[ECOLOG-L] Ecosystem management and restoration Alien invasive species eradication Re: [ECOLOG-L] insights into when eradication of invasive alien species will be successful
Many thanks to Duffy for this reference. While I have not yet read the paper, the well-written abstract of adequate yet reasonable length (unlike those which have recently come into vogue which give no hint of the substance--I wonder if the increasingly rapacious academic publishers demand opacity in the hopes of selling $$ single-copy access for 24 hours?) makes me want to read the entire paper, which I have requested from the author's email supplied--again thanks. I hope the abstract will stimulate some discussion of the management conclusions (eradicate early or forget it is my presumption). I also hope that the research will help managers reconsider the common practice of throwing scarce resources into eradication projects which are doomed to failure from the start, and concentrate on restoring site conditions which will lead to ecosystem health such that the impact of many alien species will be limited more than many (most?) eradication programs can accomplish. It was Ewel who remarked that restoration is the ultimate test of ecological theory, but my recent correspondences with him leads me to think that Hawaii and perhaps other tropical islands may not behave the same way some continental sites do. Perhaps Duffy can shed some light on this issue? WT - Original Message - From: David C Duffy ddu...@hawaii.edu To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 11:27 AM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] insights into when eradication of invasive alien species will be successful some real data to go with all the commentary on alien invasive species. from Biological Invasions When are eradication campaigns successful? A test of common assumptions Therese Pluess, Ray Cannon, Vojtěch Jarošík, Jan Pergl, Petr Pyšek and Sven Bacher email to therese.plu...@gmx.ch Abstract Eradication aims at eliminating populations of alien organisms from an area. Since not all eradications are successful, several factors have been proposed in the literature (mainly by referring to case studies) to be crucial for eradication success, such as infestation size or reaction time. To our knowledge, however, no study has statistically evaluated which factors affect eradication success and attempted to determine their relative importance. We established a unique global dataset on 136 eradication campaigns against 75 species (invasive alien invertebrates, plants and plant pathogens) and statistically tested whether the following factors, proposed by others were significantly related to eradication success: (1) the reaction time between the arrival/detection of the organism and the start of the eradication campaign; (2) the spatial extent of the infestation; (3) the level of biological knowledge of the organism; and (4) insularity. Of these, only the spatial extent of the infestation was significantly related to the eradication outcome: local campaigns were more successful than regional or national campaigns. Reaction time, the level of knowledge and insularity were all unrelated to eradication success. Hence, some factors suggested as being crucial may be less important than previously thought, at least for the organisms tested here. We found no differences in success rates among taxonomic groups or geographic regions. We recommend that eradication measures should generally concentrate on the very early phase of invasions when infestations are still relatively small. David Cameron Duffy Ph.D. Professor/PCSU Unit Leader/CESU Director PCSU/CESU/Department of Botany University of Hawaii Manoa 3190 Maile Way, St John 410 Honolulu, HI 96822 USA Tel 808-956-8218, FAX 808-956-4710 http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/ - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2109/4781 - Release Date: 02/02/12
[ECOLOG-L] PhD position open in Ecology of Plant-Insect relationships
PhD POSITION OPEN in ECOLOGY OF PLANT-INSECT RELATIONSHIPS Linking plant species diversity to insect functional diversity and ecosystem services in small forest patches embedded in contrasted European agricultural landscapes open at the Jules Verne University of Picardy (UPJV) Prof. Guillaume DECOCQs Lab, Amiens city (France) A 3-year PhD position in ecology is available in the research group of Guillaume Decocq at Jules Verne University of Picardie (Amiens, France), beginning the 1st September 2012. The fellowship is to work in close relationship with a pan-european project dedicated to ecosystem services associated to biodiversity of small forest patches in agricultural landscapes. There is sufficient latitude for the successful applicant to steer the project to align with her/his interests. Background: Climate and land use changes pose severe threats to biodiversity and the services they provide to human societies. In many parts of Europe, the original forest cover has strongly been reduced and in these regions forests presently occur as small fragments, often embedded in an intensively used agricultural matrix. Despite their small size, these forest patches often act as refuges for biodiversity and may provide a wide range of ecosystem services (ES) to populations and human society. Biodiversity and ES of small forest fragments are mutually dependent as they are determined by a similar set of