[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship - Changes in Body Size on Islands

[Matthew Heard]

Ph.D. Level Graduate Research Assistantship – We seek an advanced  
graduate student with strong interdisciplinary interests in  
biogeography, ecology and evolution to join us in an NSF-funded  
project studying body size of mammals that inhabit islands.  This  
project will be conducted collaboratively with Drs. Mark V. Lomolino  
– College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, USA  
(biogeographer and community ecologist), Dov F. Sax – Brown  
University, Providence, RI, USA (an invasion biologist) and Dr. Maria  
R. Palombo - Università degli Studi “La Sapienza” – Roma, Italy (a  
vertebrate paleontologist) to examine a diverse array of evidence for  
changes in body size that occur following colonization of islands by  
mammals.  The position will involve significant travel, but will be  
based in the research lab of Dr. Lomolino in Syracuse, NY.  The  
position is available beginning January, 2011, or earlier depending  
on availability of applicant.  Please send a curriculum vitae and  
letter of inquiry as email attachments to Professor Lomolino at  
isl...@esf.edu; please fill in the subject line as “Island GRA”.

[ECOLOG-L] Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels: CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

[Cliff Duke]

Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
The Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Office of 
Biomass Program (DOE EERE-OBP) has commissioned the National Academies' Board 
on Agriculture and Natural Resources and Board on Energy and Environmental 
Systems to examine the promise of sustainable development of algal biofuels, 
identify potential concerns and unforeseen sustainability challenges and 
unintended consequences for a range of approaches to algal biofuels production, 
explore ways to address those challenges, and suggest appropriate indicators, 
and metrics that can inform future assessments of environmental performance and 
social acceptance associated with sustainability. The study will

* Identify the potential sustainability concerns for commercial production 
(including larger centralized and smaller distributed facilities) of algal 
biofuels associated with a selected number of different pathways of biomass 
production and conversion. Potential concerns to be addressed could include the 
availability and use of land, water, and nutrient resources, human health and 
safety associated with feedstock cultivation and processing, potential toxicity 
associated with algal metabolites and their adverse impacts on downstream 
co-products, use of genetically modified organisms, and other impacts that are 
of social and environmental concern.

* Identify information or data gaps related to the impacts of algal biofuels 
production.

* Suggest indicators and metrics to be used to assess sustainability concerns 
across the algal biofuels supply chain and data to be collected now to 
establish baseline and to assess sustainability. Identify indicators that are 
most critical to address or have the greatest potential for improvement through 
DOE intervention. This input will inform DOE EERE-OBP's broader analysis of 
biofuels and bioenergy sustainability.

* Using selected approaches as illustrations, discuss whether any, or 
combinations of, the identified challenges could present major sustainability 
concerns. Identify preferred cost-and-benefit analyses that could best aid in 
the decision-making process, and discuss whether those decisions could be 
performance based and technology neutral. 

The study will be conducted by a committee of 15 members appointed by the 
National Academies. We are seeking your nominations for potential committee 
members, and they may include scientists and experts familiar with current 
basic and applied research in algal biofuels production, including research on 
biomass production, algal biomass conversion, and fuels synthesis; algal 
ecology; environmental science and impact analysis, and social scientists. 
Potential committee members may be academics, government employees, and 
individuals from nongovernmental organizations or industry. Please suggest 
individuals who are broadly knowledgeable,
distinguished within their respective communities, and able to work well with 
others in analyzing information and developing consensus. The final committee 
will include a mixture of perspectives that will contribute to the study's 
ability to develop supportable conclusions about the sustainable development of 
algal biofuels.

Please provide your suggestions for potential committee members by October 31, 
2010. Contact Evonne Tang (202-334-3648, et...@nas.edu) or K. John Holmes 
(202-334-2045, jhol...@nas.edu) for more information.

