draft recovery plan for northern spotted owls raises questions about management
1) are barred owls active predators of spotted owls? if not threat seems a bogus claim 2) at what landscape measure might niche separation be accenuated? identification of species-specific nesting/prey/acoustic differences might guide restorative management if marginal spotted owls tolerate some landscape/habitat difference 3) if barred owls are to be blasted, every single one should have full gut/parasite/reproductive analysis and museum quality specimen of skeleton and skin made Adam Herbert recycling rewards consumption - William McDonough
Savanna River Ecology Laboratory
Dear Colleagues: As many of you know, the entire budget for the Savannah River Ecology Lab was eliminated from the 2005 FY federal budget. Some funding was later restored, but nearly half of the lab personnel retired, found other employment, or were terminated. This level of funding was retained when the previous Congress did not complete a budget. The present Congress is essentially freezing the budget for next FY, which has left the Lab (and many other federal projects) in limbo. The following message was forwarded to me yesterday, and I thought you all might be interested. It indicates that the funds are available to operate the SREL for the next year as above, but their release is being withheld by DOE headquarters. The loss of the SREL would be a serious blow to ecological research and education. I urge you to take action and to encourage others to do the same. *FORWARDED MESSAGE* SREL Research, Environmental Outreach and Education -- URGENT MESSAGE SREL is currently funded through May 2007. The Department of Energy (DOE) or its equivalent has supported SREL for ecological research and environmental education for 56 years. According to written and verbal communications from DOE, the funds have been budgeted and are actually at the Savannah River Site to continue the program, but the funds have not been released. If funding is not continued immediately, all SREL presentations to regional schools, libraries, garden clubs, civic groups, and other organizations will end in May, as will funding for SREL research and student training programs on the SRS. The independent, oversight studies SREL conducts and publishes on radiation effects, chemical releases, and environmental health will also be terminated at the end of May. All citizens, especially parents, teachers, and children, who want to urge DOE to release the funding should contact individuals who could make this happen. The more people who express their concern about why DOE would discontinue funding an environmental program that has benefited people of the Aiken-Augusta area and the entire country for more than half a century, the more likely it is that action will be taken. If you are concerned about this development, you may contact the individuals listed below, write letters to newspapers, or inform anyone else you think should know. One suggestion is to write a short letter that you can email, surface mail, and also fax. Then make a telephone call. Jeffrey M. Allison Manager, Savannah River Operations Office Savannah River Site Aiken, SC 29801 Phone: (803) 952-6337 Fax: (803) 952-8144 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Representative Gresham Barrett Aiken Office 233 Pendleton Street, NW Aiken, SC 29801 P: 803-649-5571 F: 803-648-9038 For email go to http://www.barrett.house.gov/ and click Contact Gresham Senator Lindsey Graham Midlands Regional Office 508 Hampton Street, Suite 202 Columbia, South Carolina 29201 (803) 933-0112 phone For email go to http://lgraham.senate.gov/index.cfm?mode=contact and click on e-mail Representative John Barrow 699 Broad Street, Suite 1200 Augusta, GA 30901 P: 706 722-4494 Toll free: 800 890-6236 F: 706 722-4496 For email go to http://barrow.house.gov/ and click Contact John Samuel W. Bodman Secretary of Energy Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20585 Phone: (202) 586-6210 If you do not live around Aiken or Augusta, to find a congressman/woman: http://www.house.gov/ To find a senator: http://www.senate.gov/index.htm For those who live in/near Aiken: http://www.barrett.house.gov/ or http://joewilson.house.gov/ http://lgraham.senate.gov/ http://demint.senate.gov/ For those who live in/near Augusta: http://barrow.house.gov/ http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm http://isakson.senate.gov/ *END FORWARDED MESSAGE* -- Eric L. Peters Associate Professor of Ecology and Environmental Science Department of Biological Sciences Voice: (773)995-2421 Chicago State UniversityFax: (773)995-3759 9501 S. King Drive mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Chicago, IL 60628-1598 http://webs.csu.edu/~epeters/ When the last living thing has died on account of us, how poetical it would be if Earth could say, in a voice floating up perhaps from the floor of the Grand Canyon, It is done. People did not like it here. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Requiem
Assist. Research Scientist-Stream Ecology-Grand Rapids, MN
Assistant Research Scientist - Stream Ecology â Grand Rapids, Minnesota A research position is available for a long-term study of riparian harvesting methods on ecosystem function (secondary production, organic matter breakdown, and food web analyses) in Minnesota headwater streams. The study is part of a collaborative effort of scientists at Michigan Technological University, USDA Forest Service, US Geological Survey, and the University of Minnesota evaluating the effectiveness of Minnesotaâs riparian timber harvesting guidelines. Responsibilities and duties include: Coordinating and conducting field and lab work including collection of stream invertebrate samples, water quality and hydrological measurements, and taxonomic identification of stream invertebrates; supervising student interns; data analysis; report writing; and presenting results at meetings. Position requires overnight travel of 5-7 days per month. Qualifications: B.S. degree in