Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 27 Feb 2002 to 28 Feb 2002 (#2002-55)
There are 8 messages totalling 585 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. ECOLOG-L: summary of suggestions for sig testing of imp. values
2. Job Ad
3. Terrestrial Vegetation Monitoring Questions
4. June course: Conservation and Culture in East Africa
5. Summary of Replies to "RFI - sampling terrestrial molluscs"
6. Ecology Field Work, Summer 2002
7. Biological Technician Position
8. Job posting
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 09:51:10 EST
From: Dallard@AOL.COM
Subject: ECOLOG-L: summary of suggestions for sig testing of imp. values
Hi all,
Many thanks to those who responded to my q about significance testing of
importance values for species. Here is a summary of the responses.
1. Indicator Species Analysis (see the reference below) does
exactly what you need. It is not difficult to write your own
software for that, but if you are not in for software
development you can use packages as PC-ORD instead.
Dufrene, M. and P. Legendre, 1997. Species assemblages and
indicator species: the need for a flexible asymmetrical
approach. Ecological Monographs, 67(3): 345-366.
2. here is a perfect methods described by Gotelli N., & Graves,G.R.,
1996. Nul models in ecology. Smithsonian Institution Press
Read the chapter 2, Species diversity, there is a described the
methods: Rarefaction.
You can also use a free EcoSim computer program, available for download at
http://homepages.together.net/~gentsmin/ecosim.htm
but first, read the chapter from that book.
3. If you are working with cover classes in multiple plots, you have a
categorical data analysis problem and can stratify the different measures
(abundance and frequency) in a chi square. How you analyze teh data really
depends upon what you ultimately want to say about the two sites.
4. There is a paper by A. R. Solow (A simple test for change in
community structure, Journal of Animal Ecology, vol. 62, 191-913,
1993) which may be of some use to address your question. The main
idea is to use a randomization test, and although the example shown
uses the Simpson and Shannon indices, I believe it should be easy to
transform it for any other sort of indices.
5. My first thought is to use bootstrapping to build confidence intervals
around your importance values and then compare.
6. The problem, as you may have found, is that IV is only the "mean" value o
the index. This is also a problem for similarity indices and other
relative measures in community analysis. I used a bootstrap procedure that
randomly resamples the data set for which SI values area calculated at each
iteration. This provides a mean AND S.E. of the index for each plot,
stand, community etc. It is then a simple matter to use a t-test to
determine significance difference of the mean index value. Biometry by
Sokal and Rohlf chapt. 18 has a decent description of bootstrapping
procdures.
7. If importance values were normally distributed, you could use a
t-test. I suspect that IV is not normally distributed, especially
since relative frequency has a very strange distribution. One
approach would be to use bootstrapping to calculate 95% confidence
intervals for each IV. If they don't overlap, you could conclude
that they are different.
A good reference for this procedure (and many others) is:
Dixon, P.M. 1993. The bootstrap and the jackknife: describing the
precision of ecological indices. In: Design and analysis of
ecological experiments. Eds. S.M. Scheiner and J. Gurevitch.
Chapman and Hall, New York, pp 290-317.
thanks again
Dorothy J. Allard, Ph.D.
Analytical Resources L.L.C.
PO Box 279
E. Montpelier, VT 05651
USA
Phone (001) 802/223-1968
Mobile 802/279-4249
FAX (001) 802/223-1826
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 08:56:41 -0700
From: "Robert S. Fritz" <fritz@VASSAR.EDU>
Subject: Job Ad
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
One-Year Visiting Position
Vassar College seeks an Environmental Scientist or a Biologist or
Geologist specializing in environmental science or a related area to
teach courses in introductory environmental science, an environmental
science seminar, and an advanced course in a related area. Ph.D.
preferred but not required. Send curriculum vitae, teaching and
research statements, and two letters of recommendation to:
Environmental Science Search, P.O. Box 731, Biology Department,
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0731 by March 29, 2002. Vassar
College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
--
********************************************************************
Robert S. Fritz
Department of Biology
Box 133
Vassar College
124 Raymond Ave.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0133
Office (845)-437-7418
FAX (845)-437-7315
Summer (607)-286-9935
Cell (Field) (607)-287-6850
http://faculty.vassar.edu/~fritz/FRITZ_PAGE.html
********************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 08:23:39 -0600
From: PETE JACKSON <PJACKSON@DNRMAIL.STATE.IL.US>
Subject: Terrestrial Vegetation Monitoring Questions
In the Chicago region a group of land management acencies, volunteer monitor
ng organizations, and other interested parties is currently working to stand
rdize terrestrial vegetation monitoring procedures in the region. Several i
sues have been raised which the group is currently evaluating. We would be
nterested in any thoughts that people might have on the following issues:
1) For shrub layer monitoring in forests/woodlands, the line-intercept metho
of estimating percent cover has been proposed as an alternative to stem den
ity counts for shrub species. This is due in part to the difficulty of coun
ing shrub stems in some forests, even when basal stems are counted to simpli
y the procedure. Does anyone have experience using the line-intercept metho
of coverage estimation for shrubs in woodlands, and if so do you feel it wo
ks well and is fairly accurate (even for fairly large shrubs up to 12 feet i
height)?
