[ECOLOG-L] Local NJ Coastal Ecologist
I am a local Long Beach Island resident who has been displaced but trying to stay in the area. I am a coastal ecology who currently teaches at 3 county colleges. If any companies are looking to hire environmental scientists for any of the NJ clean-ups that will be happening sometime in the near future, please contact me at oceanwaves7...@gmail.com and I will provide more information about myself. Amy
[ECOLOG-L] Biologists Giving Back...Ideas needed
A great angle on the story could be the Unsung Hero or Lead by Example type of Biologist. Who sacrifices convenience and rejects the products of greenwashing by: riding her bicycle to work instead of buying a hybrid automobile, composts his organic waste with a worm factory in his classroom, she does research in local ecosystems instead of flying to foreign lands, he wears organic cotton and hemp clothing instead of clothing made from reduced fossil fuels, she promotes local alternatives to those that shop at national chains, etc etc. Basically, those Biologists who aren't just walking the green-washed path of less bad but actually sacrifice time and money to reduce their carbon and nitrogen footprints to a righteously small tread. Adam Herbert aherber...@gmail.com African Leadership Academy Guateng, South Africa
[ECOLOG-L] FIU and Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Graduate Student Opportunities
*Graduate Positions in Ecology at Florida International University* *Florida International University, Miami, Florida* Three PhD graduate assistantship are available in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University (FIU) ( http://casgroup.fiu.edu/Biology) to conduct research in the Everglades, beginning Fall 2013. These positions are affiliated with the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research program ( http://fcelter.fiu.edu/) and will include integrative field and experimental research approaches, and public outreach. FIU is a public research university in Miami with a highly diverse, vibrant, and growing student body located near the edge of the Everglades. The Department of Biological Sciences has strengths in Everglades, Caribbean, and Tropical Ecology. The FCE LTER student organization ( http://fcelter.fiu.edu/students/), based at FIU, is a very active community of over 70 students from multiple departments and institutions who conduct integrative, multidisciplinary, long-term research. To be eligible for positions, students must meet FIU graduate admission requirements and successfully compete for a teaching assistantship to match existing research assistantship support ( http://biology.fiu.edu/academics/graduate-programs/phd-application-information/). Highly-qualified candidates may be eligible for fully-funded Presidential Fellowships. The deadline for graduate applications is January 15, 2013. *Wetland Ecosystems:* The candidate’s research interests should include freshwater ecology, especially metabolic demand and stoichiometry. The student will be expected to develop research related to understanding how nutrient concentrations and biological oxygen demand influence carbon cycling in coastal Everglades mangrove soils that are modified by sea level rise. Interested applicants should contact John Kominoski (jkomi...@fiu.edu) before applying. *Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics**: *The candidate’s research interests should include coastal ecosystem ecology, especially plant productivity and C dynamics. The student will be expected to develop research related to understanding how plant productivity, nutrient concentrations and salinity influence carbon cycling in coastal Everglades wetlands and landscape vegetation change. Interested applicants should contact Tiffany Troxler ( troxl...@fiu.edu) before applying. *Algal Ecology:* The candidate’s research interests should include aquatic ecology, algal ecology, and/or paleoecology, in alignment with those of the algal ecology laboratory at FIU (http://www.fiu.edu/~algae). The student will be expected to develop research related to understanding how benthic algal communities mediate carbon cycling in coastal Everglades wetlands, and how algal distribution and function may be modified by sea level rise. Interested applicants should contact Evelyn Gaiser (gais...@fiu.edu) before applying. -- John Stephen Kominoski Postdoctoral Research Associate Odum School of Ecology University of Georgia 140 East Green Street Athens, Georgia 30602-2202, USA *Starting January 2013*: Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street Miami, Florida 33199, USA Email: jkomino...@gmail.com Phone: +1 706.542.4366 Fax: +1 706.542.4819 http://sites.google.com/site/jkominoski/
[ECOLOG-L] Post-Doctoral Position
Post-doctoral Research Associate Description: The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University invites applications for the position of Post-doctoral Research Associate to investigate the long-term, regional population dynamics of wild turkeys. The position is a one-year appointment with renewal for one additional year contingent on performance and funding. Background: After decades of growth, wild turkey populations appear to be reaching a maximum across the Midwest and Southeast, and have declined in some states. At the same time, hunter interest continues to increase. To manage wild turkey populations and hunter harvest in a sustainable manner, Midwestern states and provinces seek to combine their collective long-term monitoring data across the entire region to better understand the ecological drivers affecting populations, particularly land-use, weather, predation and hunting pressure. They also seek a new protocol for monitoring wild turkey populations that can be applied in a consistent manner across all Midwestern states and provinces. The Midwest Wild Turkey Consortium for Research and Monitoring was recently organized to begin this work. The work will be done in collaboration with a similar initiative underway in the Southeastern US. Qualifications: Applicants must have a PhD degree in wildlife, ecology, biometrics or related field and demonstrated strong quantitative abilities; preference will be given to candidates with a background in population dynamics and/or landscape ecology; experience with long-term population monitoring, and a record of excellence in publication commensurate with time since degree. Salary: $45,000 and health benefits. Start Date: Expected start date is January 15, 2013. Applications: Contact Dr. William Porter, Boone and Crockett Chair of Wildlife Conservation, e-mail: port...@msu.edu; telephone 517-432-0874. Review of applications will begin November 15, 2012.
