date:20160518

[ECOLOG-L] New class: poster design for scientists

2016-05-18 Thread Jai Ranganathan

SciFund Challenge is very excited to announce a new class: mastering the 
art of conference poster design! In this class, you’ll learn basic 
design principles, communication skills, and how to use professional-
grade graphics software. And yes, you will make a conference poster!

Putting together compelling posters is an essential job skill for 
academics. At a time when succeeding in academia is tougher than ever, 
standing out from the crowd with your conference poster is key. 
Unfortunately, very few academics receive any training on how to put 
together a compelling poster that will actually make your colleagues pay 
attention.

That’s where SciFund Challenge comes in with our online class in 
effective poster design. Over five weeks, you’ll learn the basics of 
graphic design. Even better, you’ll be putting your new design learning 
to work from the start: at the end of the class, you’ll have a poster of 
your research ready to go.

The class runs from June 19-July 23, 2016. Registration ends on June 
17th, but our classes usually fill to capacity before the end of 
registration (meaning: please don't dawdle if you are interested). To 
learn more about the class and to register for it, please see the 
following:
https://scifundchallenge.org/2016/05/02/another-new-class-mastering-the-
art-of-poster-design/

Take care,
Jai Ranganathan
SciFund Challenge
j...@scifund.org

[ECOLOG-L] Protecting Box Turtles in My Backyard

2016-05-18 Thread John A.

I have at least three box turtles resident on my property: an adult male, 
an adult female, and a three-inch juvenile which might be from last year.  I 
tend to find them separately every few months, especially during spring rains, 
although I happened to see all three this past weekend.

My property has a fair amount of thickets, shrubs, native plantings and 
tree cover, but it's something of an island within a matrix of lawn-obsessed 
suburbia.  The adult male and female both have old damage on their shells, 
which I assume is from past lawnmowers, and several of my neighbors have riding 
mowers, large dogs and/or a mania for broad open spaces of grass and little 
else.

And very sadly, earlier today I discovered that the female box turtle 
recently laid at least a dozen eggs, which were dug up last night by expert 
paws and licked clean.  The culprit was probably a grey fox, although raccoons, 
opossums, domestic cats and stray dogs also circulate through the neighborhood.

So my question is for anyone who works with box turtles or backyard 
conservation: is there a way to ensure that the existing turtles don't fall 
victim to alawnmower, or a neighbor's dog, or some other predator?  There's 
enough appropriate habitat to keep them nearby, but I worry that sooner or 
later a box turtle will wander in the wrong direction, and I'd like to prevent 
that if possible.


 - J. A.

[ECOLOG-L] Top 30 research grants to apply for this summer

2016-05-18 Thread Katharine Corriveau

Hi Ecolog-l-ers,

Thought you'd appreciate this list of 30 different wildlife/ conservation/
ecology-related research grants to apply to this summer.

Summer Wildlife Grant List 

Happy summer field season!

Katharine

-- 
Katharine Corriveau
Co-founder
Instrumentl
(510) 684-4978

Follow us on Facebook  and Twitter

Visit us at: www .instrumentl.com
ᐧ
ᐧ
ᐧ

ᐧ

[ECOLOG-L] Publications using iNaturalist/BioBlitz data

2016-05-18 Thread Chelle King

Good afternoon Ecologgers, 

I am in the process of designing community engagement citizen science 
programming for the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science in Miami, FL. 
As part of this initiative, I am considering developing schoolyard bioblitzes 
to be included in our school outreach portfolio. However, it is essential to 
the scientific merit of our program that the data collected by students are 
useful, at least potentially, but preferably in a concrete way. 

My question, then, is do any of you use iNaturalist and/or bioblitz data in 
your research and, if so, could you point me in the direction of published work 
using these data? Alternatively, are there particular data you’d be interested 
in collecting in urban terrestrial environments in Miami? 