2) For terrestrial vegetation studies designed to assess vegetative change o
er time, what are the relative pros and cons of using permanent versus tempo
ary sample plots? Are there ways in which data collected from permanent plo
s might be somehow compared with data from temporary plots, perhaps after th
appropriate statistical analyses were conducted on the data from each?
Thanks for any help,
Pete Jackson
Illinois EcoWatch Network
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 10:15:33 -0700
From: Jim Ebersole <jebersole@COLORADOCOLLEGE.EDU>
Subject: June course: Conservation and Culture in East Africa
The Colorado College Summer Session offers a course taught in Tanzania 8-30
June. CC has offered this course very successfully in 2000 (in Zimbabwe)
and 2001 (in Tanzania).
For more details, including tentative itinerary and costs, see:
http://www.coloradocollege.edu/SummerSession/Courses/Tanzania.html
<http://www.coloradocollege.edu/SummerSession/Courses/Tanzania.html>
or contact the Colorado College Summer Session:
summer@ColoradoCollege.edu <mailto:summer@ColoradoCollege.edu>
1-888-894-8727
Summer Session Office
The Colorado College
14 E. Cache la Poudre Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
For more info beyond the brief description below, see the web page.
Conservation and Culture in East Africa
4 semester hours credit
The savannas of eastern Africa are known throughout the world for their
spectacular wildlife. The heart of this ecoregion is the Serengeti National
Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, which protect the last
major migratory herd of wildebeest in Africa, along with associated
predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and wild hunting dogs. These
conservation areas are a magnet for nature tourism from throughout the
world, and thus a major economic resource for Tanzania. They were
established during the colonial era within the traditional territory of the
Maasai, an ethnic group of cattle-herding pastoralists. It has often been
noted that one of the reasons that wildlife survived in such spectacular
numbers in Maasai country is because their pastoral lifestyle is compatible
with wildlife.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which encompasses the Ngorongoro Crater
highlands on the southeastern edge of the Serengeti Plain, is a multiple-use
conservation area, set aside to protect both the wildlife that attract
tourists and the pastoral lifestyle of the Maasai who live there. This
multiple-use conservation concept is seen by some people as a model for
conservation in Africa, but making it work well has proven to be very
difficult. Because of its complexity, Ngorongoro is an ideal place to learn
about the key issues and challenges of conservation in Africa.
We will depart from the US and fly to Arusha, Tanzania. Upon arrival we will
travel directly to the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka, in
northern Tanzania, just south of Mt. Kilimanjaro. At Mweka we will have
three days of orientation and introduction to East African conservation
issues by faculty from both Mweka College and the Colorado College before we
begin our field-study safari.
The outdoor classroom and learning laboratory for this course will include
Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, and the Ngorongoro Conservation
Area and Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Parks in northern
Tanzania. We will investigate some of the fundamental ecological and social
issues involved in protecting and sustainably managing the natural resources
of this region. We will meet park and conservation area managers, local
Maasai herders, foreign tourists, representatives of international
conservation organizations, and tour operators to learn about their views.
We will experience firsthand the wonder and beauty of this unique place as
we learn about it.
Jim Ebersole
Professor of Biology
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Jebersole@ColoradoCollege.edu <mailto:Jebersole@ColoradoCollege.e
u>
719-389-6401 voice
719-389-6940 fax
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 14:13:25 -0500
From: Stefan Hames <rsh5@CORNELL.EDU>
Subject: Summary of Replies to "RFI - sampling terrestrial molluscs"
Hi All,
Thanks very much to the many list-members who took the time to
provide thoughtful suggestions, contact information for researchers,
and literature citations. I have listed the citations below in the
hope that they may be useful. Most are in English, though several
are in German. I have removed the annotations for brevity.
Again, thanks for the help and special thanks to the list manager for
providing such an excellent resource.
Best,
Stefan
Bishop, M.J. 1977. Approaches to the quantitative description of
terrestrial mollusc populations and habitat. Malacologia 16(1): 61-66.
Boag, D.A. 1981. Overcoming sampling bias in studies of terrestrial gastropo
s.
Can. J. Zool. 60: 1289-1292
Cain, A.J. 1983. Ecology and ecogenetics of terrestrial molluscan
populations. In The Mollusca. Volume 6. Ecology, (ed. W.D.
