Re: [ECOLOG-L] chapters/texts on path analysis

[William Silvert]

I'm curious to know what the current attitude towards path analysis is among 
ecologists. I used it in a couple of papers back in the 1970s and it 
provoked storms of outrage. One well-known statistician even called my 
department head to demand that I be fired. At the time it seemed that the 
only fields where it was generally accepted were in the social sciences. 
Since the only replies I have seen to this post are polite recommendations 
of other texts, I assume that this has changed.


Bil Silvert

- Original Message - 
From: "Gretel Clarke" 

To: 
Sent: terça-feira, 30 de Março de 2010 16:11
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] chapters/texts on path analysis



Hi list,

I am wondering if any of you know of a fairly comprehensive, but not too
lengthy statistical explanation of path analysis. I have been reading CC
Li's "Path Analysis- a primer", which I understand is the standard 
reference

on the subject but am finding it long. It seems like the subject could be
handled fairly thoroughly in more concise and yet still comprehensible 
way,

and I am wondering if such a treatment exists. If not just for myself, I
also need to find something to recommend to a (quantitatively minded)
undergraduate on the subject, and she certainly will not have time to read
the Li book. 

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc: carbon flux in Singapore and Borneo

[Alex Cobb]

POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP - Hydrological disturbance on carbon
exchange from peat forests in Borneo with the Singapore-MIT Alliance for
Research and Technology

Closing date:  April 15, 2010

We invite applicants for a postdoctoral research fellowship to design
and implement field eddy covariance measurements of carbon fluxes from
peat forests in Southeast Asia.   The position is based in Singapore
under the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology with
fieldwork in Borneo, and requires relocation to Singapore.

Our objective is to characterize the effects of land conversion on
carbon fluxes out of tropical peat forests.  We focus on peat swamps
as the areas in which the land conversion has the largest consequences
hydrologically and in terms of carbon balance. Conversion of these
swamps for agriculture involves deep drainage and this drainage
results in the release of large stores of carbon into the atmosphere.

We are seeking a candidate with a background in eddy covariance or a
related field, preferably with field experience.  Applicants must have
less than three years postdoctoral experience.  Applicants that can
begin by September 1st are preferred.   The salary will be up to
S$85,000 per year, or $55,400 US dollars, renewable yearly, with
research and travel allowances.

Further details are available on the announcement page:
http://web.mit.edu/smart/postdoc-programme/index.html.

If interested, please contact:
Charles Harvey, char...@mit.edu
or Alex Cobb, alex.c...@smart.mit.edu

Note:  cross-posted from FLUXNET, please forgive the duplication if
you subscribe to both lists.

Regards,

Alex Cobb

Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology
Center for Environmental Sensing and Modeling
S16-06-16, 3 Science Drive 2, NUS
Singapore 117543
Singapore
tel.: +65 6516 6170
fax.: +65 6778 5654

[ECOLOG-L] chapters/texts on path analysis

[Michael Rennie]

Hi Gretel,

Sokal and Rohlf's Biometry also has a pretty good section on path 
analysis, as does Legendre and Legendre's Numerical Ecology, both of 
which I've found informative in the past.


--
Michael D. Rennie, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental and Life Sciences Program
Trent University
2140 East Bank Drive, DNA Building (2nd Floor)
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8
Vox:705.755.2287 Fax:705.755.1559
www.people.trentu.ca/michaelrennie

[ECOLOG-L] Comparing slopes and intercepts in linear regressions

[Howie Neufeld]

Dear All - I have a stats question concerning comparing linear 
regressions.  If you have two or more regressions, and want to know if 
their slopes and/or intercepts are significantly different, what 
procedure would you use?  I am familiar with SAS mainly.  Zar has a 
two-sample t-test equivalent for comparing two slopes, but the procedure 
for intercepts is extremely cumbersome, as is the multiple slope 
comparison, which involves ANOCOVA.