Thanks so much, 
Chelle

___

Chelle King
Frost Science
ck...@frostscience.org

[ECOLOG-L] Ecology Destiny Clan

2016-05-18 Thread EcoD

I am sure only a few readers of ECOLOG are interested, but for those of 
you the play Destiny there is a clan for Ecologists "Ecologists of 
Destiny". This clan is for Ecologists and other environmental scientists 
(technicians, undergrads, grad-students, post-docs, professors, etc.) who 
need to balance their life in Destiny with their life in academia. We are 
happy to chat about the game as well as finding a job, publishing, 
work/life balance, and other issues in academia. All are welcome!

To join, go to https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Forum/1553729

Eyes up, Guardians!

[ECOLOG-L] Tenure-track ecology faculty position available - West Chester University of Pennsylvania

2016-05-18 Thread Jessica Schedlbauer

Tenure track Assistant Professor position available August 2017. Earned 
doctorate in Ecology or related 
discipline; research focused on some area of field-based ecology. The 
successful applicant must be 
qualified to teach field-based courses in aquatic and/or terrestrial systems, 
biostatistics, as well as 
special topics courses or graduate courses, and may be required to teach 
General Ecology and General 
Biology laboratories. Candidate is expected to establish an active, externally 
funded research program 
involving undergraduate and/or graduate students. Finalists must successfully 
complete an interview 
process that includes a research seminar and teaching demonstration. To apply, 
upload a letter of 
application, statements of teaching and research philosophies, curriculum 
vitae, and all unofficial 
university transcripts to http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wcupa/default.cfm. 
Have three letters of 
reference sent by email to search-ecolog...@wcupa.edu. Review of completed 
applications begins 
on September 9, 2016 and continues until position is filled. For more details 
and full ad visit the website 
above or contact Dr. Greg Turner at the email above. All offers of employment 
are subject to and 
contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment criminal 
background checks. Developing 
and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCUs educational mission 
and Strategic Plan. West 
Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, 
minorities, veterans, 
and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

[ECOLOG-L] Assistant Province Ecologist - USFS - Northern CA GS-9/11

2016-05-18 Thread Butz, Ramona J -FS

Assistant Province Ecologist
GS-0408 9/11

PERMANENT FULL-TIME

The Klamath National Forest is currently seeking a candidate for a permanent 
full-time Assistant Province Ecologist, GS-408 9/11 position located at the 
Supervisor’s Office in Yreka, California.  The purpose of this Outreach Notice 
is to inform prospective applicants of this upcoming opportunity.  To express 
interest in this position, please complete the attached voluntary Outreach 
Interest Form and return to Dan Blessing at dbless...@fs.fed.us by close of 
business on 6/7/2016

DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS POSITION (Full Performance, GS-11):

The Northern California Assistant Province Ecologist is an expert in vegetation 
and fire ecology, and is professionally involved in addressing a wide range of 
ecological issues across the Klamath, Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers 
National Forests. Major duties will include:


· Coordinates with the Regional Ecologist, Northern California Province 
Ecologist, and the Forests comprising the Province with respect to all facets 
of the Assistant Province Ecologist’s program of work

· Provides ecological expertise and technical assistance for Forest 
Service projects and planning efforts. Incorporates ecological principles into 
decision making.

· Assists with the development and implementation of ecological 
monitoring programs to collect, analyze, and interpret data to help guide 
Forest Service activities through an adaptive management framework

· Assists with the assessment of the impacts of global change, 
including climate change, invasive species, and increasing human populations, 
on Province Forests and ecosystems

· Evaluates the effect of forest management practices including 
grazing, prescribed burning, and silvicultural treatments on a diverse range of 
ecosystems

· Integrates information from separate disciplines such as botany, 
hydrology, geology, soils, and wildlife, including historic and legacy data, 
for use in assessing current conditions, detecting trends, developing reference 
conditions, and developing desired future conditions for use in planning and 
implementing forest projects

· Conducts fire monitoring and modeling, including evaluations of fire 
behavior, fuel loading, fire effects, and patterns of fire severity. Provides 
ecological input into fuels treatment planning

