[ECOLOG-L] New Limits to Growth
This article from the Wall St Journal may be of interest to some on the List. Interesting following the recent tacit admissions of Peak Oil from Shell's Jeroen van der Veer, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman etc. NEW LIMITS TO GROWTH REVIVE MALTHUSIAN FEARS: Spread of prosperity brings supply woes; slaking China's Thirst By Justin Lahart, Patrick Barta and Andrew Batson Wall Street Journal, March 24, 2008 Now and then across the centuries, powerful voices have warned that human activity would overwhelm the earth's resources. The Cassandras always proved wrong. Each time, there were new resources to discover, new technologies to propel growth. Today the old fears are back. Although a Malthusian catastrophe is not at hand, the resource constraints foreseen by the Club of Rome are more evident today than at any time since the 1972 publication of the think tank's famous book, The Limits of Growth. Steady increases in the prices for oil, wheat, copper and other commodities -- some of which have set record highs this month -- are signs of a lasting shift in demand as yet unmatched by rising supply. As the world grows more populous -- the United Nations projects eight billion people by 2025, up from 6.6 billion today -- it also is growing more prosperous. The average person is consuming more food, water, metal and power. Growing numbers of China's 1.3 billion people and India's 1.1 billion are stepping up to the middle class, adopting the high-protein diets, gasoline-fueled transport and electric gadgets that developed nations enjoy. The result is that demand for resources has soared. If supplies don't keep pace, prices are likely to climb further, economic growth in rich and poor nations alike could suffer, and some fear violent conflicts could ensue. Some of the resources now in great demand have no substitutes. In the 18th century, England responded to dwindling timber supplies by shifting to abundant coal. But there can be no such replacement for arable land and fresh water. Remainder of article can be seen here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120613138379155707.html?mod=googlenews_w sj
[ECOLOG-L] Free access to journal GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society
Dear ECOLOG-L list member, The electronic archive of our journal GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society has recently been completed and now comprises all 73 issues published since 1992. To celebrate this, we are offering free access to GAIA's archive at IngentaConnect until April 30, 2008. Access GAIA's archive at www.ingentaconnect.com/content/oekom/gaia (sign in with user name GAIA2008 and password archive. GAIA is a transdisciplinary journal for scientists and other interested parties concerned with the causes and analysis of environmental and sustainability problems and their solutions. The journal has been covered by the Institute for Scientific Information's databases (Social Science Citation Index, SSCI, and Current Contents/Social and Behavioral Science) since 2005. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society _publishes original scientific articles on environmental and sustainability research. _keeps you informed about important events in environmental and sustainability research. _reports on the activities of institutions affiliated with GAIA: German Society for Human Ecology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Humanoekologie, DGH); Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Austrian Consortium GAIA, German research programmes fona – research for sustainability and Social-ecological Research (SOEF); Hochschule Liechtenstein; Swiss Academic Society for Environmental Research and Ecology (Schweizerische Akademische Gesellschaft für Umweltforschung und Oekologie, SAGUF). _Presents and reviews new publications. More information: www.oekom.de/etc/gaia.html Kind regards Hans-Dieter Sohn -- Since 2005, GAIA is covered in the ISI Social Science Citation Index. -- Dipl.-Pol. Hans-Dieter Sohn Editorial Office GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society oekom verlag Waltherstr. 29 D-80337 Munich Fon: +49 89 54 41 84-45 Fax: +49 89 54 41 84-49 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.oekom.de/gaia GAIA 1/2005 is available as free content at IngentaConnect: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/oekom/gaia Geschaeftsfuehrer: Jacob Radloff Amtsgericht Muenchen HRB 102023
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Open access versus traditional publication models
For people in the third world, there is a strong tendency to favor open access. Why? Because it is economically viable. The cost of purchasing articles is prohibitive for many researchers and so they would prefer to be able to publish AND read open access articles. And, of course, there are now many, and the number is growing, very good scientists in tropical countries, and since their research is tropical for the most part, I think we will see a gradual trend in these researchers to publish in open access journals, which will little by little increase the quality of those journals. As they become better, they will get more submittals and the cycle will go on. If first world journals actually recognized the economics for Third World researchers, and did some conversion that made them as easy to purchase for a third world scientist as for a first world scientist, it would make a big difference. But, just go online and try to buy an article - they make no distinction for currency. So, a $25 article for you, is also that for me, only $25 for me is the equivalent of $40 or so. Imagine subscribing to Science or any other high end journal - also prohibitively expensive for most. Even universities down here often do not have the money for an institutional subscription. Thus, Third World research might just go the way of open access, while first world stays in typical journals, causing another First World - Third World separation. Cheers, Jim On 27/Mar/08 16:42, Andrew Rypel wrote: Dear Ecologers, I'd like to probe the forum on people's opinion of the publication models available to scientists today. I (and probably most of us) have seen a massive rise in the number of open access publications over just the last 2-3 years. And yet this seems to be happening alongside an explosion in the number of traditional-style publications as well. What does this all mean for us ecologists trying to get our studies read by as many people as possible and by those that can take your information and make a difference with it – either through further research or policy? I'll be honest that I'm leery of many of the new open access journals. I do see value in them, especially for those who are at underfunded research centers that don't have access to many of the mainstream publications. On the other hand, what are they? Do they ultimately reach as many people? And do they reach the right people – the ones that control aspects of policy or have top-tier research programs. Are these new journals to be indexed in Web of Science or the other academic search engines? So many questions surround this new format and I just wonder what the rest of the community thinks. Andrew -- James J. Roper, Ph.D. James J. Roper Ecologia, Evolução e Dinâmicas Populacionais de Vertebrados Terrestres Caixa Postal 19034 81531-990 Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Telefone: 55 41 33857249 celular: 55 41 99870543 Skype-in (USA):+1 706 5501064 Ecologia e Conservação na UFPR http://www.bio.ufpr.br/ecologia/ Home Page http://jjroper.googlespages.com Ars Artium Consulting http://arsartium.googlespages.com
[ECOLOG-L] The Manufacture of Uncertainty--'The sabotague of science is not a routine part of American politics.'
