Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 5 Jun 2003 to 6 Jun 2003 (#2003-145)
There are 6 messages totalling 300 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. What if we had both linear and curvilinear relationships?
2. PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATIONIST
3. Summer Field Assistant position in Las Cruces, NM
4. Environmental Science Laboratory Manager (fwd)
5. Desert Yellowhead
6. M.S. stipends available
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Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 06:51:07 +0100
From: William Silvert <silvert@NETCABO.PT>
Subject: Re: What if we had both linear and curvilinear relationships?
I found this rather strange. As Palmer points out, minimisation of least
squares gives the maximum likelihood solution only if the error distribution
is normal, but this means that if your error distribution is not normal you
should find a transformation that normalises it.
There are many statistical sources, going back at least to Fisher in the
early 1920Дs, that point out that the purpose of transformations is to
normalise the error distribution and not to linearise the data. If the
resulting model is nonlinear, that is fine - nature doesnДt have to be
linear. There are lots of ways to fit nonlinear models, which often make
more sense than linear ones.
Dr. William Silvert
Instituto de Investigaчуo das Pescas e do Mar
Departamento de Ambiente Aquсtico
Avenida de Brasэlia, s/n
1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael W Palmer" <carex@OKSTATE.EDU>
To: <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003 5:10 PM
Subject: Re: What if we had both linear and curvilinear relationships?
> A few comments:
> 1) it might be worthwhile to log-transform explanatory variables on a
priori or biological grounds, but 'strong deviations from normality' is not
a
> reason. Linear least squares (LLS) methods only assume that errors in
he
> dependent variable are normally distributed.
> ...
> 4) If the curvilinearity is still monotonic (the relationship either go
s
> up or down but not both) then the best thing to do would probably be to
> find a transformation of the explanatory variable that makes the
> relationship more or less linear. Depending on the details, this could
be
> something like x^.5, 1/x, 1/(x+1), etc.
>
> Michael W. Palmer
> Botany Dept. OSU
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Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 09:58:46 -0500
From: Patricia Ott <ottp@MDC.STATE.MO.US>
Subject: PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATIONIST
PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATIONIST
The Missouri Department of Conservation has a position available for
two salaried positions; one each located at the NRCS office in Union,
and Osceola, Missouri.
SALARY RANGE: Annually $32,424 - $57,576
Beginning salary will be $32,424 -
$35,560 depending on qualifications.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Within an assigned district, works with
other resource professionals to lead, develop and deliver private land
initiatives, programs, and services that address important natural
resource issues; provides one-on-one natural resource technical advice
to landowners; actively works to strengthen the relationships with other
resource partners to deliver private land services; communicates and
works effectively with other team members and resource partners for
technical support to insure landowner satisfaction; provides natural
resource technical support to USDA (NRCS, FSA, FS), SWCD and University
of Missouri Outreach and Extension; promotes interest for natural
resource management and builds trust with landowners by becoming
actively involved with community activities; maintains awareness and
knowledge of agriculture and private land issues and corresponding state
and federal natural resource conservation programs; identifies programs,
practices, and opportunities for integrating fish, forest, wildlife and
natural communities with current land uses; promotes natural resource
conservation through education organizations; coordinates landowner
information and educational needs, and works with local MDC staff,
University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, NRCS and other natural
resource partners to deliver natural resource management information
through workshops, training programs, and special events; promotes
private land programs and assistance through oral presentations,
newsletters, news interviews, publications, and other contacts that
promote long term benefits to soil, water, fish, forest, wildlife, and
natural communities; assists with training of regional and district
staff related to landowner services and private land programs; works
with other team members to develop district private land services budget
and annual work plan; assists in the administration of the MDC
cost-share and other incentive programs; monitors, compiles and reports
district private land accomplishments; provides district perspectives on
landowner services delivery and private land program effectiveness, and
makes recommendations to assigned district team, Regional Private Land
Supervisor, and Regional Coordination Team; establishes and maintains
contact with community leaders, including agri-business and other
organizations that affect natural resource issues; and performs other
duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited college or university
with a Bachelor's Degree in Fisheries, Forestry or Wildlife Management,
Biological Sciences, Criminal Justice, Agriculture or applicable field
of study and at least three (3) years of progressively responsible
professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and
experience.
CLOSING DATE: June 26, 2003
For an application, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation,
Human Resources Division, 2901 West Truman Blvd., Jefferson City,
Missouri 65102 (573/751 4115). Applications also available on Internet
site at www.mdc.state.mo.us/about/jobs/.
Equal Opportunity Employer
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 11:24:00 -0600
From: Dara Parker <dparker@JORNADA-MAIL.NMSU.EDU>
Subject: Summer Field Assistant position in Las Cruces, NM
FIELD ASSISTANT WANTED
Gain experience in field work techniques in a dryland environment.
Rate of Pay: $8.00/hour
When: June 16-August 15, 2003
Job description:
A field assistant is required to help with data collection for
hydrological studies on the Jornada Basin north of Las Cruces, NM. You
will have an opportunity to learn valuable field techniques for the
environmental and natural sciences. The work does not require any
previous experience or specific background, but would be particularly
valuable for an undergraduate or postgraduate student in geography,
earth science, biology, or environmental science.
Primary duties involve working on all aspects of a hydrological
modeling study. Specific responsibitities include:
-installing and maintaining samplers in the field
-collecting rainwater and sediment samples in the field
-processing samples in the lab
-filling out all relevant paperwork related to samples collected and
processed
-maintaining instrumented flumes and related samplers for an associated
hydrology study
-washing equipment in the lab for use in the field
Secondary duties will become relevant if there is not enough hydrology
work to fill 40 hours per week. These additional duties include:
-general site maintenance out in the field
-helping permanent staff with tasks including, but not limited to,
weather station maintenance, dust sample collection, arthropod
collection, lizard trapping, and rabbit surveys.