[ECOLOG-L] Two postdoctoral positions available

[David Wardle]

TWO POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN ECOSYSTEM AND BELOWGROUND ECOLOGY

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) at Umeå  invites 
applications for the two following post-doctoral positions:
(1) ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY (Ref # SLU ID ua 3136/2010)
(2) BELOWGROUND ECOLOGY (Ref # SLU ID ua 3137/2010)
The positions are both fully financed for two years and will be based in 
the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at Umeå, Sweden. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY POSITION (Ref. # SLU ID ua 
3136/2010). The project will focus mainly on field locations in subalpine 
forested areas of western Sweden, which includes some areas that have 
historically been impacted by indigenous Sami inhabitants for more than 
500 years (but which are no longer inhabited) and other areas that have 
never been impacted by Sami people. The main project that the postdoctoral 
researcher will work on involves exploring how historical habitation and 
land use in these mountains by Sami (in areas that are often currently 
presumed to be ‘natural’) may have long term effects on ecosystem 
functioning both aboveground and belowground that are still apparent in 
the present day landscape. In addition to this work, the researcher will 
have opportunities to perform some fieldwork exploring belowground ecology 
and aboveground-belowground linkages in New Zealand and/or Australia 
during the northern winter. The intended start date is April 2011, 
although there is some flexibility around this.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BELOWGROUND ECOLOGY POSITION (Ref. # SLU ID ua 
3137/2010). The project will involve studying belowground ecology and 
aboveground-belowground linkages in boreal forests and subarctic tundra in 
northern Sweden. We are especially interested in appointing a researcher 
who has expertise in any one of the following areas: (1) ecology of plant 
litter decomposition, (2) ecology of soil invertebrates (notably 
microarthropods and/or nematodes) and/or soil food webs, or (3) plant-soil 
interactions and feedbacks. However, strong candidates focusing on 
belowground ecology but specializing in other aspects will also be 
seriously considered. The scope of the project work is deliberately broad, 
and will be adapted to suit the specific interests of the researcher that 
is appointed. However, it is intended that the researcher works on study 
systems and questions that are actively studied by our group; examples 
include the belowground consequences of fire in boreal forests, the 
ecological role of fire-derived charcoal, aboveground and belowground 
changes across chronosequences, and impacts of elevation and vegetation 
type in subarctic tundra. A fuller description of the group’s work is 
given on www.seksko.se/goto.php?link=vegeco. In addition to this work, the 
researcher will have opportunities to perform some fieldwork exploring 
belowground ecology and aboveground-belowground linkages in New Zealand 
and/or Australia during the northern winter. Depending on the candidates 
that we attract, we may make two appointments for this position. The 
intended start date is April 2011, although there is some flexibility 
around this.

Applications for each of these positions should include a curriculum vitae 
including a full list of publications, a brief description of research 
interests, and a list of at least two references familiar with the 
applicant's work. 

Qualifications: The qualification for these positions is a PhD in Biology, 
Ecology or Forestry, preferably completed in the previous three years.

Further information is available from Professor David Wardle, Department 
of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU, Umeå, e-mail: 
david.war...@svek.slu.se 

Applications, marked with Ref No SLU ID ua 3136/2010 (Ecosystem Ecology 
position), or with Ref. No SLU ID ua 3137/2010 (Belowground Ecology 
position) must arrive at the Registrar of SLU either by post (P.O. Box 
7070, S- 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden) or by E-mail (registra...@slu.se) no 
later than 15 November 2010. If you are applying for both positions, you 
will need to send in two separate applications.

[ECOLOG-L] Funds Available for Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts

[Johanna Laderman]

Funds Available for Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts: Up to $225,000
for community-based fisheries restoration projects

 

The FishAmerica Foundation, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust
and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Restoration
Center announce the availability of funding to restore fish habitat,
improve water quality, and enhance fish stocks in the Chesapeake Bay and
its tributaries. The partnership seeks proposals for meaningful
on-the-ground restoration projects to restore and enhance fish habitat
for sportfishing resources and improve and protect water quality for
NOAA headwaters species of focus.

 

The program includes two tracks: 

* Sportfish Restoration Track (Maryland only): Eligible project
types include but are not limited to stream restoration; fish passage;
and dam removal implementation; wetland creation and improvement;
riparian restoration; and streambank stabilization projects that improve
habitat for sportfish.