· Conducts classification, modeling, and mapping of vegetation types, 
fire regimes, and potential natural vegetation

· Uses statistically sound sampling and modern analytical methods, 
including multivariate techniques, modeling approaches and geospatial analyses, 
to evaluate complex environmental and biological patterns across large 
landscapes

· Coordinates with district, forest, province, and regional staff to 
conduct integrated ecological monitoring and reporting programs. Develops field 
guides, brochures, GIS products, presentations, workshops, and other materials 
to facilitate the transfer of ecological knowledge.  Where appropriate, 
publishes findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals

· Provides technical assistance with NEPA planning and implementation

· Is active in raising funds to support the Ecology Program program of 
work, from internal and external partners and granting agencies

· Assists with the supervision of one or more field crews


For additional information, please contact: Dan Blessing at 530-841-4521 and 
dbless...@fs.fed.us

ABOUT THE FOREST:

The Klamath National Forest covers an area of 1,700,000 acres located in 
Siskiyou County in northern California and Jackson County in southern Oregon.  
The Forest is divided into two sections separated by the Shasta Valley and the 
Interstate 5 highway corridor.  In the mountains to the west, the terrain is 
steep and rugged while the east side has the relatively gentler, rolling 
terrain of volcanic origin.  With elevations ranging from 450 to 8,900 feet 
above sea level, the Forest is one of America’s most biologically diverse 
regions, situated in a transition region between the hotter and drier areas of 
the south and the colder and wetter locale of the north.

This central position of the Klamath in relation to the Cascades, Sierra 
Nevada, Coast Range and the Great Basin has fostered complex climatic patterns 
and led to an unparalleled diversity of plant life found nowhere else in 
California.  More species of conifers live near or in the Klamath’s Marble 
Mountain and Russian Wilderness Areas than anywhere else on earth.  An 
astounding 17 conifer species co-exist within one square mile!  The Forest is 
also home to one plant that lives nowhere else on earth, the Siskiyou Mariposa 
Lily.

The program of work for the Forest is centered on the restoration of fire 
adapted ecosystems.  We have an active and strongly integrated vegetation 
management and fuels program that works to protect communities,

[ECOLOG-L] REMINDER: Registration Open! Near Surface Geophysics for Hydrology Workshop

2016-05-18 Thread Elizabeth Tran

Near Surface Geophysics for Hydrology Workshop
August 15 - 19, 2016 || Laramie, WY
Early Bird Registration Deadline: June 1st
Regular Registration Deadline: June 15th

Over the past 10 years, near surface geophysics has become very accessible to 
non-experts, due to the development of reliable, easy-to-use instrumentation 
and intuitive, user-friendly software. As a result, new opportunities exist for 
applying near surface geophysical techniques to problems of watershed hydrology 
and critical zone processes. The Hands-on Workshop, "Near-Surface Geophysics 
for Hydrology" will introduce participants to several key methods of 
near-surface geophysics and their application to hydrology and critical zone 
processes.

Techniques covered will include:

* Seismic refraction

* Ground Penetrating Radar

* Electrical resistivity

* Magnetics

* Electromagnetic Induction

* Borehole Geophysical Logging

* Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
The course will combine lecture and hands-on instruction with 
state-of-the-practice geophysical equipment and software.

Graduate students, post-docs, and professionals working in hydrology, geology, 
ecology and geophysics are invited to participate. No prior experience in 
geophysics is required.

The course will be held at the University of Wyoming in 
Laramie, WY. Course tuition, facilities costs, catered lunches and light 
refreshments, and transportation to/from field sites are included in the 
registration fee.

Visit the event website for more information and 
to register.


A very limited number of student travel grants are available on a first come, 
first served basis to help defray the cost of travel to the course. Contact 
Elizabeth Tran at et...@cuahsi.org for more 
information.