Training for all tasks will be provided. In most cases, the employee
will work independently in the field after the training period. Working
or being on call during weekends will be required approximately 2
weekends a month (beginning in July) for hydrology fieldwork only.
Hydrology labwork and secondary duties will be restricted to weekdays.
The successful applicant will be detail oriented, efficient, motivated
to work independently, tolerant of hot "summer in the desert"
conditions, able to lift moderately heavy equipment, good at following
instructions carefully and keeping thorough records, and able to drive
on dirt/sand roads. Prior knowledge and experience is helpful but not
required.
The selected applicant must have a state of New Mexico driver's
license. Completion of the NMSU Defensive Driving course will be
required if a permit is not already held.
Application: Submit resume to Dara Parker, e-mail:
dparker@jornada.nmsu.edu. Position will remain open until filled.
If you have any questions, e-mail or call 505-646-2106.
Dara Parker, Senior Research Assistant
USDA-ARS, Jornada Experimental Range
NMSU, MSC 3JER
Las Cruces, NM 88003
(505) 646-2106, (505) 646-7005
dparker@jornada.nmsu.edu
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 12:59:59 -0500
From: "Melanie A. Riedinger-Whitmore" <M-Riedinger@NEIU.EDU>
Subject: Environmental Science Laboratory Manager (fwd)
Environmental Science Laboratory Manager
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg invites applications for
a Research Laboratory Manager for multiple environmental science faculty
members. The manager will be responsible for operation and maintenance
of instruments such as nutrient auto analyzer, GC-MS, radiochemical
counters and other general laboratory equipment. Strong computer skills
are required including experience with system administration. GIS and
remote sensing skills are preferred. The manager will also be
responsible for ordering supplies and equipment, support in grant
writing and research, fieldwork, and supervision of research students.
The manager must be able to work independently. MS or PhD in an
Environmental science related field required. Salary will be
commensurate with experience. Package will include healthcare and
retirement benefits.
Application deadline: All applications must be received by July 3, 2003.
Send Application to: Dr. Don Smoak, University of South Florida St.
Petersburg, 140 7th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Please submit
letter of application, vita, and names of three references. According
to Florida Law, applications and meetings regarding this position are
open to the public. All positions are contingent upon funding. USF is
an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Access Institution. For
disability accommodations, contact (727) 553-1151 / TDD (813) 974-1510 a
minimum of five working days in advance.
--
Dr. Donny Smoak
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Program in Environmental Science, Policy and Geography
140 7th Avenue South, DAV 258
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
(727) 553-4078
(727) 553-1526 (fax)
smoak@stpt.usf.edu
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 21:12:13 +0000
From: "C. OB." <ksuinsider@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Desert Yellowhead
<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV>Does anyone know
of any sources that contain, or relate to conservation measures/management s
rategies for the desert yellowhead (Yermo xanthocephalus) in Wyoming?
can't seem to find too much info on it, so any recommendations for that spe
ies, or one with similar management would be very helpful.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Corey O'Brien</DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>
Add photos to your e-mail with <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMLENUS/2746??P
=">MSN 8.</a> Get 2 months FREE*.</html>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 17:27:25 -0400
From: Lawrence Walker <walker@UNLV.EDU>
Subject: M.S. stipends available
TWO GRADUATE RESEARCH STIPENDS AVAILABLE FOR FALL 2004
IN PLANT ECOLOGY AT UNLV (Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas)
** TWO YEARS OF YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT
** ALL FEES AND TUITION PAID
Contact DR. LAWRENCE WALKER (walker@unlv.edu, 702/895-3196) immediately
for details. Information about UNLV can be found at http://www.
unlv.edu/Colleges/Sciences/Biology
Project 1: RARE PLANT RESEARCH. I am seeking an M.S. student to work on a
study of the seed ecology of a rare desert plant, the Las Vegas bearpoppy
(Arctomecon californica). This rare and endemic plant, found only around
Lake Mead National Recreation Area on gypsum soils, is becoming
increasingly rare as human impacts increase. Yet little is known about the
fates of seeds of this plant and what environmental factors determine its
rather erratic population dynamics. Research on this unique and aesthetic
desert plant will improve efforts to restore and expand local populations.
Project 2: INVASIVE SPECIES BIOLOGY. An M.S. student is needed to begin a
new experiment on two closely related invasive woody plants in the Colorado
River basin around Lake Mead. Tamarix ramosissima is a well-studied and
widely spread shrub that outcompetes native plants. Tamarix aphylla has
just begun spreading into the same riparian habitats and is much larger,
perhaps increasing soil salinity even more than T. ramosissima. Little is
known about the ecology of T. aphylla. We will exclude these species in
various combinations from the recently exposed drawdown zone around Lake
Mead and look at their effects on soil salinity and native colonists.
Both of these positions will support an M.S. student and provide a solid
training in environmental research and preparation for a career in such
areas as restoration ecology, invasive species biology or related areas.
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End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 5 Jun 2003 to 6 Jun 2003 (#2003-145)
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Thanks to discussion with TVR, I have decided to put a link to back files of the discussion group. This months back files.
The link to complete archives is available elsewhere.
This text was originally an e-mail. It was converted using a program
RUPANTAR- a simple e-mail-to-html converter.
(c)Kolatkar Milind. kmilind@ces.iisc.ernet.in