[ECOLOG-L] SEATS STILL AVAILABLE: Mapping-GPS Workshop: 16-18 MAY 2012

[Cary Chevalier]

Folks:

Just a reminder, There are still seats available in the coming
CERTIFIED USER MAPPING GPS WORKSHOP (16-18 May).

If interested, check out the following information and make your
reservation asap.  Registration deadline:  Friday, 4 May!

___


Each workshop is a total immersion 3-day workshop titled: INTRODUCTION
TO GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS FOR MAPPING AND NAVIGATION.  Each workshop
is limited to a maximum of 10 participants to insure quality instruction
and lots of personal attention!

These courses generally fill quickly, so if you are interested, please
reserve your place as soon as possible.  You may secure your reservation
prior to payment, but arrangements for payment must be made by the time
the session begins.

SCOPE OF COURSE:  This is an intro (but intense) course to mapping GPS
with no prior experience in GPS required or expected. But you'll
definitely be a GIS mapping-level GPS power tool when you're finished
with this workshop!  We will train on TRIMBLE GEO XH mobile GIS GPS
units with TERRASYNC PRO, and we will use PATHFINDER OFFICE integration
software.  We will also learn to use bluetooth wireless communication,
WAAS real-time differential, Coast Guard Beacon real-time differential. 
These courses are taught by an experienced manufacturer Certified
Trainer (me; Trimble Navigation, LTD).

For details including course content and instructions on how to
register, I invite you to visit the course website at:

http://www.wi.missouriwestern.edu/Professional/GPS/index.asp 

You can download a workshop brochure in pdf file format at:

http://www.wi.missouriwestern.edu/Professional/GPS/GPS-Sp12.pdf

If you would like to discuss the nature of these workshops, or if I can
be of service in any way, feel free to contact me at your convenience!

These are professional workshops, designed to bring you “up to
speed” quickly.  These are ideal workshops for professionals who
want to gain operational competence quickly and also excellent workshops
for students wanting to acquire these skills to increase their
marketability! NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN MAPPING GPS NECESSARY OR
EXPECTED!

I also do “on site” training as well.  If you are interested in
planning a training session at your institution, contact me at your
convenience!

Cary D. Chevalier, Ph.D.
Department of Biology
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Dr.
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Ph: 816.271.4252
Email: cc...@missouriwestern.edu 
Latitude 39o 45' 29.94559" N - Longitude 94o 47' 6.49119" W

[ECOLOG-L] 2012 ESA Student Section Travel Awards

[Jorge Ramos]

Hello ECOLOG members,

The Ecological Society of America Student Section is offering many awards
to help participating students with their travel and at the same time
recognize their achievements at the 97th ESA Annual Meeting in
Portland, OR. Please forward this to your ecology related schools and
departments undergraduate and graduate student listservs.

 The many awards include:

- Union of Concerned Scientists  -
ESA Student Section EcoService Award
- Academic Excellence Award for Young Women in Ecology
- National and International Travel Awards
- Best Undergraduate Presentation Awards
- The Fourth Annual Outstanding Student Research in Ecology Awards
- Eco-Vision Competition, Photography Contest

For more information about these awards please visit our website:
http://www.esa.org/students/section/node/449

Deadline May 1st, 2012.

Thank you and stay involved!

For more information on the ESA Student Section

ESA-SS website: http://www.esa.org/students/section/node/449
ESA-SS facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4239397781/
ESA-SS twitter: esa_students


Jorge

--
Jorge Ramos
PhD Student
Wetland Ecosystem Ecology Lab
Arizona State University
WEEL website: http://weel.asu.edu/

[ECOLOG-L] Course: Adaptive Management for Conservation Success

[David Inouye]

Adaptive Management for Conservation Success

June 11-22 2012

Spaces Left---Apply Now!

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

At the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA

Visit 
http://conservationtraining.si.edu 
or contact scbitrain...@si.edu for more 
information.


THE COURSE

Adaptive Management is a powerful tool used by conservation 
researchers and managers to organize project and program development 
to efficiently achieve conservation goals. In our course, 
participants work in teams to apply Adaptive Management skills to 
real-world conservation projects, gaining a realistic view of the 
intricacies of conservation endeavors. Each day, experienced course 
instructors, coaches, and project resource persons guide project 
teams in applying new Adaptive Management tools. You will leave this 
course knowing how to apply the Adaptive Management techniques 
mastered in this course to your own "real-life" work in conceiving, 
planning, monitoring, and implementing effective conservation projects!


