Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 1 Sep 2003 to 2 Sep 2003 (#2003-220)
There are 6 messages totalling 387 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Ecoinformatics Workshop
2. Information about indentifying mycorrhizae infection rate
3. Radio Transmitter Implants to Catch Poachers
4. PRIVATE LANDS CONSERVATIONIST (TERM)
5. Open Position: Marine Biologist, World Wildlife Fund
6. Post-Doc: Amazonian reserve design and bird radio-telemetry
[ Part 2: "Included Message" ]
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 12:10:33 -0400
From: Deana Pennington <dpennington@LTERNET.EDU>
Subject: Ecoinformatics Workshop
New Faculty and Postdoctoral Training OPPORTUNITY:
Ecoinformatics Training For Ecologists
(e.g., Information Technologies for Ecology)
January 4-9, 2004
The Long Term Ecological Research Network Office at the University of New
Mexico, in collaboration with the San Diego Supercomputer Center at UCSD,
the Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center at the
University of Kansas, and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and
Synthesis at UCSB, will be conducting a one-week training workshop in
ecoinformatics and relevant information technologies for new faculty and
postdoctoral associates. We are developing cutting edge technologies for
the integration, analysis, and synthesis of heterogeneous ecological data
through a large ITR grant from NSF, called the Science Environment for
Ecological Knowledge (SEEK). The goals of SEEK are to make fundamental
improvements in how researchers can gain global access to ecological data
and information, rapidly locate and utilize distributed computational
services, and exercise powerful new methods for capturing, reproducing, and
extending the analysis process itself. The seminar will be held at the
University of New Mexico. All travel, lodging, and meal expenses will be
covered.
WORKSHOP CONTENT: Participants will gain hands-on experience with emerging
information technologies designed to facilitate ecological research. Topics
include: ecoinformatics, data storage and sharing, analytical and
visualization tools, grid technology and networks, scientific workflows and
computation, and the World Wide Web as a research environment. Participants
will be provided with web-based (informatics-related) materials that they
can use in developing general ecology methodology courses at their home
institutions.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1, 2003. Applicants will be notified of
their acceptance by November 15, 2003.
QUALIFICATIONS: PhD in Ecology or related fields. Less than 3 years in a
postdoctoral or tenure-track position. No knowledge of information
technology necessary, but a desire to learn new technologies is critical!
CONTACT INFO: To apply for one of the 30 training slots, please submit a
cover letter and CV/resume to: Deana Pennington, UNM Department of Biology,
MSC03 2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, or by
email to dpennington@LTERnet.edu . We are committed to equal opportunity and
affirmative action; underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to
apply and will receive preference for course slots.
[ Part 3: "Included Message" ]
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 20:59:20 -0400
From: Lixin Wang <wanglixinls@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Information about indentifying mycorrhizae infection rate
[ The following text is in the "utf-8" character set. ]
[ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set. ]
[ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ]
Hello, everyone,
A couple of days ago, I sent an email to ask for help about indentifying myc
rrhizae infection rate of plant roots. Following is all the information I go
and hope it is useful for anyone interested.
Thank all of you who replied my email I really appreciate your help and kin
ness.And I appologize that I did not time to reply every email I got.
Best wishes,
Lixin
Lixin Wang
235 Eberhart Building
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC 27402
336-256-1074
1 http://biodiversity.uno.edu/~fungi/fcollect.html
2 I just finished my Master's where I looked at root infection levels by VAM
fungi. I used the MIP procedure (Sylvia 1994) and the magnified intersection
method described by McGonigle et al. (1990). I did not identify any of the
pecies and I was only interested in arbuscular mycorrhizae and not ectos. Th
other good source is the INVAM website out of the West Virginia University
nd the link is http://invam.caf.wvu.edu/methods/assays/MIP.htm.
Sylvia, D. M. (1994). Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Methods of so
l analysis, Part 2. Microbiological and biochemical properties. R. W. Weaver
S. Angle, P. Bottomleyet al. Madison, WI, Soil Science Society of America:
51-378.