   Thanks!
Howie Neufeld

--
Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, Professor
Department of Biology
572 Rivers Street
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 28608

email: neufel...@appstate.edu
departmental webpage: http://www.biology.appstate.edu/faculty/neufeldhs.htm
personal webpage: http://www.appstate.edu/~neufeldhs/index.html

Tel: 828-262-2683
Fax: 828-262-2127

[ECOLOG-L] Job: Post-doctoral quantitative marine scientist

[Nirmal Bhagabati]

Please use the contact information below - I am not personally
involved in the search.
Thanks,
Nirmal

---
THE NATURAL CAPITAL PROJECT
Position Announcement
POST-DOCTORAL QUANTITATIVE MARINE SCIENTIST

The Natural Capital Project seeks a quantitative marine scientist.  We
are developing tools to model and map the distribution of biodiversity
and the flow of multiple ecosystem services across land- and
seascapes, with a focus on TROPICAL coastal and marine services.

We seek an imaginative individual for an 18 month post-doc (extension
possible based on additional funding) to support development and
application of the marine InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem
Services and Tradeoffs) models in a tropical setting. The successful
applicant will help design, adapt, document and implement a series of
marine biophysical and socio-economic models of ecosystem services
(food from fisheries and aquaculture, nursery habitat, coastal
protection, recreation, etc.). The postdoc and other postdoctoral
researchers and project collaborators will apply these models within
an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Process in Belize. Together,
these models will provide a spatially explicit tool that tracks the
production and valuation of ecosystem services. The models are
intended to aid in the support of coastal and marine management
decisions and to be widely applicable, so applicants must be
passionate about creating simple, elegant, scientifically robust
models for decision-making purposes. The post-doc also will analyze
data to parameterize and validate these models for Belize.

The position is located in Seattle, WA at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries
Science Center and will require extensive interaction with
interdisciplinary teams and travel to Stanford University and Belize.

Required Qualifications
• A Ph.D. in marine ecology, oceanography, quantitative
ecosystem sciences, or a related field
• Experience conducting quantitative analyses and modeling
with ecological or oceanographic data
• Experience integrating ecological or oceanographic models
with other biological, physical, social, or economic models
• Experience working with collaborators from diverse
backgrounds and capacity and interest to work with interdisciplinary
teams
• Excellent communication and computer skills
• Experience working in tropical marine systems desired

How to Apply: For full consideration, please submit a cover letter,
CV, and the names of three references to
mar...@naturalcapitalproject.org with “QUANTITATIVE MARINE SCIENTIST”
listed in the subject line.  We will begin reviewing applications May
1st 2010 and the position will remain open until filled.

Stanford University is committed to equal opportunity through
affirmative action in employment and we are especially eager to
identify minority persons and women with appropriate qualifications.

More information on the Natural Capital Project, a partnership among
Stanford University, WWF, and TNC can be found at
www.naturalcapitalproject.org.

[ECOLOG-L] Post-doc: Evaluating the Impact of Marine Protected Areas

[Nirmal Bhagabati]

Please do not contact me about this position. Application link is at
the bottom of the ad.
Thanks,
Nirmal

-
Evaluating the Impact of Marine Protected Areas

Position announcement: Post-doctoral Social Scientist

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the global conservation organization, in
partnership with the University of Michigan, seeks a post-doctoral
social scientist to work with an interdisciplinary team to monitor and
evaluate the social and biological impacts of marine protected areas
(MPAs) and other marine conservation interventions.  The initial
geographic focus will be Southeast Asia (particularly Indonesia), but
may be expanded to include related projects in other locations.

In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the post-doc will:
1.  Develop and implement rigorous-yet-practical methods for
documenting and explaining variation in the socioeconomic and
biological impacts of MPAs and other marine conservation
interventions. This will entail support to a one-year pilot study in
the Bird’s Head Seascape in West Papua, Indonesia, to demonstrate
proof of concept for an interdisciplinary approach to MPA monitoring
and impact evaluation that builds upon theories of common pool
resource governance, established MPA monitoring protocols, and the
International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI) program.

2.   Analyze data and synthesize results from #1 and other monitoring
programs, in order to document conservation outcomes and to explore
relationships among MPA governance (i.e., conservation interventions),
social and ecological context, and conservation outcomes (ecological
and social).