Russell-Hunter), pp. 597-647. London: Academic Press.
Cameron, R.A.D. & Morgan-huws. 1975. Snail faunas in the early stages
of a chalk grassland succession. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 7: 215-229
Coney, CC, et al. 1982. Ecological studies of land snails in the Hiwassee
River Basin of Tennessee, USA. Malacological Review 15: 69-106.
Cowie, R.H., 2001. Decline and homogenization of Pacific faunas: the
land snails of American Samoa. Biological Conservation 99, 207-222.
DUDA, M. 1999. Städtische Brach- und Ruderalflächen und ihre Gastropodenfaun
im Süden von Wien. -Diplomarbeit an der Universität für Bodenkultur -Wien, 9
S
(Austria)
Emberton, KC, et al. 1996. Quantitatively sampling land-snail species
richness in Madagascan rainforests. Malacologia 38(1-2): 203-212.
Furnish, J, et al. 1997. Survey Protocol for Terrestrial Mollusk Species:
>From the Northwest Forest Plan.
http://www.or.blm.gov/ForestPlan/Survey%20and%20Manage/mollusks/tcover.htm
(unfortunately not viewable now bc of US Dept. Interior legal dispute)
Getz, LL and GW Uetz. 1994. Species diversity of terrestrial snails in the
southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. Malacological Review 27: 61-74.
Grimm, B., Paill, W. & Kaise, H. 1997. Biologische und angewandt - ökologisc
e
Untersuchungen an Arion lusitanicus Mab., ein
international-kooperatives Projekt
zur Erforschung einer in Europa verbreiteten Schadschnecke. -Institut
für Zoologie,
Universität Graz, 73 S (Austria)
Hawkins, J. W., M. W. Lankester, R. A. Lautenschlager, and F. W. Bell. 1997.
Length - Biomass and energy relationships of terrestrial gastropods in north
rn
forest ecosystems. Canadian Journal of Zoology-Revue Canadienne De Zoologie
75(3):501-505)
Jones, J.S., Leith, B.H. & Rawlings, P. Polymorphism in Cepaea: a
problem with too many solutions? Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 8, 109-143.
Kerkhoff, C. 1993.Untersuchungen an Gastropodenzönosen von
Auenwäldern in Süddeutschland. Teil I.- Zool. Jb. 120: 321-375
.
Kerkhoff, C. 1993. Untersuchungen an Gastropodenzönosen von
Auenwäldern in Süddeutschland. Teil II.- Zool. Jb. 120: 453-494.
McCoy, KD. 1999. Sampling terrestrial gastropod communities: using
estimates of species richness and diversity to compare two methods.
Malacologia 41(1): 271-281.
Oggier, P., Zschokke, S & Baur, B. 1998. A comparison of three
different methods
for assessing the gastropod community in dry grass alnd. - Pedobiologia 42(4
:
348 - 357, Jena (Germany)
REISCHÜTZ, P.L. 1999. Beiträge zur Molluskenfauna Niederösterreichs XVI.
Erfahrungen mit befeuchtetem Karton bei Aufsammlungen von Landschnecken
(cardboard trapping) im Waldviertel, Niederösterreich (auch über den
Aussagewert
^Ķquantitativer" ökologischer Methoden in der Malakaozoologie).-
Nachrichtenblatt
der ersten Vorarlberger Malakologischen Gesellschaft, Rankweil 7: 40
- 45 (Austria)
Stroscher, K. 1991. Die Gastropodenzönosen der Hessischen Rhön und ihrer
Bindung an bestimmte Waldgesellschaften. -Inaugural Dissertation Universität
Giessen, 201 S (Germany)
Tattersfield, P., Seddon, M.B. & Landge, C.N. 2001. Land-snail faunas in
indigenous rainforest and commercial forestry plantations in Kakamega
Forest, western Kenya. Biodiversity and Cosnervation 10: 1809-1829.
Trostl, R. 1996. Faunistisch- ökologische Untersuchungen der Molluskenfauna
verschiedener Mischwaldtypen des Wienerwaldes. -Dissertation Universität Wie
,
220 S (Austria)
Tucker, G. M., Apostatic selection by song thrushes (Turdus philomelos)
feeding on the snail Cepaea hortensis. Biological Journal of the Linnean
Society 43: 149-156.
Ward-Booth, J.F., Dussart, G.B.J., 2001. Consistency in hand-searching
for terrestrial snails. Journal of Molluscan Studies 67, 502-506.
Young, A. G., G.R.,Port, A.D. Craig, D.A. James, & T .
GREEN(1996): The use of
refuge traps in assessing of slug damage: a comparison of trap
material and bait.
