invasive plants
Just wanted to touch in and express appreciation for a rewarding thread on a difficult and important -- urgent -- problem. I've been reading with rapt attention and am waiting a few more days until contributions seem to have petered out, and I'll compile the citations and post them. It will take some time to plow through and read all the articles, but I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks again! Teresa Teresa Woods Graduate Assistant Division of Biology 232 Ackert Hall Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506 785-532-9834 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
2006Tamarisk Research Conference
The Tamarisk Coalition, the Center for Invasive Plant Management, and Colorado State University are pleased to announce the 2006 Tamarisk Research Conference: Current Status and Future Directions to be held in Fort Collins, CO, on October 3 & 4, 2006. The purpose of this conference is to bring tamarisk researchers together at a single venue to share their results with other scientists and western land managers so that future management efforts can be guided by the state-of-the-science. Additionally, this conference will promote dialogue between researchers and managers to identify future research needs for the development of effective policy and management decisions. Please see the conference website (http://www.tamarisk.colostate.edu/) for further information or to submit abstract titles. The initial abstract title deadline is April 30th and abstract submissions will open July 15th.
Re: invasive plants
Jeff and Teresa, You make an excellent point about the need for us to back up our statements with evidence. Although many have provided very believable and plausible arguments for why invasive species have caused native plant extinctions, I find it interesting that hardly anyone is offering clear cut published examples. I'd like to see these examples, because in my experience, documenting even local losses of plant species is very difficult (as Andy Dyer alluded to). I have personally seen cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) displace about 2/3 of the native longleaf pine savanna species in those portions of the site it has invaded. How do I know this? It produces discrete patches that expand radially. So, you can literally witness the "disappearance" of natives as each patch expands via clonal growth (much the same way as in Phragmites). However, to truly document their local "loss", you also have to look at the seed bank, especially if the species that are disproportionately lost are annuals with persistent seed banks. In their case, the invader may simply be preventing seedling emergence in these species (for the time being). I've looked at the seed bank in infested areas, and it turns out that it is depauperate as well. However, one only has to walk a few meters out of the patch to find the "displaced" species. So, no extirpation, just reduced numbers. All this brings back the original question that Teresa raised, are there documented instances in which an invasive plant has extirpated native species? I'm not aware of ANY (but I haven't read Davis' article yet). Although I have certainly seen cogongrass (considered one of the worst weeds in the southeastern US) dramatically reduce species richness in longleaf pine savannas, I cannot say that I have seen it extirpate any species. I believe this is simply because its competitive effects operate at too small a spatial scale to cause such losses in the short term. I recognize that reduced numbers mean reduced population viability, but even then, given the potential for rescue effects, I would feel more confident saying that invasive species caused extinctions if there were actual direct evidence, as opposed to inferences from stochastic simulations on a computer or negative correlations. Turning the population viability question around, I have just witnessed 100% mortality of woody goldenrod (Solidago pauciflosculosa) on three barrier islands as a result of the storm surge associated with Hurricane Katrina (though there may be a few viable seeds left in its short-lived seed bank, assuming they weren't washed away). Would anyone suggest that I need not bother monitoring this species on these islands anymore? I'm inclined to think that this species won't recover on these islands, but I wouldn't bet more than $50. Also, I think we should be careful about assuming extinction when we document that an invasive species has altered the ecosystem (e.g., fire regime, nutrient regime) in a way that is "incompatible" with the persistence of some native species. I think it is sufficient to say that the invasive species has altered the ecosystem in a way that is harmful to native species. Period. I agree with Jeff