I always knew the current administration was anti-academia. It is certainly anti-science. Here is an article on the 'sabatoge of science.' http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/29/7963/ Published on Saturday, March 29, 2008 by The American Prospect The Manufacture of Uncertainty by Chris Mooney The sabotage of science is now a routine part of American politics. The same corporate strategy of bombarding the courts and regulatory agencies with a barrage of dubious scientific information has been tried on innumerable occasions — and it has nearly always worked, at least for a time. Tobacco. Asbestos. Lead. Vinyl chloride. Chromium. Formaldehyde. Arsenic. Atrazine. Benzene. Beryllium. Mercury. Vioxx. And on and on. In battles over regulating these and many other dangerous substances, money has bought science, and then science — or, more precisely, artificially exaggerated uncertainty about scientific findings — has greatly delayed action to protect public and worker safety. And in many cases, people have died. Tobacco companies perfected the ruse, which was later copycatted by other polluting or health-endangering industries. One tobacco executive was even dumb enough to write it down in 1969. “Doubt is our product,” reads the infamous memo, “since it is the best means of competing with the ‘body of fact’ that exists in the minds of the general public. It is also the means of establishing a controversy.” In his important new book, David Michaels calls the strategy “manufacturing uncertainty.” A former Clinton administration Energy Department official and now associate chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at George Washington University, Michaels is a comprehensive and thorough chronicler — indeed, almost too thorough a chronicler, at times overwhelming the reader with information. But there’s a lot to be learned here. Even most of us who have gone swimming in the litigation-generated stew of tobacco documents (you can never get the stink off of you again) don’t have a clue about the extent of the abuses. For the war on science described in Doubt is Their Product is so sweeping and fundamental as to make you question why we ever had the Enlightenment. There aren’t just a few scientists for hire — there are law firms, public-relations firms, think tanks, and entire product-defense companies that specialize in rejiggering epidemiological studies to make findings of endangerment to human health disappear. For Michaels, these companies are the scientific equivalent of Arthur Andersen. He calls their work “mercenary” science, drawing an implicit analogy with private military firms like Blackwater. If the companies can get the raw data, so much the better, and if they can’t, they’ll find another way to make findings of statistically significant risk go away. Just throw out the animal studies or tinker with the subject groups. Perform a new meta-analysis. Conduct a selective literature review. Think up some potentially confounding variable. And so forth. They can always get it published somewhere. And if they can’t, they can just start their own peer-reviewed journal, one likely to have an exceedingly low scientific impact but a potentially profound effect on the regulatory process. All of science is subject to such exploitation because all of science is fundamentally characterized by uncertainty. No study is perfect; each one is subject to criticism both illegitimate and legitimate — and so if you wish, you can make any scientific stance, even the most strongly established, appear weak and dubious. All you have to do is selectively highlight uncertainty, selectively attack the existing studies one by one, and ignore the weight of the evidence. Although Michaels focuses largely on the attempts to whitewash the risks that various chemicals pose to the workplace and public health, the same methods are also used to attack the scientific understanding of evolution and global warming. And it happens virtually every time the government even dreams of regulating a substance. People know what’s going on, but they respond as if they’re simply shocked, shocked, to find science being tortured. And so the outgunned federal agencies that must consult science to take action — the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and Food and Drug Administration, among others — repeatedly capitulate to corporations that effectively purchase science on demand. We used to have a regulatory system — that was the dream, anyway, of the 1960s and 1970s. But in significant part due to the manufacturing-uncertainty strategy, we now have the bureaucratic equivalent of clotted arteries. And mercenary science hasn’t just blinded federal agencies. It has also blinded the courts, where the same tactics apply. Indeed, recent changes to the role of science in the federal regulatory system and the courts
[ECOLOG-L] research technician position in global change, biogeochemistry, and plant-microbe interactions
LAB RESEARCH TECHNICIAN: Plant-Microbe Interactions, Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Biogeochemistry, Global Change University of Texas at Austin, Section of Integrative Biology The Hawkes lab has a position available for a full-time research technician. Research in the lab is broadly focused on community and ecosystem ecology, with an emphasis on the role of plant-soil-microbe interactions in plant invasions and climate change. More information about the Hawkes lab can be found at: http://www.biosci.utexas.edu/ib/faculty/hawkes/lab/ The position will involve a combination of labwork and fieldwork. Duties will include collection and analysis of plants and soils, set up and maintenance of a new global change experiment, and general lab tasks such as ordering supplies and managing undergraduates. Field research can be physically strenuous, including some long days outside in hot and humid conditions, and will involve travel. Applicants should have an undergraduate or MS degree in ecology, biology, chemistry, mycology, or related field and some experience with plant, microbial, or soil research. This position requires an independent, organized, and motivated individual with demonstrated research skills, especially in biogeochemistry and/or molecular microbial ecology. Candidates should have experience with at least some of the following: field experiments, carbon and nitrogen extractions, tracer additions, gas chromatography, soil respiration measurement, DNA