ECOLOG-L Digest - 23 May 2003 to 24 May 2003 (#2003-136)
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 23 May 2003 to 24 May 2003 (#2003-136) There is one message totalling 177 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Restoration & Prairie Researchers' Comments Needed! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 24 May 2003 19:38:13 -0600 From: Karen Hollweg <khollweg@STANFORDALUMNI.ORG> Subject: Restoration & Prairie Researchers' Comments Needed! In the next 3 weeks, we have a chance to make a change that will=20 * keep intact the largest parcel of prairie plant communities and = native wildlife on the Front Range of Colorado,=20 * promote ecological research and restoration on that land, and=20 * initiate the creation of a progressive education program to help the = public learn about the scientific enterprise.=20 The new Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge (west of Denver, between = Boulder and Golden, CO) contains a large expanse of undeveloped = grasslands and wetlands -- including rare xeric tallgrass prairie, = threatened & endangered skippers and Prebble's jumping mouse. Educators = & nature lovers are voicing their support for the USFWS's Alternative C = - that emphasizes ecological restoration and research. Won't you join = us? It's a busy time of year for those doing field work, but I hope you will = want to take a few minutes and join the educators & conservationists who = want to preserve, restore, and learn more about this ecologically = valuable area. Please go to http://rockyflats.fws.gov , review the = USF&WS alternatives, and submit your comments NOW. The voice of = researchers is essential to provide credibility for Alternative C !=20 The USF&WS's 4 alternatives for using & managing the property during its = first 15 years as a National Wildlife Refuge are summarized below. For = those interested, I'm embedding at the end of this message a 1-pager re = the work I'm doing with a group of veteran educators to enhance = Alternative C. Please pass this info on to other research ecologists who may be = interested. Also, please send me a copy of your comments, so that I can = share them with others working to support Alternative C.=20 Thanks for your help at this important decision point! Karen Hollweg Member, ESA Education & Human Resources Committee 303-494-2016 =20 khollweg@stanfordalumni.org ------- WHAT'S HAPPENING? The US Fish & Wildlife Service is soliciting comment on 4 alternatives = for managing the new Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The = alternative formally selected will guide the management and use of Rocky = Flats for the next 15 years. ALTERNATIVES Alternative A - No Action - continues the current situation Alternative B - The "Draft Proposed Action" sets forth a classic NWR = plan with multiple use trails, hunting, an interpretive facility, etc. Alternative C - "Ecological Restoration" emphasizes conservation & = restoration to presettlement conditions, scientific research, limited = public use and an education program. With work, we believe the education = program can be enhanced offering an innovative vision that takes = advantage of the other aspects -- and that with such an improvement, = this alternative can gain the support necessary to become the preferred = alternative. Alternative D - "Public Use" envisions more intensive public use than B. WOULDN'T IT BE EXCITING TO HAVE A LARGE, HIGH QUALITY OPEN SPACE AREA = THAT WOULD ENGAGE PEOPLE IN THE SCIENTIFIC ENTERPRISE? and AT THE SAME = TIME PREVENT THE DEGRADATION AND OVERUSE OF THE ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES? WHAT YOU CAN DO: 1. Go to http://rockyflats.fws.gov to learn more about the Alternatives = for management & submit your comments online -- or request a hard copy = of the Spring 2003 Planning Update from the USFWS via e-mail = rockyflats@fws.gov or by phoning 303-966-4843. 2. If you are nearby, participate in one of the scheduled public = workshops: Wed, May 28, 1-3:30pm at Broomfield Rec Center, 280 Lamar St, Broomfield Thurs, May 29, 6:30-9pm at Senior Rec Center, 6842 Wadsworth, Arvada 3. Remember that your written comments to USFWS are due June 20, 2003.=20 Please let me know via e-mail if you have questions that I might be able = to answer or help you pursue. I am working with others to try to involve = as many people as possible in this effort, and would like to learn about = your interest and encourage your participation.=20 Hoping you are as excited about the possibilities for shaping the future = of his important parcel of land as I am! Karen Hollweg=20 Member, ESA Education & Human Resources Committee 303-494-2016 =20 khollweg@stanfordalumni.org --------------------------------------------- 5/13/2003 =20 Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge Planning Suggestions for Enhancing Alternative C - Ecological Restoration =20 During the first 15 years of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, = the emphasis for management should be on research to clearly describe = and understand the components and interactions of the ecosystem, = identify the most successful restoration strategies, and define = appropriate uses considering the research base. As our understanding = progresses, opportunities for education and outreach will expand.=20 =20 While Alternative C outlines a research, conservation, and restoration = program, it falls short of describing an adequate education and outreach = component. To facilitate the development of a robust education and = outreach component focused on K-12, higher education, and general public = audiences, a group of educators from Boulder and Jefferson Counties is = working together. We envision a program that =B7 Engages people in ecosystem research off-site that parallels = on-site research =B7 Builds an understanding of the scientific enterprise and of = the on-site research being done =B7 Publicizes the findings of on-site research for lay audiences =B7 Enables access to the public lands for those interested in = learning about the ongoing studies and restoration initiatives=20 =B7 Develops public trust in what is known about the site =20 We believe an enhanced Alternative C will enable us to use the first 15 = years of the Refuge's life to=20 =B7 Understand what land uses and development are advisable based = on a coherent integration of research on ecological systems, plant = communities, wildlife species, restoration efforts, and DOE's monitoring = of residual contaminants. =B7 Build the public's trust in what is known about the site and = prepare citizens to make informed decisions regarding the site's future = use and management. =20 We hope the City of Boulder will emphasize this approach in its = comments. We would like to stay in touch as our ideas develop and = provide a copy to you for your consideration.=20 =20 =20 =20 Karen Hollweg 4440 Greenbriar Blvd. Boulder, CO 80305 303-494-2016 khollweg@stanfordalumni.org Recently retired Director, K-12 Science Education, National Academy of = Sciences Formerly, Principal Investigator on several National Science Foundation = grants promoting community-based education and teacher professional = development, and Environmental Education Resource Specialist for = Jefferson County Schools. Boulder homeowner since the mid-1970's ------------------------------ Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 22 May 2003 to 23 May 2003 (#2003-135) There are 3 messages totalling 93 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Teaching Writing in an Ecological Context 2. Job announcement: Mathematical Ecologist / Programmer 3. Seeking field assistant for Pika study, Ruby mountains NE Nevada. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 09:42:14 -0500 From: Dave McNeely <dlmcneely@LUNET.EDU> Subject: Re: Teaching Writing in an Ecological Context ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rich Zobel" <rzobel@AFSRC.ARS.USDA.GOV> To: <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU> Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 2:35 PM Subject: Re: Teaching Writing in an Ecological Context > But in the USDA-ARS ................. (stuff cut) ........... Unlike he tenure requirements at Universities, these > publication requirements are career long and, for some of us with > long term research programs, are inhibitory to good science. Publication expectations continue post-tenure at many universities, and a process called "post-tenure review" now applies at many. In this process, performance is periodically reviewed in a manner very much like the tenure review process. A graded series of consequences may apply, including, for the most egregious cases, a recommendation to initiate tenure revocation. I have not known of any case that went so far, but procedure provides for it. I have known a case where a post-tenure "mentor" was assigned (for a person whose teaching performance had lagged), and numerous cases where pay raises were withheld or were toward the low end of the scale. Though overall I think the tenure system is probably valuable for the protection of academic freedom, both it and the post-tenure review system allow serious abuses, and we all know situations where publication in the short term became more important than quality research in the long-term due to the tenure system. There are also cases where personalities have been more important than performance to tenure committees. BTW, the case where the teaching was problematic illustrates that universities DO consider teaching an important activity, despite claims by some otherwise. And in that particular case, the process actually did result in improvement. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 11:41:17 -0400 From: admin@RAMAS.COM Subject: Job announcement: Mathematical Ecologist / Programmer Job announcement: Mathematical Ecologist / Programmer Applied Biomathematics has an immediate opening for a mathematical ecologist with extensive programming experience. The temporary position is for 6 months, from July 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003 with a possibility of extension in 2004. Ph.D. in mathematics or ecology, in combination with software interface programming experience is required. Expertise in optimization methods is desirable. Legal right to work in the United States is required. Mail/e-mail resume to: Applied Biomathematics, 100 North Country Road, Setauket NY 11733. E-mail: lev@ramas.com Closing date is June 30, 2003 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 14:07:10 -0400 From: Yair Chaver <ychaver@UNR.EDU> Subject: Seeking field assistant for Pika study, Ruby mountains NE Nevada. I am looking for one more person to fill a volunteer field research assistan position during the months of July and August (for a total of about six weeks). The tudy is on the North American Pika and the site is in the beautiful Ruby mountains in north astern Nevada. The work will include live trapping and marking of pikas, habitat surveys a d talus mapping. This will be done at high elevations (above 8500 feet) on talus sl pes and alpine meadows. It will include much hiking with day packs, long hours in the fiel and physical work. We will be camping in backcountry conditions and so you must have you own camping gear. I will provide all the food. This is a great opportunity to get research experience in a beautiful setti g working on a very interesting animal. This could also potentially become an independent esearch project for interested individuals. If you are interested please email me your resume and contact information f r at least three references. Feel free to call me at 775-784-4009 if you have any ques ions or email me at ychaver@unr.edu. You can also find out more about pikas at the pika p oject home page at: http://ice.ucdavis.edu/pika/pikapage.html, and find out about the R by mountains at: www.rubymountains.net/. Yair Chaver ------------------------------ Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 8 May 2003 to 9 May 2003 (#2003-123) There are 19 messages totalling 1220 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Combining standard errors 2. Fwd: Re: US to open public wilderness lands .. 