[ECOLOG-L] PhD Program at Wright State
Pursue a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences at Wright State University The Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio invites applicants for Fall 2013 admission. The program provides interdisciplinary and focused topic courses, exciting research opportunities and training to prepare its students to better understand and solve complex environmental problems affecting human and ecosystem health, such as those caused by anthropogenic pollutants, increased greenhouse gas emissions, invasive species, habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity. Our students receive training in preparation for careers in academia, state and federal agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations. Through a rigorous core curriculum and dissertation research, our program is designed to expose students to both traditional and emerging areas of environmental sciences, and offers the ability to focus on research in a more defined area. The program includes faculty in the departments of Biological Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Computer Science, and Mathematics and Statistics. Current research, which is funded by agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense, ranges from issues of importance to aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environments and from levels of organization from molecular to ecosystem levels. Research approaches range from data mining and modeling to lab- and field-based research. The program offers stipends on a competitive basis to qualified applicants ($22,660/yr. for Fall 2013) along with a waiver of tuition costs. Highly qualified applicants are also eligible to receive a Yellow Springs Instruments (YSI) Fellowship supplement for the first year in the program. First consideration of applicants for Fall 2013 admission will occur on February 1, 2013. Applicants are encouraged to contact program faculty in their areas of interest prior to completing the application to determine fit with a program faculty member. A commitment by a faculty member to a student is required for admission. To apply online and to read more about our program and its curriculum, research, faculty and student profiles, please visit our main program website at: http://www.wright.edu/academics/envsci/index.html Questions regarding our program may be directed to our program office: Ms. Cathy Kempf, Administrative Specialist 114 Biological Sciences I Wright State University Dayton, OH 45435 Phone: (937) 775-3273 FAX: (937) 775-3485 e-mail: director.env...@wright.edumailto:director.env...@wright.edu *** Don Cipollini, Ph.D. Professor, Plant Physiology/Chemical Ecology Director, Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Program Wright State University Department of Biological Sciences 203 Biological Sciences I 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway Dayton, OH 45435 Phone: 937-775-3805 Email: don.cipoll...@wright.edumailto:don.cipoll...@wright.edu Lab Website: www.wright.edu/~don.cipollinihttp://www.wright.edu/~don.cipollini Environmental Sciences PhD program website: www.wright.edu/academics/envscihttp://www.wright.edu/academics/envsci
[ECOLOG-L] ideas - environmental hurricane relief projects
La MICA Biological Station (www.lamica.org), our small, community-run project in Panama working on conservation, education, and research (and employing all local people in the operations) is in the midst of our last fundraiser for the year. We hope to raise about $1000 to run operations securely until the New Year. Obviously we feel really badly about asking people for money right now with so many people displaced from Hurricane Sandy, yet we need funds to continue our project. We would like to take a percentage of funds we raise during this fundraiser and donate them towards the hurricane relief effort. We feel it would be appropriate to donate to an organization working to assistant local wildlife or the environment, perhaps even displaced pets. We are looking for ideas of organizations who are doing such work in the area hit by Hurricane Sandy. We know it will not be a lot of money, but we feel that every bit will help, as every bit helps us. We also welcome donations for this effort, to both benefit La MICA and the hurricane-hit area and they can be made at www.lamica.org/Donate.html. Thank you for any ideas and donations! Julie Dr. Julie M. Ray Director La MICA Biological Station US Address: Julie Ray, 12458 132nd Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Fundación Centro de Investigación Biológica El Copé, S.A. (Panama) El Cope-La Pintada. Provincia de Cocle. Republica de Panama http//www.lamica.org
[ECOLOG-L] Goliath Grouper encounters
Dear all,Just wanted to share some extraordinary encounters with a charismatic coral reef fish we almost lost to extinction: the goliath grouper.We dove a wreck at night, in southeast Florida during this year's spawning aggregation season. We were fortunate to have a couple of filmmakers on board who produced this video, including the text provided in You Tube. The 6.5 minute video is not addressed to scientists but to the SCUBA diving community. An example of reaching out beyond academic research.I'm the diver with a yellow bandana around minute 5.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Ho87oiUo4You can learn more about goliath groupers in my recent paperhttp://grouperluna.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/guilt-free-goliath-groupers/Enjoy Sarah Frias-Torres, Ph.D. Independent ScientistTwitter: @GrouperDocBlog: http://grouperluna.wordpress.comhttp://independent.academia.edu/SarahFriasTorres