This course is taught in partnership with Foundations of Success 
(fosonline.org) following the Conservation 
Measures Partnership 
(conservationmeasures.org), Open 
Standards for the Practice of Conservation, and using Miradi adaptive 
management software. Each day, with input from project resource 
persons, your project team works step-by-step through a project 
planning module. All the teams join a plenary discussion to learn 
from each other's experiences at each day's end. Each project team 
develops and presents a complete draft adaptive management plan at 
the end of the course. Participants are encouraged to propose their 
own conservation projects as potential course projects for team learning.


Course Costs

The non-credit course fee of $2,500 includes instruction and most 
course materials plus meals and lodging. All other travel costs and 
incidental expenses are the participant's responsibility. Course 
participants earn Continuing Education Units; graduate course credits 
(3) are available for qualified applicants through George Mason 
University (graduate course enrollment entails additional assignments 
and higher course fees).

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Opportunity in Vegetation Science/Ecoinformatics at NC State University

[Thomas R. Wentworth]

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY’S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES
Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Persons interested in the Dean’s Postdoctoral 
Fellowship opportunity must hold an earned PhD and meet the 
qualifications of their project of interest. The post doc will be 
required to teach one class per year based on his/her background and 
interests. Additionally, the post doc will work on one project with the 
Office of Diversity Affairs. Therefore, prior experience working with 
underrepresented minority populations is highly desirable.


POSTDOCTORAL STIPEND: $40,000 to $45,000 per year PLUS benefits and up 
to $1500 for professional development.
By May 11, 2012, interested persons must contact the project leader of 
the project in which they are interested. Interested persons of Native 
American and African American descent are encouraged to contact the 
project leader.


POTENTIAL PROJECT FOUR: Ecoinformatics
Description: The Postdoctoral Fellow would be engaged in research in 
applied ecoinformatics, exploring the interface of information science 
and vegetation science. The focus of the project is a large existing 
database containing information on vegetation and environment collected 
over the past 25 years by the Carolina Vegetation Survey (CVS). Using 
modern statistical and informatics tools, the Fellow would take the lead 
in analyzing specific questions about spatial and compositional 
variation in the natural plant communities of the Carolinas.
Qualifications: We seek an individual with background in both 
field-oriented and analytical approaches to study of vegetation.

Research Program Information:
http://cals.ncsu.edu/plantbiology/Faculty/twentworth/twentworth.html and
http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/
Project Leader: Dr. Thomas R. Wentworth, tom_wentwo...@ncsu.edu, (919) 
515-2168


--
Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor

Department of Plant Biology, Box 7612
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27606-7612

cell phone and voice mail: (919) 605-6116
office phone: (919) 515-2168
fax: (919) 515-3436
tom_wentwo...@ncsu.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Summer Position as Programmer and Data Technici an – University of Wyoming

[Daniel Schlaepfer]

Summer position as programmer and data technician jointly with the Lauenroth 
Lab in the Botany Department at the University of Wyoming and Dr. Bradford, 
USGS.

We are seeking a technician to contribute coding/scripting to existing 
simulation software and to manage/manipulate ecological and climate data sets. 
Tasks may include organizing, manipulating, and extracting data from various 
sources (GIS, netCDF, ASCII, literature, etc.), writing scripts in C/C++ or R 
to perform required tasks, developing R analysis scripts, improving or 
implementing requested features to existing C code, translating existing R 
scripts to C/ C++, and others.

Qualifications: Technician must be self-reliant, reliable, and have experience 
coding in C/C++ (on a UNIX platform) and/or R and manipulating data structures. 
Understanding of ecological and climatic processes and of simulation approaches 
in science is desirable, but not required.

Salary: competitive and commensurate with experience.

Duration and schedule: Starting date is as soon as possible and position lasts 
through this summer, and possibly beyond. Schedule is a regular workweek with 
40 hours/week. Working place is the Lauenroth Lab at the University of Wyoming, 
Laramie.

Application process: Application review will be on a rolling basis until 
position is filled. To apply, assemble the following into a single PDF and 
email to Daniel Schlaepfer (dschl...@uwyo.edu) with a subject line “2012 summer 
programmer: 'your name'”: 1) a one-page cover letter describing a) your 
interests and qualifications for this positions, b) your dates of availability; 
2) a résumé or CV; 3) copies of either (unofficial) transcripts or professional 
work products; 4) contact information for two references with firsthand 
knowledge of your work experience and aptitude (please do not send letters of 
reference); and 5) address, phone, and email.

University of Wyoming requires a background check of all new employees.

For more information, please contact Daniel Schlaepfer (dschl...@uwyo.edu). 