drivers. However, the nature and strength of the relationships between biodiversity and ES will vary, depending on the taxonomic group and ES under consideration, and on the landscape context including the type and intensity of the surrounding land-use and the land-use history. In this context, relationships between plant species diversity on the first hand, and the functional diversity of insects and the ecosystem services they deliver on the other hand, remain largely unexplored, especially in changing landscapes facing climate warming. The main objective of this PhD project is to quantify ES associated to the interaction between plant biodiversity and various guilds of insects in small forest fragments among agricultural landscapes and across different regions in Europe. More specifically, four tasks will be tackled: (i) distribution of Carabidae species and richness in agricultural landscapes and its relationships with vascular plant species richness, landscape structure and history, and local environmental factors; (ii) food diet of dominant Carabidae species among contrasted landscapes with a special focus on Aphids; (iii) landscape genetics of a plant-Aphid pair; (iv) relationships between landscape composition and structure and services to agriculture. The project will build on a unique field experiment 16 5 km x 5 km landscape sampling windows distributed across the entire European temperate forest biome. The PhD project includes a significant amount of field (insect trapping) and lab (insect identification and molecular analyses) work. This research will occur in rural landscapes along a transect ranging from South France to Central Sweden and Estonia, through Belgium and Germany, but most of the field work will be done in North France, where the successful applicant will be based (at the Jules Verne University of Picardie in Amiens city). Applicants should have the following experience and qualifications: Strong skills in field ecology and/or entomology, statistics and modelling (intimate working knowledge of R is preferable). Strong background in ecology of plant-animal relationships, landscape ecology and population genetic Experience in Carabidae taxonomy. Intimate working knowledge of molecular tools (genetic markers, PCR). Excellent verbal and written communication skills to facilitate dissemination of results in scientific outlets. Desire to work closely with other researchers and mentor students A valid drivers license The grant is approximately 1375 net per month. Position to begin September 1st, 2012 To apply, please send a cover letter addressing each of the requested qualification, a CV, two or more references (contact information or letters to Prof. Guillaume Decocq (guillaume.decocq@u- picardie.fr) or Jules Verne University of Picardy, EDYSAN, 1 rue des Louvels, F-80037 Amiens Cedex, France. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
[ECOLOG-L] Field Technicians Needed-Forest Ecology Research in California
Project summary: Long-term impacts of the emerging forest disease sudden oak death in mixed oak woodlands. Project PIs: Ross Meentemeyer (University of North Carolina at Charlotte- Dept. of Geography Earth Sciences), Hall Cushman Nathan Rank (Sonoma State University- Biology Dept.), and David Rizzo (UC Davis- Dept. of Plant Pathology) Description: Phytophthora ramorum is an exotic plant pathogen of international concern and causal agent of the emerging forest disease Sudden Oak Death (SOD). In North America, P. ramorum has caused extensive mortality of oak and tanoak trees from Big Sur, California in the south to Curry County, Oregon in the north. Our long-term ecological study established in 2003 is repeatedly sampling a large plot network (200 sites within a 275-km2 region of mixed oak woodland) in order to understand spatiotemporal variability in the population dynamics and ecological impacts of P. ramorum. We seek 2 Crew Leaders and 2 Field Assistants for a two month period (ca. May 1June 30). Please let us know if you would like to be considered for helping with additional fieldwork in the Big Sur region July September. Crew Leaders will coordinate plot visits with public and private landowners, ensure data quality (oversee fieldwork and supervise field assistants), and general lab management (inventorying field supplies, digital file management). Field assistants will assist crew leaders in collecting and entering data on disease progression, plant species composition and structure, and understory microclimate variation. Housing, transportation to/from study sites, and a monthly stipend commensurate with experience will be provided. Desired qualifications include demonstrating a strong interest in disease ecology, landscape ecology and/or forest ecology and management. Strong academic credentials plus completion of at least two years of an undergraduate science program is preferred. Previous experience navigating using GPS and/or topographic maps, as well as working under physically demanding field conditions (i.e., 8+ hours of hiking a day in steep and rough terrain; wet, hot, and/or cold conditions; exposure to poison oak and buggy conditions), is helpful. Send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references to Sarah Haas by email at sha...@uncc.edu. For more information on the SOD project, please visit our website (http://gis.uncc.edu/). DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS MARCH 15, 2012.