[ECOLOG-L] Ph. D. Fellowship in Population Ecology
A Graduate Fellowship is available in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. We are searching for a highly motivated Ph.D. student to study the population dynamics of eastern wild turkeys. The project aims to: 1) simulate spatially explicit population dynamics of wild turkeys in central Mississippi, using agent-based models; 2) test hypotheses concerning effects of spatial resource heterogeneity, predation risk, and genetic relatedness between turkeys on habitat use and flock foraging of wild turkeys; and 3) assess impacts of changes in land cover and habitat management on the dynamics of wild turkey populations. We have long-term data (1989-1997) on the demography and movements of wild turkeys and carnivores (bobcats and coyotes), and will collect genetic data and GPS telemetry data on wild turkeys in central Mississippi. Responsibilities: The candidate will: 1) develop spatially explicit agent- based models for wild turkey populations; 2) lead a field crew for field data collection in central Mississippi; 3) publish results in peer- reviewed journals; and 4) assist in teaching an undergraduate course annually. Qualifications: 1) MS in wildlife, ecology, Zoology, or a related discipline before June 2013; 2) Excellent communication in English; 3) Strong quantitative skills; and 4) GPA ≥ 3.5. Computer programing skills are desirable, but not required initially. Starting time: 1 July, 2013 Salary and benefits: Starting at $25,000 per annum plus health insurance and complete waiver of tuition fees. Application and deadline: Interested students should apply online at https://mybanner.msstate.edu/prod/wwskblog.P_DispLoginNon and submit: 1) official college transcripts; 2) resume; 3) three letters of recommendation; 4) letter of application, including a discussion of qualifications, experience, and professional goals; and 5) GRE scores (mandatory). The application will be closed on 1 February, 2013 or until filled. Inquiry: Send inquiry, letter of application, list of 3-4 references (name and contact information), and photocopies of academic transcripts and GRE scores electronically to: Dr. Guiming Wang at gw...@cfr.msstate.edu, Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
[ECOLOG-L] Jefferson Science Fellowship
Jefferson Science Fellowship due Jan. 14 The National Academies is pleased to announce a call for nominations and applications for the 2013 Jefferson Science Fellows program. Initiated by the Secretary of State in 2003, this fellowship program engages the American academic science, technology, engineering and medical communities in the design and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. Jefferson Science Fellows (JSF) spend one year at the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for an on-site assignment in Washington, D.C. that may also involve extended stays at U.S. foreign embassies and/or missions. The fellowship is open to tenured, or similarly ranked, academic scientists, engineers and physicians from U.S. institutions of higher learning. Nominees/applicants must hold U.S. citizenship and will be required to obtain a security clearance. The deadline for 2013-2014 program year applications/nominations is January 14, 2013. To learn more about the Jefferson Science Fellowship and to apply, visit the JSF web at: http://www.nas.edu/jsf
[ECOLOG-L] NSF/IOS updated proposal solicitation and FAQs
The National Science Foundation's Division of Integrative Organismal Systems has issued an updated solicitation for the core programs (NSF 13-506) along with a revised set of IOS Frequently Asked Questions (NSF 13-09) which are now available on the IOS home page at: http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=IOS The core programs covered under this solicitation in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS) support research aimed at understanding why organisms are structured the way they are and function as they do. Areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to, developmental biology and the evolution of developmental processes, nervous system development, structure, and function, physiological processes, functional morphology, symbioses, interactions of organisms with biotic and abiotic environments, and animal behavior. The Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS) will also host a Webinar to discuss the outcomes of the new preliminary proposal system thus far and answer questions about the updated solicitation on Monday, December 10th. Information about how to sign up for the webinar will follow shortly and be posted to the IOS home page. Please feel free to post these links and information for your membership and include them in your newsletters. Cordially, Michelle Elekonich Michelle M. Elekonich, PhD IOS Science Advisor ICOB Program Director Behavioral Systems Cluster Leader Division of Integrative Organismal Systems Directorate for Biological Sciences National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22230 tel : 703.292.7202 fax : 703.292.9153 email: melek...@nsf.gov The next preliminary proposal deadline for IOS is January 18, 2013. The current IOS core program solicitation NSF 13-506 can be found here: nsf.gov - Publications - nsf13506 Division of Integrative Organismal Systems - Core Programs - US National Science Foundation (NSF) FAQs for the core solicitation can be found here: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13009/nsf13009.jsp?