[ECOLOG-L] Quantifying amphibian brain asymmetry

[Cy Mott]

Ecologgers,

I have an undergraduate student interested in relating amphibian brain
asymmetry to various niche components of sympatric species of larval
ambystomatid salamanders.  While I have considerable experience with larval
dissection and asymmetry, I have primarily worked with gut content analyses
and limb asymmetries, respectively.  I am hoping some of you may be able to
direct me towards published protocols for methods in assessing left-right
cerebral asymmetry either directly through dissection methods or indirectly
through staining techniques that highlight the braincase if this is an
acceptable alternative.   Any other suggestions are also welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Cy


-- 
Cy L. Mott, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Owensboro, Kentucky, USA 42301

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Position (MSc): Disturbance Ecology of the Everglades at Florida Atlantic University

[Brian Benscoter]

GRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY IN WETLAND ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY OF THE EVERGLADES

We are inviting applications for a graduate research position (MSc) to begin 
Fall 2012 in the Plant Ecology Lab at Florida Atlantic University 
(www.science.fau.edu/benscoterlab ).

We are seeking a highly motivated student interested in graduate research 
investigating the role of fire and other disturbances in ecosystem carbon 
cycling and plant community ecology of the peat-forming wetlands (peatlands) of 
the Florida Everglades. Opportunities exist for complementary activities with 
other on-going research projects in peatlands of Michigan and western Canada.

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, hydrology, or a 
related field (currently or prior to enrollment). Successful candidates must 
demonstrate an aptitude for research and the ability to work independently.  
Prior research experience in fire ecology, carbon or nutrient cycling and/or 
plant ecology is preferred, as is the ability to conduct rigorous fieldwork in 
remote settings, occasionally under adverse weather conditions. A current, 
valid U.S. driver's license and good driving record is also preferred. The 
successful candidate will be enrolled in the Environmental Sciences Graduate 
Master's Program (http://www.science.fau.edu/biology/envirosci/graduate.html) 
in Dr. Benscoter's lab on the FAU-Davie campus. A combination of research and 
teaching assistantship support (tuition and stipend) is available.

Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will continue until 
the position is filled.  Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV 
or resume, GPA and GRE scores, a written statement of graduate research 
interest, and names and contact information for two references via email to 
bbens...@fau.edu .


**
Brian W. Benscoter, MSc PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Florida Atlantic University
3200 College Ave
Davie, FL 33314 USA

Office: DW437  Lab: DW434
Tel: 954.236.1141  Fax: 954.236.1099
Email: brian.bensco...@fau.edu
Webpage: 
www.science.fau.edu/benscoterlab

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Positions at the Penn State Critical Zone Observatory

[David Eissenstat]

Critical Zone postdocs wanted
 
The Penn State Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) seeks postdocs to
pursue multidisciplinary projects at the CZO. A PhD is required. The
applicants should have interest in one or more of the following areas:
geomorphology, geochemistry, soil science, tracer or computational
hydrology, ecohydrology, hydropedology, or hydrogeophysics. Interested
candidates should write to any faculty member at the CZO (www.czo.psu.edu)
and send a copy to Susan Brantley (s...@psu.edu) and Jennifer Williams
(jzw...@psu.edu).  The application should include 1) cover letter describing
experience/interests/date of availability; 2) CV; 3) email addresses for 4
references. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal
opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.

 

 

[ECOLOG-L] Tropical Ethnobotany Field Course this Summer in Panama

[Jillian De Gezelle]

Hi everyone!  This is an announcement for a Tropical Ethnobotany Field 
Course I am teaching this Summer in beautiful Bocas del Toro, Panama.  The 
course runs from July 15, 2012 - August 9, 2012.  Please forward this 
information on to any other students who may be interested!  You can find 
additional details on the course website and the ITEC website.

COURSE WEBSITE: https://sites.google.com/site/tropicalethnobotany/
ITEC WEBSITE: http://www.itec-edu.org/info.html

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 4 week course will emphasize Tropical Ethnobotany 
in the context of rainforest and island ecosystems.  The material covered is 
equivalent to an upper level university course in Ethnobotany.  Readings and 
lectures will focus on the plant use and traditional cultures of Panama and 
the surrounding regions of Central and South America and the Caribbean, as 
well as innovative methodologies and current theory in the discipline.  Much 
of the course will be spent learning field techniques and carrying out 
various class activities and exercises in the surrounding rainforest and 
local communities.  The course will include demonstrations by local healers, 
artisans and other specialists who utilize plants.  Students will each 
complete a course project, based on their individual interests, in local 
Ethnobotany or Ethnoecology.  The fieldwork for these projects will be 
carried out with a small group of other students, with each student having 
their own focus.