extractions, PCR, gel electrophoresis, cloning, sequencing, microarrays, primer design, phylogenetics. Training will be provided when necessary. The candidate must also have a valid driver’s license. Proficiency in both spoken and written English is a necessity. The successful candidate will also be someone who is genuinely excited by basic research with a strong desire to learn and the ability to troubleshoot. The candidate must be personable and enthusiastic about working in a collaborative group environment. To apply, send a letter of interest and resume highlighting experience and interests (including relevant course work) along with contact information for three references to Dr. Christine Hawkes at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Applications will be reviewed beginning April 5, 2008 and will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. The position is for one year and is renewable based on performance. Starting date: Between May 1 and 15, 2008 Salary: commensurate with experience The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran's status, or sexual orientation More information about the city of Austin can be found at: http://www.austintexas.org/visitors/insiders_guide/all_about_austin For more information about the University of Texas at Austin, visit: http://www.utexas.edu/
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate assistanceship
Hi, I have a position vacant for students interested in plant physiology, restoration ecology and/or population genetics. MS/PhD Graduate Assistantship Coastal Marine Botany The Department of Coastal Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi is requesting applications from highly qualified students for its graduate program in coastal ecosystems with a focus in marine botany. The Department of Coastal Sciences is located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (http://www.usm.edu/gcrl) in Ocean Springs, MS on the Gulf of Mexico. Our research activities center around the propagation and germination of a variety of seagrass and saltmarsh species in the Gulf of Mexico region. Plants will be used for local coastal restoration projects planned by state and federal agencies as part of Hurricane Katrina recovery activities. Research projects are open and could include aspects of plant reproduction and early life-history, photo-physiology using PAM fluorescence, and/or genetic analyses of population variability. Current research projects can be viewed at: http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/ceg/faculty.php Successful applicants will be provided a 12 month full-time Research Assistantship with a tuition waiver. Candidates should possess a relevant BS degree with experience or MS when applying for the PhD program. The position is available immediately. Interested individuals should contact: Dr. Patrick Biber Assistant Professor, Marine Botany University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 703 East Beach Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564 tel: +1 (228) 872 4200 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[ECOLOG-L] Paid Fellowships in western United States
PLEASE POST! WE CURRENTLY HAVE EXTRA INTEREST IN BOTANY MAJORS. THANK YOU! This is an amazing opportunity for recent and upcoming science graduates to learn about land management while working with a mentor in the western United States. We have current openings in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming beginning in June, 2008. The Conservation and Land Management Fellows Program is a partnership between the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Bureau of Land Management, National Parks Service and the USDA Forest Service. Travel and lodging expenses are covered for you to travel to Chicago in late May for a one-week training course held at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Training includes: BLM/NPS/FS orientation; Endangered Species Act and associated programs; plant and animal identification and monitoring; GIS and mapping; and topographical map reading and GPS skills. Field duties may include: plant and wildlife monitoring and mapping; endangered species reintroduction; invasive species management; geographic data acquisition and analysis; biological assessments, sensitive species lists and conservation plans; fire ecology; land use planning; archaeology-related activities; recreation areas management; rangeland assessments; seed collection. Compensation is $750.00/pay period (every two weeks) How to Apply: Applicants must have a visa authorized for employment in the United States of America. Please send a letter of interest, school transcript(s), resume, and three letters of recommendation to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This opportunity may also be conducted as a research component of a Masters program with Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden. For application information, visit: http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu/ For more information visit the website: http://www.clmfellows.org http://www.clmfellows.org/ All expenses are paid for you to travel to Chicago for a one-week training course held in late May at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Training includes: BLM/NPS/FS orientation; Endangered Species Act and associated programs; plant and animal identification and monitoring; GIS and mapping; and topographical map reading and GPS skills. Duties may include: plant and wildlife monitoring and mapping; endangered species reintroduction; invasive species management; geographic data acquisition and analysis; biological assessments, sensitive species lists and conservation plans; fire ecology; land use planning; archaeology-related activities; recreation areas management; rangeland assessments; seed collection. Compensation is $750.00/pay period (every two weeks) How to Apply: Applicants must have a visa authorized for employment in the United States of America. Please send a letter of interest, school transcript(s), resume, and three letters of recommendation to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This Fellowship opportunity may also be conducted as a research component of a Masters program with Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden. For application information, visit: http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu/ For more information visit the website: http://www.clmfellows.org http://www.clmfellows.org/ marian hofherr | program asst./volunteer coordinator | plants of concern | chicago botanic garden | 1000 lake cook road glencoe il 60022 | p: 847-835-6873
