and registration
information.
http://www.si.edu/crc/tp/tp.htm
Contact:
Jenny Gagnon
crcgis@hotmail.com
1500 Remount Road
Front Royal, VA 22630
540-635-6535 (GIS Lab)
540-635-6506 (FAX)
_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 14:10:45 +0000
From: Melissa Songer <crcgis@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: GIS and Remote Sensing Course
The Smithsonian Conservation and Research Center is offering the following
course this year:
GIS & REMOTE SENSING FOR WILDLIFE MANAGERS
An Introduction to the use of Geographic Information Systems &
Remote Sensing in Conservation and Wildlife Management
MARCH 4-8, 2002
Increasingly, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing - the
mapping of features using imagery acquired either from an aircraft or a
satellite - have become important tools for decision making and the applied
management of natural resources. Many federal agencies and NGO's rely on
GIS and satellite data for their work and are starting to produce their own
spatial databases. However, there are few training opportunities for
wildlife managers to learn the application of GIS in everyday management
situations. We are offering a course for wildlife managers that will
provide hands-on experience for the collection of data, GIS analysis of the
data, and map making.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This short course will provide wildlife managers with a working knowledge
about the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote
Sensing to the monitoring and management of wildlife and forest vegetation.
Exercises in establishing locations with a Global Positioning System (GPS),
data input into a GIS, and spatial analysis techniques for GIS will provide
hands-on and real world experience during the course. Based on examples
about habitat selection in songbirds and white-tailed deer, course
participants will learn how to:
* Collect GIS data in the field using survey techniques and GPS.
* Differentially correct GPS data.
* Input GPS data into GIS.
* Input field data into GIS.
* Use GIS for management of large data sets from multiple sources.
* Design and perform analysis using GIS data and spatial analysis
techniques.
* Integrate data with ancillary data, such as satellite imagery, aerial
photography, and State Agency databases.
TRAINING LOCATION
The course will be taught at the National Zoological Park's Conservation and
Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia. The Center is located at the
north entrance of the Shenandoah Park approximately 70 miles west of
Washington, D.C. Pick-up from Washington Dulles Airport can be arranged.
Participants will be housed at the CRC and meals provided at the CRC's
Conference Center. All computer labs will be taught at the Center's Spatial
Analysis Lab. The lab is equipped with various PC's, a GPS Base station,
two digitizers, and color plotters and printers.
Visit the web address below for more details and registration information.
The CRC will also be offering an Advanced Course in Conservation GIS and
Remote Sensing. Information on this course is also available on the
following web address:
http://www.si.edu/crc/tp/tp.htm
Contact:
Jenny Gagnon
1500 Remount Road
Front Royal, VA 22630
540-635-6535 (GIS Lab)
540-635-6506 (FAX)
(crcgis@hotmail.com)
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
------------------------------
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 12 Dec 2001 to 13 Dec 2001 (#2001-32)
There are 8 messages totalling 567 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. stable isotope course
2. Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities
3. job avail. Info Manag. Reponse Team Coordinator
4. grad. programs in Natural History
5. Fw: NCAR News-Cotton and Climate
6. message about NRI grants program
7. NASA-MSU Awards
8. FW: Mammal Ecologist Position
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 09:10:12 -0700
From: David Inouye <di5@umail.umd.edu>
Subject: stable isotope course
2002 Stable Isotope Ecology (Lecture and Laboratory Short Courses)
University of Utah, June 16-28, 2002
<http://ehleringer.net/bio6473.html>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
These will be multi-instructor lecture (Biology 6473, morning) and
laboratory (Biology 6475, afternoon) short courses offered to 20 graduate
students and postdoctoral investigators interested in learning more about th
application of stable isotopes at natural abundance levels for environmental
and ecological studies. We will set aside an additional 5 openings for
the lecture course only (Biology 6473) for postdocs and faculty wishing only
the lecture and an introduction to the lab. The courses will:
1) be offered June 16-28, 2002 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake
City
2) be limited to 20 participants (Biology 6473/6475) in order to
maximize laboratory and instrument access; an additional 5 openings will be
available for the lecture course (Biology 6473) will be made available for
postdocs and faculty
3) consist of a morning lecture-discussion course and an afternoon
laboratory course; there will be 14 course instructors, experts selected fro
across the country for their breadth and for their interest in teaching and
interacting with students
4) include a hands-on laboratory experience each day, including full
access and use of delta S, delta plus, and 252 isotope ratio mass
spectrometers; this instrumentation is equipped with elemental analyzers,
continuous
flow capacities, GC, pre-con, laser, common-acid-bath; available also are
vacuum preparation lines for organic and inorganic compounds of biological
and environmental interest
5) many of the evenings will be set aside for discussions of current
research interests, group dinners, and also there will be opportunities for
social events in the nearby Wasatch Mountains
Typically our applicants have come from all across the United States as
well as from many different foreign countries. We seek students with broad
interests. Past participants have had backgrounds in different
disciplines, including animal and plant physiology, ecology and ecosystem
science,
anthropology, atmospheric science, marine science, oceanography,
paleontology, and geology.
Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2002. Check out the home
page at <http://ehleringer.net/bio6473.html>. We will notify applicant
about February 27, 2002 regarding acceptance into the course and how to
begin planning for lodging arrangements, tuition payments, reading
materials, etc.
Jim Ehleringer
(ehleringer@biology.utah.edu)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 11:02:29 -0500
From: John Wehr <wehr@FORDHAM.EDU>
Subject: Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities
UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Calder Summer Undergraduate Research (CSUR) - 2002
The Louis Calder Center - Biological Field Station of Fordham University
announces paid research opportunities for undergraduate students in our
Calder Summer Undergraduate Research (CSUR) program. The 2002 summer
program will run from May 27th through August 16, 2002.
- Applications are due February 8th, 2002 -
We offer students hands-on experience and training in a wide variety of
field studies, including:
Behavioral ecology of free-ranging eastern chipmunks
Benthic algae in southern New York and Catskill mountain streams
Carbon pools at the Louis Calder Center - Biological Field Station
Community and ecosystem responses to invasive exotic insects
Dendrochronology of wildfire sites in the NJ Pine Barrens
Ecology of symbiotic fungi in hemlock and oak forests
Ecology of the West Nile virus
Field studies on the use of torpor by ground squirrels at high altitudes
Microhabitat conditions and spatial distribution of the deer tick
Ruffed Grouse population ecology in the central southern Appalachians
Vertebrate-habitat relationships at The Louis Calder Center - Biological
Field Station
Successful CSUR candidates will be matched with staff scientists with
similar research interests. This year we will offer up to eight (8) awards
to qualified undergraduates interested in conducting independent research
for 12 weeks during the summer of 2002.
Stipends of $3,600 will be awarded to successful applicants. There is
housing on site (subsidized rent) and limited funds to support research and
local travel. For details on the program and a list of research areas
available this summer for students see:
www.fordham.edu/calder_center/calder-center/CSUR-Program.html
An application can be downloaded from:
www.fordham.edu/calder_center/calder-center/forms/csur-application.html
The field station is located in wooded, southern New York state. General
information is available at:
www.fordham.edu/calder_center
You may also request information from the CSUR office by email, mail or fax:
CSUR office: 914-273-3078, ext. 10; email: pburgos@fordham.edu; fax:
914-273-2167, or c/o the Director: wehr@fordham.edu
Applications are due in the CSUR office by February 8th, 2002.
======================================
Dr. John D. Wehr
Associate Professor and Director
Louis Calder Center - Biological Station
Fordham University
53 Whippoorwill Road, P.O. Box 887
Armonk, NY 10504 USA
voice: 914-273-3078, ext.11; fax: 914-273-2167
www.fordham.edu/calder_center/wehr/wehr1.html
=====================================
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 09:06:41 -0700
From: Kathryn Dean-Bradley <kathy_dean-bradley@USGS.GOV>
Subject: job avail. Info Manag. Reponse Team Coordinator
Position: Brown Treesnake Rapid Response Team Coordinator (Information
Management Specialist)
Johnson Controls World Services, Inc. has a technical services support
contract with the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Midcontinent Ecological
Science Center that provides support to the Brown Treesnake Program. A new
interagency program, The Brown Treesnake Rapid Response Team, is being
initiated by the USGS and supported by the Interior's Office of Insular
Affairs to address issues relating to extralimital introductions of the
brown treesnake. It has caused irreparable damage to the island of Guam.