* Headwaters Track (entire Bay watershed): Eligible project
types include fish passage; dam removal, riparian restoration with an
in-stream component, stream restoration or other restoration projects
that improve headwaters habitat for NOAA species of interest.

 

Proposals requesting up to $75,000 are due no later 5:00 p.m. on
December 10, 2010 and must be submitted through the online system at
www.cbtrustgrants.org. For more information, visit
www.fishamerica.org/grants or contact the FishAmerica Foundation at
703-519-9691 x245 or jlader...@asafishing.org. 

 

 

 

~

Johanna Laderman

FishAmerica Foundation

Phone: 703-519-9691 x245

Email: jlader...@asafishing.org

Web: www.fishamerica.org

 

Designate your CFC contribution to FishAmerica today and help keep our
fish & waters healthy. CFC #12295.

 

Find us on www.Twitter.com/fishamerica. www.facebook.com/fishamerica,
and www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=813986. 

 

FishAmerica - Keeping our fish and waters healthy for more than 25
years.  

 

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. <*<>{

 

[ECOLOG-L] postdoctoral position at Dartmouth

[Kathy Cottingham]

Postdoctoral Research in Children's Environmental Health
Dartmouth College / Dartmouth Medical School

Looking for something a little bit different for your postdoc?

We seek a postdoctoral researcher to assist with our studies of dietary
exposure to metals, especially arsenic, during pregnancy and the first year
of life.  Recent data suggest that both drinking water and food, especially
rice and seafood, contribute to arsenic exposure.  This is particularly true
for infants and toddlers, who often consume many different forms of rice
during their transition to solid foods.  Our goal is to understand how
feeding and weaning habits influence arsenic exposure by measuring arsenic
content of infant foods (breastmilk, formula, cereals, and jarred foods) and
quantifying dietary patterns via food frequency questionnaires and dietary
records.  For example, we are evaluating exposure during the first 4 months
of life for breast-fed and formula-fed infants; we hypothesize that powdered
formulas may pose a particular risk to infants in households with naturally
elevated concentrations of arsenic in their drinking water.  We are also
evaluating exposure via weaning foods (especially those containing rice)
during the period from 6-12 months.  In addition, we will look at how the
consumption of other vitamins and minerals (e.g., folate, iron and vitamin
B) may alter the absorption of arsenic from food.  These studies should
enhance our understanding which vitamins and minerals can reduce arsenic
absorption, and help make informed dietary recommendations for infants and
their parents.  Opportunities to explore existing databases and/or do
additional work of your own interest are also available.

For more information about this project and our new interdisciplinary
center, see http://www.dartmouth.edu/~childrenshealth/

Contact Kathy Cottingham, kathryn.cotting...@dartmouth.edu, for more
information.

Requirements

o Ph.D. in a field with expertise relevant to this project, including
epidemiology, nutrition, biostatistics, ecology, biogeochemistry, or trace
element geochemistry.  While previous research in the field of 
children’s
environmental health is not required, confidence in your ability to learn
new techniques and approaches is essential.  

o Strong writing skills, as evidenced by multiple lead-authored publications

o Experience using a variety of statistical approaches, including but not
limited to, general linear models, generalized linear models, classification
and regression trees (CART), and other techniques for screening large datasets

o Experience with statistical programming and database management using SAS,
R, Matlab, and/or other programming languages

o Experience supervising undergraduate and graduate student research assistants

o Interest in human subjects research, including telephone surveys, food
frequency questionnaires, and/or in-person questionnaires during clinic visits

o Grant writing experience or interest

Start date:  Fall/Winter 2010 

[ECOLOG-L] Opportunities for ecologists at the National Science Foundation

[David Inouye]

If you would you like to evaluate exciting science projects at the
frontiers of discovery... 
If you would you like to guide the advancement of research and education
in the biological sciences... 
Consider serving as a panelist, reviewer
or temporary Program Director for the
Directorate for Biological
Sciences. 
NSF relies heavily on the expertise of the research community in making
important funding decisions. The success of the merit review system
depends on the willingness of expert reviewers and Program Directors to
give their time to the process. 
  