that perhaps we can be confident in saying that some invasive species have reduced the numbers and have threatened the viability of some native species. I fear that skeptics will brand all of us who are genuinely concerned about the impacts of invasive species as chicken littles prone to hyperbole if we make claims we can't back up with empirical evidence. Furthermore, I believe that if make overly pessimistic assumptions about extinctions, this will lead some to conclude that, once an invasive species has "taken over" an area, there is nothing we can do. Anyway, as far as documentation is concerned related to cogongrass, Teresa, you might check out: Lippincott, C. L. 1997. Ecological consequences of Imperata cylindrica (cogongrass) invasion in Florida sandhill. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. Brewer, J. S. and S. P. Cralle. 2003. Phosphorus addition reduces invasion of a longleaf pine savanna (southeastern USA) by a non-indigenous grass (Imperata cylindrica). Plant Ecology 167:237-245. The first one deals more directly with negative effects of cogongrass on natives. The second study indirectly shows displacement (i.e., more native species in adjacent to patch than within a cogongrass-dominated patch). The other evidence I alluded to has not been published. Steve Brewer I think Teresa is raising a very good point and to the best of my knowledge the answer to her question is no, there is little in the way of empirical evidence that invasive species cause extinctions or even local extirpations. The empirical evidence on loosestrife for example, is that although we see it everywhere it has not caused extinctions. Best. jeff Houlahan -Origina
Correction - Summer Field Worker Opportunity -- Northern Wisconsin Forests and Wetlands
Sorry for the repost. The corresponding e-mail address on the earlier announcement was incorrect. The announcement shoud read: We are seeking responsible students to fill two summer field assistant positions related to carbon cycling research in northern Wisconsin. The primary responsibilities of this position will be surveying vegetation and woody debris and collecting soil samples and trace gas samples for laboratory analysis. This research will be conducted in forests and wetland= s of northern Wisconsin. The field sites are located in the Chequamegon National Forest, near Woodruff and Park Falls, WI. Housing can be provided. These positions will provide opportunities to learn field sampling techniques for ecosystem research. Training is provided. Travel to field sites is required. Applicants should have a background in a related academic discipline (soil science, ecology, forestry). Applicants must be interested and able to work outdoors. Applicants should be prepared to work independently and should demonstrate good organizational skills. Experience in field research is preferred. Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Salary $10-11 Application information (including major and pertinent coursework, year in school, resume, and references) should be sent by email to Dr. Peter Weishampel ( [EMAIL PROTECTED]). -- Peter Weishampel Postdoctoral Research Fellow Department of Soil, Water, and Climate University of Minnesota Phone: (218) 326-7134 Fax: (218) 326-7123 Mailing Address: USDA-Forest Service North Central Research Station 1831 HWY 169 E Grand Rapids, MN 55744
GRA (MS) position available in stream ecology
Graduate Student Opportunity in Stream/Ecosystem Ecology A Graduate Research Assistantship (MS) is available in the Department of Biological Sciences at Fort Hays State University beginning Fall 2006. Research emphasis is flexible within the fields of water quality, ecology, or biogeochemistry in streams and rivers located in Central and Western Kansas. The position is part of a larger National Science Foundation funded study with Kansas State University and the University of Kansas evaluating, modeling, and forecasting biological and ecological changes associated with global change. Fort Hays State University (http://www.fhsu.edu/) is a state-supported liberal and applied arts institution located in Hays, Kansas. Hays is a city of about 20,000 located about midway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. It is a regional center serving the cultural, health, educational, business, service, and transportation needs for much of western Kansas. Candidates must have a B.A. or B.S in Biology, Fisheries, or Ecology. Prior experience in aquatic systems preferred. Candidate review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For more information contact: Dr. Eric A. Strauss Department of Biological Sciences Fort Hays State University Hays KS 67601 Ph. (785) 628-5367 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Any stats people out there?