3. New issues of Fisheries Transactions 4. Michigan Field Biology Course 5. US to open public wilderness lands .. 6. US to open public wilderness lands .. 7. Job: research assistant, Tennessee 8. Fwd: Re: US to open public wilderness lands (fwd) 9. Confidence limits 10. Job opportunity in NY Hudson Valley -- Lyme disease community int ervention 11. PDF versions and "foreign" researchers (2) 12. drosophila genetic drift exp 13. Colorado Unit Leader Position 14. PDF Position Announcement 15. Predator-Prey Interactions: Postdoctoral Research Associate 16. a resource for population and environment courses 17. Fellowship Program Encourages the Use of National Parks for Scientific Research 18. Special Mapping GPS course at St. Louis Zoo ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 01:24:49 EDT From: Aneyww@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Combining standard errors I think Bil gets close to the crux of the matter. It's probably not about standard errors, standard deviations, cumulative errors, or even confidence limits (the statistic I learned to use as a measure of the reliability of an estimate). It's more about how you use these data to make decisions. In th time it would take to recalculate some value for 10+_3 and 20+_4 I can with some certainty say that there must be between 20 and 40 inverts per square meter and maybe that's all I need to know. If I need to be more precise, I also need to know something about the sampling design and size before I can really rely on these data. The point being, in most real world cases do we really need to worry whether or not 10+_3 and 20+_4 is 30+_5 and, if we do, can we rely on what +_5 really means? Warren Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 23:09:55 -0700 From: "Marianne Edain, Frosty Hollow Ecological Restoration" <wean@WHIDBEY.NET> Subject: Fwd: Re: US to open public wilderness lands .. Speaking of lobbying . . . the popular belief that tax exempt organizations may not lobby is a well preserved myth. We run a grass roots environmental non-profit and have done some research into the question, and find that the allowance by IRS for "influencing elections and legislation" is quite generous. Years ago we filed a simple one page form conveniently provided by IRS which declared our intention to spend up to 20% of our income on lobbying activities. We've had no problem since then. There is also the question of what constitutes lobbying. There is a fine line, as we all know, between education and influence. Much of what some might consider lobbying is written off by commercial interests as education of people with decision-making power. The finer points of semantics come into play here. As long as no-one says openly "you should vote yes/no," it is merely an educational exercise to point out to these decision-makers the results of a particular piece of legislation on the ground, allowing them to draw their own conclusions. All that said, I agree with Jeff that we need to support the organizations which can field lobbyists on our behalf - and we need to be much more vociferous about taking a place at the table. After all, we're the ones with the Best Available Science, and need to be heard. Marianne Edain >Envelope-to: wean@WHIDBEY.NET >Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 15:34:27 -0700 >Reply-To: "Jeffrey D. Corbin" <corbin@SOCRATES.BERKELEY.EDU> >Sender: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news" > <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU> >From: "Jeffrey D. Corbin" <corbin@SOCRATES.BERKELEY.EDU> >Subject: Re: US to open public wilderness lands .. >To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU > >Speaking of lobbying, conservation organizations that accept tax-deducti le >contributions CANNOT lobby for political purposes. So, if you want to ha e >maximum impact on legislative decisions, consider contributing to >organizations such as The Sierra Club that can directly contribute to >campaigns, etc. The absence of an environmental lobby in Washington and >elsewhere, especially when compared to the Industry Lobby, is a major >impediment to getting a seat at the table when decisions are made. > >Jeff Corbin > > > >Fourth, join conservation organizations, pay dues and help those > >organization lobby. When environmental planning has been ignored b past > >administrations the membership of environmental organizations tend o > >swell. It is important to maintain this trend. > > > >I'm sure there are many more actions that we can take, I just can't think > >of more right now. > > > >Steve Friedman > > > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------- >--------------------------------------------------- > >Steve Friedman > > > >Assistant Professor Forest Management / GIS > >Departments of Forestry & Geography > >126 Natural Resources > >Michigan State University > >East Lansing, Michigan 48824 > > > >Office: 517 - 353 - 9230 > >Fax: 517 - 432 - 1143 > >email friedm69@msu.edu > >**************************************** >Jeffrey D. Corbin >Department of Integrative Biology, VLSB#3060 >University of California >Berkeley, CA 94720-3140 >(510) 643-5430 >http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~corbin >**************************************** *********************************************** Frosty Hollow Ecological Restoration P.O. Box 53 Langley, WA 98260 phone (360) 579-2332 fax (360) 579-4080 email: wean@whidbey.net ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 09:44:24 -0400 From: Gus Rassam <grassam@FISHERIES.ORG> Subject: New issues of Fisheries Transactions The following issue is now available at AFS Online Journal: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (0002-8487) Volume: 132 Issue: 3 Relationships between Water, Otolith, and Scale Chemistries of Westslope Cutthroat Trout from the Coeur d[apos ]Alene River, Idaho: The Potential Application of Hard-Part Chemistry to Describe Movements in Freshwater. Brian K. Wells, Bruce E. Rieman, James L. Clayton, Dona L. Horan, Cynthia M. Jones, pages 409-424. Differences in Growth, Consumption, and Metabolism among Walleyes from Different Latitudes. Tracy L. Galarowicz, David H. Wahl, pages 425-437. Habitat and Diet Partitioning between Shoal Bass and Largemouth Bass in the Chipola River, Florida. A. P. Wheeler, Michael S. Allen, pages 438-449. Characterizing Aquatic Health Using Salmonid Mortality, Physiology, and Biomass Estimates in Streams with Elevated Concentrations of Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, and Zinc in the Boulder River Watershed, Montana. A[iuml]da M. Farag, Don Skaar, David A. Nimick, Elizabeth MacConnell, Christer Hogstrand, pages 450-467. Rock Type and Channel Gradient Structure Salmonid Populations in the Oregon Coast Range. Brendan J. Hicks, James D. Hall, pages 468-482. Swimming Performance and Physiological Responses to Exhaustive Exercise in Radio-Tagged and Untagged Pacific Lampreys. Matthew G. Mesa, Jennifer M. Bayer, James G. Seelye, pages 483-492. Measuring Groundwater[ndash ]Stream Water Exchange: New Techniques for Installing Minipiezometers and Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity. Colden Baxter, F. Richard Hauer, William W. Woessner, pages 493-502. Microsatellite DNA Loci Reveal Genetic Structure of Yellow Perch in Lake Michigan. Loren M. Miller, pages 503-513. Effects of Forest Harvesting and Fire on Fish Assemblagesin Boreal Plains Lakes: A Reference Condition Approach. William M. Tonn, Cynthia A. Paszkowski, Garry J. Scrimgeour, Peter K. M. Aku, Marc Lange, Ellie E. Prepas, Kim Westcott, pages 514-523. Demographic Characteristics of American Eelin the Potomac River Drainage, Virginia. Kevin R. Goodwin, Paul L. Angermeier, pages 524-535. Age and Growth of Canadian East Coast Pollock: Comparison of Results from Otolith Examination and Mark[ndash ]Recapture Studies. John D. Neilson, Wayne T. Stobo, Peter Perley, pages 536-545. Residence Time and Seasonal Movements of Juvenile Coho Salmon in the Ecotone and Lower Estuary of Winchester Creek, South Slough, Oregon. Bruce A. Miller, Steve Sadro, pages 546-559. Modeling Predation as a Source of Mortality for Piscivorous Fishes in a Southeastern U.S.. Reservoir. Scott W. Raborn, Leandro E. Miranda, M. Todd Driscoll, pages 560-575. Physiological Responses of Juvenile Rainbow Trout to Fasting and Swimming Activity: Effects on Body Composition and Condition Indices. Darin G. Simpkins, Wayne A. Hubert, Carlos Martinez Del Rio, Daniel C. Rule, pages 576-589. Effects of Predation Risk and Foraging Return on the Diel Use of Vegetated Habitat by Two Size-Classes of Bluegills. Daniel E. Shoup, Robert E. Carlson, Robert T. Heath, pages 590-597. Effects of Chum Salmon Redd Excavation on Benthic Communities in a Stream in the Pacific Northwest. Noboru Minakawa, Robert I. Gara, pages 598-604. Photographic Techniques for Characterizing Streambed Particle Sizes. Matthew S. Whitman, Edward H. Moran, Robert T. Ourso, pages 605-610. Interspecific Interactions between Brown Trout and Slimy Sculpin in Stream Enclosures. Carl R. Ruetz III, Amy L. Hurford, Bruce Vondracek, pages 611-618. Marine Fisheries Ecology. , pages 619-619. The Sea Knows No Boundaries: A Century of Marine Science under ICES. , pages 620-620. To visit the site, go to: http://afs.allenpress.