Hi, The National Geographic series Strange Days on Planet Earth has some good segments--in particular the episode on trophic cascades would be good for population biology. They specifically talk about a dam project in South America that flooded a hilly rainforest, leaving behind isolated islands that were formerly hilltops. Most of the predators swam away to the mainland, but lots of other animals took refuge on the islands, creating extremely dense populations. The absence of predators allowed herbivores to run rampant, defoliating entire islands. They also talk about the trophic cascade of wolf-elk-riparian vegetation in Yellowstone.
I believe there's also a PBS or National Geographic series on human population biology, though I cannot recall the title just now...I think if you search Google Video you can watch clips of these things. hth, Sarah _________________________________ Sarah K Berke Postdoctoral Scholar Department of the Geophysical Sciences University of Chicago 5734 S. Ellis Ave Chicago, IL 60637 On Wed, Jun 2, 2010 at 11:00 PM, ECOLOG-L automatic digest system < lists...@listserv.umd.edu> wrote: > There are 5 messages totalling 340 lines in this issue. > > Topics of the day: > > 1. Aquatic Technician - NEON - one year assignment - Boulder, CO > 2. Movies to teach population ecology ??? > 3. Call for faculty to teach in new science general education initiative > at > Bard College (NY) > 4. ACE - Golden Gate National Recreation Area Trail Crew Internship > 5. EcoTone: Biodiversity is a delicate recipe > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 10:42:04 -0400 > From: =?windows-1252?Q?Laura_Reynolds?= <care...@neoninc.org> > Subject: Aquatic Technician - NEON - one year assignment - Boulder, CO > > Overview > The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.) is a nonprofit > science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, > land use and invasive species impact ecology. Currently under design is > the NEON project - an observatory comprising more than 60 environmental > and biological monitoring locations distributed throughout twenty domains > across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska & Puerto Rico. The observatory > network will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable > forecasting of ecological change at continental scales over multiple > decades. > > The Aquatic Team will collect physical, chemical, and biological data on > streams and small lakes across twenty domains in the United States, > Hawaii, Alaska & the Caribbean. The Team will define measurements, train > personnel, and perform QA/QC in order to produce high quality data > products for the research, education, and decision making community. > > Term of Position > This position is as a term (one year), full-time position on the NEON > Aquatic science team. > > Location: Boulder, CO > > Position Summary: > The Aquatic Technician will assist the Aquatic Team with gathering > existing data and information on streams and ponds/lakes across the United > States. This includes water chemistry; plant, insect, and fish species > lists; aerial photographs; maps; and other historical information. This > information is critical for the Team to prepare the sites for > construction. The Technician will work independently searching for > existing literature and data, and as part of the Team to develop data > management tools. > > The Technician will also have the opportunity to gain experience in GIS, > water chemistry analyses, and mapping of aquatic ecosystems. > The Aquatic Technician is expected to produce reports of NEON site > information and is encouraged to collaborate with the Staff to investigate > other publications. > > Essential Duties and Responsibilities: > • Independently seek published data and information from libraries, > local NGOs, researchers, municipalities, Federal and State agencies > • Seek unpublished data from local researchers and NGOs > • Co-create data management system for historical site data: working > in collaboration with Aquatic scientists and the NEON Computing team > • Coordinate and compile disparate data and information for ease of > analysis and retrieval > • Work with NEON GIS to digitize and organize historical maps, > images, and aerial photos of sites > • Participate in the larger NEON science community > > Education: > • Bachelor’s degree in aquatic ecology or related field. > > Required Experience: > • Experience with university library research, including Web of > Science > • Ability to independently gather information from federal and state > agencies’ online data portals > • Ability to telephone interview researchers and scientists > • Demonstrated ability to write technical documents > > Preferred Experience: > • Ability to create and interpret stream hydrographs > • Knowledge of freshwater water quality parameters > • Knowledge of GIS preferred > > Skills and Abilities: > • Literature and library research skills > • Strong communication and interpersonal skills > • Technical writing > • Ability to work independently, and as part of an active science > team > > TO APPLY: www.neoninc.org > Review of applications will begin 15 June 2010. > > Relocation and Housing is not provided. > > NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans > and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply. > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 13:10:23 -0300 > From: VOLTOLINI <jcvol...@uol.com.br> > Subject: Movies to teach population ecology ??? > > Dear friends, > > I would to receive suggestions about a good population ecology video to use > in undergraduate classes. > > There are many videos about primates, felids and canids but many of them > are > more about general behaviour and not exploring population growth, survival, > etc. > > My ideia is to use the video with some questions for the sutdents and > discuss conservation and management strategies using population ecology > theory. > > Thanks for any help and I will send the results back to the list! > > > > Prof. Dr. J. C. VOLTOLINI > Universidade de Taubate - Departamento de Biologia > Taubate, SP. 12030-010. E-Mail: jcvol...