3.  Based on #1 and #2, develop research design and protocols for a
large N program to monitor and evaluate the impacts of MPAs.

4.  Synthesize results and insights from an international symposium on
the (ecological and social) frontiers of MPA science.

5.  Write up of results from the above and other related work for both
peer-reviewed publication and internal audiences.

This position has an initial duration of one year, with the
possibility of extension based on funding.

Basic requirements: Ph.D. or related experience in a social science
(anthropology, economics, political science, etc.) or an
interdisciplinary Ph.D. with substantial social science training;
strong quantitative and statistical skills; and ability to work both
independently and in a team.  Additional qualifications include:
evaluation training and experience; two years international experience
in marine conservation or related field; experience with qualitative
data and interdisciplinary research; foreign language skills. Ability
to travel to Indonesia is required.

This position is based in the WWF Conservation Science Program in
Washington, DC.  Eligibility to work in the US required.

Please submit a cover letter and CV by April 15, 2010.

AA/EOE Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.  To apply, visit
http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/careers/jobs.html.

[ECOLOG-L] Post Doc - Disease Ecologist - NEON

[Laura Reynolds]

Overview
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.), headquartered in 
Boulder, CO, is a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding 
how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. 
Currently under design is the NEON project - an observatory comprising 
more than 60 environmental and biological monitoring locations distributed 
throughout twenty domains across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska & 
Puerto Rico.  The observatory network will be the first of its kind 
designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at 
continental scales over multiple decades.

Term of Position
This position will be funded for two years initially with the possibility 
of one year extension as deemed appropriate based on the success of the 
tasks performed during the first year. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•   Coordinate and oversee data processing and analyses for four 
zoonoses: both mammal-transmitted (Hantavirus + Lyme disease) and 
arboviruses (West Nile Virus and Dengue virus)
•   Research and evaluate the appropriate methods and sample sizes to 
meet NEON science requirements.
•   Coordinate data management between outsourced analytical 
facilities and NEON cyberinfrastructure team.
•   Work with NEON scientists to develop appropriate ways to maintain 
data and formats for public data access.
•   Coordinate information sharing with relevant communities (e.g. the 
Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Walter Reed)
•   Work with collaborating laboratories and NEON scientists to 
facilitate publication of results, and collaborate with the NEON insect 
and mammal ecologists to prepare reports and develop recommendations for 
best practices, future analyses and data processing.

 Education:
•   PhD in ecology, evolutionary biology, or related field. 

 Required Experience:
•   3 years experience in infectious disease epidemiology, disease 
modeling, biostatistics, research development and surveillance methods.
•   Experience or familiarity with planning surveillance schemes, 
analyzing data and refining approach based on results.
•   Experience working in a collaborative scientific enterprise

Skills and Abilities:
•   Scientific writing and review 
•   Ability to work independently, but as part of an active science 
team with strong communication and interpersonal skills
•   Undertake responsibilities beyond those associated with individual 
research projects
•   Problem solver who can successfully apply experience, judgment, 
and creativity to both short- and long-term challenges. 
•   Self-starter who can create new opportunities within this field 
and use novel methods, analyses and approaches to tackle continental-scale 
research.


Apply at: www.neoninc.org


NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans 
and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply. 

[ECOLOG-L] course: Spatial Ecology, Geospatial Analysis, and Remote Sensing for Conservation

[David Inouye]

NEW! Graduate and Professional Course:

Spatial Ecology, Geospatial Analysis, and Remote Sensing for Conservation

July 19-30, 2010

Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Programs

At the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute 
(formerly CRC), Front Royal, Virginia, USA


Visit 
www.conservationtraining.si.edu 
or contact zootrain...@si.edu  for more information.


Our world is changing rapidly. Environmental 
changes occur over areas so large and time spans 
so long they often escape human perception, 
sometimes with catastrophic consequences. 
Geospatial analysis techniques have radically 
transformed our ability to detect, monitor, map, 
and model these changes. Advances in spatial 
ecology allow us to analyze these data to develop 
both ecological theory and conservation applications.