In: Henderson, I.F. (Editor): Slug and snail pests in Agriculture.
BCPC Symposium
Proceedings No 66, S 133-140, Farnham (G.B.)
Also two recent papers which deal with the subject peripherally:
Cowie, R.H. & J.S. Jones,1998. Gene frequency changes in Cepaea snails
on the Marlborough Downs over 25 years. Biological Journal of the
Linnean Society 65(3): 233-255.
Cook, L.M., Cowie, R.H. & Jones, J.S. 1999. Change in morph frequency in
the snail Cepaea nemoralis on the Marlborough Downs. Heredity 82:
336-342
--
========================================================================
Stefan Hames
Post-Doctoral Associate
Bird Population Studies
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: 607-254-2496 (lab)
607-254-2111 (fax)
607-273-4915 (home)
<mailto: rsh5@cornell.edu>
========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 16:50:56 -0500
From: "Daniel E. Bunker" <dbunker+@PITT.EDU>
Subject: Ecology Field Work, Summer 2002
Ecology Field Work, Summer 2002
*****please reply to rcollins@pitt.edu, not to the sender*****
Four field assistants are needed to work on a Forest Ecology Research
Project studying the effects of prescribed fire, deer herbivory and
canopy
gaps on biodiversity, shifts in species composition and forest
regeneration in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. Work
will
include but not be limited to censusing tree seedlings, saplings and
adults; maintaining data bases; repairing deer exclosures; collecting
seed
rain; evaluating seed predation; and data entry.
If you have a background in biology and want to start a career in ecology
or environmental studies, or if you have a strong interest in
conservation and research, or if you have a knowledge base in eastern
deciduous forest tree species then, I encourage you to apply.
Successful candidates will work well as part of a team, be able to handle
rugged terrain and adverse conditions, be conscientious and very
motivated.
Details:
1. $280/week (5 days/week, full time)
2. From 29 May through 23 August 2002 (firm)
2. Housing is Provided.
3. Gain research experience to boost your resume.
4. Great outdoor work in beautiful mountains.
5. Tons of recreational activities nearby.
6. Experience is preferred but not necessary.
To apply send (1) cover letter that includes a) how this position would
help you achieve your career goals, b) your work experience and species
identification skills, and c) dates you are available; (2) your resume
(max 2 pages); (3) your transcript (unofficial is fine); (4) the names,
addresses, phone numbers and email for 3 references (include a mix of
professors and employers, no personal references); (5) include your full
address, phone number and email address.
Send this information to Rachel Collins at
rcollins@pitt.edu or
A234 Langley Hall
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Apply now.
Positions will be filled as qualified applications are received.
Date Posted: 28 February 2001.
Get going on your summer job plans!
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 17:27:24 -0500
From: "Anson H. Hines" <hines@SERC.SI.EDU>
Subject: Biological Technician Position
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Biologist GS 7 ($31,397 per yr plus benefits).
Biological Technician in Estuarine Ecology of Fish and Benthic Invertebrates
Permanent, hard-money, federal position.
Application deadline 22 March 2002.
Position Announcement Number: 02KW-1045, Position Series GS-401, Grade 07.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater,
MD, approx. 26 miles east of Washington DC and 7 miles south of Annapolis
at a modern laboratory and office complex on 2,700 acres of land
surrounding the Rhode River subestuary. Webssite: www.serc.si.edu
The Biologist (professional, career-track Biological Technician) will
assist in descriptive and experimental analysis of population and
community ecology of fish and benthic invertebrates of Chesapeake Bay,
especially at SERC^Ōs long-term research site on the Rhode River. The
position requires working with a team of Principle Investigators,
technicians, undergraduate interns, graduate students, post-doctoral
fellows, and visiting scientists. The position supports field sampling and
experiments for an array of external grants as well as long-term (20+ yr)
descriptive sampling program. Experience and aptitude in data management,
computer graphics and statistical analyses are especially desirable.
The position is supervised by Dr. Anson H. Hines, Assistant Director and
Marine Ecologist, SERC.
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
ˇ Masters degree or equivalent experience in marine and/or estuarine
ecology.
ˇ Experience in identification of estuarine fish and benthic
invertebrates, especially for the Mid-Atlantic region or East Coast.
ˇ Experience in quantitative field sampling of estuarine fish and
benthic invertebrates.
ˇ Experience operating small boats and boat trailers.
ˇ Ability to manage and manipulate data files using software for
spread sheets (esp. Excel), relational databases (esp. Access), statistical
packages (esp. Systat,or SAS), and graphical presentation (esp. Sigma plot).
ˇ Ability to work as team member.
ˇ Demonstrated initiative, independence and responsible maturity.