@uol.com.br > Website do grupo de pesquisa ECOMAM: http://jcvoltol.sites.uol.com.br/ > Fotos de Projetos e Cursos: http://jcvoltol.fotoblog.uol.com.br/ > Amostra de um Curso de Campo de Ecologia: http://trabiju.blogspot.com/ > Currículo Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8137155809735635 > Fotos Artísticas: http://voltolini.fotos.net.br/texturas > > 'Siamo tutti angeli con un'ala e possiamo volare soltanto se ciabbracciamo' > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 12:54:09 -0400 > From: Felicia Keesing <kees...@bard.edu> > Subject: Call for faculty to teach in new science general education > initiative at Bard College (NY) > > *Call for faculty to teach in new science general education initiative > at Bard College > * > > When: January 4^th - 26^th (training July 30^th – August 2^nd ) > Where: Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (30 min. north of > Poughkeepsie) > What: A general introduction to understanding scientific evidence, using > the theme of infectious diseases > > Please distribute to any an all individuals who might be interested in > participating in this program. > > *Bard** College* is seeking instructors for **the inaugural term of its > new science education initiative. This innovative program is designed to > provide all students in their first year of college with basic > scientific literacy, using the specific topic of “/Investigating > infectious disease”. /We will be using laboratory work, computer > modeling, and classroom lecture during this intensive term. > Additionally, extracurricular activities will be planned in the evenings > and we will be hosting speakers to discuss applied and basic science. > Speakers will include scientists, journalists, and policy-makers and > will come from the Bard community and beyond. Bard is a private liberal > arts college with approximately 1,900 students, located 90 miles north > of New York City on the Hudson River. > > Successful candidates will possess a Ph.D. or equivalent in the sciences > and be willing to work to engage students of all disciplines in a common > educational experience. No specific training within biology is required. > > Faculty will be required to attend a training session on the Bard Campus > in Annandale-on-Hudson (travel, lodging and food will be covered) from > the evening of July 30^th - through the evening of August 2^nd . The > program dates for the program for the 2010-2011 academic year are > January 4^th - January 26^th . Faculty will be housed in rooms on the > Bard Campus for the duration of the program. > > Applicants should submit curriculum vitae, statement of interest for > teaching in this type of program, and the contact information for three > references /by email only/ to: Director Brooke Jude at > hr-scm10-...@bard.edu <mailto:hr-scm10-...@bard.edu>. Review of > applications begin on June 1st, and will continue all positions are > filled. We seek to attract and retain a highly qualified and diverse > faculty. AA/EOE. > > > http://www.bard.edu/about/employment/employment/popup.php?listing_id=7362138 > > http://app3.insidehighered.com/news/2010/04/26/bard > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 15:32:26 -0400 > From: =?windows-1252?Q?American_Conservation_Experience?= > <i...@usaconservation.org> > Subject: ACE - Golden Gate National Recreation Area Trail Crew Internship > > American Conservation Experience: Golden Gate National Recreation Area > Trail Crew Internship > > Internship Description: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit > Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ and Santa Cruz, CA, is currently > hiring energetic, ambitious young adults to participate in a 4-month > skills training program preparing them for outdoor careers with the > National Park Service, with ACE, with other conservation corps, or land > management agencies such as the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land > Management, etc. Interns will serve at Golden Gate National Recreation > Area learning advanced trail maintenance skills among professional > National Park Service Crews. This is a volunteer internship providing > free housing, a $110 per week food allowance, and the opportunity to learn > and train among professional mentors. > > Start Date: Immediately > End Date: September 30, 2010 > A four month commitment is required. > > Potential exists to continue serving with other ACE crews or in other ACE > internships beyond September 30. > > Internship Major Duties and Expectations: > > Trail Interns will support NPS staff by assisting in the construction and > maintenance of park trails. Typical duties include: > > • Assisting Park staff with the construction of a variety of > advanced trail structures such as, bridges and boardwalks, staircases, > retaining walls, waterbars, etc. Interns will also assist park staff in > routine trail maintenance duties such as brushing trails, outsloping tread > and clearing drainage structures. > • Completing work tasks as instructed by Park staff, keeping daily > work log and demonstrate proper work procedures and methods while working > in the field with other volunteer groups. > • Following strict guidelines in making safety a priority, including > the responsible use of personal protective gear and insuring that all > tools, equipment, vehicles and other co-workers are working safely in all > conditions. > • Following instructions from all park staff and understanding and > respecting all park regulations and policies. > • Working with a professional demeanor as a part of a team. Good > public communication skills are a must. > • Assisting park staff with the coordination and supervision of > youth crews and other volunteers