The snake is responsible for the destruction of Guam's ecological community
through the extirpation of most of the island's birds, bats, and lizards,
impacts the agricultural community through the loss of domestic stock,
causes millions of dollars in power outages and associated lost revenue,
and is a threat to human health. As a result, containment of snakes on
Guam and prevention of establishment elsewhere is a high priority.
The team will provide a brown treesnake detection resource to island
governments where invasion is highly likely. The team coordinator will be
based in Guam and is responsible to the greater ecological community in
facilitating the discovery as well as ultimate eradication of incipient
populations on US associated islands of the Pacific. Team actions will
include rapid deployment to areas of credible snake reports. Nighttime
visual searching, daytime trapping, and rodent prey reduction will be used
to capture snakes and delimit new brown treesnake colonizations.
The team coordinator will develop an awareness program to educate residents
of high-risk islands on the brown treesnake problem. Efforts designed by
the coordinator in cooperation with local brown treesnake control programs
may include education workshops and distribution of materials such as
posters, CDs, pamphlets, etc. The goal of the outreach component will be to
heighten snake awareness, particularly with those working in the cargo
shipment/handling industry, to ensure those likely to encounter BTS are
able to respond accordingly (i.e., capture and/or kill any snake sighted).
Developing relationships with recipient island governments will be vital to
facilitate communication of snake sightings.
The coordinator is expected to arrange for the necessary interagency
cooperation and prepare any agreements with either governmental or
non-governmental agencies which will need to be in place before deployment
of the Team to snake sightings. A high degree of coordination and
cooperation is expected with USGS, USDA, USFWS, CNMI Division of Fish and
Wildlife, other US associated island governments and the travel industry.
Volunteer snake searchers will be trained and deployed as available.
For the snake searching team, the coordinator will be responsible for
assisting recruiting and training team members. Protocols will be
developed for response and deployment by the coordinator. Nighttime snake
searches will be led by the coordinator.
For the initial year, the coordinator's time will be devoted to the
development of the Rapid Response Team; however, future duties will include
contributing to the research projects developed by the USGS brown treesnake
program. The program focuses on biological research in support of
activities for snake control and containment, including but not limited to,
population biology, reproduction, trapping and barrier technologies, snake
behavior and activity, and physiology.
Qualifications: Minimum of a B.S./B.A. with training in biology, ecology,
communication or related field. Demonstrated skill in effective
communication and ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
Ability to coordinate with several different government and
non-governmental entities. Willingness to perform visual searches to
capture snakes in tropical forests at night. Basic skills in reptile
identification desirable. Must have proper credentials (US citizen, green
card, work authorization, work visa, etc.) to work in the US.
Location: Position will be based in Guam; however, candidate should be
willing and able to travel several times a year to snake sighting
locations. Travel will inherently be unpredictable and with little advance
notice.
Compensation: Johnson Controls world Services offers this full time
position the following: salary of $39k plus an excellent benefit package.
They include: first day health, dental, and vision coverage; flexible
spending plan; two weeks vacation; one week sick leave; ten paid holidays;
3% contributory 401k; matching gift program; administrative leave (jury
duty, witness duty, bereavement, military leave and emergency); and
educational assistance.
Please send cover letter and resume by Jan 15, 2002 to:
Dr. Gerald Horak
Johnson Controls World Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 270308
Fort Collins, CO 80527
gerry_horak@usgs.gov
Fax 970-226-9455
Kathy Dean-Bradley
Zoologist
US Geological Survey
Midcontinent Ecological Science Center
4512 McMurry Ave.
Ft. Collins, CO 80525
970 226-9353
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 10:20:24 -0600
From: Steve Mullin <cfsjm@UX1.CTS.EIU.EDU>
Subject: grad. programs in Natural History
Dear Prof. O'Connor et al.,
Because what several of our grad. students accomplish in their
theses is essentially natural history (occasionally with an
experimental component tossed in for good measure), I posed your
original question to my colleagues. A response raised at least on
other question that I'd like to offer for discussion:
"Could you reply to the list that natural history is done here -- I
would say sure! But, if the Natural History of taxon X is not
studied here, it is because our faculty aren't interested. If you
are looking for a succinct description of our MS degree, I am at a
loss to provide one. We are a diverse lot and the projects our
students do reflects the diversity. Could it be that studies of what
was once called natural history are now called something else (is
conservation biology often applied natural history?)?"