SELECTIVE FACTORS:
1. Knowledge of field sampling techniques.
2. Ability to operate small to medium sized boats.
3. Knowledge of plankton , invertebrates and fish (i.e., evidenced by
professional experience or formal education.
QUALITY RANKING FACTORS:
1. Knowledge of estuarine plankton, invertebrates and fish of Chesapeake
Bay.
2. Skill in field ecology of Chesapeake Bay.
3. Skill in scientific data analysis and graphics.
4. Knowledge of use of computer software for word processing, spread
sheets, and data management.
Applicants MUST:
1. Apply by 22 March, 2002 to:
MAIL: Office of Human Resources, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 50638,
Washington, DC 20091
FAX: 202-275-1114 TELEPHONE: 202-275-1102
HAND DELIVER OR FEDEX: 750 Ninth Street NW, Suite 6100, Washington, DC
3. Include Announcement Number in Application.
4. Include a Photo Copy of College Transcript and a Resume that clearly
describes your work experience, education and training as it relates to the
specific Selective Factors and Quality Ranking Factors of this Announcement.
5. Include a Cover Letter that describes how your experience, education and
training relate to the specific Selective Factors and Quality Ranking
Factors of this Announcement.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 16:05:15 -0700
From: Clarice Jenson <cjenson@USGS.GOV>
Subject: Job posting
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
February 27, 2002
Biologist II
Open: 02/28/02
Close: 03/11/02
Position: Brown Tree Snake Research Team ? Biologist II (2 positions).
Johnson Controls World Services, Inc. has a technical services support
contract with the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Midcontinent Ecological
Science Center (MESC). MESC is conducting ongoing research on the
biology, control, and containment of the brown tree snake on Guam, Mariana
Islands, in the Pacific. The accidental introduction of this snake to Guam
has led to the extinction of most of the island's native forest avifauna,
caused significant economic impacts by disruption of electrical power on
the island and its military bases, and created health risks by venomous
snake bites to humans, especially infants. The snake could cause similar
problems on other islands in the Pacific if it is introduced through
military or commercial transportation.
Johnson Controls World Services Inc. is hiring 2 Biologist II positions to
support the MESC research project. The successful candidates will be
involved in project design, data collection and entry, implementation of
experiments in field situations, preparation of materials and equipment for
experiments, preparation of study sites, and handling of living and dead
specimens (snakes, lizards, rodents, and other vertebrates) during data
collection and at the termination of experiments. Preparation and
maintenance of sites may involve use of brush cutting equipment, power
saws, and hand instruments.
Qualifications: Minimum of a B.S./B.A. with training in biology, ecology,
communication or related field. Valid driver's license. Excellent
eyesight, health, and physical stamina are required. Ability to walk over
rough terrain, carry up to 50 lbs of equipment, tolerate climatic extremes,
and work in both day and night conditions are necessary to conduct the data
collection and field work.
Must have proper credentials (US citizen, green card, work authorization,
work visa, etc.) to work in the US.
Location: Positions will be based in Guam.
Compensation: Johnson Controls world Services offers this full time
position the following: salary of $32k 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 after one year of service; matching gift program;
administrative leave; and educational assistance.
Please send cover letter and resume to:
Keith Rounsaville
Johnson Controls World Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 270308
Fort Collins, CO 80527
Keith Rounsaville@usgs.gov
Fax 970-226-9455
Clarice "CJ" Jenson
4512 McMurry
Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-226-9493
cjenson@usgs.gov
------------------------------
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 28 Feb 2002 to 1 Mar 2002 (#2002-56)
There are 9 messages totalling 432 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. FW: [environmentaljournalists] EPA Director of Regulatory Enforcement
resigns
2. Temporal Variability of Life Histories
3. Postdoctoral RA in Evolutionary Ecology
4. Outreach Notice for Ecology Research Technician
5. Job posting: Fisheries Research Biologist - 2 positions
6. rejecting broad hypotheses
7. temp. bird job in NE
8. Increased water vapor in stratosphere possibly caused by tropical bioma
s
burni
9. Position announcement
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 07:18:43 -0800
From: David Thomson <dthomson@HARVEYECOLOGY.COM>
Subject: FW: [environmentaljournalists] EPA Director of Regulatory Enforceme
t
resigns
Dear Listserve,
I thought the ESA might like to read this very troubling news (below). I
would suggest that those in a position to effect change not give up the
fight (but please see the linked letter for Schaeffers' reasons). I
currently work in the field of habitat restoration and environmental
regulation and often I am ready to walk away. However, maybe I can help
change things, if only I can stand the quagmire long enough.