[ECOLOG-L] Position Announcement: Director, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College, Wisconsin
Northland College is searching for a leader for the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute. President Michael Miller has pledged to bolster and support the SOEI with additional staff and, as you can see below, restoring the director position to a Vice President of the college. Please help us find a great leader by forwarding this announcement to potential candidates who would be interested in this opportunity. Thanks! Executive Director of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute Established in 1972, the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute (SOEI), an organization dedicated to applying scientific knowledge and community-based cultural and sustainability studies to complex environmental issues, invites applications and nominations for the position of Executive Director. Located on the shores of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin, the Institute and Northland College seek an innovative, dedicated, entrepreneurial leader to deepen and extend collaboration, research, and conversation among a growing network of partners. In the years ahead, SOEI will renew its mission by: (1) nurturing the next generation of scientific and community leaders through research, invention, and applied learning programs; (2) supporting preservation and restoration of ecological communities in the Lake Superior Watershed; (3) facilitating communities of conversation and collaboration around multifaceted ecological and social issues; (4) serving as an innovation engine for the College by connecting faculty, staff, and students to issues of sustainability and resilience; and (5) expanding the reach and impact of Northland by connecting us to state and national partnerships, policy discussions, and progressive sustainability initiatives. The Executive Director is the Institute's primary voice, leader, and partnership coordinator. The position serves on the President's Cabinet, supports a collaborative leadership model, and is accountable to the Northland College President. Requirements of the position: 1. Master's degree relevant to the Institute's foci and programming, terminal degree preferred; 2. Evidence of 10 years of successful professional leadership of broad-based initiatives focused on innovative and sustainable systems; 3. Demonstrated visionary and innovative leadership in responsive program planning and implementation; 4. Evidence of responsibility for complex, organizational fiscal matters, including an understanding of budget management and grants administration; 5. Evidence of successful marketing and/or fundraising; 6. Inspired reciprocal and goal-oriented partnership development as evidenced by successful community collaboration and project implementation; 7. Experience working with governing boards and advisory groups. 8. Excellent oral, written and technological communication skills with the ability to express complex or specialized content in understandable terms. Northland College is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All candidates will be evaluated on a merit basis. Our application process is electronic. Please go to www.northland.edu/jobshttp://www.northland.edu/jobs, select the position, and attach a letter of application, a current resume, and contact information for five references in PDF format. Review of applications will begin March 1, 2012; candidates are advised to apply by then for best review. Questions regarding the position should be directed to search chairs Dr. Alan Brew (ab...@northland.edumailto:ab...@northland.edu) and Michele Meyer (mme...@northland.edumailto:mme...@northland.edu).
[ECOLOG-L] RADIOCARBON 2012
SORRY FOR CROSSPOSTING! Dear Colleagues This is a message to draw your attention about the approaching of the deadline for the abstract submission for the Radiocarbon 2012 conference to be held in Paris in July 2012 (details are reported at the end of the message or can be found at the url: http://www.radiocarbon2012.com/). For this year the Scientific/Organizing committee decided to open this conference also to applicative sectors. With this message I want to inform you about the opening of a specific session about the application of modeling techniques to disentangle processes characterizing the climate system and/or the C cycle with the following outline: Radiocarbon, the cosmogenic and anthropogenic (bomb carbon) radionuclide, is widespread in all the environmental compartments being naturally involved in the global carbon cycle. Due to its nature, 14C preserves the potential to serve as process tracer and/or chronometer. Since its discovery and the birth of the radiocarbon dating methodology, modelling approaches have been widely applied to disentangle the physical mechanisms governing its production and observed distributions. Over the last decades, with the advent of the earth and climate change sciences, radiocarbon became a preferential tool for the study of dynamical processes in climate and carbon cycle. For the carbon cycle, this includes interactions with the physical climate system, and this has been investigated using a variety of modelling tools and methods. This session aims to attract contributions applying modelling approaches to the study of processes characterizing the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere and fluxes within and between these compartments. Contributions quantifying natural changes and the impact of anthropogenic actions on the contemporary and past climate system are also particularly welcome. Keywords 14C production modelling, direct/inverse modelling for global cycle, past and contemporary climate change I invite you all to spread this information to anybody else can be interested Thank you for your kind attention and collaboration, I hope to see you in Paris On the behalf of the session conveners (R. Muscheler (SWE), K. Rodgers (USA)) Fabio Marzaioli, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Second University of Naples Faculty of Sciences Environmental Sciences Department Centre for Isotopic Research on Cultural and Environmental heritage Tel. +390823274814 fax. +390823274605