I hope I don't ruffle any feathers. I'd also like to suggest a book
by Paul Lawrence Farber, _Finding Order in Nature : The Naturalist
Tradition from Linnaeus to E. O. Wilson_ (2000, Johns Hopkins
Introductory Studies in the History of Science).
Respectfully submitted,
--
SERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTES
Stephen J. Mullin, Ph.D. www: <http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~cfsjm/>
Department of Biological Sciences email: <cfsjm@eiu.edu>
Eastern Illinois University tel: 217.581.6234
Charleston, IL 61920.3011 fax: 217.581.7141
SERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTESERPENTES
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 12:30:00 -0500
From: Karen Claxon <kclaxon@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Fw: NCAR News-Cotton and Climate
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anatta" <anatta@UCAR.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 11:42 AM
Subject: NCAR News-Cotton and Climate
2001-35
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2001
Climate Change Could Boost Cotton Yields
Contact:
Anatta, NCAR
Telephone: 303-497-8604 or
AGU press room: 415-905-1007
E-mail: anatta@ucar.edu
Krishna Ramanujan, NASA Goddard
301-286-3026 or
AGU press room: 415-905-1007
kramanuj@pop900.gsfc.nasa.gov
BOULDER--A new study by scientists at the National Center for
Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has found that cotton yields are likely
to increase in the southeastern United States if carbon dioxide
levels continue to rise as projected this century and if farmers
adapt their agricultural practices to the resulting climate change.
The findings are being presented this week in San Francisco at the
annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).
The researchers entered various scenarios into their computer models
to simulate the effects of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) in the
atmosphere on cotton crop yields. If CO2 emissions increase at their
present rate, many scientists believe that the atmospheric
concentrations of greenhouse gases are likely to double compared to
pre-industrial levels by the year 2060.
Along with climate change, atmospheric CO2 enhances plant growth by
stimulating photosynthesis. In one scenario, adaptations to farming
practices resulting from a lengthened growing season, elevated CO2-
induced climate change, and enhanced plant growth were all factored
into model simulations. The results predict that cotton yields would
increase by as much as 26-36%.
"Cotton is a very important economic crop for U.S. agriculture," says
NCAR's Linda Mearns, a co-author of the study. "This is the first
time impacts of climate change on cotton production have been
examined at this level of detail on a regional scale." Nevertheless,
explains NCAR co-author Ruth Doherty, these cotton model projections
are simplistic. For example, the climate models project climate
change based on an instantaneous doubling of CO2, when in reality
such increases would occur gradually over this century, possibly
changing the outcomes. Still, in most of the scenarios there was a
trend towards increased cotton yields in the future.
Two climate models were used in the study--a large-scale global
climate model that used 300 by 300 kilometer (186 by 186 mile) grids,
and a fine-scale regional climate model that used 50 by 50 kilometer
(31 by 31 mile) grids. A climate model is a simplified mathematical
representation of the earth's climate system, including data on the
physical, geophysical, chemical, and biological processes that govern
the climate system. Fine-scale models with higher resolution may be
more accurate, but in order to gain information about the future
regional climate, results from the global model must be used to
initialize and control the regional model.
Using these two models, three scenarios were simulated. The first
scenario simply looked at the impact that climate change resulting
from an instantaneous doubling of CO2 would have on cotton yields in
the southeastern United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, northern
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and part of Tennessee. For this scenario the fine-scale
model predicted a decrease of 10% in cotton yield over the region,
while the large-scale model showed a 4% increase in yields.
When the climate change resulting from CO2 doubling was combined with
the potential for enhanced cotton plant growth as a result of greater
carbon availability, the fine-scale model showed a 5% increase in
yields, while the large-scale model predicted a 16% increase.