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 09:01:40 -0400 From: Leslie Mertz <LMERTZ@NASW.ORG> Subject: Michigan Field Biology Course The Wayne State University/Eastern Michigan University Fish Lake Biological Program is offering a three-week Introduction to Field Biology course this summer! The course will be held from 8-5 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June 23-July 9. Biology and science-education students from other colleges, as well as in-service teachers, are invited to attend. Dorm and cafeteria services are available on-site. For information and a full schedule of classes, go to http://www.biosci.wayne.edu/fishlake/ . Course description: This expansive course introduces students to the plants and animals of Michigan and the methods used by field biologists to study them. Students will spend the majority of the course outdoors trying out field-study techniques; discovering the names (and often the medicinal and other uses) of different trees, shrubs and wildflowers; and exploring the diverse animal life of field, forest and wetland. The course will also consider the challenges of conducting a high-quality field study. For additional information about the Introduction to Field Biology course, contact Leslie Mertz, Ph.D., at LMERTZ@nasw.org For a full schedule of courses, as well as information about the Fish Lake Biological Program and Fish Lake field station, contact: William S. Moore, Ph.D., Director Department of Biological Sciences Wayne State University Detroit, MI 48202 telephone: (313) 577-2934 e-mail: wmoore@biology.biosci.wayne.edu web address: http://www.biosci.wayne.edu/fishlake/ ================== Leslie Mertz, Ph.D. LMERTZ@nasw.org ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 10:31:14 -0400 From: Bruce Stallsmith <fundulus@HOTMAIL.COM> Subject: Re: US to open public wilderness lands .. Actually, IRS 501(c)(3) organizations can spend up to 20% of their budget working to influence legislation, but that's splitting hairs... I only know after helping to incorporate one. --Bruce Stallsmith Huntsville, AL, US of A >From: "Jeffrey D. Corbin" <corbin@SOCRATES.BERKELEY.EDU> >Reply-To: "Jeffrey D. Corbin" <corbin@SOCRATES.BERKELEY.EDU> >To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU >Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] US to open public wilderness lands .. >Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 15:34:27 -0700 > >Speaking of lobbying, conservation organizations that accept tax-deducti le >contributions CANNOT lobby for political purposes. So, if you want to ha e >maximum impact on legislative decisions, consider contributing to >organizations such as The Sierra Club that can directly contribute to >campaigns, etc. The absence of an environmental lobby in Washington and >elsewhere, especially when compared to the Industry Lobby, is a major >impediment to getting a seat at the table when decisions are made. > >Jeff Corbin _________________________________________________________________ Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 07:59:10 -0700 From: Seattle Urban Nature Project <sunp@SEATTLEURBANNATURE.ORG> Subject: Re: US to open public wilderness lands .. Dear Jeffrey, The statement about tax-exempt organizations being unable to lobby is not exactly true. Tax-exempt 501(c)3 organizations can lobby, though there's a cap on the amount of the annual budget that can be allocated to lobbying. 501(c) 3 organizations cannot ENDORSE political candidates but are free to lobby decision makers, take positions on issues, and endorse initiatives. The Sierra Club is a 501(c)4 organization and therefore can endorse political candidates. Cheers, Helen Helen Ross Pitts Executive Director -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU]On Behalf Of Jeffrey D. Corbin Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2003 3:34 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: US to open public wilderness lands .. Speaking of lobbying, conservation organizations that accept tax-deductible contributions CANNOT lobby for political purposes. So, if you want to have maximum impact on legislative decisions, consider contributing to organizations such as The Sierra Club that can directly contribute to campaigns, etc. The absence of an environmental lobby in Washington and elsewhere, especially when compared to the Industry Lobby, is a major impediment to getting a seat at the table when decisions are made. Jeff Corbin >Fourth, join conservation organizations, pay dues and help those >organization lobby. When environmental planning has been ignored by pas >administrations the membership of environmental organizations tend to >swell. It is important to maintain this trend. > >I'm sure there are many more actions that we can take, I just can't thin >of more right now. > >Steve Friedman > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- ------------------------------------------- >Steve Friedman > >Assistant Professor Forest Management / GIS >Departments of Forestry & Geography >126 Natural Resources >Michigan State University >East Lansing, Michigan 48824 > >Office: 517 - 353 - 9230 >Fax: 517 - 432 - 1143 >email friedm69@msu.edu **************************************** Jeffrey D. Corbin Department of Integrative Biology, VLSB#3060 University of California Berkeley, CA 94720-3140 (510) 643-5430 http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~corbin **************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 13:14:00 -0400 From: David Inouye <inouye@umd.edu> Subject: Job: research assistant, Tennessee RESEARCH ASSISTANT (BIOLOGY) Job description: We seek a broadly trained Biology/Ecology Research Assistant to assist faculty and graduate students with research in ecology and organismal biology. The Assistant will perform a variety of duties to include maintenance of a fisheries project, mammal trapping, stream and river sampling, molecular genetic analysis using mitochondrial and microsatellite techniques, and general assistance in biology laboratory and field studies. The applicant should have field experience and a strong background in vertebrate field zoology and general plant and animal ecology. The position may also involve some teaching of a Nonmajors Introductory Biology course and advising of undergraduates. Qualifications: Bachelor of Science, Masters preferred, in biology or related field. Training in various aspects of ecology and field biology; experience with molecular techniques using microsatellites and other genetic procedures is considered desirable but not required. Some teaching experience or working with undergraduates and familiarity with computers and various software packages are also desirable. Applications should be sent or emailed directly to: Dr. Jerry O. Wolff, Department of Biology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152. For more information about the position: jwolff@memphis.edu or 901 678-2581. Deadline: June 15, 2003 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 09:56:07 -0700 From: Laura Hartt <hartt@LCLARK.EDU> Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: US to open public wilderness lands (fwd) Unfortunately, a lot of what the Bush administration is doing is changing the law not through legislation but by changing its implementation. That means he doesn't have to go through Congress at all. However, a lot of these changes have to go through public notice and comment. Supporting the environmental groups that submit comments as well as the environmental law organizations that represent these groups when they bring suits challenging the outcome of the agency decisionmaking process is another good place to spend your money. There are far too many to list here, but if anyone would like more information feel free to email me individually and I can point you to some websites. And Marianne makes a very important point worth repeating....For the most part, the agencies are required by law to make decisions based on the best available science. So, another thing scientists can do is be very vocal about any research they have that does not support the agencies' conclusions. You can do this by submitting comments on proposed rules and attaching your reprints to them, by offering to testify on behalf of non-profit environmental organizations, by sending letters to your Congressional leaders explaining what the body of science really says on the subject, and probably a host of other ways that don't spring immediately to mind. You can go to http://www.regulations.gov to see what the latest proposed rules are and, if interested, to submit comments. Having said all that, we need to be sure we support the scientists within the agencies that are getting it right and are paying the political price for it. There are organizations that protect whistleblowers (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, for example), that may need some help. Laura Hartt Northwest Environmental Defense Center 10015 SW Terwilliger Blvd. Portland, OR 97219 ---- Begin Original Message ---- From: "Marianne Edain, Frosty Hollow Ecological Restoration"<wean@WHIDBEY.NET> Sent: Thu, 8 May 2003 23:09:55 -0700 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Fwd: Re: US to open public wilderness lands .. Speaking of lobbying . . . the popular belief that tax exempt organizations may not lobby is a well preserved myth. We run a grass roots environmental non-profit and have done some research into the question, and find that the allowance by IRS for "influencing elections and legislation" is quite generous. Years ago we filed a simple one page form conveniently provided by IRS which declared our intention to spend up to 20% of our income on lobbying activities. We've had no problem since then. There is also the question of what constitutes lobbying. There is a fine line, as we all know, between education and influence. Much of what some might consider lobbying is written off by commercial interests as education of people with decision-making power. The finer points of semantics come into play here. As long as no-one says openly "you should vote yes no," it is merely an educational exercise to point out to these decision-makers the results of a particular piece of legislation on the ground, allowing them to draw their own conclusions. All that said, I agree with Jeff that we need to support the organizations which can field lobbyists on our behalf - and we need to be much more vociferous about taking a place at the table. After all, we're the ones with the Best Available Science, and need to be heard. Marianne Edain >Envelope-to: wean@WHIDBEY.NET >Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 15:34:27 -0700 >Reply-To: "Jeffrey D. Corbin" <corbin@SOCRATES.BERKELEY.EDU> >Sender: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news" > <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU> >From: "Jeffrey D. Corbin" <corbin@SOCRATES.BERKELEY.EDU> >Subject: Re: US to open public wilderness lands .. >To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU > >Speaking of lobbying, conservation organizations that accept tax-deductible >contributions CANNOT lobby for political purposes. So, if you want to have >maximum impact on legislative decisions, consider contributing to >organizations such as The Sierra Club that can directly contribute to >campaigns, etc. The absence of an environmental lobby in Washington and >elsewhere, especially when compared to the Industry Lobby, is a major >impediment to getting a seat at the table when decisions are made. > >Jeff Corbin > > > >Fourth, join conservation organizations, pay dues and help those > >organization lobby. When environmental planning has been ignored by past > >administrations the membership of environmental organizations tend to > >swell. It is important to maintain this trend. > > > >I'm sure there are many more actions that we can take, I just can't think > >of more right now. > > > >Steve Friedman > > > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------- >--------------------------------------------------- > >Steve