[ECOLOG-L] Assistant Professor - Restoration Ecology
RESTORATION ECOLOGY. The Department of Biology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha seeks applications for a tenure-track ASSISTANT PROFESSOR position to begin August 2012. Ph.D. in biology or related field and postdoctoral experience required. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an active, externally-funded research program focused on ecological restoration and engaging undergraduate and graduate students. The area of research emphasis is open but we encourage applicants with interests related to prairie or wetland restoration in the Great Plains that would complement the department’s existing strengths. The department has a goal of building its strength in translational ecology and we encourage applicants whose research goals include engagement with policy makers, resource managers, or community stakeholders to seek science-based solutions to environmental challenges. The successful candidate will provide leadership and service in the development and management of university-owned prairie preserves as the Director of Allwine Prairie. The director will work closely with a faculty management committee and a full-time professional prairie manager to maintain and strengthen the use of these sites for research and for STEM education in the regional K-16 community. In addition, this position supports continued cooperation between local and regional administrative units, such as the City of Omaha, as part of the university’s strategic goal of community engagement. The candidate will contribute to teaching the department’s core courses in ecology and introductory biology. The candidate will also be expected to develop additional upper-level and graduate courses in the candidate’s areas of expertise. The teaching commitment will be 0.5 FTE in the first year and continue at 0.5 FTE when extramural funding is in place. In the absence of extramural funding, the teaching commitment will be 0.75 FTE. Mentoring of undergraduate and M.S. students in research is expected and mentoring of PhD students is anticipated. The Department of Biology serves over 700 majors in the biological sciences, providing B.A. and B.S. degrees in biology as well as B.S. degrees in biotechnology, bioinformatics, neuroscience and environmental studies. At the graduate level, we offer thesis and non-thesis M.S. degrees. Our faculty is comprised of 22 tenured or tenure-track lines with a broad range of teaching and research interests. For additional information, please see the departmental website at www.unomaha.edu/biology. Apply for the position at www.unomaha.edu/humanresources/employment.php. Attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching objectives, and a statement of research objectives to the electronic application. Please arrange for three letters of recommendation, either emailed to jmcca...@unomaha.edu or sent to Dr. John McCarty, Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68182. Review of materials will begin 5 March 2012 and continue until the position is filled. The university and department are strongly committed to achieving diversity among faculty and staff. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from members of under-represented groups and strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for this position. John P. McCarty Professor of Biology Director of Environmental Studies Department of Biology AH422G University of Nebraska at Omaha 6001 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68182-0040 Ph: 402/554-2849 Fax: 402/554-3532 jmcca...@unomaha.edu http://www.unomaha.edu/environmental_studies/JPM_Home.html
[ECOLOG-L] Ph. D Assistantship Opportunity in Forest Ecology
One Ph.D. graduate student is sought to conduct research on redbay (Persea borbonia) ecosystems affected by laurel wilt disease (LWD) transported by an exotic beetle. The research project will assess redbay (Persea borbonia) ecosystem responses to LWD, focusing on the range-wide changes in redbay population, the patterns of redbay mortality and regeneration, forest succession and possible expansion of invasive plants, and changes in dead woody materials and its implication to fire behavior. Both data obtained from sampling LWD affected stands and data from existing LWD monitoring plots and FIA plots will be used in the study. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with BS and/or MS in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. A past record of scientific publication and experience in conducting vegetation sampling in forest ecosystems are desirable. The student will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($20,000/year) plus a partial tuition waiver. The assistantship is for 3 years, but needs to be renewed annually subject to satisfactory performance. Competitive university and/or college scholarships are available for outstanding candidates, and students working in our lab have had a great track record to obtain these scholarships. Supplementary teaching assistantship may also be available. The assistantship may start in May 2012, August 2012, or January 2013. If you are interested, contact: Dr. Geoff Wang, School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 (Phone: 864-656-4864; Email: gw...@clemson.edu). In your initial contact, please send the following information: statement of your research interest, degrees earned. GPAs, GRE score, and TOFEL scores (for foreign students). For information about Clemson University and the Silviculture/Ecology Lab, visit www.clemson.edu and www.clemson.edu/~gwang/ Clemson University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information.