Finally, when the first two factors of CO2 doubling and enhanced
growth were combined with farming adaptations, such as planting crops
earlier to take advantage of a longer growing season, the fine-scale
model predicted a 26% increase, and the large-scale model predicted a
36% increase.
The research is part of a larger project that examines the impact of
different spatial scales of climate change scenarios on yields of
corn, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, and cotton in the southeastern United
States. The findings will be published next year in a special issue
of the journal Climate Change. NASA and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency funded the study. NCAR's primary sponsor is the
National Science Foundation.
-The End-
Visuals: A color graphic illustrating possible future cotton yields
in the southeastern United States may be downloaded at the NCAR
news site:
http://www.ucar.edu/communications/newsreleases/2001/cotton.html, or
at the NASA Goddard Top Story site:
http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/20011210cottonclimate.html
UCAR and NCAR news:
http://www.ucar.edu/communications/newsreleases/2001.
To subscribe via e-mail send name, title, affiliation, postal
address, fax, and phone number to butterwo@ucar.edu.
To unsubscribe, please send a message to butterwo@ucar.edu
--
Anatta
NCAR Media Relations/UCAR Communications
UCAR Foothills Lab 4, 3300 Mitchell Lane
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 497-8604; Fax: (303) 497-8610
E-mail: anatta@ucar.edu
http://www.ucar.edu/communications/newsreleases
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 11:58:15 -0500
From: Nadine Lymn <NADINE@ESA.ORG>
Subject: message about NRI grants program
Below is an important message for applicants to the National Research
Initiative Competitive Grants Program. You may find this message on the NRI
website (www.reeusda.gov/nri). Check there for updates. Please pass this
message on to your colleagues who may not have heard.
CSREES Requests Resubmission Of NRICGP Applications Originally Due November
5
Because of problems with mail delivery (including commercial overnight
delivery) at the time of the November 15, 2001, deadline for certain program
areas of the National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program
(NRICGP), CSREES is asking applicant institutions that have not yet received
confirmation of receipt of their applications to resubmit them by December 1
, 2001.
CSREES is not confident that it received all applications due on November
15. It appears that the issue with commercial overnight delivery service is
now resolved. Applications now sent by this method should be successfully
delivered to the Waterfront Centre.
The August 16, 2001, solicitation for applications entitled the "NRI Program
Description and Guidelines for Proposal Preparation" invited applications
for competitive grant awards in agricultural, forestry, and related
environmental sciences for FY 2002. Proposals for the following program
areas were due on November 15, 2001:
* Plant Responses to the Environment, Code 22.1
* Managed Ecosystems, Code 23.1
* Soils and Soil Biology, Code 25.0
* Watershed Processes and Water Resources, Code 26.0
* Improving Human Nutrition for Optimal Health, Code 31.0
* Biology of Weedy and Invasive Plants, Code 51.9
To avoid duplicate submissions, CSREES is confirming delivery with the
institutional Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) of all
applications delivered successfully by the November 15 deadline. If not yet
contacted by CSREES, the institution should assume that its application(s)
were not received and should re-submit them prior to December 17.
An original and 14 copies of the resubmitted proposals must be sent, via
commercial overnight delivery service only, to the following address: NRI,
c/o Proposal Services Unit; Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 1307 Waterfront
Centre; 800 9th Street, S.W.; Washington, DC 20024.
All other NRICGP deadlines are retained as published in the FY 2002 ProgramD
scription. However, applicants should send applications intended for the Dec
mber 15 NRICGP deadline by commercial overnight delivery service to ensure t
mely receipt.
For further information, contact JANICE DONATONE, Head, CSREES Proposal Serv
ces Unit (202-401-5048 or psb@reeusda.gov <mailto:psb@reeusda.gov>).
If you have questions or will have problems resubmitting on time, please
contact the appropriate Program Director. If you have already resubmitted,
you may call to confirm our receipt of your proposal.
Nancy Cavallaro, Ph.D.