Friedman > > > >Assistant Professor Forest Management / GIS > >Departments of Forestry & Geography > >126 Natural Resources > >Michigan State University > >East Lansing, Michigan 48824 > > > >Office: 517 - 353 - 9230 > >Fax: 517 - 432 - 1143 > >email friedm69@msu.edu > >**************************************** >Jeffrey D. Corbin >Department of Integrative Biology, VLSB#3060 >University of California >Berkeley, CA 94720-3140 >(510) 643-5430 >http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~corbin >**************************************** *********************************************** Frosty Hollow Ecological Restoration P.O. Box 53 Langley, WA 98260 phone (360) 579-2332 fax (360) 579-4080 email: wean@whidbey.net ---- End Original Message ---- Meet 30,000 Eco-Friendly Individuals: http://www.Care2.com/connect/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 17:50:48 +0100 From: William Silvert <wsilvert@IPIMAR.PT> Subject: Confidence limits There are cases when meaningful confidence ranges are really important. Often we are studying a curve that seems to be approaching an asymptotic value and we need to estimate the asymptote. This could be the steady-state level of a pest, or of infectious disease, etc., and the amount of money and other resources that should be committed to control depends on the asymptotic value. Once the system has approached steady-state the value can be estimated easily, but during the initial stages (which is when we need to plan any mitigation) the curvature is slight and the uncertainty is large. In fact, in some cases the confidence limits include infinity (assuming that we do a proper non-linear estimation) which means that the data do not confirm the existence of any curvature, and hence of an asymptotic value. In order to deal appropriately with the risk involved, we need to know the confidence limits on the asymptotic value, or better still, its likelihood distribution. In other words, I am pretty certain that ecologists need to know a lot about uncertainty! Bill Silvert ----- Original Message ----- From: <Aneyww@AOL.COM> To: <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU> Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 6:24 AM Subject: Re: Combining standard errors > I think Bil gets close to the crux of the matter. It's probably not ab ut > standard errors, standard deviations, cumulative errors, or even confidence > limits (the statistic I learned to use as a measure of the reliability f an > estimate). It's more about how you use these data to make decisions. n the > time it would take to recalculate some value for 10+_3 and 20+_4 I can with > some certainty say that there must be between 20 and 40 inverts per squ re > meter and maybe that's all I need to know. If I need to be more precis , I > also need to know something about the sampling design and size before I can > really rely on these data. The point being, in most real world cases d we > really need to worry whether or not 10+_3 and 20+_4 is 30+_5 and, if we do, > can we rely on what +_5 really means? > > Warren Aney > Senior Wildlife Ecologist ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 13:39:15 -0400 From: Richard Ostfeld <ROstfeld@ECOSTUDIES.ORG> Subject: Job opportunity in NY Hudson Valley -- Lyme disease community int ervention Lyme-disease reduction in Dutchess County, New York Research Assistant needed at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY One full-time, year-round Research Assistant (RA) is needed for a start date of approximately June 23, 2003. The RA will conduct field and laboratory research under a three-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support community-based intervention aimed at reducing the incidence of Lyme disease in Dutchess County, NY. The RA will be responsible for installing and maintaining deer-feeders and mouse-feeders that are intended to reduce numbers of ticks on these hosts. The RA will also monitor sampling transects to assess the abundance of ticks, deer, and rodents in forests and residential areas. The RA will work in a two-person team. Position is intended for one year with possibility of extension pending funding. Requirements for the positions include: (1) Bachelors degree in biological or environmental sciences; (2) experience in field-related research; (3) ability to work independently; (4) meticulousness; (5) ability to interact with the public concerning public health issues. Experience with wildlife, particularly deer, or with arthropods is highly desirable, as is experience with ArcView GIS. Salary commensurate with experience, and excellent benefits package. Please send a letter of application, resume, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional or educational references to: Richard S. Ostfeld, Ph.D. C/O Jessica Greenstein Institute of Ecosystem Studies Box AB Millbrook, NY 12545 emailed applications should be sent to BOTH GreensteinJ@ecostudies.org AND ROstfeld@ecostudies.org Closing date for applications is 1 June, or until position is filled. Richard S. Ostfeld, Ph.D. Institute of Ecosystem Studies 65 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook, NY 12545 USA phone: 845 677-7600 ext 136 fax: 845 677-5976 email: Rostfeld@ecostudies.org ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 10:24:33 -0700 From: Abraham de Alba <aalba_a@YAHOO.COM> Subject: PDF versions and "foreign" researchers On behave of other "foreign" collegues and myself, it might surprise some of you, but a decent library is a very rare commodity south fo the border (as for México, I can only say that I can find 85% of what I am looking for in Mexico City, 6 hours form where I live). So, for many of us, the best option when we are despereatly in need of a paper, we look for the principal author (aca use CC) and send him a letter, which before WWW, was two to three weeks of waiting, now with email, things are a lot faster. So, please, if´s illegal for you, do something about it ! ===== <P>Abraham de Alba Avila</P> <P>Terrestrial Plant Ecology</P> <P>INIFAP-Ags</P> <P> Ap. postal 20,</P> <P> Pabellón Arteaga, 20660</P> <P> Aguascalientes, MEXICO</P> <P> Tel: (465) 95-801-67, FAX (465) 95-801-86</P> __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 15:16:14 -0300 From: Osmar Luiz Jr <osmarluizjr@IG.COM.BR> Subject: Re: PDF versions and "foreign" researchers Totally Agreed!!!! Congratulations Abrahan. The third world is a weird place for scientists, mainly for environmental ones. PDF´s must be free of charges for we, that pay with own money, the costs of our researchs. Osmar Luiz Jr Brazil ----- Original Message ----- From: Abraham de Alba <aalba_a@YAHOO.COM> To: <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU> Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 2:24 PM Subject: PDF versions and "foreign" researchers > On behave of other "foreign" collegues and > myself, it might surprise some of you, but a decent > library is a very rare commodity south fo the border > (as for México, I can only say that I can find 85% of > what I am looking for in Mexico City, 6 hours form > where I live). So, for many of us, the best option > when we are despereatly in need of a paper, we look > for the principal author (aca use CC) and send him a > letter, which before WWW, was two to three weeks of > waiting, now with email, things are a lot faster. > > So, please, if´s illegal for you, do something about > it ! > > > > ===== > <P>Abraham de Alba Avila</P> > <P>Terrestrial Plant Ecology</P> > <P>INIFAP-Ags</P> > <P> Ap. postal 20,</P> > <P> Pabellón Arteaga, 20660</P> > <P> Aguascalientes, MEXICO</P> > <P> Tel: (465) 95-801-67, FAX (465) 95-801-86</P> > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. > http://search.yahoo.com > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 13:38:59 -0500 From: "D. Liane Cochran-Stafira" <cochran@SXU.EDU> Subject: drosophila genetic drift exp Hi all, Can anyone point me to source of information on setting up a Drosophila population cage experiment for demonstrating genetic drift. Yes, I do have simulation programs that I use regularly, but it seems like the students don't really "get it" unless they see it with their own eyes. I'd like to use both the model and the physical exercise (there's a philosophical issue here - trying to convince them that computer sims are not all rigged to come out "right"). I'm interested in knowing which fly strains seem to give the best results, or perhaps there's another organism that works even better. Many moons ago, I taught a genetics course that had a lab manual with such an exercise. Alas, it was a one shot job, and I no longer have the manual. I did a quick google search, but came up empty, so I'd be truly grateful for some advice. Thanks, Liane *************************** Liane Cochran-Stafira, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Biology Saint Xavier University 3700 West 103rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60655 phone: 773-298-3514 fax: 773-779-3536 email: cochran@sxu.edu http://www.sxu.edu/science/faculty_staff/cochran_stafira/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 11:40:16 -0600 From: "Gary C. White" <gwhite@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU> Subject: Colorado Unit Leader Position POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT UNIT LEADER COLORADO COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY The Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (http://www.colostate.edu/depts/coopunit/) at Colorado State University (CSU) invites applications for the position of Unit Leader, with strong quantitative skills and/or landscape ecology expertise particularly desirable. Applications under this announcement will be accepted only from applicants with Federal status or reinstatement eligibility. This is a permanent 12-month position with the Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey. The successful candidate will hold an academic appointment in the Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology (http://www.cnr.colostate.edu/FWB/) in the College of Natural Resources (http://www.cnr.colostate.edu/), with a faculty rank commensurate with experience. Applicants must have an earned Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, or a closely related discipline. Postdoctoral experience or equivalent, a strong record of publication, the potential to secure extramural funding, the ability to supervise graduate students, and the capacity to collaborate successfully with state and federal fish and wildlife agencies are expected. The successful applicant will design, direct, achieve funding for and conduct research related to applied aspects of wildlife and fisheries. This position is primarily research with a teaching load of one graduate course per year and Unit administrative responsibilities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with university faculty, and with personnel from state and federal agencies studying a wide range of aspects of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Colorado State University (http://welcome.colostate.edu) is located in the city of Fort Collins (http://www.ci.fort-collins.co.us/), a community