[ECOLOG-L] FW: Mid-Atlantic ESA Annual Meeting: Disturbed Environments, Ecological Impact and Mgmt. -- Registration Open, Abstracts Due Feb. 24
Please join us for the 2012 MA-ESA meeting in Blacksburg Virginia on April 14th (presentations) and 15th (field trip). Our theme is Disturbed Environments, but all submissions are welcome. Please distribute widely. A PDF flyerhttp://urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/MAESA/documents/MA-ESA_2012_Conference_Announcement.pdf is available for posting. Thank you. -Susan Day (Chair, MA-ESA) Online Registration Now Open Abstracts for oral and poster submissions due February 24 Chapter website: www.esa.org/midatlantichttp://www.esa.org/midatlantic Conference website: www.urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/MAESAhttp://www.urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/MAESA Call for Papers: www.urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/MAESA/documents/2012call.pdfhttp://www.urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/MAESA/documents/2012call.pdf Annual Meeting 2012 (April 14-15) Mid-Atlantic Chapter, Ecological Society of America Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Conference Theme: Disturbed Environments: Ecological Impact and Management *Abstract submission deadline: 5 pm on Friday February 24th-Submissions may address any aspect of ecology and ecological applications; however, those reflecting the conference theme are particularly welcome. See the Call for Contributed Oral and Poster Presentationshttp://urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/MAESA/documents/2012call.pdf for details. *Online registration now open: Advance registration ends April 7th-Visit the conference websitehttp://urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/MAESA/ for program details, travel, lodging, presentation tips, and registration. *Program highlights: o Morning symposia speakers including Disturbed Environments: The Urban Ecosystem o An Overview of Mountain Top Removal: The Issues and the Science Dr. Stephen Schoenholtz, Director of Virginia Water Resources Research Center o Concurrent sessions to include a special track on Urban Ecology Disturbance Management o Student workshop Getting Funded with Dr. James Vonesh of Virginia Commonwealth University, presented by the MA-ESA Student Section o Student oral and poster presentation awards, including a travel scholarship for the ESA meeting in Portland o Field Trip to Kayford Mountainhttp://mountainkeeper.blogspot.com/p/about.html, mountain top removal site in West Virginia. Questions? Contact Rima Franklin rbfrank...@vcu.edumailto:rbfrank...@vcu.edu or Susan Day s...@vt.edumailto:s...@vt.edu Dr. Susan D. Day, Assistant Professor Chair Mid-Atlantic Chapter, ESA Virginia Tech 310 Cheatham Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-7264 s...@vt.edumailto:s...@vt.edu
[ECOLOG-L] REU) position summer 2012 to study Lyme disease ecology
A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position is available for summer 2012 to study Lyme disease ecology with Drs. Russell Burke (Hofstra University) and Rick Gerhold (University of Tennessee). The project will investigate blacklegged tick host-preferences for introduced Italian wall lizards compared to native lizards and investigate wall lizard competency as Borrelia burgdorferi reservoirs. The REU student will join two labs of graduate and undergraduate students working on an NSF-funded project focused on understanding the factors that control Lyme Disease (LD) transmission. These labs are part of a larger team investigating the ecology and biology of LD ticks and their vertebrate hosts at sites in central and eastern U.S. using field data and molecular and modeling tools, to produce a more informed understanding of the ecological and evolutionary basis for the apparent rarity of infected vector ticks in the South. The REU student will conduct two related projects. First, at Hofstra, he/she will study the host-preferences of tick nymphs on native lizard hosts, wall lizard hosts, and small mammal hosts. Then the student will travel to University of Tennessee to investigate the competency of wall lizards as Borrelia burgdorferi reservoirs. The student will collect blood from lizards to set up tests to determine B. burgdorferi infection. This experience will include some field work, some behavioral work in a laboratory setting, and some bench lab work. The ideal candidate will be hard-working, meticulous, careful, work well in a team setting, and be interested in pursuing a career in science. The start date is flexible, but preference will be given to a student available June and July 2012. The REU student will earn a stipend ($500/week for 10 weeks) and receive additional support for lodging in both locations, and travel between Long Island and Knoxville. The REU student will be invited to attend a relevant professional meeting with one of the labs in a subsequent year. Interested students are encouraged to apply by March 1, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and be currently enrolled in a college or university (i.e. recent graduates are ineligible). Students from groups typically underrepresented in the sciences and students from smaller institutions with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply. Applications should be sent to bio...@hofstra.edu and should include: unofficial copy of transcripts, contact information for three academic references, CV or resume indicating relevant experience, and a one page statement that describes your interest in the REU position, academic goals, and previous research experience (if any). Please confirm in your statement that you meet each eligibility requirement above (e.g., citizenship, enrolled in college, available for 10-12 weeks during the summer). For more information, or if you have questions, please contact: Dr. Russell Burke Department of Biology Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 11549