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Open access versus traditional publication models
Just two comments on the matter: 1) for people at my status (junior researchers) that are on the job market what counts (for the most part) is the impact factor and the prestige of the journal. for me (at least) now is a bad time to choose a publication outlet according to the journal's business model. In the game of how many publications and where where they published I cannot afford to loose any points. I am not saying this is the only consideration, but it is a strong one for me. 2) On the other hand, I was surprised to hear about the difficulties of freelancers and scientists working for conservation and planning firms (not universities) to keep updated with the literature and get access to papers they need. this is not in the tropics but here in the US. I don't have any means to judge how many people are having this problems, but it is out there. for them, open-access journals are a bless. so there is a personal price we have to pay for a better future. sounds familiar ? Roi On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 6:31 AM, James J. Roper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For people in the third world, there is a strong tendency to favor open access. Why? Because it is economically viable. The cost of purchasing articles is prohibitive for many researchers and so they would prefer to be able to publish AND read open access articles. And, of course, there are now many, and the number is growing, very good scientists in tropical countries, and since their research is tropical for the most part, I think we will see a gradual trend in these researchers to publish in open access journals, which will little by little increase the quality of those journals. As they become better, they will get more submittals and the cycle will go on. If first world journals actually recognized the economics for Third World researchers, and did some conversion that made them as easy to purchase for a third world scientist as for a first world scientist, it would make a big difference. But, just go online and try to buy an article - they make no distinction for currency. So, a $25 article for you, is also that for me, only $25 for me is the equivalent of $40 or so. Imagine subscribing to Science or any other high end journal - also prohibitively expensive for most. Even universities down here often do not have the money for an institutional subscription. Thus, Third World research might just go the way of open access, while first world stays in typical journals, causing another First World - Third World separation. Cheers, Jim On 27/Mar/08 16:42, Andrew Rypel wrote: Dear Ecologers, I'd like to probe the forum on people's opinion of the publication models available to scientists today. I (and probably most of us) have seen a massive rise in the number of open access publications over just the last 2-3 years. And yet this seems to be happening alongside an explosion in the number of traditional-style publications as well. What does this all mean for us ecologists trying to get our studies read by as many people as possible and by those that can take your information and make a difference with it – either through further research or policy? I'll be honest that I'm leery of many of the new open access journals. I do see value in them, especially for those who are at underfunded research centers that don't have access to many of the mainstream publications. On the other hand, what are they? Do they ultimately reach as many people? And do they reach the right people – the ones that control aspects of policy or have top-tier research programs. Are these new journals to be indexed in Web of Science or the other academic search engines? So many questions surround this new format and I just wonder what the rest of the community thinks. Andrew -- James J. Roper, Ph.D. James J. Roper Ecologia, Evolução e Dinâmicas Populacionais de Vertebrados Terrestres Caixa Postal 19034 81531-990 Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Telefone: 55 41 33857249 celular: 55 41 99870543 Skype-in (USA):+1 706 5501064 Ecologia e Conservação na UFPR http://www.bio.ufpr.br/ecologia/ Home Page http://jjroper.googlespages.com Ars Artium Consulting http://arsartium.googlespages.com
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Central American Plant
The Flora of Nicaragua from the Missouri Botanical Garden is by far the best resource, and even better, it is online here: http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/nicaragua/resumen.shtml Cheers, Fabrice On Mar 28, 2008, at 10:33 PM, Michael Petriello wrote: Does anyone know of a plant guide or helpful website (a guide is preferable) specific to Central American plants; even more specific, to Tropical Dry Forests or Nicaragua? I need a well-rounded and legit source for my research this summer in Nicaragua. Thanks, Mike Petriello * Fabrice De Clerck PhD Landscape Ecologist/Ecologo de Paisaje Dept. Agricultura y Agroforesteria CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (506) 558-2596 Fax: (506) 558-2046 Web: www.catie.ac.cr Adjunct Associate Tropical Agriculture Program The Earth Institute at Columbia University Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype: fadeclerck Web:www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/mvp/ *** Everything not given is lost P Think Green - don't print unless you really need to
[ECOLOG-L] Seven Wetland Stewards Win 2008 National Wetlands Awards