Ecology, Entomology, or related field, plus two years relevant experience is required. M.S. degree with emphasis in aquatic invertebrate ecology preferred. Applicants should have aquatic invertebrate identification skills; project management, data analysis, and report writing experience; a strong work ethic; the ability to work in rough terrain and tolerate biting insects; and a valid driverâs license. Employment: Position will be offered through the Department of Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University and based at the USDA Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Position starts June 2007 (pending final budget approval) and is available for 12 months with renewal contingent upon funding. Salary is $30,380 per year plus benefits. Application: Send statement of research interests, curriculum vitae or resume, copies of transcripts, and contact information for three professional references to: Casey Huckins [EMAIL PROTECTED]), Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Positions in education at IES
The Institute of Ecosystem Studies announces the following openings in the Ecosystem Literacy Initiative (http://www.ecostudies.org/eli.html). It may be possible to combine two or more of these positions, and the actual work schedule of each position is flexible. For more information, please contact Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz, Head of Education, at (845) 677-7600 ext. 311 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] . Curriculum Specialist to produce final versions of four Investigating Urban Ecosystems units for middle and high school teachers. Will include collecting feedback on the units, editing and writing new materials. This is a full-time, four month position starting immediately, but could be done part time over a longer period. Work location and schedule are flexible, but some travel to Baltimore, MD, will be required. http://www.ecostudies.org/job_07018.html Curriculum and Assessment Specialist to coordinate the IES and BES participation in the Environmental Science Literacy Project (ESLP), organizing working groups, developing and implementing assessments, and testing effective teaching strategies and to develop and pilot test a ecosystem education program with Baltimore environmental science teachers. This is a one-year, half-time (10 hours/week) position starting immediately. Preferred work location is Baltimore, MD. Work schedule is flexible. http://www.ecostudies.org/job_07017.html Data Analyst to complete analysis for the IES Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Organizing and analyzing data, doing qualitative analyses of written responses, and preparing materials for publication. This is a part-time, short-term position of up to 300 hours between now and the end of August 2007. To apply, please e-mail a brief cover letter, resume, and the names and full contact information (including email addresses) for three professional references to: Human Resources Institute of Ecosystem Studies Job Ref. #07005-W P.O. Box AB Millbrook, New York 12545 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER-MIN/FEM/VET/DISAB * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Alan R. Berkowitz, Ph.D. Head of Education Institute of Ecosystem Studies PO Box R (181 Sharon Turnpike) Millbrook, NY 12545 Phone: (845) 677-7600 ext. 311 Fax: (845) 677-6455 =20 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Vegetation Field Technician positions with The Nature Conservancy, WA
Biological Field Technicians JOB TITLE: Biological Field Technician (2 POSITIONS) LOCATION: Central Washington, location may be negotiable SUPERVISOR: Arid Lands Ecologist POSITION BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY: We are looking for two highly motivated, detail-oriented, field technicians to participate in research into the impacts of climate change on the forest-shrubland ecotone east of the Cascade Range in central Washington state. The ideal candidates will be recently graduated students interested in obtaining field experience in arid and semi arid systems. Biology, ecology, forestry and rangeland students near graduation are also strongly encouraged to apply. This research project is designed to lay the ground work for a network of long term monitoring sites in the ecotone extending from California to southern British Columbia. The objectives are (i) to determine current trends in the forestshrubland ecotone, and (ii) to begin monitoring early warning indicators of potential future changes. The Biological Field Technicians will work with the Field Crew Leader to collect data on tree, shrub and understory composition and size and age distributions of trees and shrubs at two transects that cross from the sagebrush steppe to the ponderosa pine forest on the east slope of the Cascades. Data will also be collected on bioclimatic variables and a range of early warning indicators of vegetation shifts, including plant phenology and productivity, population parameters of ecotone-specific plant and animal species, litter production, fuels, and insects and pathogens. Work involves installing and sampling permanent plots in sagebrush steppe, open woodlands and forests, coring trees for dendrochronological and productivity analyses, and management of dataloggers for bioclimatic data collection. Data collection will concentrate on two sites. Specific locations are still being determined, and could range from Yakima to Okanogan Counties, Washington. The nature of the work requires extended periods in the field, in hot and sometimes inclement weather. Depending on final plot locations, the field crew may be camping out during the week. This is a full-time, non-exempt position supervised by the Arid Lands Ecologist. This position is expected to start May 21 2007, and continue through August 3, 2007, though dates may be somewhat flexible. DUTIES: 1. Serve as part of a seasonal crew (crew leader plus two technicians) responsible for conducting vegetation surveys in permanent plots according to an established protocol. 