of about 120,000 individuals in north central Colorado, 1 hour from Denver. Fort Collins is a nucleus of wildlife and fisheries research, including: Colorado Division of Wildlife (http://wildlife.state.co.us/) Research Section, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station (http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/), USDA National Wildlife Research Center (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/nwrc/), USGS Fort Collins Research Center (http://www.mesc.usgs.gov/default.asp), and the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program (http://www.nature.nps.gov/im/monitor/). The Colorado Unit Leader position at the Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in Fort Collins, Colorado has been advertised as of May 9, 2003 and will remain open until June 09, 2003. This position is being concurrently advertised as a Research Wildlife Biologist (GS-0486-13 or 14) and as a Research Fisheries Biologist (GS-0482-13 or 14). Interested individuals can view the Vacancy announcement at: http://jsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/summary.asp?OPMControl=IN3837 for wildlife and http://jsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/summary.asp?OPMControl=IN3847 for fisheries. For more information concerning the nature of the position contact Dr. Eric Bergersen, Assistant Unit Leader (ericb@cnr.colostate.edu, 970-491-1415) or Dr. Gary C. White, Search Committee Chair (gwhite@cnr.colostate.edu, 970-491-6678). Gary Gary C. White Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology 1474 Campus Delivery Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80535-1474 (970)491-6678 FAX (970)491-5091 gwhite@cnr.colostate.edu http://www.cnr.colostate.edu/~gwhite ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 14:40:32 -0400 From: "Li, Chao" <cli@NRCAN.GC.CA> Subject: PDF Position Announcement Historically, the fire regime was the major regulator of the lodgepole pine forest dynamics in Canada, including the age-class distribution. Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) activity is related to the amount of old susceptible pine on the landscape. We are looking for a highly self-motivated post-doctoral fellow to work on a research project of the interaction between fire and MPB, under the Canadian Federal Government's MPB Initiative. The project involves the development of a spatially explicit model of MPB dynamics, and simulation of various fire regimes on the age structure of lodgepole pine forests and susceptibility of these forests to MPB. The position will be for two years under the supervison of Drs. Hugh Barclay and Chao Li and would be physically located at the Northern Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.The priority shall be given to Canadian citizens. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in landscape ecology, or forest ecology, or insect ecology, or a related discipline, with strong communication skill, statistics, geographic information systems, and programming experiences. Interested individuals should provide a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references (names, email addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses) to: Dr. Hugh Barclay (e-mail: hbarclay@nrcan.gc.ca; fax: 250-363-0775;postal: Pacific Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, 506 W. Burnside Road, Victoria, B.C., Canada V8Z 1M5) or Dr. Chao Li (e-mail: cli@nrcan.gc.ca; fax: 780-435-7359; postal: Northern Forestry Centre, 5320 - 122 Street, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6H 3S5) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 15:10:19 -0400 From: "S. L. Lima" <S-Lima@INDSTATE.EDU> Subject: Predator-Prey Interactions: Postdoctoral Research Associate Predator-Prey Interactions: Postdoctoral Research Associate A postdoctoral position in predator-prey interactions (broadly defined) is available at Indiana State University. Applicants with interests in any area of predator-prey interactions -- from behavioral interactions to population dynamics to community-level phenomena -- are encouraged to apply. Applicants with interests in theoretical or empirical research are equally encouraged to apply. The position is available after July 1, 2003, and will remain open until filled. This is a one-year position with possible renewal for an additional year based on performance. To apply, send a complete CV, a brief summary of present and future research plans, names and contact information for three references, and representative publications to: Steven L. Lima, Department of Life Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA. (S-Lima@indstate.edu; http://oeb.indstate.edu/) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 16:36:09 -0400 From: David Inouye <inouye@umd.edu> Subject: a resource for population and environment courses I've found this web site for the AAAS Atlas of Population and Environment a useful resource for material for a class on conservation biology, but it would also be good for other classes related to human population and its effects on the environment. www.aaas.org/international/atlas David Inouye Dr. David W. Inouye, Director Graduate Program in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology Room 1201, Biology/Psychology Building University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-4415 301-405-6946 inouye@umd.edu FAX 301-314-9358 For the CONS home page, go to http://www.umd.edu/CONS ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 18:29:08 -0400 From: Lori Hidinger <lori@ESA.ORG> Subject: Fellowship Program Encourages the Use of National Parks for Scienti ic Research Fellowship Program Encourages the Use of National Parks for Scientific Research The National Park Service (NPS), National Park Foundation (NPF), and Ecological Society of America (ESA) are pleased to announce the 2003 National Parks Ecological Research (NPER) Fellowship Program. The program encourages and supports outstanding post-doctoral research in ecological sciences related to the flora of U.S. National Parks. For the purpose of this program, National Parks refer to all sites administered by the National Park System including national monuments, preserves, reserves, lakeshores, seashores, rivers and scenic riverways, trails, historic sites, military parks, battlefields, etc. The program has been funded through a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The program will award up to three fellowships each year to researchers who have recently completed their Ph.D. Awards are made for one to three years to support research in any area of ecology related to the flora of the National Parks. Research topics can address any level of ecological organization, ranging from populations, species interactions, and community patterns, to landscape and ecosystem level processes associated with plants. Research should focus on questions that advance the science of ecology independent of immediate Park needs. Plants, cryptogamic crusts, lichens, or mosses must be the main focus of the research. Research that takes advantage of the range of environments, conditions, and scales available in National Parks is of particular interest. This opportunity is open to researchers who are eligible to work in the United States; have completed their Ph.D. within three years prior to the award date; and have a faculty member or research sponsor affiliated with an established research institution who will serve as co-Principal Investigator for the proposed research. Each proposal is evaluated on its scientific merit; the creativity of the research question and/or approach; the potential of the applicant to conduct high-quality ecological research; and the value of the Park natural resources or ecological features (e.g., habitats, communities, gradients, species) to the proposed research. Successful proposals will integrate the park's resources into the research to be performed. Fellowships are funded for $50,000 per year for up to three years and can be used for research stipends, fieldwork expenses, equipment, attendance at scientific meetings and other research related expenses. Additional information and application materials for the 2003 fellowships are available at http://www.esa.org/nper. Completed applications must be received at ESA Headquarters between September 1, 2003 and October 1, 2003. Nine NPER Fellowships have been awarded over the first three award years. Class of 2000: Brian Beckage, Everglades National Park^×Consequences of fires, hurricanes, and their interaction on the population dynamics of the pine savanna overstory in Everglades National Park J. Nathaniel Holland, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument^×Functional responses of benefits (pollination) and costs (seed consumption) to senita cacti at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Steven Perakis, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park^×How asynchrony in nutrient supply and demand drives nutrient loss and limitation in oak-savannah grasslands of Sequoia National Park Class of 2001: Betsy Von Holle, Cape Cod National Seashore^×Disturbance histories as a predictor of habitat invasibility in a mosaic landscape: Cape Cod National Seashore Kristina M. Hufford, Channel Islands National Park^×Ecological and genetic variations among Channel Island and mainland native grass populations Class of 2002: Nicole Barger, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument^×Regional versus local controls on pinyon-juniper woodland expansion on the Colorado Plateau Jason Fridley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park^×What controls the floristic diversity of a National Park? Species turnover as a common currency Jennifer Nagel, Big Bend National Park^×Energetic processes and their response to environmental change: Potential impacts on desert plant communities of Big Bend National Park Bibit Halliday Traut, Point Reyes National Seashore^×Plant composition and ecosystem function in the marine/terrestrial transition zone ##### The mission of the National Park Foundation, chartered by Congress, is to strengthen the enduring connection between the American people and their National Parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. More information can be found on the NPF website: http://www.nationalparks.org/npf The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a scientific, non-profit, 7,800-member organization founded in 1915. Through ESA reports, journals, membership research, and expert testimony to Congress, ESA seeks to promote the responsible application of ecological data and principles to the solution of environmental problems. ESA publishes three scientific, peer-reviewed journals: Ecology, Ecological Applications, and Ecological Monographs. Information about the Society and its activities is published in the Society's quarterly newsletter, ESA NewSource, and in the quarterly Bulletin. More information can be found on the ESA website: http://www.esa.org ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 21:24:06 -0500 From: "Cary D. Chevalier" <cchev@MWSC.EDU> Subject: Special Mapping GPS course at St. Louis Zoo Folks!! We have a