Seven Wetland Stewards Win 2008 National Wetlands Awards Washington, DC - Seven citizens have been recognized nationally for their on-the-ground wetland conservation efforts and decades-long dedication to protecting these important natural resources. A diverse panel of wetland experts assembled at the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) earlier this month to select the winners of the 2008 National Wetlands Awards. This year's Award winners hail from all regions of the country and exemplify the extraordinary commitment and innovation that is so instrumental to conserving wetlands in the nation's communities. These wetland champions are restoring and protecting one of America's greatest natural assets through education, conservation, and dedication, said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water. These profiles, both in courage and in stewardship, show us all how to meet the President's national goal of increasing, not simply maintaining, the quantity and quality of our wetlands. The 2008 awardees are: Valer and Josiah Austin, landowners from Arizona who have restored miles of wetlands on their ranch lands and worked on cross-border watershed management to restore wetland habitat; Caroline Dean, a horticulturalist and teacher from Alabama who has led advocacy and education efforts to protect native flora and wildflowers found in wetlands throughout the Southeastern United States; John Dorney, the Supervisor of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality's Program Development Unit who has been instrumental in the development of the state's wetland and stream protection programs; Mildred Majoros, a Project Manager with the Trust for Public Land in Florida who has led efforts to protect hundreds of acres of coastal habitat in Puerto Rico; Diane Nygaard, the founder of the non-profit Preserve Calavera who has raised awareness and aided in the purchase and restoration of wetlands in California; Raymond Semlitsch, a Professor in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia whose research on amphibian ecology has raised awareness about the need to protect small wetlands and surrounding terrestrial habitat. Collectively, the award winners have conserved thousands of wetland acres and have mobilized hundreds of individuals to contribute to wetland conservation. The restoration and protection of the Nation's aquatic resources, especially wetlands, is a high priority for us, said Assistant Secretary of the Army, John Paul Woodley, Jr. I am excited that work we are doing will supplement the fine wetlands work being done by the recipients of this year's awards. In May, the winners will take a well-deserved break from their efforts to receive their awards at a ceremony on Capitol Hill. We look forward to meeting the winners of this year's awards and honoring them for their extraordinary achievements in wetland conservation, said Dr. Jim Balsiger, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. We are proud to support ELI's National Wetlands Awards recognizing these individuals for their contributions to society and the aquatic environment. Healthy wetlands and ecosystems are vital to our nation's recreational and commercial fish and shellfish fisheries, and other living marine resources. Program co-sponsors-the Environmental Law Institute, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service-hope that recognizing wetland leaders for their efforts will inspire others to follow their example. Given the national importance of wetlands, the federal agencies that sponsor the Awards welcome the opportunity to recognize and encourage voluntary wetland conservation efforts. Wetlands are a vital link between our land and water resources, and they provide a variety of ecological services to forests and grasslands. The Forest Service is proud to support the National Wetlands Awards program and to recognize the extraordinary work of the Award recipients, commented Abigail R. Kimbell, Chief of USDA Forest Service. The winners of the National Wetlands Awards demonstrate how citizens and communities can-and do-make a difference. Arlen Lancaster, Chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, stated, Wetlands are some of the most productive and dynamic habitats in the world and are vital to the overall health of the environment. I salute the 2008 National Wetlands Awards winners and thank them for their outstanding contributions to the conservation of our Nation's wetlands. Wetlands provide optimum migrating, wintering, and breeding habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds and other wetland dependent wildlife species, as well as essential habitat for many neo-tropical
[ECOLOG-L] Correction: Free access to journal GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society
Please accept our apologies: the user name should read 2008gaia instead of gaia2008. Same password: archive. Kind regards Hans-Dieter Sohn --- Dear ECOLOG-L list member, The electronic archive of our journal GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society has recently been completed and now comprises all 73 issues published since 1992. To celebrate this, we are offering free access to GAIA's archive at IngentaConnect until April 30, 2008. Access GAIA's archive at www.ingentaconnect.com/content/oekom/gaia (sign in with user name GAIA2008 and password archive). GAIA is a transdisciplinary journal for scientists and other interested parties concerned with the causes and analysis of environmental and sustainability problems and their solutions. The journal has been covered by the Institute for Scientific Information's databases (Social Science Citation Index, SSCI, and Current Contents/Social and Behavioral Science) since 2005. The journal GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society _publishes original scientific articles on environmental and sustainability research. _keeps you informed about important events in environmental and sustainability research. _reports on the activities of institutions affiliated with GAIA: German Society for Human Ecology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Humanoekologie, DGH); Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Austrian Consortium GAIA, German research programmes fona – research for sustainability and Social-ecological Research (SOEF); Hochschule Liechtenstein; Swiss Academic Society for Environmental Research and Ecology (Schweizerische Akademische Gesellschaft für Umweltforschung und Oekologie, SAGUF). _Presents and reviews new publications. More information: www.oekom.de/etc/gaia.html Kind regards Hans-Dieter Sohn -- Since 2005, GAIA is covered in the ISI Social Science Citation Index. -- Dipl.-Pol. Hans-Dieter Sohn Editorial Office GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society oekom verlag Waltherstr. 29 D-80337 Munich Fon: +49 89 54 41 84-45 Fax: +49 89 54 41 84-49 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.oekom.de/gaia GAIA 1/2005 is available as free content at IngentaConnect: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/oekom/gaia Geschaeftsfuehrer: Jacob Radloff Amtsgericht Muenchen HRB 102023
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Ecological Technician