Taught by SCBI researchers, this hands-on, 10-day 
intensive course is designed for anyone seeking 
expertise in using geospatial technologies to 
monitor biological systems and quantify the 
effects of human-induced global changes on 
wildlife and biodiversity conservation. Assigned 
their own SCBI desktop computer for all lab 
exercises, participants learn to use ArcMap, 
Spatial Analyst, ERDAS Imagine, and other 
programs. By the course’s end, participants will:


· Perform basic geospatial analysis;

· Conduct remote sensing analysis and use 
satellite data to make land cover and habitat maps;


· Collect GIS data in the field using statistical sampling and GPS;

· Conduct a basic land cover change assessment using satellite imagery;

· Link species presence/absence or abundance data in a GIS;

· Compare existing techniques for 
modeling species habitat,  niche selection, and distribution;


· Apply advanced spatial analysis 
techniques to real-world conservation and ecology 
problems, with case examples based on Smithsonian research.


The $2,500 course fee includes instruction, lab 
use fees, and course materials, plus ground 
transportation to/from Washington-Dulles 
International Airport (IAD) and daily local 
transport between lab/restaurants. We provide a 
free daily shuttle between the Quality Inn in 
Front Royal and the lab on course days; please 
contact us for the SCBI-Quality Inn group code to 
receive a reduced room rate of $60 per night plus 
11% tax (includes breakfast); participants should 
budget about $25 per day for meals. Participants 
earn Continuing Education Units, or, graduate 
credits are available through Mason for qualified 
applicants, at additional cost (and after 
completing further course requirements).


Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies 
course participants engage in dynamic learning 
communities, build lifelong professional 
networks, and connect with valuable conservation resources.



Contact 
zootrain...@si.edu or 
visit 
www.conservationtraining.si.edu 
for more information. 

[ECOLOG-L] Job: physical geography - landscape ecology, Simon Fraser University

[David Inouye]

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Department of Geography
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY: LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY

The Department of Geography at Simon Fraser University invites 
applications for a tenure track faculty appointment in landscape 
ecology/biogeography. We seek a scientist with interests in 
ecological/biogeographical processes and patterns, and modeling such 
processes and patterns across a range of landscape scales from local 
to global, including the role of human-environment interactions. 
Links to other branches of physical geography/earth system science 
are desirable. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant 
Professor and will ideally begin September 1, 2010.


Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public university in British 
Columbia, Canada with three campuses in Metro Vancouver. The main 
campus is located atop Burnaby Mountain, with the other campuses in 
Vancouver and Surrey. The Department of Geography is part of the 
newly created Faculty of Environment. For more information about the 
department or the University please visit 
www.sfu.ca/geography.


Applicants must have completed a PhD by the time of appointment and 
should demonstrate a promise of excellence in research and 
effectiveness in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels in 
a Physical Geography Program. Prime teaching responsibilities will be 
to instruct undergraduate courses in biogeography and landscape 
ecology in the undergraduate programs of Physical Geography and 
Environmental Science (which includes a developing applied biological 
conservation stream) plus related graduate courses, and to provide 
research direction and graduate supervision in landscape ecology and 
biogeography. Ability to instruct in other undergraduate courses in 
the Physical Geography Program is an asset. The appointee will be 
responsible for establishing an externally funded research program in 
landscape ecology/biogeography.


Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a statement of 
teaching and research interests and career goals, and samples of 
publications. Please send applications by mail or email to Roger 
Hayter, Appointments Committee Chair, Department of Geography, Simon 
Fraser University,  University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, 
Canada V5A 1S6, or geoga...@sfu.ca. Candidates need to arrange for 
three confidential letters of reference to be sent to the Committee 
Chair under separate cover. Review of applications will commence May 1, 2010.


All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadians 
and permanent residents will be given priority. Simon Fraser 
University is committed to employment equity and encourages 
applications from all qualified women and men, including visible 
minorities, aboriginal people and, persons with disabilities.  Please 
note that this position is contingent upon available funding and is 
subject to final approval by the Board of Governors.