2. Assist with installation of permanent plots. 3. Core trees in permanent plots, and maintain increment borers and associated equipment. 4. Identify trees and shrubs and complete standard forest inventory measurements and similar measurements for dominant shrubs. 5. Recognize phenological stages in dominant and indicator species. 6. Measure overstory tree diameters, heights, and live crowns. 7. Conduct surveys for mistletoe, bark beetle and other pest and pathogen infestations. 8. Identify native and exotic species. Use taxonomic keys to identify unknown species. 9. Measure abundance and productivity of herbaceous species. 10. Measure woody debris, litter and duff. 11. Prepare electronic data loggers for data collection in the field. 12. Check data for accuracy and completeness. 13. Enter data electronically in the field, and manage electronic data files. 14. Perform miscellaneous office tasks (e.g., organizing equipment) REQUIREMENTS: Listed skills are required unless otherwise stated 1. Bachelors degree in botany, ecology, biology, forestry, or closely related field. Students close to graduating in these fields are strongly encouraged to apply. 2. Previous field experience in sampling forest overstory and understory vegetation, including forest inventory. 3. Experience identifying flora and fauna in sagebrush steppe and ponderosa pine systems. 4. Ability to utilize a taxonomic key preferred. 5. Previous experience in a wide range of biological data collection (birds, insects, vegetation, fuels, soils, weather) preferred. 6. Experience using electronic data loggers, and handheld computer units preferred. 7. Demonstrated experience in the use of topographic maps, aerial photography, and global positioning systems (GPS). 8. Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Excel. 9. Highly motivated, and with demonstrated interest in the research project. 10. Excellent communication skills, flexibility, and ability to work effectively as a team member. 11. Capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and requirements, and able to work independently with little supervision. 12. Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. 13. Excellent physical condition and a good sense of humor. 14. Valid drivers license required; own transportation to field sites or central meeting place for field crew. 15. Demonstrated commitment to
Summer Undergraduate Research Position- UCSB
Summer undergraduate research position in plant ecology at UC Santa Barbara We are looking for an undergraduate researcher (freshman, sophomore or junior) to work on a project examining the seed germination biology of 40 native California plants across their geographic range. The goal of the project is to examine between and within species differences in germination strategies across natural climate gradients in California. Over the course of the summer the student will execute and write up an independent project related to seed banks. The position will start in mid to late June and run through mid-September. It includes a $4000 stipend. Students interested in pursuing graduate work in ecology or botany are particularly encouraged to apply. If interested please e-mail a resume and cover letter to Jonathan Levine ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Review of applications will begin May 10, 2007.
Re: draft recovery plan for northern spotted owls raises questions about management
Adam, as you probably know, threats come in many forms, not just killing. From what I've read and been told, barred owls pose a threat to the survival of spotted owls through territorial competition, hybridization and, yes, maybe even outright killing. I'm not sure I understand your second point, but I'm sure research into niche separation between these two species is valid -- so far it appears that the barred owl is a habitat generalist whose habitat choices and uses overlap that of the spotted owl's more limited niche. And I'm also not sure what your third point implies -- I'm sure we have plenty of barred owl museum specimens. Warren Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist (503)246-8613 -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of adam herbert Sent: Sunday, 29 April, 2007 20:33 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: draft recovery plan for northern spotted owls raises questions about management 1) are barred owls active predators of spotted owls? if not threat seems a bogus claim 2) at what landscape measure might niche separation be accenuated? identification of species-specific nesting/prey/acoustic differences might guide restorative management if marginal spotted owls tolerate some landscape/habitat difference 3) if barred owls are to be blasted, every single one should have full gut/parasite/reproductive analysis and museum quality specimen of skeleton and skin made Adam Herbert recycling rewards consumption - William McDonough
Leaf optics/epidermal focussing
Greetings, Does anyone on this list have experience with or know of literature pertaining to epidermal focussing in orchids in general and specifically to understory tropical species in the genus Paphiopedilum? Thanks, Steve Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Ahhh...imagining that irresistible new car smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
Summary: Importing preserved arthropods