[ECOLOG-L] JOB OPPORTUNITY - UW-MADISON CRYSTAL LAKE FIELD LAB TECHNICIAN
*University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology Job Opportunity Position Vacancy Listing # 72540* *Working title:* Crystal Lake Field and Lab Technician *Official title:* RESEARCH SPECIALIST(T16DN) or ASSOC RESEARCH SPEC(T16FN) *Degree and area of specialization:* BA or BS in relevant discipline required; engineering background experience helpful, but practical experience is necessary; recent graduates are preferred. *Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience:* Basic understanding of electrical and pneumatic systems Experience working in a shop or in construction/assembly/handy work experience Boat and lake experience Experience working on a small team Well organized Working as a team player *Background:* We are looking for a qualified field assistant with interest and experience in lake ecosystems and equipment for whole-lake manipulations. The work centers on Crystal Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Work would begin in early March (preferably March 1st) and continue through the summer and into the fall (mid- November). Responsibilities include installation and maintenance of a pneumatic lake mixing system, inventory management and ordering, logistical planning, problem solving in the field, periodic physical and biological sampling, and instrument calibration. Field work is required. Sometimes field work will occur at night or under inclement weather conditions. The successful applicant will be articulate in interactions with campers and visitors at Crystal Lake. We seek someone who has good problem solving skills, is capable and confident in open-water boat operations, and has the ability to work on a team as well as independently. *Duties: * *30%* Perform annual installation and removal of a lake mixing system, conduct routine monitoring and maintenance of lake mixing system and troubleshoot and assist in problem solving for lake mixing system. *15%* Assist with record keeping (data organizational and analyses), supply ordering and equipment maintenance. *20% *Perform upkeep, deployment and maintenance of an instrumented lake buoy. *15%* Perform routine water measurements with instrumentation that requires careful handling and periodic calibration and perform periodic physical and biological lake sampling. *20%* Assist with public outreach to explain the purpose, results, and implications of the whole-lake mixing experiment to the general public through public seminars, attendance at lake fairs, poster or kiosk development and other similar activities. *Additional Information:* The position will be stationed at the Trout Lake Station in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin so it is necessary to live in northern Wisconsin for all of the field season months (March - November). Housing can be provided by Trout Lake Station. Qualification and ability to drive Wisconsin state motor vehicles is required. The applicant must pass online courses in Animal Care and Boating safety. A criminal background check will be performed. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to hiring and period of evaluation will be required. * Appointment type: Academic Staff Department(s): LS/RSCH-NATURAL SCI Full time salary rate: *Minimum* $28,524 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications Term: This is a renewable appointment. Appointment percent: 100% Anticipated begin date: MARCH 01, 2012, Flexible start date Number of positions: 1 TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION, application must be received by: FEBRUARY 10, 2012 *HOW TO APPLY:* To apply, please send a single PDF file containing a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references (containing only name, phone number, email address and relationship to the applicant) to Valerie Seidel (vsei...@wisc.edu). Unless another application procedure has been specified above, please send resume and cover letter referring to Position Vacancy Listing #72540 to: Valerie Seidel Center for Limnology 680 N Park St Madison, WI 53706-1413 Phone: 608-262-3304 Email:vsei...@wisc.edu *NOTE:* Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, information regarding the names of applicants must be released upon request. Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality. UW-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
[ECOLOG-L] Undergraduate research: Species interactions and climate change
An NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates summer fellowship is available to study the role of species interactions in determining the impact of climate change on plant communities. The undergraduate researcher will work in Dr. Peter Adler's lab (http://www.cnr.usu.edu/htm/facstaff/adler-web/) at Utah State University in Logan, UT, with opportunities to conduct field work in eastern Idaho sagebrush steppe vegetation. This is a great opportunity for an ambitious undergraduate to contribute to ongoing NSF funded research and develop an independent research project of their own. Project topics include examining the effect of changes in precipitation on growth and competition among sagebrush steppe species and evaluating the use of plant traits to predict species responses to climate change. The position pays a $500 stipend for 10 weeks, beginning mid-May to mid-June, 2012. To be eligible, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident currently working towards a Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g. biology, ecology, environmental sciences). To apply email Andy Kleinhesselink (arkl...@aggiemail.usu.edu) with the following documents attached as a pdf: 1) A cover letter explaining your interest in and qualification for the position, 2) a curriculum vita, 3) undergraduate transcript, and 4) contact information for three references.