There are probably many, many way to handle this, but you might want to try some form of cluster analysis. Hierarchical trees or k-means analysis are good ways to get a quick intuitive overview of patterns in matrix datasets like yours. We often use these methods to explore expression patterns of genes (rows) over a range of conditions (columns) in DNA microarray studies. You could use our free, open source package MeV (http://www.tm4.org/mev.html) for this. MeV can take as input a simple tab-delimited text file of rows and columns that you can generate in Excel. Regards, Nirmal Bhagabati The Institute for Genomic Research, Rockville, MD 20850 www.tigr.org On 4/6/06, Griffith Gilbert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I have 107 willow occurences (individual trees). Let's call these the > Sampling Units (SUs). I have 8 quantitative environmental/physical > variables (e.g. elevation, valley width, stream slope, etc.) measured > around each SU. Therefore, I have 107 rows and 8 columns in my dataset. > How can I find out if there exist any differences between SUs based upon > the variables measured? >
Any stats people out there?
I have 107 willow occurences (individual trees). Let's call these the Sampling Units (SUs). I have 8 quantitative environmental/physical variables (e.g. elevation, valley width, stream slope, etc.) measured around each SU. Therefore, I have 107 rows and 8 columns in my dataset. How can I find out if there exist any differences between SUs based upon the variables measured?
Re: Biology of Invasion Invasive species definition
> I often wonder if the term invasive species should be reclassified as opportuniphytes At 08:27 PM 4/5/2006, Gary Ervin wrote: > >Invasive species - alien species that have overcome environmental, > >reproductive, and dispersal barriers in their new range, thus that they > >now readily spread and establish into either disturbed or undisturbed > >habitats > > Well, as president Reagan might say, I'm not so sure that a crucial > distinction is not missing here. > > If an organism colonizes only disturbed habitats, and does not > establish viable populations in undisturbed ones, is there not a > significant difference there worthy of a distinguishing term? > > WT > - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Web Mail. http://ag.arizona.edu
How much fertilizer to give seedlings of wild trees?
My colleagues and I are are setting up a common garden experiment on = populations of various oaks (Q. rubra, Q. phellos, Q. alba, Q. = prinus/montana), red maple and tulip poplar from various latitudes to = look at variation in plant defenses (by the way if anyone wants to come = and measure some aspect of inter-population variability along = latitudinal gradients, we would welcome the extra collaboration).=20 The seedlings are doing great at the moment in just Promix which has no = nutrients, but soon they will start to run out of their seed reserves. I = have spoken to various people interested in horticulture but no-one = seems quite sure how much to give to a wild tree seedling to ensure it = both grows well now and stays tough enough to survive the rigors of = being planted outdoors.=20 Can anyone suggest how much and how often we should feed our baby trees, = and with what brand of fertilizer? Thank you!! Jonathan Adams P.S. If you live in the Southland and curently have red maples seeding = near you, we'd really welcome a bag of seeds! We have relatively few = southerly populations of red maple.
Book availablility
Hello fellow ecologgers, =20 I'm trying to locate a copy of a book for purchase. The book is entitled: Spreadsheet Exercises in Ecology and Evolution = [Paperback]=20 by Donovan, Therese and David Weldon =20 I have tried alibris, abebooks and Amazon all to no avail. Perhaps someone has an extra copy and is willing to sell? I would welcome any suggestions to continue my search using the web or = by direct contact. Thanks in advance, William Freeman Wildlife biologist 303-948-9851
Summer field/research technician
JOB TITLE: Forestry/Research Technician CLOSING DATE: Applications accepted until position is filled LENGTH OF POSITION: May 2006 through August 2006 PAY RANGE: Commensurate with experience starting at $12.00/hr. LOCATION: Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota HOUSING: Provided Project description: Summer fieldwork will be aimed at collecting allometric tree data that will be used to improve on existing methods of estimating and predicting canopy bulk density through time. Accurate estimates of canopy bulk density are important in the West because of the significant influence it has on potential fire behavior (i.e. is the current forest structure capable of carrying active/passive crown fire). Field staff must be able to hike up to 1 km in often rugged terrain to field sites where job duties will include: (1) implementation of standard forest inventory procedures on selected study sites, (2) assist in the marking