Ecological Technician Job Announcement Otis Bay Ecological Consultants is looking to hire field and lab technicians with backgrounds in earth and\or ecological science. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to work on various projects related to ecological recovery of western riparian systems. Hired technicians will develop skills related to understanding river basin hydrology, river channel hydraulics, geology, hyporheic groundwater flow, fluvial geomorphology, habitat use by migratory birds, aquatic invertebrate studies, plant ecology studies, planning and implementing natural vegetation recovery projects, amongst others. Work will include frequent travel. Applicants are encouraged to apply for both temporary and permanent positions. Minimum Requirements: B.S. degree or higher in the earth or ecological sciences. Selected candidates should possess a desire and willingness to perform field work and physical labor, occasionally in remote locations. Technicians should be willing to complete a project from to start to finish with minimal supervision upon being shown an individual task. Start Date: Immediate and Salary: Depends on Experience Background on OBEC Otis Bay Ecological Consultants is a small Reno, NV based environmental consulting firm. We are composed of an interdisciplinary team of scientists devoted to the rehabilitation and conservation of the rivers, lakes, and springs of the Western United States and their supported ecosystems. For more information on OBEC and current as well as completed projects, find us on the web at http://www.otisbay.com For further questions please contact: Lea Condon , by e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED], or phone at 775-345-9960
[ECOLOG-L] FW: GIS position
The Center for Forest Sustainability (CFS) at Auburn University is seeking a candidate to work in the GIS and Spatial Analysis Laboratory to assist with image processing and GIS analysis, spatial data development and maintenance, user training, and technical documentation. The individuals will participate in interdisciplinary research projects funded by SEA GRANT NOAA, USDA and Center for Forest Sustainability. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: develop and maintain GIS database for integrated research; apply advanced GIS concepts and techniques to the development of spatial models; apply remote sensing techniques for land use and ecosystem research. Designation as a Research Assistant requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Forestry, Geography, Ecology or closely related field desired and 2 years forestry related experience in GIS and Remote Sensing. Designation as a Research Associates requires a Master's degree from an accredited institution in Geography, Forestry, Ecology or other related fields desired. Employer will consider advanced degrees in lieu of experience. Desired qualifications a Master's degree in Geography, Forestry, Ecology or other related field and work experience in GIS/Remote Sensing and spatial analysis. A work experience in the applications of GIS and Remote Sensing in natural resources and the environment is desired. Requisition No. 22484 Review Date 02-15-2008 The Review Date indicates the date after which the hiring department will begin reviewing applications of qualified candidates. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. Refer to the above Requisition # and apply on-line at: www.auemployment.com on any computer with Internet access. If you need any assistance, contact Auburn University's Department of Human Resources at (334) 844-4145 or your local state employment service office. Internet Access is also available through your public library. Auburn University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. -- Susan (Shufen) Pan, Director The GIS and Spatial Analysis Laboratory, CFS School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences 602 Duncan Drive Auburn University Auburn, AL 36849, USA. Phone: (334) 844-1015 Fax: (334) 844-1084 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- _ Watch “Cause Effect,” a show about real people making a real difference. Learn more. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause
[ECOLOG-L] Unique internship opportunity in Illinois
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT WANTS TO INVEST IN LOCAL STUDENT Offer includes scholarship and guaranteed job Mahomet, IL, March 21 The Champaign County Forest Preserve District has unveiled a unique plan to support a Champaign County college student. Funded by the CCFPD Foundation, a combination scholarship and internship program will provide $1,500 each semester for a students entire two or four years and provide employment while the student is in school. We want to find and invest in a motivated individual who will excel academically and on the job, said CCFPD Executive Director Jerry Pagac. We think this is a great opportunity to help groom someone to potentially become a permanent member of our team. Applicants must reside in Champaign County and be accepted and plan on attending an accredited community college or university in a field of study related to the mission of the Forest Preserve District. If selected, the student will sign a contract that will spell out the obligations of the student and the District. The student will be required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average (4.0 scale) each semester and satisfactory job performance while working for the District in the summer or on a part-time basis during the year. Information and applications have been distributed to all high schools in the county and are available on the District website at www.ccfpd.org. Questions may be directed to Mary Beck at (217) 586-3360 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Applications are due April 15, 2008. The Champaign County Forest Preserve District provides conservation, education and recreation for the citizens of Champaign County and manages 3,500 acres of open space located at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Mahomet; River Bend Forest Preserve, Mahomet; Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Homer; and Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, Penfield. The CCFPD includes the Early American Museum, Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden and Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Mahomet and the Middle Fork Campground in Penfield.