Regards,
David Thomson
Restoration Ecologist
HT Harvey and Associates
3150 Almaden Expressway Suite 104
San Jose, CA 95118
PH (408) 448-9450 ext. 410
FAX (408) 448-9454
dthomson@harveyecology.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Meuser [mailto:meuser@mapcruzin.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 4:10 PM
To: environmentaljournalists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [environmentaljournalists] EPA Director of Regulatory
Enforcement resigns
EPA Director of Regulatory Enforcement resigns today. Schaeffers
resignation letter may be found at:
http://www.mapcruzin.com/news/rtk022802a.htm
In his letter he shares his frustration with clean air act rollbacks,
the white house, and lack of following through on enforcement.
mike
+++++++++++++++++++++
Michael R. Meuser,
meuser@mapcruzin.com
http://www.mapcruzin.com/
Environmental & Social Cartography, WebMaps
Environmental Justice, Right-to-Know Advocacy
Maps, Data CDs, and Free Mapping Tutorial
http://www.mapcruzin.com/
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Buy Stock for $4.
No Minimums.
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 10:10:20 -0400
From: Steven Orzack <orzack@FRESHPOND.ORG>
Subject: Temporal Variability of Life Histories
REQUEST FOR DATA AND REFERENCES
As part of a synthetic study of the effects and consequences of temporal var
ability of vital rates on life history evolution, I would much appreciate be
ng informed of published and unpublished data concerning temporal variabilit
of age- or stage-specific vital rates. My coworkers, Shripad Tuljapurkar an
Carol Horvitz, and I will be creating a public database with this informati
n.
If you know of such data from species of any kind, I would much appreciate
your letting me know.
thanks,
Steven Orzack
The Fresh Pond Research Institute
173 Harvey Street
Cambridge, MA. 02140
617 864-4307
425 732-1926 fax
www.freshpond.org
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 09:43:49 -0600
From: Scott Franklin <sfrankli@MEMPHIS.EDU>
Subject: Postdoctoral RA in Evolutionary Ecology
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Evolutionary Ecology
The Department of Biology at The University of Memphis invites
applications for an Evolutionary Ecologist who uses molecular
techniques to address organismal-level questions in population,
behavioral, or evolutionary ecology. Proficiency with molecular markers
such as microsatellites, allozymes, and/or mtDNA is required. The
successful candidate will be expected to teach one graduate-level course
in molecular techniques during the fall semester and conduct research
independently or in collaboration with resident faculty. Position begins
21 August 2002. This position will be readvertised next fall as a
full-time tenure-track position at the assistant professor level with a
starting date of 21 August 2003. Applicants should submit a letter of
application, curriculum vitae, a concise description of research,
evidence of ability to teach a molecular techniques course, and names,
phone numbers and email addresses of at least three references to: Dr.
Jerry O. Wolff, Department of Biology, The University of Memphis,
Memphis, TN 38152. Contacts for more information: Phone (901)
678-2758, FAX (901) 678-4746, Email: jwolff@memphis.edu. or see our web
page at http://www.people.memphis.edu/~biology/. Review of applications
will begin March 20, 2002 and may continue until the position is
filled. The University of Memphis is an Affirmative Action/Equal
Opportunity Employer.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 13:45:39 -0500
From: Steven Perakis <steven.perakis@ORST.EDU>
Subject: Outreach Notice for Ecology Research Technician
Outreach Notice ^Ö Biological Research Technician GS 5
The Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center of the US Geological
Survey will be hiring a full-time, temporary research technician from April
1, 2002 to April 30, 2003 to assist with studies of plant-soil nutrient
cycling and biogeochemistry in forest ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest.
The research will be 20% field, 70% laboratory, and 10% office work.
Responsibilities of field work include establishing research plots,
measuring plant abundance and biomass, and collecting samples of plants,
soils, and waters. Applicants must be willing to occasionally spend 1-2
weeks conducting field research in remote areas and in rugged terrain.