and felling (via chainsaw) of selected sample trees, and (3) dissecting and weighing tree components (i.e. live/dead branches, needles, cones, etc.) by fuel size class (0-.635 cm, 2.54-7.62 cm, >7.62 cm). We will be performing these in-depth measurements on between 80 and 130 trees throughout the field season. Data entry and/or laboratory work may be required on days of inclement weather. Working hours vary from 8-10 hours/day, although the crew leader may schedule longer or shorter days or workweeks to facilitate scheduling. For ex., a 40 hours workweek may consist of 5, eight hour days or 4, ten hour days. In the event of inclement weather, a 6th day may be required to complete the work week. Overtime compensation will not be provided; however we will compensate for hours worked beyond a 40 hour work week in terms of credit time. Salary will be commensurate with experience starting at $12.00/hr. Summer housing (May-August) will be provided by the project in Deadwood, SD (http://www.deadwood.org). Approximate dates of employment are May 15th through August 15th. You must provide your own transportation to/from Deadwood at the beginning and end of the field season. You will be provided mileage costs for the equivalent mileage between Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO and Deadwood, SD. Once in South Dakota, transportation will be provided to/from work sites/house. Qualifications: Work experience or coursework including field exercises covering the following: 1) Skill in the use of instruments for measuring tree and forest stand characteristics including diameter tapes, compass, prisms, clinometers, and increment borers. 2)Skill in the use of a chainsaw is highly preferable. 3) Forestry, natural resources management, forest ecology, or related fields. 4) Ability to use or learn to use GPS and other field equipment. 5) This position is 95% + field work. You will be exposed to hot, dry weather, rough terrain, unpredictable weather, insects, and other environmental conditions. You MUST be capable of sustained physical work under these conditions. To apply: Please send a resume and 2 reference contact to the e-mail (e-mail preferred) or address below. Contact: Tara Keyser; Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (970) 491-0491 Mail address: Dept of FRWS, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1472
Re: Biology of Invasion Invasive species definition
At 08:27 PM 4/5/2006, Gary Ervin wrote: >Invasive species - alien species that have overcome environmental, >reproductive, and dispersal barriers in their new range, thus that they >now readily spread and establish into either disturbed or undisturbed >habitats Well, as president Reagan might say, I'm not so sure that a crucial distinction is not missing here. If an organism colonizes only disturbed habitats, and does not establish viable populations in undisturbed ones, is there not a significant difference there worthy of a distinguishing term? WT
Used YSI Model 50B Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Meter for Sale
I have a used YSI Model 50B DO meter for sale. The meter has a microprocessor with a digital readout and was designed for field or laboratory use. It is in good to excellent condition, fully functional, easy to calibrate, and includes an instruction manual. Unfortunately, = it does not include a probe/cable set; however, I understand that a = replacement probe (YSI 5739 Field Probe) and cable (YSI 5740-series of various = lengths) are readily available via YSI Incorporated. Calibration/operation instructions are on the reverse side of the meter. The meter includes automatic temperature correction and operation from either a power cable (available via YSI) or batteries (6 D cells typically provide ~1,000 = hours of use). =20 As you are likely aware, YSI meters have been used by at wastewater treatment facilities for years and this meter will likely serve you well either in the field or lab for the foreseeable future. This meter would = be an excellent backup or even primary meter for supporting water quality monitoring programs. =20 =20 I am asking $250 for the meter and assume the buyer will pay shipping/insurance. Please reply by e-mail or call me directly if there = is an interest. Thank you. =20 Regards, =20 I. Richard Schaffner, Jr., P.G., C.G.W.P. Senior Technical Specialist, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., = http://www.gza.net=20 Moderator, Bioremediation Discussion Group, = http://bioremediationgroup.org E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 603.623.3600 Fax: 603.624.9463 GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. =20 Engineers & Scientists SOLUTIONS - SERVICE - SATISFACTION -= -- This electronic message is intended to be viewed only by the individual = or entity to which it is addressed and may contain privileged and/or confidential information intended for the = exclusive use of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, please be aware that any disclosure, = printing, copying, distribution or use of this information is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, = please notify the sender immediately and destroy this message and its attachments from your system.=20 -= -- For information about GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and its services, = please visit our website at www.gza.com.=20