[ECOLOG-L] FORESTRY TECHNICIANS-OZARK REGION
Forestry Technicians-Ozark Region University of Missouri Forestry Department Summer 2008 Positions: (4) FOREST FUELS AND STAND DYNAMICS RESEARCH TECHINICIANS Position Description: Collect forest fuels and vegetation data on forests with different management histories in southern Missouri. Qualifications: Applicants should have experience in field data collection methods, but not required. Working toward or have completed an undergraduate degree in natural resources preferred. Experience to be gained: Forest fuels sampling methods (Browns lines), forest inventory, species ID, GPS use, forestry photographic methods, orienteering. Requirements: Position will be based out of southern Missouri. Applicants will be required to live in southern Missouri during the work week, housing provided. Pay:$10/hr, food cost reimbursed for work week Dates: Positions begin 5/19/08, end 8/22/08 Accepting application materials until 4/11/08 Contact: Joe Marschall [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please send resume and brief letter of interest.
[ECOLOG-L] Summer 2008 Internships: Golden-cheeked Warbler Habitat Assessment in Austin, TX
Golden-cheeked Warbler Habitat Assessment Summer 2008 Internships with the Save Our Springs Alliance, Austin, TX In cooperation with the University of California, Santa Barbara We seek applicants for two internships in applied natural resources management with the Save Our Springs Alliance in Austin, TX. The internships will focus on field inventory of habitat quality and population densities of the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler (GCW) near Austin and San Antonio. DUTIES: Habitat inventory tasks emphasize avian and plant ecology, field and office GPS/GIS applications, bird and plant identification, habitat typing, technical writing, and strategic planning. For field reconnaissance, interns will use field (backpack) GIS technology, including a sub-meter Trimble Pathfinder ProXT GPS unit, Trimble Recon handheld computer, Windows Mobile 5, and ArcPad GIS software. Office GIS applications will also be used. Field work is scheduled for May 26 through August 22, 2008 (13 weeks). Work products will include GIS layers and reports documenting site-specific GCW habitat quality delineations and corresponding GCW densities in south-central TX, including Hays, Comal, and north Bexar counties. Reports may also include a preliminary range-wide assessment of GCW habitat in central Texas, along with a strategic plan for implementing a range-wide site-specific assessment, monitoring, and habitat restoration. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS: College undergraduates, recent graduates, and others, are encouraged to apply. A working knowledge and demonstrated experience in avian ecology, vegetation structure measurements, GIS (ArcView GIS 3.3 and/or ArcGIS 9.2), and GPS are required. A background in ornithology, plant ecology, biology, botany, forestry, computer science, statistics, or a related discipline is also required, as well as experience with habitat typing and bird and plant identification, including the ability to learn the birds and flora of central TX. Successful candidates are expected to be conscientious self-starters capable of independent work and timely project completion. CONDITIONS: Applicants should be capable of vigorous physical activity (e.g., working long hours outdoors in hot, cold, rainy, and buggy weather; able to hike with a 40-pound pack across uneven terrain). The normal work week will consist of five eight-hour days, though working longer days and weekends may be necessary. Internship positions are currently available for May 26 through August 22, 2008 (13 weeks). Interns will be provided liability protection, free lodging, a field vehicle, and an hourly wage of $11-16, depending on experience. Health insurance and other benefits are not included. PROJECT INVESTIGATORS: Interns will work with the following project investigators Bill Bunch, Executive Director, Save Our Springs Alliance, Austin, TX Tom Dudley, Ph.D., Research Biologist, University of California, Santa Barbara Tom Hayes, Ph.D., Research Manager, University of California, Santa Barbara Bruce Stewart, Professor and Certified Wildlife Biologist, Murray State College, Tishomingo, OK APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please apply immediately, since applications have priority in order of receipt. As soon as possible, we expect to fill a total of two positions to start May 26, 2008. Please direct any questions, or requests for further information, to Dr. Tom Hayes (below). Email applications are preferred. Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to: Dr. Tom Hayes. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Telephone: 715-630-4412.