Laboratory work includes sorting and preparation of field samples and
assisting with measurements of sample nutrient content using sophisticated
laboratory analytical equipment. Office work includes data entry, library
searches, and report preparation. BS degree in biology, ecology,
chemistry, botany, natural resources, environmental science, soil science
or related field is required. Experience with biogeochemical research in
both field and lab settings is preferred. Salary is $11.84 per hour. This
position will be located in Corvallis, OR. The Federal Government is an
equal opportunity employer. This agency provides reasonable accommodations
to applicants with disabilities. For more information please contact:
Steven S. Perakis
US Geological Survey
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97331
Tel: (541) 758-8786
Email: sperakis@usgs.gov
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 14:56:48 -0500
From: Shawn Sitar <sitars@MICHIGAN.GOV>
Subject: Job posting: Fisheries Research Biologist - 2 positions
Position Title: Fisheries Research Biologist - 2 positions
Agency/Location: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries
Division
Charlevoix and Alpena, MI
Responsibilities: Responsible for experimental design of, and carrying
out of, research and assessment studies on Great Lake fishes, with
emphasis on commercially and recreationally important Lake Huron
(Alpena) and Lake Michigan species (Charlevoix). Duties include
collection and management of large survey databases, and analysis of
these to provide annual population statistics describing key fish
stocks. The positions are responsible for completing the stock
assessments using modeling methods such as statistical catch-at-age
analysis to determine stock size, mortality rates, spawning stock
biomass, and safe harvest levels (e.g., Total Allowable Catch) in
support of the 2000 Consent Decree regarding allocation of fisheries in
the Native American 1836 Treaty. Serve as technical experts on Lake
Huron (Alpena) and Lake Michigan (Charlevoix) fisheries to the
Fisheries Division, the Technical Fisheries Committee, and the Great
Lakes Fisheries Commission Lake Huron and Lake Michigan Technical
Committees.
Qualifications: Possession of thesis based master's degree in
fisheries management, fisheries biology, wildlife management, wildlife
biology, or a related biological science with research emphasis.
Included must be 12 term credits (8 semester credits) of upper
undergraduate or graduate level courses which provide training in
experimental design, statistics, computer science, and other
quantitative methods such as advanced calculus or mathematical modeling.
Candidates with thesis-based Master's degree in applied math or
statistics will be considered as long as the candidate has a BS degree
in fisheries biology, fisheries management, population ecology or
closely related biological field.
Salary: $30,714- $50,153 depending on experience. Excellent
benefits.
Closing Date: March 29, 2002
Application Process: Applicants must complete Employment Application
Form #R7123 which can be obtained at the Michigan DNR WEB Site at
http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/jobvacancies.asp. In addition, a cover
letter with detailed resume and ALL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS must be attached
to the application form and sent to Tami Pattison, Human Resource
Specialist, Human Resources Division, Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, PO Box 30446, Lansing, MI 48909. For further information
please contact Anita Simon at 517-373-3996 or Pat Perkins at
517-335-2745.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Shawn Sitar ><> ~ <><
Fisheries Research Biologist <>< `><>
Marquette Fisheries Research Station ~
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
E-mail: sitars@michigan.gov
-------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 13:44:06 -0700
From: Lee Dyer <orugas@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: rejecting broad hypotheses
Some brief comments about rejecting general hypotheses in ecology.
I read this strong assertion about plant chemical defenses in some
unpublished but influential written statement:
"^Åthe concept of quantitative defenses is dead [no references provided]."
I agree with many of the good criticisms of the quantitative defenses
concept (e.g., Strong et al. 1984), but I have not seen any convincing
arguments or data that suggest that the concept (or at least a revised
version) should not be alive and well. In fact, the terms are still
effectively used in the literature (e.g., Vinson 1999, Arnold and Targett
2000). Besides, according to Hamilton et al. (2001), "no theory of chemical
defence has ever been rejected."
This brings up a more interesting issue of mechanisms we use to reject
general hypotheses in ecology, along with the question, "has any established
ecological *theory* ever been completely rejected?" Specific hypotheses are
easy to reject, but broad hypotheses such as those associated with the
quantitative/qualitative defenses dichotomy or the carbon-nutrient balance
hypothesis (CNB) are not so easy to destroy. Briefly considering the latter
hypothesis, Hamilton et al. (2001) provide an excellent critique of CNB,
declare it rejected, and propose an alternative (which is actually just a
more inclusive hypothesis into which a modified CNB could fit nicely).
Although the authors present a convincing case that some assumptions of CNB
are incorrect, they do not demonstrate that it has no predictive power. A
problem with their critique is that they utilize the "vote counting" (sensu
Gurevitch and Hedges 2001) argument that many studies do not fit
predictions, and at the same time they cite a meta-analysis (Koricheva et
al. 1998) that provides quantitative support for a limited CNB. I am not
convinced that CNB is ready to be entirely rejected, nor do I think
restricting its scope is a problem. Perhaps it should continue to be
modified and strengthened (as happens to most good general hypotheses over
time) or incorporated into the Hamilton et al. (2001) model.
What's the point of this small electronic meander? One convincing way to
reject general hypotheses or to declare particular concepts "dead" is to
publish papers that examine faulty assumptions of hypotheses but also
provide a quantitative assessment of predictive power (via techniques like
meta-analysis). Provided that there are sufficient empirical studies, we
really are in a position to get out a sharp sword and start killing some bad
ideas (then maybe the ecology textbooks won't be so fat). In the meantime, I
will still refer to digestibility reducers as "quantitative defenses."