Program Director, Soils & Water Programs
Voice: 202-401-5176
Fax: 202-401-6071
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 12:40:24 -0500
From: Jianguo Liu <jliu@PANDA.MSU.EDU>
Subject: NASA-MSU Awards
Call for Applications
NASA-MSU PROFESSIONAL ENHANCEMENT AWARDS
The "NASA-MSU Professional Enhancement Awards" are available to students
who are going to give oral or poster presentations at the 2002 Annual
Conference of the U.S. Regional Association of the International
Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE2002). These special awards are
made possible by the support from the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) and Michigan State University (MSU). The selected
students will have opportunities to meet with some leading landscape
ecologists at a special dinner gathering (also for the five-year reunion
of former awardees), to learn the latest developments in landscape ecology
at the conference, and to build professional networks with other
conference attendees.
Approximately 20 awards (up to $700 each) will be given for the selected
students to cover expenses associated with attending the
conference. Applications will be judged based on the merits of the
applicants' abstracts, financial needs, and professional backgrounds and
goals. Former award recipients are not eligible to apply. All applications
must be RECEIVED by January 31, 2002. The selection will be made by March
1, 2002.
Interested students should submit FOUR hardcopies (including one
original) of: (A) cover letter (interest in the award and statement of
professional goals); (B) completed application form; (C) resume; and
(D) abstract for IALE2002 (due on December 14, 2001). (For the
application form and guidelines for abstract submission, please visit
http://www.calmit.unl.edu/usiale2002/). All application materials must be
mailed to:
Dr. Jianguo (Jack) Liu
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
13 Natural Resources Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
jliu@panda.msu.edu (email)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 09:59:10 -0800
From: "Sedinger, Jim" <JSedinger@CABNR.UNR.EDU>
Subject: FW: Mammal Ecologist Position
> MAMMAL ECOLOGIST
>
> Tenure-track Faculty Position
> Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology
> Department of Environmental and Resource Sciences
>
> The Department of Environmental and Resource Sciences (ERS) seeks a
> tenure-track Assistant Professor in Wildlife and Conservation Biology,
> with expertise in the ecology of large mammals to begin July 1, 2002.
> Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Biology
r
> a closely related discipline; two years of professional or postdoctoral
> experience following the Ph.D. is preferred. Candidates with teaching
> experience and experience with extramural funding are preferred. We wil
> consider candidates with a broad range of interests, including but not
> limited to population biology, wildlife nutrition, and behavior.
>
> The successful candidate will play a central role in maintaining the
> program in wildlife and conservation biology at UNR. We expect candida
es
> to develop a competitively funded research program, a dynamic graduate
> training program, and play an integral role in development of the
> curriculum in Wildlife and Conservation Biology. The successful candid
te
> will be expected to teach two semester-length courses per year to inclu
e
> an undergraduate course in wildlife ecology every year and a graduate
> course in alternate years. Candidates interested in working in arid and
> montane ecosystems, and interacting with state and federal agencies are
> especially encouraged to apply.
>
> ERS houses a diverse faculty, including wildlife ecologists, plant
> ecologists, hydrologists, soil scientists and environmental scientists,
> with a common mission of furthering understanding of natural resource a
d
> environmentally related issues in the Great Basin and associated mounta
n
> ranges. The Department and College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and
> Natural Resources maintains numerous field sites throughout the region
n
> addition to teaching, laboratory and office facilities on the Reno camp
s.
>
> Applicants should send a cover letter, statements of teaching and resea
ch
> interests, a current CV and have three letters of reference sent by
> February 1, 2002 to: Jean Freestone, freestone@cabnr.unr.edu
> <mailto:freestone@cabnr.unr.edu>, Search Committee Secretary, Dep
. of
> Environmental & Resource Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno/MS 186, 1
00
> Valley Road, Reno, NV 89512-0013. Contact Jim Sedinger, Search
> Committee Chair (jsedinger@cabnr.unr.edu <mailto:jsedinger@cabnr.unr
edu>,
> 775-784-6556) for additional information about the position. The
> University of Nevada, Reno is an Equal Employment Opportunity /
> Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of
> race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status
> physical or mental disability, and sexual orientation in any program or
> activity it operates. The University of Nevada employs only United Sta
es
> citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
>
------------------------------
End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 12 Dec 2001 to 13 Dec 2001 (#2001-32)
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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