 Reviewer: Potential panelists or reviewers should contact a
Program Director in their particular subfield (see list below), by e-mail
or telephone, to let them know of their interest in serving as either an
ad hoc mail reviewer or panelist to evaluate proposals submitted to the
program. (Looks good on your CV! And offers
valuable insights into the funding process.)

Several Ecological Society of America members, including a Past-President
(Nancy Grimm) and two previous Secretaries of the Governing Board (Nancy
Huntly, David Inouye), are currently serving as temporary Program
Directors in the Division of Environmental Biology.
  


 Temporary Program Director: The National Science Foundation
(NSF) employs scientists, engineers, and educators on rotational
assignment from academia, industry, or other eligible organizations to
further the agency's mission of supporting the entire spectrum of science
and engineering research and education. The most frequently used
mechanisms are the
Visiting
Scientist, Engineer, and Educator (VSEE) Program and the

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Program. Both the VSEE and IPA
Programs strengthen NSF's ties with the research community and provide
the talent and resources that are critical to meeting NSF's mission. We
know many potential candidates have ongoing NSF grants. The Foundation
has mechanisms in place that allow active labs to continue functioning
while temporary Program Directors are serving the scientific community
through employment with NSF. The Directorate for Biological
Sciences welcomes inquiries from established
researchers and educators who may be interested in serving a one- to
three-year assignment as a Program Director in one of our clusters.
Interested individuals should send a copy of your curriculum vitae to the
Director or Deputy listed in one of the Divisions below prior to
contacting them to discuss possible opportunities and explore the
responsibilities of the position. We are particularly interested in
attracting women and underrepresented minority candidates to these
positions. 

Population & Community Ecology Cluster  (BIO/DEB) 


 
Phone: (703) 292-8481 | Fax: (703) 292-9064 | Room: 635 N 
Program Director


David W. Inouye (703) 292-8570  
dino...@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director


Susan Kalisz (703) 292-8610  
skal...@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director


Alan J. Tessier  
atess...@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director


Saran Twombly (703) 292-8133  
stwom...@nsf.gov 
 

Ecosystem Science Cluster  (BIO/DEB) 


 
 Phone: (703) 292-8481 | Fax: (703) 292-9064 | Room: 635 N 
Program Director


Henry L. Gholz  
hgh...@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director
Richard S. Inouye
rinouye@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director


Nancy B. Grimm (703) 292-8480  
ngr...@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director


Matthew D. Kane (703) 292-7186  
mk...@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director


Robert Sanford (703) 292-7120  
rsanf...@nsf.gov 

Evolutionary Processes Cluster  (BIO/DEB) 


 
Phone: (703) 292-8481 | Fax: (703) 292-9064 | Room: 635 N 
Program Director


George W. Gilchrist (703) 292-7138  
ggilc...@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director


Nancy J. Huntly  
nhun...@nsf.gov 
 
Program Director


Samuel M. Scheiner (703) 292-7175  
ssche...@nsf.gov 

[ECOLOG-L] Job: Tenure track faculty position, Tulane University

[Michael Blum]

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, 
invites applications for one tenure-track position at the level of 
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR. We encourage applications from LANDSCAPE or ECOSYSTEM 
ECOLOGISTS focused on wetland, tropical, and/or plant communities. See 
website:http://www.tulane.edu/~ebio/news/new-positions.php for details 
about the position, department, and application process. Send letter of 
application, curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching 
interests, selected publications, and names and addresses of three 
references to: EEB Faculty Search, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary 
Biology, 400 Lindy Boggs Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118-
5698. Review of applications will begin October 15, 2010, and the search 
will remain open until the position is filled. An offer of employment is, 
however, contingent upon authorization of the position.  Tulane University 
is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity/ADA Employer. Women 
and minorities are encouraged to apply.