Questions?
Contact Elizabeth Tran at et...@cuahsi.org

[ECOLOG-L] Research Assistant position - Department of Entomology - Texas A University

2016-05-18 Thread Gabe Hamer

Research Assistant
A Research Assistant position is available in the Department of Entomology
at Texas A University.  The successful candidate will join a research lab
studying diverse vector-borne disease systems. Duties will involve molecular
diagnostics for mosquito-borne viruses and other pathogens, mosquito and
kissing bug colony care and experiments, and general laboratory management.

Education:
Candidates must have a B.S. in biology, biomedical sciences, genetics,
entomology, or related fields.  Candidates with higher degrees (M.S. and/or
PhD) are also encouraged to apply.

Experience: 
Candidates should demonstrate a good track record of organizational,
written, and oral communication skills. The successful candidate must work
independently and as an effective member of multidisciplinary collaborative
teams and have excellent interpersonal skills with students, other lab
personnel, and the public.  

Special knowledge, abilities, and skills:
The candidate must be proficient at basic computer skills and database
management, must have a valid U.S. driver’s license.  Preference will be
given to candidates with extensive molecular experience, including
sequencing and bioinformatics.  Also, experience in a BSL2 laboratory is
desirable.

Position details:
Application review will begin on May 30, 2016, and the position will remain
open until filled. The expected start date is between July and August, 2016.
The position is available for one year with the possibility of renewal
depending on performance and available funds.  Salary range is between
$28,000 and $35,000, commensurate with experience.  The position will be
based out of the lab of Dr. Gabriel Hamer in Rm 515 Heep Center, College
Station, TX.

Application details:
Initial application materials consist of a cover letter, CV, statement of
interests and career goals, and the names of three references.  Materials
should be emailed as a single PDF to Gabe Hamer: gha...@tamu.edu

-- 
Gabriel L. Hamer
Assistant Professor
Department of Entomology
Texas A University
College Station, TX  77843-2475
Phone: 979-862-4067
E-mail: gha...@tamu.edu
Website: http://hamerlab.tamu.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Computational Summer Institute at SESYNC

2016-05-18 Thread Noelle Beckman

*SESYNC 2016 Computational Summer Institute*

The National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) invites
applications from small teams of researchers for the third annual
Computational Summer Institute. The workshop will be held July 26-29 at
SESYNC in Annapolis, Maryland.

The workshop will offer participants hands-on instruction and hacking using
computational tools for socio-environmental synthesis. We will focus
primarily on using R for data management and analysis, GIS, and web
applications. Depending on participant interest, we may also offer sessions
on python, version control, relational databases, and an overview of
methods for qualitative data. Applicants will need to identify a specific
project to work on in advance, and the hacking sessions will match
participants with SESYNC computing and research staff to address
computational and methodological challenges participants face in their
research.

Through this workshop, participants should expect to:

•learn new scientific computing skills

•advance project work

•meet other researchers

•have fun

*Eligibility*

Members of SESYNC science teams will be given priority. Limited slots are
available for other research teams of two or more people who are actively
working on problems at the intersection of humans and the environment with
quantitative and/or qualitative data. Participants from academic,
government, and non-profit research institutions are welcome and may be at
any career stage, from graduate student to senior researcher/faculty.

SESYNC will cover eligible travel expenses, such as airfare and
accommodations, for all participants. Please see our travel policy
for
more details.

Each participant must provide their own laptop, and teams should bring
their own data from a current research project they work on together.