Grassland Bird Monitoring Technicians (4)
Bird Monitoring Technicians Position Description The Missouri Department of Conservation has openings for full-time (40 hours/week) temporary technicians (4-6) to assist with a statewide evaluation of the USDA Farm Bill Program Habitat Buffers for Upland Wildlife or Conservation Practice 33 (CP 33). Missouri is one of 20 states participating in a long-term monitoring effort over the next five years to assess the effects of native warm season grass buffers on grassland bird density and vegetation establishment. Technicians will participate in the second monitoring period of the five-year evaluation to asses the response of target species including Northern Bobwhites, Dickcissels, Eastern Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows, and other grassland songbirds during the breeding season. Information on the conservation provisions in the 2002 Farm Bill, including CP 33, can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/. Information on the CP 33 monitoring protocol is located at http://teamquail.tamu.edu/publications/HabitatBuffersforUplandBirdsCP33.pdf Duration: Mid-May 2006 through Mid-July 2006 Location: various (there will be multiple crews distributed and traveling around the state) Title: Resource technician (CS8) Pay:$8.29/hour (40 hours/week) Housing and work vehicles are provided. General Responsibilities include: 1.) Conduct bird monitoring surveys using distance sampling methods and conduct vegetation sampling 2.) Assist Resource Science Division staff with distance sampling training for MDC management staff in the Private Lands Services and Wildlife Divisions Core Competencies and Special Ability Requirements: Ability to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships. Ability to demonstrate technical proficiency in areas of responsibility. Ability to demonstrate regular and predictable attendance. Ability to obtain a current, valid drive license by the date of employment. Basic Qualifications: * Completion of two years of college in natural resources or a related field * Must pass a pre-employment drug screen * Prior field experience * Strong work ethic Preferred Qualifications: * B.S. in wildlife ecology, natural resources, or related field * Experience with field work in rural settings * Prior experience with song bird monitoring Contact information: Send completed applications including a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references as a Word attachment via e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until suitable candidates are identified. For more information, contact Jody Bartz at [EMAIL PROTECTED] (660) 646 3140 ext. 243 or Jill Utrup at [EMAIL PROTECTED] (573) 882 9909 ext 3246. Kim Suedkamp Wells, Ph.D. Resource Scientist Agricultural Systems Field Station Missouri Department of Conservation 1110 S. College Avenue Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 882 9909 ext. 3292 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Summer Field Worker Opportunity -- Northern Wisconsin Forests and Wetlands
We are seeking responsible students to fill two summer field assistant positions related to carbon cycling research in northern Wisconsin. The primary responsibilities of this position will be surveying vegetation and woody debris and collecting soil samples and trace gas samples for laboratory analysis. This research will be conducted in forests and wetland= s of northern Wisconsin. The field sites are located in the Chequamegon National Forest, near Woodruff and Park Falls, WI. Housing can be provided. These positions will provide opportunities to learn field sampling techniques for ecosystem research. Training is provided. Travel to field sites is required. Applicants should have a background in a related academic discipline (soil science, ecology, forestry). Applicants must be interested and able to work outdoors. Applicants should be prepared to work independently and should demonstrate good organizational skills. Experience in field research is preferred. Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Salary $10-11 Application information (including major and pertinent coursework, year in school, resume, and references) should be sent by email to Dr. Peter Weishampel ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). -- Peter Weishampel Postdoctoral Research Fellow Department of Soil, Water, and Climate University of Minnesota Phone: (218) 326-7134 Fax: (218) 326-7123 Mailing Address: USDA-Forest Service North Central Research Station 1831 HWY 169 E Grand Rapids, MN 55744