McGonigle, T. P., M.H. Miller, D.G. Davis, G.L. Fairchild, and J.A. Swan (19
0). æ^Ï^Â new method which gives an objective measure of colonization of roo
s by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.?New Phytologist 115: 495-501.
3 WVU has an excellent website that tells you everything you ever wanted to
now about endomycorrhizae. Just do a google search for INVAM, and it should
come up with no problem.
4 I am no expert on this subject, but I did stain Neotyphodium coenophialum,
a systemic endophyte in leaf tissue of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). A
ter removing the epidermis, I used aniline blue to stain the tissue. Micros
opic investigation revealed whether the fungus was present or not. If your
ycorrhizae are stained by this dye, I imagine it would be a fairly easy proc
ss, but you'd probalby have to make a longitudinal cut through the root so t
at the dye would be accessible to any endophyte.
5 There is a simple method for estimating presence and absence of mycorrhiza
infection using regular pen ink. Identification of species is difficult an
requires culturing the species for id. Most mycorrhizaes are very generali
ed and species richness
will not vary greatly from one root system to another.
if interested in the methodology please contact Mr. Jared Leger at rleger@
sgs.gov
he should be able to forward the methodology we used in our laboratory.
6 Try Mike Miller at Argonne National Laboratory or Jim Bever at Indiana
University.
7 I would suggest that you contact the folks at the Corvallis Forestry
Sciences Lab - especially Randy Molina/Mike Castellano/Dan Luoma/Jane
Smith/Joyce Eberhardt. This group has extensive experience in identifying
mycorrhizae, especially on conifer trees. You can look them up through the
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station (www.fs.fed.us) and
the Oregon State University (www.oregonstate.edu) web sites.
There is a commercial firm that MAY be able to do it. I would recommend
Mike Amaranthus. www.mycorrhizae.com
8 Here are some references I have found useful.
>>A good book about fungi and includes some general information on
mycorrhizae and the types:
Kendrick, B. The Fifth Kingdom
>>This one uses microscopy and staining methods to describe the level
f
colonization of roots with arbuscular mycorrhizae:
Sasaki, A, et al. 2001. Effects of nutrients and arbuscular mycorrhizal
colonization on the growth of Salix gracilistyla seedlings in a
nutrient-poor fluvial bar. Ecological Research, 16: 165-172.
>>This one has good color photographs of some mycorrhizae. It may not
include all of the mycorrhizae you are seeking to identify, but it can
give you a good idea of diversity and types:
Agerer 1987-1993. Colour atlas of ectomycorrhizae: with glossary.
Schwaebisch-Gmuend: Einhorn-Verlag.
>>Some more general info about morphological characters to note when
trying to identify mycorrhizae:
Agerer 1995. Anatomical characteristics of identified ectomycorrhizas: an
apptempt towards a natural classification. In: Varma, Hock (eds).
Mycorrhiza: Structure, Function, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. pp
685-734.
>>Tom Bruns at Berkeley has a great website to look at and learn about
mycorrhizae as well as other fungi they study.
http://plantbio.berkeley.edu/~bruns/
[ Part 4: "Included Message" ]
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 15:03:47 -0600
From: Jeremy Radachowsky <radachowsky@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Radio Transmitter Implants to Catch Poachers
[ The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set. ]
[ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set. ]
[ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ]
Hello everyone,
We are looking for a method to mark scarlet macaw chicks so that they can be
detected at police checkpoints along roads. Here in the Maya Biosphere
Reserve, Guatemala, poaching has become a huge threat to the viability of
the macaw population. There are a couple of routes along which all of the
stolen chicks are removed - usually well-hidden.
Ideally, we´d like a transmitter/receiver system that is not very invasive
or risky to implant (needs to be internal or poachers will remove the
transmitters). The transmitters must be small and lightweight, but still
have an effective signal range of about 8 m (the width of a road) and
transmit for at least 3 months. We´ve looked into RFID-type transponders,
but the range is too small. Most regular battery powered transmitters we´ve
found are too large and heavy.