*To Apply*

Applications are due by May 25 at 5 pm Eastern Time. To apply, please fill
out the SESYNC CSI 2016 Application form found here: *http://sesync.us/e2*

The announcement also lives on the SESYNC website at:
http://www.sesync.org/opportunities/education-workshops/computational-summer-institute-2016

*Lisa Palmer*

Fellow, National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC)

University of Maryland
1 Park Place, Suite 300
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Office: 410-919-4998

Cell:443-875-8320

www.sesync.org

[ECOLOG-L] PhD Position UMaine - NSF Future of Dams

2016-05-18 Thread Ruth Hallsworth

University of Maine
Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions

*** PhD Research Assistant Dam Decision-Making ***

Seeking a highly qualified and motivated student interested in sustainability 
science research. The student will work with Dr. Sharon Klein and an 
interdisciplinary team of researchers on a project sponsored by the National 
Science Foundation to
examine the economic, technological, ecological, social, and political 
trade-offs associated with different kinds of dam decisions in New England. 
Research will include techno-economic analysis of different hydropower systems 
and stakeholder-engaged
multi-criteria decision analysis, including interviews, focus groups, and 
surveys with dam decision-makers, as well as computer modeling.

Working under the direction of Dr. Sharon Klein and a cross-disciplinary 
committee, the ideal candidate’s dissertation work will support 
stakeholder-driven solutions about dams by integrating research and theory in 
decision sciences and hydropower
with other key concerns including fish passage, sediment transport, water 
quality, and governance.  With a strong foundation in energy economics and 
multi-criteria decision analysis via Dr. Klein’s influence, the student will 
engage in
interdisciplinary, integrative coursework and research through the Ecology and 
Environmental Science Program 
(https://umaine.edu/ecologyandenvironmentalsciences/) or through the 
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program
(http://umaine.edu/soe/graduate-degrees/interdisciplinary-ph-d-program/) at the 
University of Maine. The student will work closely with researchers at the 
University of New Hampshire and the University of Rhode Island to integrate 
multi-criteria
decision analysis in ongoing dam-related research activities at those 
institutions.

The research assistantship provides an annual stipend of $22,000 based on 
working an average of 20 hrs/week year round, a full tuition waiver of up to 18 
credits per academic year, and 50% of the cost of UMaine graduate student 
health insurance.
Reappointment as a RA for up to 3 years (ending July 31, 2019) is contingent 
upon satisfactory performance and the annual renewal of the NSF EPSCoR funding. 
There is also potential for an additional year or two of RA support. To apply 
submit the
following by email to Dr. Sharon Klein, sharon.kl...@maine.edu: (1) letter 
stating your qualifications and research interests; (2) CV; (3) unofficial copy 
of any college/grad transcripts; (4) copy of GRE scores; and (5) contact 
information (not
letters) for three references. Priority will be given to applications received 
by July 1, 2016. Selected candidates will be asked to apply to the Graduate 
School (https://umaine.edu/graduate/apply/app-info/), for a Fall 2016 start 
date. Candidates
from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. More information about 
Dr. Klein’s research and teaching activities can be found here: 
http://umaine.edu/soe/faculty-and-staff/klein/. 

This project is part of The New England Sustainability Consortium, which has 
launched a new stakeholder-engaged, solutions-focused, interdisciplinary 
research program focused on the future of dams
(https://www.newenglandsustainabilityconsortium.org/dams). Our research draws 
upon world-class faculty expertise at University of Rhode Island, University of 
New Hampshire, University of Maine, Rhode Island School of Design, Keene State 
University,
and University of Southern Maine and builds on NEST’s experience in advancing 
the theory and practice of sustainability science.

[ECOLOG-L] PhD position "Impacts of climate change on species interation networks"

2016-05-18 Thread Mathias Templin

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) is a member of the
Leibniz Association and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. SGN
conducts natural history research with almost 800 employees and research
institutions in six federal states. Within SGN, the Senckenberg Biodiversity
and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) explores the interactions between
biodiversity, climate, and society.

Senckenberg BiK-F invites applications for a

PhD position (Ref.# 7.3.16) in "Impacts of climate change on species
interaction networks"

The successful applicant will investigate the consequences of climate change
for bird-plant interaction networks in the tropical Andes using established
databases of traits and species interactions. He/she will employ trait-based
analyses to investigate functional diversity and species interactions in
future bird and plant communities. The candidate will further employ
statistical methods from macroecology and will be supervised by a team of
researchers from different disciplines. The position will offer the
possibility of scientific exchange with international collaboration
partners. We encourage the participation in graduate courses at the Goethe
Graduate Academy (GRADE).