ECOLOG, =20 Last week I posted a question regarding necessary USDA/APHIS and USFWS permits for importing preserved arthropods from Costa Rica. I received many prompt and helpful replies - thanks to all of you! Here is a compiled summary of what I found out. The bottom line:=20 1) You do NOT need an APHIS permit for dead, preserved specimens (with a few exceptions, e.g., Apoideae, see below) =20 2) You DO need to fill out a USFWS Form 3-177 within 180 days of arrival within the States, and it's not a bad idea to have a printed copy on hand when you go through customs =20 3) 70% ethanol is not allowed on planes, but you can use alternate preservation methods (diluting ethanol to 20% w/ water for the duration of the trip, freezing and transporting in plastic containers w/ mothballs) or ship by express carrier (but see their dangerous goods exceptions). 4) You may need to sterilize soil arthropods for soil microbes (perhaps this was an exception for this one case? See below) 5) You also need export permits from the countries you're working in (FYI: OTS is very helpful in obtaining export permits for work in Costa Rica). =20 I've highlighted important points in bold. I hope this is helpful. =20 Cheers, Nicole Michel =20 =20 =20 First of all for Costa Rica you need to have official Collecting and Export permits (separate permits) from their government in order to bring the specimens legally into the USA. Within 180 days you must file a 3-177 Declaration with the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service at your port of entry. =20 According to International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations you cannot bring 70% ethanol on board airplanes. The best thing to do is to drain off the ethanol just before returning and use some other non-hazardous/non-dangerous fluid like propylene glycol (OK for DNA work), glycerin, etc. The other option is to have them shipped in ethanol by a trained/qualified person at an institution using proper packaging, sealing the separate containers (not over 30ml each), and not over 0.5 liters per package, properly labeled with a red/white Dangerous Goods label, etc., i.e., also following IATA regulations. =20 APHIS permitting is primarily for importation of live specimens. When you enter the USA the US Customs Declaration will ask about products you are importing and you should check the box that says . wildlife products. Then CBP (US Customs) may divert you to USDA/APHIS/Homeland Security for further questions and inspection. Someone may also ask you for copies of your permits and even the 3-177 Declaration, even though you really do not have to file it then, so get one on line from http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/faqs.htm=20 =20 I hope this answers your questions. Feel free to send this to the ESA listserve, if you think it will be helpful. =20 =20 =20 USFWS requires that you fill out Form 3-177. They're just making sure that you aren't bringing in endangered species. I BELIEVE that it can be done after the fact (within 180 days or so from the time that you get back) but you'll need to check their most recent instructions. Here's a link to the form and instructions: http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/faqs.htm=20 If the specimens dead and preserved no APHIS permit is required. =20 As far as dead bees go (anything in the Apoidea), we do have notification and declaration requirements. Here's the link to the Bee regulations: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=3Decfrsid=3D149724f9e959= 5c2 e6d8827f049a03004rgn=3Ddiv5view=3Dtextnode=3D7:5.1.1.1.7idno=3D7=20 The relevant section starts at 7 CFR 322.29. In a nutshell, it says that, for preserved bees, we need to be notified and that you have to let the border inspectors look things over. =20 =20 -- =20 In our class we have brought back a few liter bottles of preserved arthropods and have had no trouble at all especially if they were preserved. They didn't even flinch at least so far. We have bought back frozen insects that were in Tupperware containers with mothballs. In 6 years we have never had a hard time since they are in ethanol. We were even able to bring back pressed leaf samples and had no US permits but had to have both collecting and export permits from Costa Rica. The ethanol question will have to be directed at the airlines. Last year we preserved them in ethanol and then emptied the ethanol and added 40% ethanol or so that was not flammable to keep them moist and then added 75% back when we arrived home and they were fine. The other option would be to ship them from San Jose to the US but the mail there is VERY SLOW in my experience. =20 One note is to have all the material in one box, with a manifest or packing slip with a description of all of the materials in it. We take classes of 6 - 24 students and have about 14 large shipping boxes and with the manifest we have had minimal problems. =20
draft recovery plan for northern spotted owls raises questions about management
Warren, 1) I did not realize that spotted and barred owls may hybridize, that is certainly a genetic threat from a biodiversity argument 2) my point about niche differentiation is from an adaptive management standpoint, one striving to be less invasive than exterminating barred owls. if some behavioral difference of spotted owls could be exploited in lanscape management it might allow for futher niche differentiation. perhaps too idealistic if barred owls are such generalists. 3) enough barred owl skins may exist in a state museum, but what about your insitution? including juveniles, molt plummage, leucistic variants. plus, would not stomach content, parasite workup etc. not be valuable information? a useful teaching tool I should think, one that derives more ethical consequence for our actions than just landfilling the dead owls Adam recycling rewards consumption - William McDonough
Late-Summer Field Assisstant
WANTED: Summer Field Assistant JOB: Looking for someone who is able to work outdoors to assist a graduate student. Project examines the ecological effects of virus-resistant transgenic squash. Duties include managing weeds, maintaining plants in a field, collecting data such as: flower counts, marking fruits, collecting leaf material, censusing for virus infection on plants, collecting pollinator data, and entering data. Attention to detail required, experience with plants and previous field experience preferred. WHEN: July September (dates negotiable) LOCATION: near Greenville, Mississippi BENEFITS: $8 / hour, housing provided CONTACT: Dr. Diana Pilson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Holly Prendeville [EMAIL PROTECTED] 402-472-2347 Equal Opportunity Employer