COURSE LOCATION: Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (ITEC), 
Bocas del Toro Biological Station, Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, Republic of 
Panama.  The biological station is located on a beach facing the Caribbean 
Sea.  Coral reef and seagrass ecosystems lie out in front of the station and 
lowland tropical rainforests lie directly behind.  This juxtaposition of the 
two most biologically diverse ecosystems provides tremendous opportunities 
for education and research.  Panama's rich cultural diversity includes the 
Ngobe and Teribe indigenous peoples of the Bocas del Toro region, the 
indigenous Kuna of the San Blas Islands, Afro-Caribbeans, Mestizos, and many 
other ethnic and cultural groups.  See http://www.itec-edu.org/index.html 
for more details and photos of the biological station and Isla Colon.

INSTRUCTOR: Jillian De Gezelle, PhD Candidate and Lecturer, The New York 
Botanical Garden & The City University of New York.  Email: 
jdegeze...@nybg.org

[ECOLOG-L] Tannic stream chemistry: summary of responses.

[Chalfant, Brian]

Hi all -

Many thanks to Scott, Ana, Aaron, Stacey, Amanda, LaRoy, Julie, Alea, and Dan 
for the helpful and varied responses to my inquiry.  Here is a summary of 
references, resources, and responses along this thread:

Smock, L.A. and E. Gilinsky.  1992.  Coastal plain blackwater streams.  Pages 
271-313 in C.T. Hackney, S.M. Adams, and W.H. Martin, eds.  Biodiversity of the 
southeastern United States:  aquatic communities.  John Wiley and Sons, Inc.  
New York.

Smock, L.A., E. Gilinsky, and D.L. Stoneburner.  1985.  Macroinvertebrate 
production in a southeastern United States blackwater stream.  Ecology 66(5): 
1491-1503.

Williams, C.J., Y. Yamashita, H.F. Wilson, R. Jaffé, and M.A. Xenopoulos.  
2010.  Unraveling the role of land use and microbial activity in shaping 
dissolved organic matter characteristics in stream ecosystems.  Limnology and 
Oceanography 55(3): 1159-1171.

I would also refer you to work by Rose Cory, Diane McKnight, Rudolf Jaffé, 
Rasmus Bro, and Colin Stedmon.  Also look at work by George Aiken from USGS, 
who has many publications on trace element-DOM chemistry.

Vegas-Vilarrúbia , T., J.E. Paolini, and J.G. Miragaya.  1988.  Differentiation 
of some Venezuelan blackwater rivers based upon physico-chemical properties of 
their humic substances.  Biogeochemistry 6: 59-77.

Dawson, R.D. and M.T. Bidwell.  2005.  Dietary calcium limits size and growth 
of nestling tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor in a non-acidified landscape.  
Journal of Avian Biology 36: 127-134.

Blancher, P.J. and D.K. McNicol.  1991.  Tree swallow diet in relation to 
wetland acidity.  Canadian Journal of Zoology 69: 2629-2637.

If you are interested in the "tannic" dissolved organic matter, one method to 
look into might be excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy 
with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC).

Harshberger, J.W.  1916.  The Vegetation of the New Jersey Pine-Barrens.  329 
pp.

Rutgers University Pinelands Field Station:  
http://marine.rutgers.edu/pinelands/index.htm

Pinelands Institute for Natural and Environmental Studies:  
http://staff.bcc.edu/pines/

New Jersey Pinelands Commission:  http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/

Smiles!
=)  Brian


_
From: Chalfant, Brian
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2012 11:15 AM
To: 'ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU' (ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU)
Subject: Tannic stream chemistry.


Estimable Ecologgers -

Does anyone have any references on chemical characterization of tannic / 
blackwater streams?  What are key chemical parameters that distinguish such 
streams?  Dissolved organic carbon?  pH?  Alkali and alkaline earth metal 
cations?  Something else?  Some combination of these players?  Are there 
different "kinds" of tannic streams?

Visually, it's easy enough to see a stream looks like tea, but is there a suite 
of chemical parameters that correspond to this visual perception?

Much obliged -
Brian


Brian A. Chalfant | -ologist
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.787.9639 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us


"At what point in its course does the Mississippi become what the Mississippi 
means?" - Thomas Stearns Eliot

"I can eat fifty eggs." - Lucas Jackson

"... the ontogeny of a frog is an 'event,'..." - J. S. Rowe

" 1.  "John called" is true.
  2.  "It is true that John called." - Karl Popper

"Just as I feared, her Buddhism has led directly to witchcraft." - Ned Flanders