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Assistantships in Forest Soils/Biogeochemistry
Graduate Research Assistantships in Forest Soils/Biogeochemistry Two Graduate Research Assistantships will be available in 2012 in the area of forest soils and ecosystem biogeochemistry in the laboratory of Ivan Fernandez at the University of Maine. We are seeking highly motivated students interested in developing their research within the context of a larger multi-disciplinary team. Students seeking a Ph.D. or highly qualified M.S. students may apply. Applicants with research experience in forest soils, ecology, environmental science or biogeochemistry are preferred. The assistantship includes a competitive stipend, tuition, and health insurance. There are several degree program major options available to the students, depending on their background and professional interests, such as Forest Resources or Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Both positions will include rigorous field research as well as detailed laboratory studies. One position will focus on the use of biochar as a soil amendment to develop an advanced biofuel pathway for New England. The research will be conducted as part of a multidisciplinary research project, and approaches for the use of biochar will include both mesocosm and field experiments. The second position will focus on the biogeochemistry of soil response to long-term whole-watershed acidification, nitrogen enrichment, and recovery. Specific emphasis will be on sulfate and base cation response mechanisms in soils. This project also is part of a larger, long-term, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative research team. Other opportunities are also possible in the overall program in 2013. The University of Maine is Maine’s Land Grant/Sea Grant flagship institution, conveniently located near Acadia National Park on the scenic Maine coast, and the mountains of the Mt. Katahdin and the Moosehead Lake regions. For more information about The University of Maine visit http://www.umaine.edu/. Interested applicants are encouraged to send a letter of interest (prior accomplishments, research experience and interests, future career goals), a CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. Details about the graduate admissions process at The University of Maine can be found at The Graduate School web site (http://www.umaine.edu/graduate/ http://www2.umaine.edu/graduate/). Please contact: Dr. Ivan J. Fernandez, University of Maine, School of Forest Resources and Climate Change Institute, 5722 Deering Hall – Room 1, Orono, ME 04469-5722. 207-581-2932. E-mail: iva...@maine.edu. -- Ivan J. Fernandez, Ph.D. University of Maine 5722 Deering Hall - Room 1 Orono, ME 04469-5722 USA Phone: (207) 581-2932 FAX:(207) 581-2999 e-mail: iva...@maine.edu School of Forest Resources http://www.forest.umaine.edu/ Climate Change Institute http://www.climatechange.umaine.edu/ Department of Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences http://www.umaine.edu/pse/
[ECOLOG-L] finding in behavioural/urban ecology
Hi Folks, I was wondering if you might know of funding that might be suitable for: A. wildlife-human conflicts in urban areas, specifically concerning animal fitness/welfare and behaviour. Thanks, Hilit Hilit Finkler PhD Zoology and urban ecology Tel Aviv University Israel
[ECOLOG-L] Post-doc in Plant-Microbial Ecology
Postdoctoral Position in Plant-Microbial Ecology University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities The University of Minnesota seeks a plant-microbial ecologist to fill a 2-year postdoctoral fellow positional. The project goal is to explore the compositional and functional attributes of soil-microbial associations of native and exotic grassland species. We have cultivated multi-year field soil- conditioning treatments. We will be testing microbial effects from these treatments on plant growth and interspecific relationships, and exploring phylogenetic composition of microbial communities. The overall goal of the project is to develop efficient methods of soil management for the establishment of semi-native multifunctional grasslands for production of biomass and other ecosystem services. This position will be based in Nick Jordans lab in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics but will also work closely with Linda Kinkels lab in the Department of Plant Pathology. Desired qualifications include a background in plant population/community ecology, invasion ecology, molecular ecology or ecology of plant-microbial interactions; in any case, strong molecular biology and statistical skills are essential. Start date: as soon as the successful applicant is available. Salary and benefits are competitive. Applicants should e-mail a single pdf file that includes a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for three references to Nick Jordan (jorda...@umn.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The University of Minnesota is an EEO/AA employer and educator.