Michael J. Blum 
Arnold Early Career Professor in Earth and Ecological Science
Dept of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology 
Tulane University 
New Orleans, LA 70118 
www.tulane.edu/~mjblum 

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Opportunity at Virginia Tech

[Kathie Hollandsworth]

Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship:
Physiology and Drought Tolerance of Endophyte-Infected Switchgrass

A Ph.D. graduate research assistantship is available through the Department
of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University at Blacksburg (VT), in collaboration with the
Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources (ISRR) at the Institute
for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, Virginia.  The study will
investigate endophyte-infected switchgrass physiological processes related
to plant performance by measuring plant photosynthesis rate, water use
efficiency, drought tolerance, and carbon sequestration following bacterial
inoculation of switchgrass plants in both greenhouse and field settings. 
The work will be co-directed by Drs. John Seiler (Virginia Tech) and
Chuansheng Mei (ISRR) and will provide a unique opportunity to work at both
the whole- plant physiology and molecular levels and with an
interdisciplinary team of scientists.
  
This project is supported by the Department of Energy/USDA-Plant Feedstock
Genomics for Bioenergy program.  Switchgrass is one of the most promising
feedstock crops in the overall sustainable bioenergy vision of the U.S.  It
is stress-tolerant and can grow on marginal lands; however, its yields can
vary from site to site and from year to year. The utilization of
naturally-occurring beneficial bacterial endophytes with switchgrass
represents a practical and feasible way to develop a low-input and
sustainable feedstock production system. The ultimate goal of the larger
research project is to understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms
by which the bacterial endophyte promotes switchgrass growth.  An M.S.
degree in plant physiology, ecophysiology, or related field is required.
Previous experience with whole-plant physiological measurements is desired. 

The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
(http://www.cnre.vt.edu/forestry) at Virginia Tech has excellent
ecophysiology laboratories and strong programs in all aspects of forestry,
including forest soils, watersheds and wetlands, and remote sensing and
geospatial analysis.  The Institute  for Sustainable and Renewable Resources
(http://www.ialr.org/research/isrr) is a state-of-the-art facility jointly
affiliated with the Departments of Horticulture and Forest Resources and
Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech.  The Institute has brought
together expertise in plant tissue culture, plant molecular biology,
genomics, molecular breeding, and information technology to facilitate the
development of novel ornamental, crop, and forestry plant varieties.  Strong
supporting programs in Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Horticulture,
Botany, and Chemistry exist at Virginia Tech (http://www.vt.edu).  Ph.D.
assistantships in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental
Conservation at Virginia Tech start at approximately $21,000 per year. 
Tuition is waived for students on assistantship.  Graduate research
assistants are actively involved in the departmental teaching program. 

Interested students should contact:

Dr. John Seiler, jsei...@vt.edu  
Professor of Forest Ecophysiology   
Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation (0324) 
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA  24061
 (540) 231-5461 

OR

Dr. Chuansheng Mei, chuansheng@ialr.org
Scientist II – Supervisor
Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Danville, VA  24541
(434) 766-6704

[ECOLOG-L] JOB: Geomorphologist Needed - Northern California / Pacific Northwest

[Michael DeSafey]

Hi everyone,

I am currently doing some consulting work in the northern california and 
the pacific northwest regions and was hoping you all maybe able to provide 
me some assistance as i am trying to hire a Senior Level Geomorphologist 
to lead a practice. 

What we are seeking is a Senior Geomorphologist to participate in leading 
a wide range of coastal and estuarine projects throughout the Northern 
California and Pacific Northwest markets.

The ideal individual would have a minimum of 8+ years of experience in the 
management of delineating erosion, habitat restoration, flood hazard 
assessment and sustainable infrastructure protection projects. This would 
include the conducting field studies, managing and reviewing data, 
compiling maps/graphs, writing reports, and preparing presentations for 
clients as needed. Individuals with a strong background in wood debris 
transport and sediment experience are a plus to consideration.

Additional responsibilities will include conducting business development 
and client relationship activities within the region, developing 
proposals, budgets, scopes of work and mentoring divisional staff. 

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geography, Water Engineering or 
related discipline.  MS Degree is desired.  Excellent written and verbal 
communication abilities required.

This is a Senior level technical, operations opportunity with direct 
responsibility for the success of the group. Candidates must have direct 
professional Geomorphology experience in relation to the above to be 
considered for this opportunity.  Position can be based in either Seattle, 
Washington, Portland, Oregon, Sacramento or San Francisco, California. 