on trail projects. > > Location: Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Golden Gate National > Recreation Area (GGNRA) is one of the world’s largest urban parks, > spanning Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties and encompassing > over 75,398 acres. GGNRA hosts five National Historic Landmark Districts, > five National Register Districts and 665 historic structures. The park is > characterized by many wooded areas, hills, and scenic vistas overlooking > the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. In > recognition of the scientific and educational value of its vast natural > resources, the entire Park has been designated as part of the Central > California Coastal International Biosphere Reserve (insert link). Intern > housing is provided in the Presidio, a unique, historic residential area > located within the NPS boundaries. > > Working Conditions: Work is labor intensive and strenuous, performed > mainly outdoors in hilly terrain near the scenic Pacific Coast in > elevations from sea level to 2000 feet with weather conditions ranging > from hot, dry and dusty to foggy, cold and rainy. Interns may work and > operate equipment in adverse conditions that include extended exposure to > sun, wind, rain, loud noise, uneven terrain, mud, poison oak, and various > insects. > > Reliable transportation required: No > Driver’s license required: Yes > > Qualifications: Applicants for ACE’s Professional Development Trail Crew > Internships at Golden Gate NRA must be at least 21 years old, have an > established interest in conservation issues, and should take evident joy > in tackling challenging situations with a positive mindset. Applicants > must be willing to undertake arduous physical work in all types of weather > and terrain, and to participate as a team member, dedicated to both ACE’s > and the NPS’s mission. Preference will be given to former and graduating > ACE volunteers, graduated members of other conservation corps, and those > with a history of committed engagement in similar volunteer and outdoors > activities. The internship is meant as a stepping stone to > environmental careers with the NPS and as a gateway to potential > advancement within ACE, not only as an interesting and rewarding way to > spend 6 months working in a beautiful location. Drug users, including > recreational smokers of marijuana, should not consider applying, as ACE > reserves the right to require drug testing and generally abhors the > presence of drug users in our program. > > Desired Knowledge and Skills: > > • Familiarity and/or desire to learn how to operate tools to perform > trail work including, but not limited to; power drill, rock bar, single > jack, shovel, rake, axe, brushing sheers, weed trimmers and other trail > maintenance tools. > • Ability and/or desire to experience trail maintenance work, > including but not limited to; cribbing walls, turnpikes, drainage dips, > swales, installation of water bars, retaining walls, removal of brush and > vegetation. > • Desire and ability to work outdoors, at times in inclement weather > and terrain. Willingness to perform strenuous physical activity such as > frequent bending and lifting and carrying heavy weight. > > > Benefits: > > • Dorm-style, shared room housing is provided in the Presidio. > • A food allowance of $110 per week is provided by ACE. > • Opportunity to gain a working knowledge of trail construction and > maintenance. > • Opportunity to pursue training and education opportunities in > various departments within the National Park Service and the Golden Gate > National Parks Conservancy. > • Opportunity to attend Park Core Academy Trainings on topics > ranging from Plant Physiology, Restoration Ecology Theory to Tool > Maintenance and GIS. > • Experience working with a Federal agency as well as with a Non- > Profit Organization. > • Opportunity to live in and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and > cultural resources of this spectacular park. > • Opportunities to work with volunteers from diverse backgrounds in > trail maintenance and construction. > • Opportunity to become a steward of America’s public lands and a > leader in your community. > • Opportunity to meet other men and women from all over the world > that share a common interest in preserving and protecting our natural > lands. > > To Apply: > Please email a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional > references to Joel Baker at j...@usaconservation.org with “GGNRA Trail > Crew Internship ” in the subject heading of your email. > Application Deadline: Position open until filled > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 17:23:54 -0400 > From: Katie Kline <ka...@esa.org> > Subject: EcoTone: Biodiversity is a delicate recipe > > Picture a simmering pot of vegetable broth, the condensed flavors the basis > for what will become a hearty corn chowder. Looking at the recipe, you know > that before the broth was introduced, onions and garlic were sautéed in > olive oil until they grew translucent. Then flour was added to form the rue. > And you know after the broth is added, potatoes, corn and other assorted > vegetables will be left to simmer. But would you have known all of this just > by seeing the list of ingredients alone? Unless you enjoy cooking regularly, > you probably would not have known the sequence for preparing corn chowder > just by the taste. According to a study recently published in Science > Express, biodiversity is a similar process. Some scientists go about > recreating an ecosystem by adding all of the elements at once into an > experiment. > > Read more and comment at > http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/biodiversity-is-a-delicate-recipe/. > > ------------------------------ > > End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 1 Jun 2010 to 2 Jun 2010 (#2010-149) > ************************************************************* >