************************************************
Lee Dyer
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
310 Dinwiddie Hall
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118
Email: ldyer@tulane.edu
Web: www.caterpillars.org
phone: 504-862-8289 (lab)
504-862-8288 (office)
fax: 504-862-8940
_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 16:00:21 -0500
From: Cris Corkum <NebraskaPP@NETSCAPE.NET>
Subject: temp. bird job in NE
Please be advised of the following temporary position in Nebraska:
FIELD TECHNICIAN needed by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory^Ōs Prairie
Partners Program for bird conservation work in the panhandle of Nebraska
from April 1 ^Ö July 31, 2002. Responsibilities include orientation to
field sites, securing access from landowners, systematic surveys for all
prairie birds, Burrowing Owls, and Mountain Plovers in farm and rangeland,
record keeping, and data entry. We are searching for a mature, positive
individual, with experience in independent field study. Strong
communication skills and ecology background are imperative. The incumbent
must provide their own field vehicle and will be required to camp in local
State Recreation Areas for much of the work term. Hours will be irregular
and long. Salary is $1500/month, with lodging and mileage reimbursed.
Please send letter of interest and resume to: Cris Corkum, Nebraska Project
Coordinator, 5551 Dodge Rd., Alliance, NE 69301; NebraskaPP@netscape.net
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 19:19:07 -0500
From: Karen Claxon <kclaxon@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Increased water vapor in stratosphere possibly caused by tropical
biomass burni
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-02/yu-iwv022002.php
Contact: Jacqueline Weaver
jacqueline.weaver@yale.edu
203-432-8555
Yale University
Increased water vapor in stratosphere possibly caused by tropical
biomass burning
New Haven, Conn. - The doubling of the moisture content in the
stratosphere over the last 50 years was caused, at least in part, by
tropical biomass burning, a Yale researcher has concluded from examining
satellite weather data.
Tropical biomass burning is any burning of plant material. In the
tropics this is usually the clearing of forest or grassland for
agricultural purposes, mostly before the growing season.
"In the stratosphere, there has been a cooling trend that is now
believed to be contributing to milder winters in parts of the northern
hemisphere; the cooling is caused as much by the increased humidity as
by carbon dioxide," said Steven Sherwood, assistant professor of geology
and geophysics whose article appears in this month's issue of the
journal, Science. "Higher humidity also helps catalyze the destruction
of the ozone layer."
Cooling in the stratosphere causes changes to the jet stream that
produce milder winters in North America and Europe. By contrast, harsher
winters result in the Arctic.
Sherwood said that about half of the increased humidity in the
stratosphere has been attributed to methane oxidation. It was not known,
however, what caused the remaining added moisture.
In a study funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Sherwood examined a combination of data from a NASA satellite launched
in the 1990s and operational weather satellite data archived at the
Goddard Institute for Space Science in New York.
In particular, he studied monthly and yearly fluctuations of humidity in
the stratosphere, relative humidity near the tropical tropopause, which
is the place where air enters the stratosphere, ice crystal size in
towering cumulus clouds, and aerosols associated with tropical biomass
burning.
"More aerosols lead to smaller ice crystals and more water vapor
entering the stratosphere," Sherwood said. "Aerosols are smoke from
burning. They fluctuate seasonally and geographically. Over decades
there have been increases linked to population growth."
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 16:35:48 -0700
From: Cindy Wood <cindyfar@UWYO.EDU>
Subject: Position announcement
Please place the following job announcement on your free listserve. We
do have serveral ESA members within our department. If you have any
questions, please let me know. Thank You!
Cindy Wood
Accounting Associate Senior
Univ of Wyoming Dept of Renewable Resources
cindyfar@uwyo.edu
Tenure track Assistant Professor (Biological Control) in the Dept. of
Renewable Resources, University of Wyoming. Nine month appointment with
3 month summer salary contingent upon service to Wyoming Weed and Pest
Council. Requires a Ph.D. in Entomology, or related discipline focusing
on the biological control of plants and insects. Post-doctoral
experience preferred. Research requirements (75%) include application
of fundamentals of biological control to undesirable plants and insects
of importance to Wyoming. Position requires interaction with Wyoming
Weed & Pest Council, USDA-APHIS, and other agencies. Must secure
external funding to support research and must publish in refereed
scientific journals. Instructional component (25%) includes direction
of programs of graduate study and teaching a course in biological
control. For full position description see the Department of Renewable
Resources web site at www.uwyo.edu/renewableresources. Screening of
applications will begin April 17, 2002, and continue until a suitable
applicant is found. The University of Wyoming is an Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
------------------------------
End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 28 Feb 2002 to 1 Mar 2002 (#2002-56)
*************************************************************
˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙
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