Should anyone happen to have some interest in exploring the possbilities 
or know of a qualified individual; it would be greatly appreciated if you 
could forward this along or give me a call to discuss.

Thanks

Michael DeSafey
Sequence Systems
2008 Opportunity Drive #150
Roseville, Ca 95678
Phone: 916-782-6900 x202
Fax: 916-782-6307
Email: mdesa...@sequencestaffing.com
www.sequencestaffing.com

[ECOLOG-L] East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students

[David Inouye]

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC SUMMER INSTITUTES 
FOR U.S. GRADUATE STUDENTS - 2011 APPLICATION NOW OPEN


(Link: www.nsfsi.org )

The National Science Foundation (NSF) East Asia and Pacific Summer 
Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI) is a flagship 
international fellowship program for developing the next generation 
of globally  engaged U.S. scientists and engineers knowledgeable 
about the Asian and Pacific regions. The Summer Institutes are hosted 
by foreign counterparts committed to increasing opportunities for 
young U.S. researchers to work in research facilities and with host 
mentors abroad. Fellows are supported to participate in eight-week 
research experiences at host laboratories in Australia, China, Japan 
(10 weeks), Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan from June to 
August. The program provides a $5,000 summer stipend, round-trip 
airfare to the host location, living expenses abroad, and an 
introduction to the society, culture, language, and research 
environment of the host location.


The 2011 application is now open and will close at 5:00 pm local time 
on November 10, 2010.  Application instructions are available online 
at www.nsfsi.org. For further information concerning benefits, 
eligibility, and tips on applying, applicants are encouraged to visit 
www.nsf.gov/eapsi or www.nsfsi.org.


NSF recognizes the importance of enabling U.S. researchers and 
educators to advance their work through international collaborations 
and the value of ensuring that future generations of U.S. scientists 
and engineers gain professional experience beyond this nation's 
borders early in their careers. The program is intended for U.S. 
graduate students pursuing studies in fields supported by the 
National Science Foundation. Women, minorities, and persons with 
disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply for the EAPSI. 
Applicants must be enrolled in a research-oriented master's or PhD 
program and be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents by the 
application deadline date. Students in combined bachelor/master 
degree programs must have matriculated from the undergraduate degree 
program by the application deadline date.


The first Summer Institutes began in Japan in 1990, and to date over 
2,000 U.S. graduate students have participated in the program.


Should you have any questions, please contact the EAPSI Help Desk by 
email at ea...@nsfsi.org or by phone at 1-866-501-2922.

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc: biodiversity research, UBC

[David Inouye]

UBC Biodiversity Research Centre

Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity
As a part of our NSERC CREATE training program in 
biodiversity research , 
we seek applicants for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in the U.B.C. 
Biodiversity Research Centre 
(www.biodiversity.ubc.ca). The Centre is 
currently made up of over 40 members of the UBC Science Faculty with 
interests in ecology, evolution, systematics, biodiversity and 
conservation. Preference will be given to candidates with bold ideas, 
demonstrated research ability, and strong communication skills. The 
successful candidate will be expected to: conduct original research 
on core problems in biodiversity, foster interactions within the 
Centre, run a seminar series, and organize a retreat.


Starting date, 1 September 2011.
Salary $43,000 per yr.
Research stipend: $7,000 per yr.
Send curriculum vitae, three letters of reference, and a brief 
statement of goals to:

Search Chair, Biodiversity Research Centre, U.B.C.,
6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4.
(Fax 604-822-2416, e-mail 
biodiversity.cen...@ubc.ca).

Closing date for application, 5 January 2011.

The University of British Columbia hires on the basis of merit and is 
committed to employment equity. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.


Penelope (Lebby) Balakshin
Administrator
Biodiversity Research Centre
Tel: 604-822-0862
Cell: 604-802-6330

[ECOLOG-L] CURRENT ZOOLOGY: special issues

[Dr. Zhi_Yun JIA]

Dear Colleagues,

One special issue about Horseshoe Crab Behavior has been published in the 
latest issue of CURRENT ZOOLOGY,  the papers are now available on the journal 
webpage at  
http://www.currentzoology.org/issuedetail.asp?volume=56&number=5&issue_id=503, 
and I am listing the content table  at the end of this message.