Does anybody know of a product that might work?
Thank you,
Jeremy Radachowsky
Wildlife Conservation Society
Guatemala
[ Part 5: "Included Message" ]
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 16:14:03 -0500
From: Patricia Ott <ottp@MDC.STATE.MO.US>
Subject: PRIVATE LANDS CONSERVATIONIST (TERM)
PRIVATE LANDS CONSERVATIONIST (TERM)
The Missouri Department of Conservation has a position available the
Fish and Wildlife Service Office in Columbia, Missouri.
SALARY RANGE: Annually $33,024 - $57,576
Beginning salary will be $33,024 -
$35,688 depending on qualifications.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Utilizes state, federal, and NGO funding
sources to provide technical and financial assistance to private
landowners implementing habitat management practices targeting
endangered, threatened, rare, and species of concern and associated
habitats; coordinates with state, federal and NGO partners such as The
Nature Conservancy, Missouri Prairie Foundation, and the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service to identify partnership opportunities for endangered,
threatened and species of concern focus areas with emphasis on habitat
implementation; coordinates with Regional Coordination Teams to identify
endangered, threatened, and species of concern opportunities and
existing regional efforts; coordinates with Department staff from all
divisions to identify high priority species and natural communities and
utilize cost share opportunities to install beneficial habitat
management practices; increases awareness of endangered, threatened, and
species of concern and their habitats among MDC staff and private
landowners; coordinates with Department staff from all divisions to take
advantage of endangered, threatened, and species of concern marketing
and general public awareness opportunities through appropriate media
outlets; maintains awareness of future funding opportunities targeting
endangered, threatened, and species of concern and prepares funding
requests based on Department support; completes documentation associated
with FWS Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) Grant Agreement, including
annual reports to FWS and MDC staff; represents MDC as the lead contact
on FWS LIP grant and coordinate with Federal Aid staff for grant
administration; promotes endangered species related activities through
education and outreach services to private landowners, agricultural
groups, and other appropriate organizations; coordinates landowner
information and educational needs, and work with local MDC staff,
University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, NRCS, and other natural
resource partners to deliver natural resource management
information/education 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 community resources; assists with cross training
of regional and district staff related to landowner services and private
land programs; 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, 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: September 17, 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
[ Part 6: "Included Message" ]
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 17:58:01 -0400
From: Taylor Ricketts <taylor.ricketts@WWFUS.ORG>
Subject: Open Position: Marine Biologist, World Wildlife Fund
[ The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set. ]
[ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set. ]
[ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ]
The Conservation Science Program at WWF-US seeks a Marine Biologist to lead
efforts to blend rigorous marine science with practical applications in our
conservation programs worldwide. This position involves working closely
with program, policy, and field staff to ensure WWF^Òs marine conservation
efforts are based strongly on science; conducting innovative research
projects on topics and in regions of focal interest to WWF (e.g., marine
protected areas, fisheries, climate change); and managing a small team of
marine scientists within the Conservation Science Program.
The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in marine biology or related field
and at least three years conservation experience. Strong statistical and
data management skills, experience with field-based conservation, a
familiarity with GIS techniques, excellent writing, speaking, and
interpersonal skills, and management experience are preferred. This
position is based in our Washington, DC office.
AA/EOE Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Please send cover
letter and resume by fax to (202) 293-9211 or by mail to World Wildlife
Fund, Human Resources Dept. #24023,
1250 24th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. For more info:
www.worldwildlife.org. NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES PLEASE.