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Student Position in Marine Conservation Modeling - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Details: Graduate Student Position in Marine Conservation Modeling - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. See: http://www.marine.calpoly.edu/community/faculty/ms-student-mar-conserv-model
[ECOLOG-L] Primate Ecology Field Course in Panama
2012 WINTER COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT (December 20, 2012-January 9, 2013) FIELD COURSE IN PRIMATE ECOLOGY (PRE W-12). Course Location: 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 rain forests lie directly behind. This juxtaposition of the two most biologically diverse ecosystems provides tremendous opportunities for education and research. See http://www.itec-edu.org/index.html for details. There are three species of non-human primates available for study on Isla Colon. INSTRUCTOR. Alain Houle, Ph.D., Associate Researcher, Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, ho...@fas.harvard.edu., alain.ho...@gmail.com. Specialty: Primate ecology and behaviour, canopy access techniques. Course Description. The purpose of this course is to give the student a foundation in primate ecology, primate behaviour, field techniques and analytical tools in a tropical setting. The material covered is equivalent to a university upper level field course in primate ecology. The course is divided into five distinct components: classroom lectures, classroom presentations by students (based on assigned readings), discussions and exercises in the field, one written exam, and one individual project based on data collection techniques learned in the field and in the classroom. During the first few days students will become familiar with the many ecosystems found in our area and with the trail systems during ³orientation² walks. The bulk of the first 10 days will be spent learning field techniques and carrying out various group projects or exercises. Midway through the course the entire station community will take a 3-day field trip to cloudforests of Boquete (see details below). On returning to the field station, students work on their individual research projects. Towards the end of the course students will analyze their data, write a technical report and present their findings orally during a station-wide symposium. Lectures/Readings. There will be lectures on ecological concepts, primate ecology, primate behaviour, field techniques, behavioural sampling techniques, and analytical tools. Readings corresponding to lecture topics will be assigned from selected papers. Required Textbooks. Karen B. Strier (2010). Primate Behavioral Ecology, 4th edition. Prentice Hall. A set of papers derived from articles or book chapters will also be provided during the course. Group Field Exercises. Students will learn the following field techniques, which will assist them in setting up their own independent field project: Constructing habitat profiles Plant phenology profiles GPS exercise (Garmin 12XL) Behavioural observations (behavioural sampling techniques) Statistics (SPSS) Individual Research Projects. With the assistance of the instructor, each student will develop and carry out their own field research project on a topic of their choice. Each topic must be approved by the instructor prior to beginning data collection. Each student will be required to write a research proposal, collect and analyze their data, write up their findings, and present their results to the class. A text about the art of publishing will be provided. Grading. All assignments must be completed before leaving the field station, so that a final course grade can be assigned. Course grades will be calculated as follows (the proportion of each section is negotiable, but an agreement must be concluded between the instructor and students before the beginning of the course): Individual Research Project - 40% Written Exam - 30% Classroom Presentation - 20% Participation - 10% Up to 6 units of credit will be given, 3 for the lecture portion and 3 for the field portion. A letter grade will be assigned based on exams, reports, proposals, attendance at lectures, as well as by less tangibles such as personal attitude, motivation, and contribution to the course. Course credit must be arranged through the student's institution. Contact ITEC for details. Course Schedule. The course schedule will be determined on site as a function of student needs and preferences. It might be also weather-dependant. Boquete Cloud Forest Field Trip. This field trip will allow students the opportunity to visit other areas of Panama, to experience Panamanian culture, and to visit tropical cloud and seasonal forests first-hand. We travel in ITEC boats to the mainland and then by chartered bus to Boquete which lies at the base of 11,000 ft. Volcan Baru. The bus trip will take us up and over the central Chiriqui mountain range and through Palo Seco National Park. Several stops will be made in route. Course Length. ITEC Winter field courses are about three weeks in length. The PRE W-12 course will run from December 20, 2011 through January 9, 2013.