few openings left in our May 22-24 Mapping-GPS workshop to be taught at the St. Louis Zoo. So, if you have had an interest in our Certified User Mapping GPS workshops but have not been able to travel to St. Joseph, here is your big opportunity to train up closer to home! For details about the course content, see our course web at: http://www.mwsc.edu/conteduc/gps.html NOTE: THESE WORKSHOPS ARE NOT ADVERTIZED ON OUR WEBPAGE BECAUSE THEY ARE SPECIAL ON-SITE WORKSHOPS FOR THE ST. LOUIS ZOO. THE CONTENT IS IDENTICAL. AVAILABLE SLOTS: May 22-24 -- 5 spots IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING EITHER OF THESE WORKSHOPS, CONTACT PEGGY ELLIS AT CONTINUING EDUCATION (816.271-4116; ELLISP@MWSC.EDU). OR KAREN BAUMAN AT THE ST LOUIS ZOO (314-781-0900 ext. 380; KBauman@stlzoo.org) If you miss this opportunity, you will have to travel all the way to NW Missouri to our home campus to train in one of our home courses! PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO ANY COLLEAGUE YOU THINK MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY! Hope you see you there! Cary Cary D. Chevalier, Ph.D. Department of Biology Missouri Western State College 4525 Downs Dr. St. Joseph, MO 64507 Ph: 816.271.4252 Fax: 816.271.4252 Email: cchev@mwsc.edu --- You are currently subscribed to gpscourse as: cchev@mwsc.edu To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-gpscourse-23987W@list.mwsc.edu Cary D. Chevalier, Ph.D. Department of Biology Missouri Western State College 4525 Downs Dr. St. Joseph, MO 64507 Ph: 816.271.4252 Fax: 816.271.4252 Email: cchev@mwsc.edu ------------------------------ Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 9 May 2003 to 10 May 2003 (#2003-124) There is one message totalling 36 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. posting PDFs on the web ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 09:16:01 -0400 From: Don Bragg <DonCBragg@NETSCAPE.NET> Subject: posting PDFs on the web As a federal researcher, any manuscript that I am the principal author on is automatically part of the public domain and not subject to the same copyrigh limitations as most articles are. Hence, we can freely post and distribute via email any publication we produce under these rules, including refereed j urnal articles (for a Forest Service example, visit http://www.srs.fs.usda.g v/pubs/index.htm). However, this is not a blanket authorization for any wor we've done if conducted while not in federal service-- the papers I wrote s a grad student or academic are not in the public domain. All federal gove nment-produced publications are automatically in the public domain, and can e posted electronically as such. Note that even public domain information s ould be afforded the same recognition as copyrighted material... I'm not a copyright lawyer, but to my understanding, each journal has their wn policy for allowing electronic distribution of articles they publish that are not subject to public domain. This could range from absolutely not (or ot without specific written permission) to distribute as much as you'd like, so long as the content is not altered. Each publication must be considered n a case-by-case basis, and if in doubt, contact the journal for their autho ization. I'm a big fan of making publications available via PDF (or other electronic utlets), especially over the web, and our unit is working to do this with ou publications. One of the most promising features is the ability to make ol or hard to find documents available to anyone who wants them, usually in a ormat that is of better quality than a photocopy or interlibrary loan copy. We are still working out the process to get high quality PDFs that are not t o big or messed up by the OCR software (the people at JSTOR seem to have per ected the process). Don -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don C. Bragg, Ph.D. Research Forester USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station DonCBragg@netscape.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The opinions expressed in this message are my own, and not necessarily those of the Southern Research Station, the Forest Service, or the USDA. __________________________________________________________________ Try AOL and get 1045 hours FREE for 45 days! http://free.aol.com/tryaolfree/index.adp?375380 Get AOL Instant Messenger 5.1 free of charge. Download Now! http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/Aim/register.adp?promo=380455 ------------------------------ Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 10 May 2003 to 11 May 2003 (#2003-125) There are 3 messages totalling 243 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Research suggests a new method to protect groundwater quality 2. Math discovery may aid resource management 3. posting PDFs on the web ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 11:11:21 -0400 From: Karen Claxon <kclaxon@EARTHLINK.NET> Subject: Research suggests a new method to protect groundwater quality http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-05/asoa-rsa050803.php Research suggests a new method to protect groundwater quality Farmers can prioritize areas within fields to reduce nitrate contamination MADISON, WI, MAY 8, 2003 - Fine-tuning fertilizer and irrigation management requires farmers to carefully balance optimizing yield and protecting groundwater quality. Some states even require farmers to use crop production practices to minimize nitrate leaching to groundwater in environmentally sensitive areas. One such practice is using a nitrification inhibitor when applying nitrogen fertilizer, which helps protect nitrogen from leaching below the root zone until the crop can use it. Farmers are often reluctant to use nitrification inhibitors since they add to the cost of production, and only increase yield or protect from nitrate loss with specific combinations of soil type and climate - such as a warm, wet spring and sandy soils. Recent research in the central Platte river valley of Nebraska investigated a promising new option for producers growing irrigated corn in environmentally sensitive areas, according to Richard Ferguson, professor of agronomy, University of Nebraska. The study, conducted from 1995-1998, explored ways to reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater. Results from the study are published in the May/June issue of the Soil Science Society of America Journal, published by the Soil Science Society of America. Co-authors are Murray Lark, Silsoe Research Institute, Great Britain; and Glen Slater, University of Nebraska. Using information about soil properties obtained from grid soil sampling, along with maps of crop yield and soil electrical conductivity, these researchers developed management zones to direct the application of nitrification inhibitors. In relatively dry-to-normal growing seasons, the use of a nitrification inhibitor had no effect on grain yield or nitrate leaching. However, in a growing season with a very wet spring, the use of a nitrification inhibitor increased yield. Patterns of higher and lower yield in the wet growing season corresponded closely to patterns of soil electrical conductivity. According to Ferguson, producing soil electrical conductivity or yield maps is much easier and cheaper for producers than grid soil sampling. "If we can develop an approach to allow farmers to prioritize areas within fields where nitrification inhibitors will be most beneficial, we believe that will encourage more farmers to use the practice. This approach could help protect groundwater quality while significantly reducing the cost and time required for the farmer," he says. While it's premature to say that maps of soil electrical conductivity or grain yield can be used to predict where nitrification inhibitors should be used, the researchers have seen enough similar results in other studies to warrant continued study. ### Soil Science Society of America Journal (SSSAJ), http://www.scijournals.org is a peer-reviewed, international journal of soil science published six times a year by the Soil Science Society of America. SSSA Journal contains soil research relating to physics; chemistry; biology and biochemistry; fertility and plant nutrition; genesis, morphology, and classification; water management and conservation; forest and range soils; nutrient management and soil and plant analysis; mineralogy; and wetland soils. The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) www.agronomy.org, the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) www.crops.org and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) www.soils.org are educational organizations helping their 10,000+ members advance the disciplines and practices of agronomy, crop and soil sciences by supporting professional growth and science policy initiatives, and by providing quality, research-based publications and a variety of member services. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 11:13:20 -0400 From: Karen Claxon <kclaxon@EARTHLINK.NET> Subject: Math discovery may aid resource management http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-05/osu-mdm050903.php Math discovery may aid resource management CORVALLIS, Ore. - With the aid of a chance discovery by a graduate student, scientists from Oregon State University have identified, dusted off and found a new use for an old math theory from the early 1800s that could revolutionize the management of lands, protection of species and study of ecology. The discovery promises for the first time to address the enormous complexities of the natural world with the powerful tools of advanced mathematics - which, until now, have been of limited use in the study of many natural resource issues. Existing mathematical approaches have often been relegated to the sidelines, in favor of time-consuming and costly experiments or trial-and-error management. The findings are being published in the journal American Naturalist and are co-authored by Jeffrey Dambacher, Hans Luh, Hiram Li and Philippe Rossignol. "This research should have major implications for the management of natural resources around the world," said Philippe Rossignol, a professor of fisheries and wildlife at OSU. "We're going to be able to apply mathematics to predict what might happen with a great deal more certainty than ever before. It could significantly improve the ability of ecologists, land managers and other scientists to address many issues, anything from the clarity of Crater Lake to fisheries management or emerging diseases." OSU researchers are already using the new approaches and formulas described in this research to tackle problems from invasive species in Yaquina Bay to the ecological impact of bullfrogs and the stability of an Oregon sea urchin fishery. But the concepts are so useful and so broad, the scientists say, that these projects are barely scratching the surface of this technology's potential. This new insight in ecological science began when OSU researchers were struggling to resolve a mathematical paradox first suggested in 1973 by a famous ecologist named Robert May, who produced a mathematical theory that made perfect sense but seemed at