Another special issue about Invasive Species Science is undergoing, intended 
contributors please send enqueries to me. 

Coverd by ISI SCI and Current Contents, BIOSIS Preview, and Scopus, CURRENT 
ZOOLOGY is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed international journal that publishes 
significant new findings of fundamental and general interest. Submissions in 
the research fields of ecology, behavioral biology, biogeography, conservation 
biology, evolutionary biology and ecological/evolutionary genomics are 
especially welcome. In particular, CURRENT ZOOLOGY seeks to publish research 
that explores the interface between zoological disciplines, and is truly 
integrative by illuminating the greater picture. 


Zhi-Yun JIA,Ph.D.
Executive Editor   
Current Zoology
http://www.currentzoology.org
Institute of Zoology   
The Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beichen Xilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China 


Volume 56, Issue 5
  
 
 Horseshoe crab behavior: Patterns and processes  ( PDF[53 KB] ) 
 Christopher C. Chabot,Winsor H. Watson III 
   
REVIEW ARTICLES 
 Male horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus use multiple sensory cues to locate 
mates  ( PDF[277 KB] ) 
 Katharine M. SAUNDERS, H. Jane BROCKMANN, Winsor H. WATSON III, Steven H. JURY 
   
 Circatidal rhythms of locomotion in the American horseshoe crab Limulus 
polyphemus: Underlying mechanisms and cues that influence them  ( PDF[781 KB] ) 
 Christopher C. CHABOT, Winsor H. WATSON III 
   
 Circadian regulation of Limulus visual functions: A role for octopamine and 
cAMP  ( PDF[791 KB] ) 
 Jasbir S. DALAL, Barbara-Anne BATTELLE 
   
 Central pattern generation underlying Limulus rhythmic behavior patterns  ( 
PDF[359 KB] ) 
 Gordon A. Wyse 
   
 Developmental ecology of the American horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus  ( 
PDF[201 KB] ) 
 Mark L. BOTTON, Richard A. TANKERSLEY, Robert E. LOVELAND 
   
ORIGINAL PAPERS 
Ecology, Evolution and Behavior 
 Age and sex specific timing, frequency, and spatial distribu-tion of horseshoe 
crab spawning in Delaware Bay: Insights from a large-scale radio telemetry 
array  ( PDF[437 KB] ) 
 David R. SMITH, Lorne J. BROUSSEAU, Mary T. MANDT, Michael J. MILLARD 
   
 Seasonal movement of the American horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus in a 
semi-enclosed bay on Cape Cod, Massachu-setts (USA) as determined by acoustic 
telemetry  ( PDF[585 KB] ) 
 Mary-Jane JAMES-PIRRI 
   
 Seasonal movements of American horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in the Great 
Bay Estuary, New Hampshire (USA)  ( PDF[647 KB] ) 
 Susanne Y. SCHALLER, Christopher C. CHABOT, Winsor H. WATSON III 
   
 High resolution tracking of adult horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in a New 
Hampshire estuary using fixed array ultrasonic telemetry  ( PDF[269 KB] ) 
 Winsor H. WATSON III, Christopher C. CHABOT 
   
 Intensive use of an intertidal mudflat by foraging adult American horseshoe 
crabs Limulus polyphemus in the Great Bay estuary, New Hampshire  ( PDF[162 KB] 
) 
 Wan-Jean LEE 
   
 Orientation of larval and juvenile horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus to 
visual cues: Effects of chemical odors  ( PDF[823 KB] ) 
 Julie M. MEDINA, Richard A. TANKERSLEY 
   
 Reproductive behavior in horseshoe crabs: Does density matter?  ( PDF[159 KB] 
) 
 Jennifer H. MATTEI, Mark A. BEEKEY, Adam RUDMAN, Alyssa WORONIK 

[ECOLOG-L] Solar Energy Threatens California Desert

[Richard Montanucci]