[ECOLOG-L] Tropical Rainforest and Canopy Ecology
2012 WINTER COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT (December 20, 2012-January 9, 2013) FIELD COURSE IN TROPICAL RAINFOREST AND CANOPY ECOLOGY. COURSE LOCATION: 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 rain forests lie directly behind. This juxtaposition of the two most biologically diverse ecosystems provides tremendous opportunities for education and research. See http://www.itec-edu.org/index.html for details. INSTRUCTORS: Dr. Peter N. Lahanas, Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation, phone: 352-361-9128, email: laha...@itec-edu.org. Specialty: Neotropical forest ecology, animal behavior and herpetology. Prof. Joe Maher, Director, Tree Climbing U.S.A. , 413 College Street, Dawsonville, GA, phone: phone: 229-732-5973, email: jma...@treeclimbercoalition.org, Specialty: Tree canopy access, photography. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This field course is designed to provide the student with a foundation in ecological concepts and field techniques as applied to tropical rainforest ecosystems. The material covered is equivalent to a university upper level course in tropical ecology. The course is divided into three parts. During the first few days students will become familiar with the many ecosystems found in our area and with the trail systems during ³orientation² walks. The bulk of the first 10 days will be spent learning field techniques and carrying out various group projects or exercises (see below). It is during this time period that students will learn to access the canopy using various rope techniques (Climbing Certification is available, please contact Joe Maher for details). Midway through the course the entire station community takes a 3-day field trip to cloudforests of Boquete (see details below). On returning to the field station, students work on their individual research projects and continue to receive lectures in the evening. Formal lectures. Formal lectures will take place in the classroom and will include the use of PowerPoint presentations and chalkboard. Lectures will generally be given in the evening so that more daylight hours can be spent in the field. Lecture topics will include: oNeotropical Life Zones and Forest Types oTropical Forest Structure oTropical forest Productivity oEpiphytes, Lianas and Creepers oTropical Forest Dynamics oNutrient Cycling oNeotropical Vertebrate Ecology oNeotropical Invertebrate Ecology oBiodiversity Hypotheses oPlant-Animal Interactions oAnimal Defensive Strategies and Mimicry oPlant Defensive Strategies oPollination and Dispersal ecology oConsequences of Human Use oTropical Forest Conservation Informal Lectures. Informal lectures will be provided periodically during orientation walks (when you first arrive), during group field projects or in discussion groups. These will cover a wide variety of topics and will generally be prompted by what we encounter in the field, or by the direction taken during group discussions. Readings. Readings corresponding to lecture subjects will be assigned in the text. We will also read and critique papers brought by students and faculty and additional readings may be assigned from time to time. In addition, each student will read, critique, and provide oral reports on published papers brought to Bocas. Required Texts: Kricher, John (2011). Tropical Ecology. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. ISBN 978-0-691-11513-9. Field Book. A field book will be required in the course. A field book will contain all data related to group projects and independent research project. The field book should also contain all other incidental observations such as species lists, behavioral notes, etc., and contain detailed location information. The field book must be water-proof and either pencil or water-proof ink used to record data. Group Field Projects, Exercises, Demonstrations and Excursions. These are research or demonstrational projects designed by the faculty and worked on in groups of four or six students. The purpose of these projects is to familiarize students with an array of field sampling techniques and equipment commonly used in field studies. With help from a faculty member, students set up projects, collect data, and generally (depends on the project), analyze data, present the results to the class, and write a report. Group Project, Demonstration and Excursion Topics oCanopy access techniques oPopulation ecology in poison-dart frogs oTail flicking behavior in geckos oForest structure and biodiversity oBiodiversity of insular freshwater fishes oLeaf-litter decomposer fauna oNiche partitioning in forest lizards oCave ecology, bats, rats invertebrates oSoropta canal, caimans and crocodiles o