[ Part 7: "Included Message" ]
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 18:05:04 -0400
From: Taylor Ricketts <taylor.ricketts@WWFUS.ORG>
Subject: Post-Doc: Amazonian reserve design and bird radio-telemetry
World Wildlife Fund seeks an enthusiastic, motivated individual to help
direct a multi-year, field-based research effort in the Amazon to address
reserve design questions such as species' minimum area and connectivity
requirements. In collaboration with scientists at WWF and
the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University, this post-doc will use
radio telemetry to study habitat and resource use by large frugivorous
birds, particularly large parrots. (A separate position will involve
similar work with large mammals.)
The post-doc will be based at the Los Amigos field station in the Peruvian
Amazon, which has electricity and internet connection but is a 6-hr boat
ride to the nearest town. You will direct a small field staff of local and
student field assistants in locating, capturing, radio-tagging, and
monitoring habitat use by target bird species with respect to seasonality
of resource availability. Work will involve tree climbing with ropes and
jumars to access parrot nests, tracking individuals in lowland tropical
forest, implementing and testing automated monitoring system at the
station, and managing data entry, processing, and analysis.
Command of Spanish required; GIS and quantitative skills preferred, as you
will be expected to be a full participant in data analysis, manuscript
preparation, and publication; applicants must get along well with others
and be self motivated- an ability to keep things going in an isolated, hot,
wet field situation is very helpful. Salary - $20,000 to $24,000 depending
on experience, plus per diem at field station and travel to and from Peru
at least once a year (in addition to travel to site first time). Contract
will initially be for 12 months, beginning in October, 2003, with high
likelihood of extension.
Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae, a brief summary of
research experience and interests, and names of at least two references
(with their email) to George Powell at: george.powell@wwfus.org.
From LISTSERV@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Thu Sep 4 16:50:49 2003
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 00:00:24 -0400
From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
Reply-To: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news"
<ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
To: Recipients of ECOLOG-L digests <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 2 Sep 2003 to 3 Sep 2003 (#2003-221)
[ Part 1: "Included Message" ]
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 00:00:24 -0400
From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
Reply-To: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news"
<ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
To: Recipients of ECOLOG-L digests <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 2 Sep 2003 to 3 Sep 2003 (#2003-221)
There are 3 messages totalling 158 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Herpetologist and environemental review assistant positions in Mass.
2. Radio Transmitter Implants to Catch Poachers
3. Grasshopper Sparrows
[ Part 2: "Included Message" ]
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 07:49:17 -0400
From: "Swain, Pat (FWE)" <Pat.Swain@STATE.MA.US>
Subject: Herpetologist and environemental review assistant positions in
Mass.
[ The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set. ]
[ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set. ]
[ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ]
The Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program has 3
positions posted on the Massachusetts state employment website, one for
a herpetologist and two for environmental review assistants. Note the
applications must be received by the end of the day on Sept. 15.
To view the full job descriptions including qualifications, use the
links below or
http://ceo.hrd.state.ma.us/ and select "agency" then Dept of Fisheries,
Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforecement. These particular jobs are
in Westborough, the herpetologist is "scientist", the environmental
review assistants are "researchers" or click directly on the links
below.
Herpetologist -
http://ceo.hrd.state.ma.us/ceo.nsf/42719dc0df11664f85256a2b005f440e/c1dd
abcaf833f3c085256d89006148e9?OpenDocument
This is a full time contract position through June 30, 2004, with the
possibility of extension. The incumbent will work with the Massachusetts
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered
Species Program (NHESP), under the supervision of the Senior Zoologist.
The successful applicant will develop and seek to implement effective
conservation strategies for Massachusetts' most at-risk species of
reptiles and amphibians and their habitat, building on recent work by
the NHESP, including the BioMap biodiversity mapping project. A primary
goal is to identify and protect habitat areas that are of sufficient
size and have adequate vegetation and landscape features to support
viable populations of reptiles and amphibians listed as Endangered,
Threatened, and Special Concern by the Division. The incumbent will be
expected to interpret, synthesize, and apply to conservation planning
information from the Natural Heritage database, aerial photos,
topographic maps, GIS data layers, field surveys, and scientific
literature. He/she will develop both strategic conservation plans and
site protection plans to achieve long-term habitat protection at the
highest priority sites. He/she will work with land protection staff to
ensure that the most important conservation areas for rare reptiles and
amphibians are accurately mapped and adequately represented among the
focus areas that guide statewide habitat protection initiatives. He/she
will assist NHEPS staff in assessing impacts of proposed projects on
rare reptiles and amphibians and their habitats. He/she will motivate
and guide outside cooperators to undertake standardize field surveys and
habitat assessments that will directly benefit conservation planning and
protection for rare reptiles and amphibians at priority sites.