odds with the way the world really worked. "One of the basic concepts of ecology for generations had been that the complexity of the natural world is a big part of what makes it persistent, that the many interrelationships, interactions and food webs among different species evolved into stable systems that worked well together," said Hiram Li, an OSU professor of fisheries and wildlife. "But Robert May came along with a mathematical theory that suggested that increased complexity in a natural system should actually make it less stable," Li said. "The math seemed to work perfectly, but our observations of the real world ran contrary to this." For 30 years researchers have debated this paradox between the way the world appeared to work - a "tangled web" of thriving organisms, as Charles Darwin described it - with May's mathematical description of the way it should work. Since the mathematical theory had not been reconciled with real-world observations, many field ecologists dismissed its importance. Applied mathematics are being used to manage fishing, hunting and control of pests, Li said, in situations that only relate to one or two species - but they have not been applied to ecosystems or communities. "What we came to realize, however, is that May's mathematical analysis was not really wrong, it just didn't go far enough, as even May conceded," Rossignol said. "So what we've tried to do is shine some light into this black box, by identifying more degrees of stability and using more variables, allowing the math to consider complexity and eventually arrive at different conclusions." The researchers were struggling with their approach when Jeffrey Dambacher, then an OSU graduate student, had a chance conversation about what was needed with some faculty in OSU's Department of Mathematics. They mentioned a largely forgotten theorem of matrix algebra developed in the early 1800s by the French mathematician Augustin Cauchy. The theory, so far as they knew, had never yet found any useful application. But it appeared to be ideal for the problem at hand. "It became immediately clear that this mathematical approach would take us in the direction we needed," Rossignol said. "It gives us a way to describe complex natural populations in more realistic terms, consider indirect interactions and really provide a much more accurate view of how natural systems will work. We'll be far more accurate with our predictions and can use this approach in the new field of adaptive management, improving our natural resource management approaches as we go." The OSU scientists have fine-tuned this approach in continued research and outlined it in their new publication for other scientists to use in a comparatively simple, well-defined system. "We're now bridging the world of biology and mathematics in a way that will let people approach complex problems using descriptive, qualitative information," Li said. "It complements data-hungry mathematical models by identifying key interactions to focus on when gathering quantitative data from a complex system. This reduces the need for complex, expensive and time-consuming experiments. "With this approach, I can now do a computation in minutes that used to take forever. I'd literally write equations by hand on 20 feet of rolled-out butcher paper and hope I didn't make a mistake along the way." The technique is also reliable, Li said. Using only text descriptions, these qualitative models have duplicated the predictions of studies done with classical ecological experiments. In one recent usage, an OSU graduate student used this system to study the stability of an Oregon sea urchin fishery and answer questions about the long-term value of reserves. This would have been almost impossible with real-world experiments, but after the computer ran through 12 million mathematical combinations of possible outcomes, the scientists had the answers they had sought. ### This research was supported by grants from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oregon Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. By David Stauth, 541-737-0787 SOURCES: Philippe Rossignol, 541-737-5509; Hiram Li, 541-737-4531 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 18:28:36 +0100 From: William Silvert <wsilvert@IPIMAR.PT> Subject: Re: posting PDFs on the web I suspect that although this policy may hold for employees of the US government, federal employees of other countries may not have the same rights. As an employee of the Canadian government I do not recall any directive that indicated that we should not assign copyright to publishers. Perhaps someone currently working for other governments could comment on this. Last year there was an initiative to press publishers to release papers that were 6 months or a year old. Did anything ever come of this? Bill Silvert ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Bragg" <DonCBragg@NETSCAPE.NET> To: <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU> Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2003 2:16 PM Subject: posting PDFs on the web > As a federal researcher, any manuscript that I am the principal author n is automatically part of the public domain and not subject to the same copyright limitations as most articles are... ------------------------------ Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 11 May 2003 to 12 May 2003 (#2003-126) There are 9 messages totalling 424 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. posting PDFs on the web (3) 2. Postdoctoral opportunities in ecoinformatics 3. grad position stream N cycling genes 4. summer research in plant evol/ecol 5. West Nile Virus vs. Bti: relative risks and impacts --- responses 6. GRA Announcement 7. AIBS Federal Register Resource ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 09:19:12 -0400 From: Chris Caudill <chris.caudill@BIOLOGY.GATECH.EDU> Subject: Re: posting PDFs on the web Hello all, I strongly agree that authors should be able to distribute .pdf files freely to interested parties. Fortunately, at least some publishers are starting to agree, and are granting permission for distribution upon publication. Notably, copyright agreements are negotiable. I and others have added a clause such as "I reserve the right to distribute single copies of the copyrighted work in paper or electronic format for educational or non-profit purposes" to the copyright agreement without overt objection from the publisher. Cheers, Chris C. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 03:41:51 -0400 From: "Robert K. Peet" <peet@UNC.EDU> Subject: Postdoctoral opportunities in ecoinformatics Postdoctoral opportunities in Biological Classification and Nomenclature. We seek two postdoctoral fellows to participate in a large, NSF and Mellon-funded Information Technology Research (ITR) Project directed at development of a technology framework for data discovery, integration, and visualization for biodiversity research. The persons in these positions will be involved specifically in development of standards, methods, and software tools for representing and utilizing biological nomenclature and classification information. Even though the rules of taxonomy are quite specific, taxonomic understanding is dynamic, leading to constant changes in the taxonomic entities, the names applied to those entities, and their phylogenetic relationships. Consequently, taxonomic concepts and the application of names to those concepts vary through time and with the authority employed. Effective integration of data from diverse sources requires that the multiple and overlapping taxonomic concepts be tracked, as well as the multiple names that have been applied to them. We envision that the need for data integration will reshape the way organisms are reported in biodiversity and ecological data and publications, and the way biological taxonomists and ecologists conduct, report, and disseminate their research. Developing this link between ecology, systematics, and informatics is crucial to developing effective and useful ecological informatics tools. The postdoctoral researchers are expected to collaborate closely with the principal investigators and project software engineers, be productive, flexible, highly organized, and creative. The postdocs will work directly with researchers at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (U.C. Santa Barbara) and the University of North Carolina, and will be located at one of these institutions. A PhD in some field of Ecology, Systematics, Environmental Science, or Computer Science is required. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are critical. Frequent travel is required. Strong background in biological systematics, software development, and database skills is desired. Review of applications will begin June 28 and continue until the positions are filled. Interested applicants should submit: (1) a statement of how her/his educational and research experience qualify the applicant for the position, (2) recent curriculum vitae, and (3) two letters of recommendation. Electronic submissions in PDF format are preferred. Send applications and at least two letters of recommendations to peet@unc.edu. Send mailed submissions to Robert K. Peet, Dept. of Biology, CB#3280, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280 USA, 919-962-6942, peet@unc.edu. Additional information about the project is available at "http://seek.ecoinformatics.org". The University of California and the University of North Carolina are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. ==================================================================== Robert K. Peet, Professor Phone: 919-962-6942 Department of Biology, CB#3280 Fax: 919-962-6930 University of North Carolina Cell: 919-368-4971 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280 USA Email: peet@unc.edu http://www.bio.unc.edu/faculty/peet/ ==================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 11:24:56 -0500 From: Michael W Palmer/bot/cas/Okstate <carex@OKSTATE.EDU> Subject: Re: posting PDFs on the web I'm glad to hear this discussion on PDFs. Here is something I discovered, which perhaps most Ecologgers are already aware of: JSTOR (http://www.jstor.org/) allows you to link directly to their stable URLs. Of course, this will not relate to 'hot off the press' papers. --Mike Michael W. Palmer Botany Dept. OSU 104 LSE Stillwater OK 74078 USA 405-744-7717 fax:405-744-7074 http://ecology.okstate.edu/ http://www.okstate.edu/artsci/botany/ carex@okstate.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 11:35:47 -0500 From: Walter Dodds <wkdodds@KSU.EDU> Subject: grad position stream N cycling genes Graduate Student Position N cycling: Links between stream ecosystem-level processing and molecular gene expression. Kansas State University. A MS or Ph.D position is available, open start date, to work on a project bridging experiments on the fate of whole-stream 15N- nitrate tracer releases with expression of genes for nitrification, denitrification, or nitrogen fixation as part of a larger ecological genomics initiative. Current stipends are $18,500 (students pay in-state tuition and fees). See http://www.ksu.edu/doddslab, http://www.k-state.edu/biology/ and http://www.ksu.edu/ecogen/ for more information. If you are interested please contact Walter Dodds (785) 532 6998, wkdodds@ksu.edu. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Walter Dodds, Division of Biology ,Kansas State University 232 Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA voice (785) 532-6998 fax (785) 532-6653, http://www.ksu.edu/doddslab/ Check out our Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry Laboratory http://www.ksu.edu/simsl ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 12:02:30 -0400 From: Sonia Sultan <sesultan@WESLEYAN.EDU> Subject: summer research in plant evol/ecol WANTED: SUMMER RESEARCH ASSISTANT in PLANT EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY I am seeking a graduating senior interested in plant ecology and evolution to participate in an externally-funded field experiment this summer. The experiment will test the relation of phenotypic plasticity to population differentiation in contrasting New England light habitats. Some research experience is required but it need not be in plant ecology. The individual hired would join a field team of two undergrads, one grad student, and one post-doc. The experiment will run from May 25 through the end of September, and ideally the person hired would stay through October to help process the harvested plants. The job could possibly be extended through the school year as well, if desired. The position is ideal for a student considering graduate school who wants additional, paid research experience before committing to a particular program. Full-time salary will be paid at the rate of $22,000 per year, plus full benefits. For further information please see the lab website at www.wesleyan.edu/bio/sultan Wesleyan University is a small New England campus located in the city of Middletown in the Connecticut River Valley, 25 minutes from New Haven and Hartford, 45 minutes from the University of Connecticut at Storrs, and exactly 2 hours from both Boston and New York City. The University's cultural and athletic facilities are excellent, and the area offers canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. If interested, please send cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to : Dr Sonia Sultan Biology Department Wesleyan University Middletown, CT 06459-0170 email: sesultan@wesleyan.edu -- Sonia E. Sultan Associate Professor Department of Biology Wesleyan University Middletown, CT 06459-0170 USA Phone: 860.685.3493 Fax: 860.685.3279 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 19:23:28 +0200 From: Tim Nuttle <Tim.Nuttle@UNI-JENA.DE> Subject: Re: posting PDFs on the web A clarification: JSTOR is only accessible to institutions that pay to use it. For example, my institution does not subscribe, so I cannot access JSTOR's facilities. JSTOR knows if your institution subscribes by the IP address on your computer. Tim Nuttle ----- Original Message ----- > I'm glad to hear this discussion on PDFs. > Here is something I discovered, which perhaps most Ecologgers are alrea y > aware of: > JSTOR (http://www.jstor.org/) allows you to link directly to their stab e > URLs. Of course, this will not relate to 'hot off the press' papers. > > --Mike > > Michael W. Palmer > Botany Dept. OSU > 104 LSE Stillwater OK 74078 USA > 405-744-7717 fax:405-744-7074 > http://ecology.okstate.edu/ > http://www.okstate.edu/artsci/botany/ > carex@okstate.edu > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 14:49:18 -0600 From: Michael Jones <mjones@GREYSTONE.US> Subject: West Nile Virus vs. Bti: relative risks and impacts --- responses Unfortunately, I did not receive any citations to studies of long-term = field effects of Bti on nontarget organisms from either listservers or = the Xerces Society. I did, however, receive a number of responses that = acknowledged similar concern/interest and were interested in the same = information. My original query, posted below, remains open without = deadline. Thanx for your help. Much fuss is currently being made about the presence and spread of West = Nile Virus (WNV) here in the West. Yet, the CDC states that the risk of = a human becoming sick, much less dying, is very, very slight. Mosquito = control programs are being instituted, sometimes involving the spraying = of the larvicide Bti. There is a vast amount of literature citing the = relatively benign environmental effects of Bti. I have noticed, = however, that most of such literature involves short-term lab studies or = highly focused, short-term field studies. I would be very much interested to hear opinions and see journal = citations to the contrary. The citation provided below, for example, = involves a 3-year study of 27 wetlands that identified pervasive = deleterious effects throughout the insect community that did not become = evident until 1 year after the first treatment. Please write me online = or off. Thanx. Hershey, A.E., A.R. Lima, G.J. Niemi, and R.R. Regal. 1998. "Effects = of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and methoprene on nontarget = macroinvertebrates in Minnesota wetlands." Ecological Applications 8 = (1): 41-60. Michael Lee Jones Certified Senior Ecologist Greystone Environmental Consultants 5231 S. Quebec St. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 (303) 850-0930 (303) 689-0194 fax mjones@greystone.US <mjones@greystone-consultants.com>=20 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 15:09:21 -0500 From: hullshm <hullshm@MAIL.AUBURN.EDU> Subject: GRA Announcement GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP - MS OR PHD. To study the effect of an ant-aphid mutualism on the spread of an aphid-vectored plant virus. Start Summer or Fall 2003. We have identified a mutualistic relationship between fire ants and cotton aphids in cotton fields that enhances population growth of aphids. The cott n aphid is the primary vector for a persistent epidemic of Cucumber mosaic vir s (CMV) in fresh-market vegetables. We hypothesize that large aphid populatio s resulting from the fire ant-cotton aphid mutualism enhances the spread of CM into nearby vegetable crops. The Graduate Research Assistant working on thi project will have the opportunity to study several aspects of these interactions, including the fire ant-cotton aphid relationship, the cotton aphid-CMV relationship, as well as CMV-vegetable interactions. The student will work closely with both an entomologist (Eubanks) and a plant virologist (Dr. John Murphy). Contact : Micky D. Eubanks, PhD Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology 301 Funchess Hall Auburn University AL 36849 eubanmd@auburn.edu 334-844-2556 http://www.auburn.edu/~eubanmd/labpage.htm ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 17:16:06 -0400 From: Robert Gropp <rgropp@AIBS.ORG> Subject: AIBS Federal Register Resource Greetings all, As you may recall, Dr. Adrienne Froelich of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) recently posted a note indicating that AIBS was developing a tool to help interested biologists track Federal Register notices related to national science public policy. This tool, the AIBS Federal Register Resource, is now up and running on the AIBS website (www.aibs.org). Please see the following note from the May 12th AIBS Public Policy Report for more details. The link for the AIBS Federal Register Resource is http://www.aibs.org/publicpolicy/index.html Regards, Robert Gropp, Ph.D. AIBS AIBS ANNOUNCES NEW FEDERAL REGISTER RESOURCE FOR BIOLOGISTS The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is pleased to announce the launch of the AIBS Federal Register Resource. This new web tool provides biologists and educators with the information needed to participate in the federal rulemaking process. The Federal Register is the official daily publication of the executive branch of the government. Executive branch (federal) departments/agencies (e.g., National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Interior) implement and enforce laws and programs that are authorized by Congress. Generally speaking, federal agencies establish Rules or Regulations (hereafter referred to as Rules) that govern how a law or program is administered. Under existing law, all federal agencies must consider public input when developing and implementing Rules. The executive branch solicits comments by publishing rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential documents in the Federal Register. For example, before the National Park Service can issue a Rule limiting certain activities in a given Park, a request for public comment on the Proposed Rule must be published in the Federal Register. The public and special interest groups submit comments in response to this Federal Register notice. The various stakeholders commenting will typically identify what they perceive to be the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal. Even if comments do not result in changes to the Proposed Rule prior to the issuance of a Final Rule, they become part of a record that may in time be the basis for changes to the Rule. To facilitate the participation of biologists in these topics, AIBS has launched the new Federal Register Resource. Each week, the AIBS Public Policy Office identifies items in the Federal Register that have national or international implications for biological research and education. These items are compiled and posted to the AIBS Federal Register Resource website each Monday. Some current items include EPA's notice of proposed rulemaking concerning human testing, the inaugural meeting of the HHS Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society, a meeting notice for the Department of Interior's Invasive Species Advisory Committee, a meeting notice for the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research Science Advisory Board, and an opportunity to comment on the Interior Department's Strategic Plan for FY 2003-08. The website also provides basic information on the federal rulemaking process, tips for preparing and submitting comments to federal agencies, and useful internet links for electronic submission of comments. Visit AIBS Federal Register Resource at http://www.aibs.org/publicpolicy/index.html and remember new items will be posted each Monday. ____________________________________________________________________________ ___ Robert E. Gropp, Ph.D. Senior Public Policy Representative American Institute of Biological Sciences 1444 Eye Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202-628-1500 x 250 Fax: 202-628-1509 Email: rgropp@aibs.org Web site: www.aibs.org ------------------------------ End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 11 May 2003 to 12 May 2003 (#2003-126) *************************************************************** ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
Thanks to discussion with TVR, I have decided to put a link to back files of the discussion group. This months back files.
The link to complete archives is available elsewhere.
This text was originally an e-mail. It was converted using a program
RUPANTAR- a simple e-mail-to-html converter.
(c)Kolatkar Milind. kmilind@ces.iisc.ernet.in