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to urge you to oppose the 
development of central station, utility-scale 
solar energy installations remotely placed in the 
western deserts. The utility-scale solar energy 
projects proposed for the California Desert and 
adjacent areas of Nevada and Arizona will have 
massive and destructive footprints on the 
landscape. This development, touted by many 
politicians, environmental organizations, and 
state energy officials as “green energy”, a term 
having benign connotations, is being justified in 
order to meet California’s goals of AB 32 
greenhouse gas emissions reduction and a 
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) of 33% by year 
2020. Ultimately, a cumulative area the size of 
Rhode Island, about 1,200 square miles of desert 
land could be destroyed in California alone. As 
of January 2010, the Bureau of Land Management 
had received more than 150 applications for 
large-scale solar projects on 1.8 million acres 
of federal land in six western states.


In nearly every case familiar to me, the proposed 
projects will impact threatened and endangered 
species, kill and displace wildlife, and 
permanently disfigure desert landscapes. 
Furthermore, the December deadline to qualify for 
stimulus dollars under the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has created a rushed and 
chaotic process of review to approve the 
“fast-tracked” projects. In my opinion, adequate 
and proper scientific review has been seriously compromised.


The Chuckwalla Valley west of Blythe, an area 
rich in biological, archaeological, and aesthetic 
resources and certainly qualifying for national 
park status is threatened by dozens of renewable 
energy projects. There is tremendous pressure to 
develop the Chuckwalla Valley due to its 
proximity to transmission lines that feed into 
Los Angeles and Phoenix, but approval of these 
projects would be a tragic loss for wildlife 
conservation. The valley supports an array of 
unique, rare, and sensitive species, including 
the desert pupfish, Alverson’s pincushion cactus, 
and the desert tortoise, a federally threatened 
species, to name a few. Chuckwalla Valley 
supports one of the finest stands of ironwood 
trees in the entire Sonoran Desert region. Some 
trees were growing along the McCoy Wash before 
Christopher Columbus landed in America. They have 
survived the hottest climatic periods and 
droughts in recorded history and prehistory, but 
they will not stand against the bulldozer.


In the Imperial Valley, another project will 
destroy foraging habitat for the peninsular 
desert bighorn sheep, a federally endangered 
species, and habitat for the flat-tailed horned 
lizard, a candidate for threatened species. 
Thousands of these lizards, other reptiles, and 
small mammals will be killed or displaced during 
project construction, including sensitive species 
such as the kit fox, badger, burrowing owl, and 
golden eagle. The aesthetics of the Anza Trail, 
managed by the National Park Service, will be 
impacted, and Native American cultural resources, 
including sacred sites, will be lost as well.


What is the alternative to placing these massive 
projects on pristine desert land? The most 
environmentally friendly option for site 
placement would be the unused rooftops of homes 
and office buildings that can be used for 
distributed photovoltaic energy generation. There 
are thousands of acres of rooftops in 
Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix and 
Salt Lake City. There would be no need to 
transport electricity from remote sites in the 
desert along transmission lines, thereby avoiding 
loss of efficiency. It can be argued that this is 
the low-cost, high-value way for California to 
achieve its goal of 33 percent renewable energy 
use by 2020. Also, promoting roof top 
installations would create a growth industry, a 
much needed boost for our failing economy.


If utility scale solar installations are to be 
built, the use of “brownfields”, e.g. 
decommissioned landfills, abandoned mines, and 
other degraded lands would avert needless habitat 
destruction. The use of “brownfields” for 
renewable energy development has been supported 
by the Environmental Protection Agency since 
2003. According to the EPA, at least 11,000 sites 
exist nationwide that are suitable for this 
purpose. Such blighted real estate, which 
constitutes a liability to state, county, and 
local governments, should be reclaimed in this 
innovative way. It would be a win–win outcome for 
energy development and environmental protection. 
Another option is converting fallow agricultural 
land for solar collection, as private landowners 
in many areas are willing to sell their acreage.


Many projects are being “fast-tracked” so that 
they can meet the December deadline to qualify 
for ARRA stimulus dollars. The industry stands to 
make billions of dollars and temporary jobs will 
be created, but in the end significant parts of 
our natural heritage will be l