Under the authority of the University Act, personal information that 
is required by the University for academic appointment competition 
will be collected. For further details see the Collection Notice: 
http://www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/Faculty_Openings/Collection_Notice.html

[ECOLOG-L] Job Opportunity - Aquatic Ecologist - NEON

[Laura Reynolds]

Overview
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.) is a nonprofit 
science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, 
land use, invasive species, and unsustainable water use impact ecology. 
Currently under design is the NEON project - an observatory comprising 
more than 60 environmental and biological monitoring locations distributed 
throughout twenty domains across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska & 
Puerto Rico.  The observatory network will be the first of its kind 
designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at 
continental scales over multiple decades.

Summary:
The Aquatic Ecologist will be part of an Aquatic Team this is responsible 
for developing a national program to assess physical, chemical, and 
biological changes in streams and small lakes over 30 years.  The Team 
will define measurements, train personnel, and perform QA/QC in order to 
produce high quality data products for the research, education, and 
decision making community.

Specifically the Aquatic Ecologist is responsible for developing and 
implementing detailed sampling designs and analytical protocols for 
freshwater algae, macroalgae; bryophytes, lichen, and macrophytes; and 
related morphology/bathymetry of North American streams and small lakes.   
This position will co-develop sampling designs for aquatic microbes.  The 
Aquatic Ecologist will work with an interdisciplinary team of ecologists, 
engineers, and other scientists to design, develop, test, and implement 
statistically valid protocols to produce data products that will enable 
researchers to investigate the impact of climate change, land-use change, 
invasive species, and unsustainable water use on freshwater ecosystems of 
North America.  

The Aquatic Ecologist is expected to produce reports and publications of 
NEON procedures and protocols and is encouraged to collaborate with the 
research community to investigate continental scale ecology.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•   Develop and oversee data collection program to track diversity and 
functional changes in algae, and aquatic plants in streams and small lakes 
of North America. 
•   Development and implementation of data QA/QC plan. 
•   Training of field crews.
•   Document the scientific rationale for biological measurements and 
methods.
•   Co-develop detailed sampling designs for microbial communities.
•   Co-develop detailed sampling designs to assess changes in stream 
morphology and lake bathymetry that drive algal and aquatic plant 
community dynamics.
•   Collaborate with NEON engineers and scientists to define audit 
sampling procedures.
•   Participate in the larger NEON science community, including 
participating in independent research and collaborations and attending 
meetings/conferences.

Education:
•   PhD in aquatic ecology or related field.  Specialization in algal 
or related ecology with emphasis on biological-chemical-physical linkages 
of freshwater ecosystems.  
•   Currently enrolled in or completed a Post Doctoral position 
related to the role of algae, aquatic plants, or microbes in freshwater 
ecosystems.  

Required Experience:
•   5+ years research experience in freshwater aquatic ecology, with 
emphasis in the role of primary producers (e.g. algae, aquatic plants) on 
freshwater ecosystem structure and function.  
•   Significant field experience working in streams, rivers, and lakes 
of North America.  
•   Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative scientific and 
engineering enterprise.
•   Demonstrated ability to write technical and scientific documents.
Preferred Experience:
•   Working knowledge of stream and lake morphological dynamics 
preferred.
•   Knowledge of the role of microbial communities in freshwater 
ecosystem structure and function preferred, but not required
•   Experience working with federal and state agencies and NGO’s.

Skills and Abilities:
•   Scientific writing and review
•   Proficiency in analyses that correlate biological data with 
abiotic variables and ability to perform such analyses within a geospatial 
framework
•   Ability to work independently, but as part of an active science 
team
•   Strong communication and interpersonal skills
•   Undertake responsibilities beyond those associated with individual 
research projects
•   Travel to domains at least 2x/year

Physical Abilities: 
•   The candidate may be exposed to conditions in the field, and 
therefore must be able to traverse uneven ground such as dirt banks, 
stream beds, and shallow ponds carrying equipment and materials up to 40 
lbs. 

Apply at: www.neoninc.org
Review of applications will begin 1 May 2010.

NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans 
and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.