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Discussion Panel Topic Suggestions
Jason et y'all: Good idea. Better yet pick out the biggest elephant in the room that is taboo for discussion. Here's one that I thought was pretty universally settled until I posted it on a widely-known evolutionary biology site, got one response from one of the big names--who then declined to discuss the matter further while surrogates flayed and quartered me, apparently for the temerity of questioning authority further. At least that's the impression I got. I suspect that those sounding off would deny my version. The question is, Do organisms progress--that is, improve or advance through evolution? I hope you will share the results of your discussion with the rest of us. WT 'Tis friction's brisk, rough rub that provides the vital spark! --A. R. Martin - Original Message - From: jason.strickland jason.strickl...@knights.ucf.edu To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 11:58 AM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Discussion Panel Topic Suggestions Dear group, I am currently working on forming a discussion panel that will include two ecologists and two evolutionary biologists to discuss topics that involve merging ecology and evolution. The discussion will be in front of 150-200 students ranging from undergraduates to post-docs (all in biology). The panel will happen on a Saturday morning so it needs to be an exciting discussion to hold the audience's interest and cause them to ask questions. I am looking for topics/questions that the two fields do not completely agree on. The goal is to have the panel disagree on topics to allow the students to learn and be entertained. If anyone can suggest topics or questions that ecologists and evolutionary biologists have different viewpoints on, they would be greatly appreciated. I have a few topics already, but wanted to ask a larger audience to suggest topics to determine if there are certain topics/questions that come up frequently. Feel free to email me directly (jason.strickl...@knights.ucf.edu) or respond to this post with your suggestions. Thank you in advance for your help, Jason Strickland jason.strickl...@knights.ucf.edu - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1427 / Virus Database: 2441/5363 - Release Date: 10/30/12
[ECOLOG-L] University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus IGERT Program: Natural-Human Sys tems in the Urbanizing Tropics
University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus IGERT Program: Natural-Human Systems in the Urbanizing Tropics Description: The NSF-funded IGERT program at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras aims to train Ph.D. students to develop interdisciplinary and collaborative research for environmental problems in urbanizing, tropical landscapes. Puerto Rico has had a dynamic environmental history, suffering nearly complete deforestation, then enjoying forest recovery, and then experiencing urban sprawl as the economy modernized. This last shift produced environmental problems, overlaid by changes in climate and vulnerability to catastrophic storms, making Puerto Rico an ideal place to conduct integrative research. IGERT research can focus on many topics involving environmental themes in the urbanized tropics such as climate, water, food security, renewable energy, waste management, biodiversity, and urban system services. Fellows work together with natural and social science faculty as well as government agencies, NGOs, and community groups to develop dissertation questions that directed to environmental problems in Puerto Rico and beyond. Benefits: $30,000/year for two years; $2,000 for travel and education materials; office, computer and software usage; reserved space in all special courses and workshops Website: http://envsci.uprrp.edu/igert Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico Contacts: Rafael Rios Davila PhD, Program Director rafaelrios00...@yahoo.com Sheila Ward, Program Associate Director sew...@hpcf.upr.edu Colibrí Sanfiorenzo-Barnhard, Program Coordinator, uprrp.ig...@gmail.com -- Sheila Ward, PhD Special Assistant to the Dean College of Natural Sciences University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras PO Box 70377 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-8377 sew...@hpcf.upr.edu phone: (787) 764- ext. 1-4735-# fax: (787) 772-1413