[ECOLOG-L] What are the most important questions facing biogeochemistry research today
In cooperation with the Biogeosciences Sections of the American Geophysical Union and the Ecological Society of America, we are assembling a list of the most important research priorities in the biogeosciences by asking, What are the most important questions facing biogeochemistry research today? Responses will be accepted until April 30, 2012, when we intend to form a steering committee to synthesize the responses. We hope this effort will generate thought and discussion, and will provide valuable information to the biogeosicences community at large. We welcome you to participate by submitting your question(s) at http://www.cfc.umt.edu/biogeoquestions.php We encourage you to submit any type of question youd like - long questions, short questions, specific questions or broad questions - and please feel free to return back to this site to submit additional questions. If you would like more information about the project, or if you have ideas, comments, or suggestions, please send an email to bgcquesti...@cfc.umt.edu. And please feel free to distribute this widely!
[ECOLOG-L] Swamp School Baltimore Wetland Workshop
The Swamp School is pleased to announce that its 2012 Wetland Regional Supplements class is coming to Baltimore. Join us for this one-day seminar and get up to speed on all of the latest changes and updates to the US Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation methods. This class is perfect for wetland professionals who have been struggling with the new Regional Supplements. This is a great opportunity to go beyond the figuring it out on your own. You will be able to ask questions and clarify assumptions. Even if you are new to wetlands work, this class will get you up to speed on what you need to know. In this session we will be going over both the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Regional Supplement and the Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Regional Supplement. We will be coving topics that include: Plant Math - 4 stratum versus 5 stratum Prevalence Index The dominance test updates Lots and lots of hydric soil indicators New and revised hydrology indicators New Jurisdictional Determination Issues Plus lots more! The class includes worksheets, lecture , lecture notes and more. The class also includes an excellent lunch at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute (CCMIT). The Center is located at: The Conference Center at the Maritime Institute 692 Maritime Boulevard Linthicum Heights, MD 21090-1952 Plus plenty of FREE parking! So save the date: March 27, 2012 9 AM to 4 PM EST For more information please visit our website at: http://bit.ly/BaltWetClass Or call 1-877-479-2673 Thanks and I hope to see you in March! Marc Seelinger The Swamp School, LLC P.S. If you need a place to stay the Center offers an excellent guest room package that includes a hot breakfast and dinner!
[ECOLOG-L] REU opportunity, Biogeosciences, Iowa State
The lab of Dr. Kirsten Hofmockel (http://www.kirstenhofmockel.orghttp://www.kirstenhofmockel.org) is looking for two highly motivated and enthusiastic undergraduates to participate in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Biogeosciences at Iowa State University (http://www.abe.iastate.edu/undergraduate-students/research-experience-opportunities/biogeosciences-reu-program/http://www.abe.iastate.edu/undergraduate-students/research-experience-opportunities/biogeosciences-reu-program/). The REU positions will be part of larger projects investigating soil nutrients, microbial processes, greenhouse gas emissions, soil run-off, root growth and architecture, and plant community production within conventional agricultural and next generation biomass systems. The proposed projects will contrast components of soil microbial communities in perennial biomass and traditional agricultural cropping systems and relate them to biogeochemical cycling. The student will participate in field work as well as extensive lab work, including soil sampling, soil structural analysis, and laboratory analysis of soil microbial community function. Also, the student will gain interdisciplinary experience using techniques from biogeochemistry, molecular biology, microbial and ecosystem ecology. Students with course and/or lab and field work experience in ecology, molecular biology, and/or chemistry are highly encouraged to apply. The REU program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and provides student researchers with a $4000 stipend for the 10-week program. The program runs May 29-August 3, 2012, but start and end dates are flexible. Students will have access to on-campus resources and facilities at Iowa State, including recreational facilities (e.g., the Lied Recreational Center), computing facilities, the library, and the student health facility. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate institution and a citizen of the United States. Interested students should contact Dr. Kirsten Hofmockel (mailto:k...@iastate.eduk...@iastate.edu). Applications are due March 2, 2012.