Position requirements
• An excellent Master degree (or equivalent) in Ecology or a related field
• Research interests in the fields of community ecology and macroecology,
preferably with a background in plant-animal interactions
• Proficiency in advanced statistical analyses with R and in the handling of
large databases; experience in ecological modeling is beneficial
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (knowledge of
German is not mandatory)
• Ambition to publish in international journals
• Creativity and enthusiasm

Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany
(TV-H E 13, 65%).The position will be for 3 years starting as soon as
possible.The Senckenberg Research Institute supports equal opportunity of
men and women and therefore strongly invites women to apply. Equally
qualified handicapped applicants will be given preference. The place of
employment will be Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The employer is the
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung. 

Please submit your application before 5 June 2016 via e-mail as a single PDF
file to:

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt
E-Mail: recruit...@senckenberg.de

Please include the reference to this position (Ref.#7.3.16) in the subject
line and include a 1-page cover letter describing your motivation to apply,
a CV including relevant certificates, a 1-page summary of your Master thesis
and contact details of 2 potential referees.

For scientific enquiries please contact PD Dr. Matthias Schleuning via
email: matthias.schleun...@senckenberg.de

Re: [ECOLOG-L] fixed vs. random effects in field research

2016-05-18 Thread Bob O'Hara


On 17/05/16 20:12, Gary Grossman wrote:

I'm having a bit of difficulty getting a clear understanding of what
should be considered a fixed vs. a random effect in a linear mixed model
analysis of field data. Even the statisticians seem to say "it depends
on who's defining it" or "sometimes the same treatment/variable can be
either". Some examples may help, let's say I collected samples annually
in three sites and wanted to test for the effect of daily rainfall,
daily temperature, and density, on recruitment of individuals in the
following year. Using the lmer function in R which of these would be
fixed effects and which would be random? A reference or two would help.
I really couldn't find much in a google search on field studies, but I
didn't go to anything like zoological abstracts. TIA, g2

That's easy! If you only have 3 sites, you don't have enough levels to 
make it worth fitting a random effect.


I look at random effects hierarchically. Basically, the values of random 
effects are assumed to be drawn from a normal distribution, whereas 
fixed effects are assumed to be totally free. What this means is that if 
you have an effect with an unobserved level of the factor, do you think 
the observed levels would tell you something about what values are 
likely for the unobserved level. If you think they do then a random 
effect make make sense.


What you are doing when you have a random effect is estimating the 
variance of the values of the level of the factors. In the example you 
give, I think a random effect would probably make sense if you had (say) 
20 sites, but with three sites you are trying to estimate the variance 
from (in effect) 3 data points. the estimate won't be very good, so as a 
practical matter it's not worth bothering with the extra hassle.


Of course, this is only my opinion: there are other ways of looking at 
random effects, so pick the one which works for you. There will always 
be cases where it's not clear if something should be considered fixed or 
random.


Bob


--
Gary D. Grossman, PhD
Fellow, American Fisheries Soc.

Professor of Animal Ecology
Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources
University of Georgia
Athens, GA, USA 30602

Website - Science, Art (G. Grossman Fine Art) and Music
www.garygrossman.net 

Board of Editors - Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
Editorial Board - Freshwater Biology
Editorial Board - Ecology Freshwater Fish

Hutson Gallery Provincetown, MA - www.hutsongallery.net/artists.html






--
Bob O'Hara

Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre
Senckenberganlage 25
D-60325 Frankfurt am Main,
Germany

Tel: +49 69 7542 1863
Mobile: +49 1515 888 5440
WWW:   http://www.bik-f.de/root/index.php?page_id=219
Blog: http://blogs.nature.com/boboh
Journal of Negative Results - EEB: www.jnr-eeb.org

[ECOLOG-L] PhD position "Temporal dynamics of plant-animal interaction networks"