[ECOLOG-L] UCSB INTERNSHIPS: Wetlands Restoration and Avian Ecology Research in the Mojave Desert
Wetlands Restoration and Avian Ecology Research in the Mojave Desert Summer 2008 Internships with the University of California, Santa Barbara We want to determine the availability of applicants for field internships for a regional wetlands and riparian habitat restoration project spanning southern Nevada and portions of three adjacent states. We are researching the success of past habitat restoration efforts and conducting new restoration in Mojave Desert oasis and riparian habitats, including vegetation inventory, avian and insect communities, GIS, invasive species control, prescribed fire, simulated biocontrol, and native plantings. The overall focus is vegetation and avian community inventory and research to develop more effective control of salt cedar (Tamarix spp.) and its many secondary plant invaders. The research sites are widely scattered across the Mojave Desert region, with the base of field operations in the Las Vegas (NV) area. DUTIES: Habitat inventory and research tasks emphasize plant and avian ecology, and field and office GPS/GIS applications. For field reconnaissance, interns will use field (backpack) GPS/GIS technology, including a sub-meter Trimble Pathfinder ProXT GPS unit, handheld computer, Windows Mobile 5, and ArcPad GIS software. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS: College undergraduates, recent graduates, and others, are encouraged to reply as to their availability for summer internships, with minorities especially welcome. A working knowledge and demonstrated experience in vegetation inventory, avian ecology, and/or GIS (ArcView GIS 3.3 and/or ArcGIS 9.2) are required. A background in plant ecology, ornithology, biology, botany, forestry, computer science, statistics, or a related discipline is also required, as well as experience with habitat assessment and bird and/or plant identification. Successful candidates will be expected to be conscientious self-starters capable of independent work and timely project completion. CONDITIONS: Potential applicants should be capable of vigorous physical activity (e.g., working long hours outdoors in hot, rainy, and buggy weather; able to hike with a 40-pound pack across uneven terrain). The normal work week will consist of five eight-hour days, though working longer days and weekends may be necessary. Internship positions are expected to start in May 2008 on either a seasonal or continuing basis, depending on applicant availability. Interns will be provided liability protection, free lodging, a field vehicle, and an hourly wage of $9-$16, depending on experience. Health insurance and other benefits are not included. PROJECT INVESTIGATORS: Interns will work with several project investigators, including: Matt Brooks, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Fresno, CA, and Henderson, NV Tom Dudley, Ph.D., Lead Principal Investigator and Research Biologist, UC-Santa Barbara Tom Hayes, Ph.D., Research Manager, UC-Santa Barbara APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please respond immediately, since internships are expected to start in May 2008 and will have priority in order of receipt. However, additional intern openings will be available throughout the 2.5-year project. Please direct any questions, or requests for further information, to Dr. Tom Hayes (below). Email inquiries are preferred. To indicate your availability, please send a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to: Dr. Tom Hayes. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Telephone: 715-630-4412.
[ECOLOG-L] Undergraduate research technician positions for Alaskan Peatland Experiment (APEX)
The Alaskan Peatland Experiment (APEX; www.apex.msu.edu) is seeking undergraduate research technicians to join our enthusiastic field crew this summer. Two positions will be funded by the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). APEX is in its 4th year of study, and is examining the consequences of summer warming, drought, and altered snowpack dynamics on plant communities and carbon cycling in northern wetlands. Motivated students interested in ecosystem ecology, plant ecology, hydrology, and/or global change research should send a cover letter describing their background and interests, a CV or resume, and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Merritt Turetsky ([EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]). Successful applicants will be paid a competitive monthly stipend depending on experience. Housing (if required) and transportation to/from field sites also will be provided. Students will gain hands-on experience with a variety of research methods, including greenhouse gas fluxes, ecohydrology, and vegetation measurements, and will have the opportunity to design independent research projects. Research conducted at the APEX sites also is affiliated with the Bonanza Creek LTER and the U.S. Geological Survey. ___ Merritt R. Turetsky Departments of Plant Biology, and Fisheries Wildlife http://plantbiology.msu.edu/faculty/faculty-research/merritt-r-turetsky/ Mailing address: Department of Plant Biology; Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Tel. 517.353.5554; Fax 517.353.1926
[ECOLOG-L] NAFEW call for session leaders/topics
Call for Session Organizers: 7th North American Forest Ecology Workshop The 7th North American Forest Ecology Workshop is scheduled for June 22-26, 2009, on the campus of Utah State University in Logan. The workshop provides an opportunity for forest ecologists to gather and discuss their latest findings and to chart the course of future endeavors. At this time, we are calling for persons interested in organizing a session on a particular topic. Session organizers are expected to review and select session papers, organize the session format, and facilitate the session. Both the topics and format can be wide-ranging, but should be a minimum of one-half day in duration, including a break. Topics can be follow-ups to those addressed in previous workshops. If interested, please contact Dr. Jim Long, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322 ([EMAIL PROTECTED] or 435-797-2574). Include a title and brief description of the proposed topic, along with the desired format and duration. The deadline for the first round of session proposals is May 1, 2008.