Environmental review assistants -
http://ceo.hrd.state.ma.us/ceo.nsf/7e766c4d4be0f11985256a2b005f4415/4825
b2a272efd9c685256d8a004403fe?OpenDocument&Highlight=2,Westborough
Comments:
These positions are full-time contract positions through June 30, 2004
with the possibility of extension. The incumbents will provide
assistance to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
(NHESP) at the Division's Westborough office in maintaining and using
the rare species and biodiversity databases.
Pat
-------------------------------------------
Patricia Swain, Ph.D.
Plant Community Ecologist
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill
Westborough, MA 01581
508-792-7270 ext. 160 fax 508-792-7821
http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/nhesp
[ Part 3: "Included Message" ]
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 08:33:33 -0500
From: Lauren E. Nolfo <lnolfo@TULANE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Radio Transmitter Implants to Catch Poachers
:wq
[ The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set. ]
[ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set. ]
[ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ]
Greetings,
There is a company out of Barcelona, Spain that makes the smallest implantab
e
radiotransmitters on the market. They specialize in microprocessing equipmen
,
but they also have an Animal Radiolocation and Telemetry Systems department.
Their transmitters are literally 10 cm long with a battery life of a year an
a
range of almost a mile (on certain models). Their website is www.tinyloc.com
Their animal radiolocation contact is Natalia Rafols. The phone # is 937-907
971 ( I do not know the country code for Spain). I e-mailed them in broken
Spanish about their equipment and they sent me a price list with all sorts o
specs. I hope this helps! Good Luck!
Lauren E. Nolfo
PhD Candidate
Tulane University
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
310 Dinwiddie Hall
New Orleans, LA 70118
cell phone: 504-812-5848
dept. phone: 504-865-5191
fax number: 504-862-8706
"The boat may be only a canoe, but I am paddling it." --Katharine Hepburn
Quoting Jeremy Radachowsky <radachowsky@HOTMAIL.COM>:
> Hello everyone,
>
> We are looking for a method to mark scarlet macaw chicks so that they c
n be
> detected at police checkpoints along roads. Here in the Maya Biosphere
> Reserve, Guatemala, poaching has become a huge threat to the viability
f
> the macaw population. There are a couple of routes along which all of t
e
> stolen chicks are removed - usually well-hidden.
>
> Ideally, we´d like a transmitter/receiver system that is not very invas
ve
> or risky to implant (needs to be internal or poachers will remove the
> transmitters). The transmitters must be small and lightweight, but stil
> have an effective signal range of about 8 m (the width of a road) and
> transmit for at least 3 months. We´ve looked into RFID-type transponder
,
> but the range is too small. Most regular battery powered transmitters w
´ve
> found are too large and heavy.
>
> Does anybody know of a product that might work?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Jeremy Radachowsky
> Wildlife Conservation Society
> Guatemala
>
[ Part 4: "Included Message" ]
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 14:22:03 -0400
From: Paul Miller <phainopepla@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Grasshopper Sparrows
Greetings and sorry for cross posting:
I would like to find out if any of you out there working on Grasshopper
Sparrows, specifically, or even any Ammodramus spp. have experienced lower
numbers this past breeding season.
Here in Florida it seems that our Grasshopper Sparrow, subspecies
floridanus, has undergone a decline since last year. Any information would
be appreciated.
Curiously,
Paul Miller
Biological Scientist
Florida Park Service
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Okeechobee, Florida
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