[ECOLOG-L] proposed policy to water down the Endangered Species Act? Comment period closes Feb 7
The Obama administration is proposing policy to specify the Endangered Species Act's definition of significant portion of [a species'] range. The public comment period closes on Feb 7. If you have been following this proposed policy, please post a reply with your take on whether or not the proposal undermines the ESA. My take is that the proposed policy would undermine the ESA by excluding consideration of a species' historic range when determining whether a species should be listed. Knowing what a species' historic range relative to its current range is obviously an important piece of information in understanding the threats to a species and whether it deserves protection, however under this policy, any loss of a species' historic range could not be counted toward the significant portion of its range, only the currently occupied range can be considered. The argument goes that the bald eagle would never have been listed because at the time of listing it was doing great in Alaska despite its near disappearance in the lower 48. Nonetheless, the proposed policy seems to take an opposing view, it states that: Listing a species when it is endangered or threatened in a significant portion of its range before it is endangered or threatened throughout all its range may allow the Services to protect and conserve species and the ecosystems upon which they depend before large-scale decline occurs throughout the entire range of the species. This may allow protection and recovery of declining organisms in a more timely and less costly manner, and on a smaller scale than the more costly and extensive efforts that might be needed to recover a species that is endangered or threatened throughout all its range. Here's the notice in the Federal Register with links to submit comments: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-09/html/2011-31782.htm Here's a short read on it from the Washington Post, based on concerns voiced by Representative Markley's (D-Mass): http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-ally-suggests-administration-is-undermining-endangered-species-act/2012/01/27/gIQAzlLaWQ_story.html Thanks in advance for replying with your take on this one. Best, Pete Epanchin
[ECOLOG-L] Field Techs Needed: Great Basin Bird Observatory
AVIAN FIELD TECHNICIANS and CREW LEADERS (6-8) needed to conduct landbird surveys on the lower Colorado River for Great Basin Bird Observatory. The field season will begin 5 March and run through mid-June. Are you interested in adventure, great birds, and exploring the desert? Are you willing to face temperatures up to 110 degrees, dense riparian vegetation, wet feet, and rattlesnakes? If you are answering yes, this may be your ticket to a long and early summer in the Southwest. Duties will include area searches, territory mapping, and data entry in Excel, Access, and ArcGIS. Applicants must have at least 1 field season of experience surveying passerines by sight and sound (preferably southwestern birds), the ability to hike for hours in hot and strenuous conditions, good communication skills, and a willingness to live and work with a large field crew. Applicants must be available from 18 March through 15 June, 2012. Couples with experience are encouraged to apply. Surveyors will be hired as seasonal temporary GBBO employees and paid $1800-$2200/month depending on experience. Field vehicles and housing (combination of field house/apartment and camping) will be provided. Please send a brief cover letter (highlighting bird survey experience and the date you could begin work) and resume (including the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of 3 references) to AMY LEIST (email leist AT gbbo.org) by 10 Feb, 2012.
[ECOLOG-L] Job: Biogeochemistry coastal wetlands summer field/lab technician, Duke University
The Bernhardt Lab at Duke University in Durham, NC seeks to hire up to three technicians for the summer field season to assist with ongoing research on the biogeochemical effects of salt water intrusion and drought on North Carolina's coastal wetlands. A summary of the project, along with additional information about our lab, may be found on our website: http://bernhardtlab.weebly.com/research.html The selected candidates will assist in the collection, preparation, and analysis of soil, water, and gas samples from a restored wetland on North Carolina's coastal plain. Incumbents will gain exposure to a wide variety of analytical techniques and field sampling methods. Lab work will be conducted in Durham, NC, with field work requiring some overnight stays at our field site near Columbia, NC. Desired qualifications include previous field and/or laboratory experience, willingness to work long field days in hot buggy conditions, ability to follow field and laboratory protocols, and interest in ecology or analytical chemistry. Positions will be funded for 3 months, June - August, with exact start and end dates being flexible. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to: Ashley Helton at am...@duke.edu
