Re: [ECOLOG-L] Why is the Shannon (or Shannon Weiner, Shannon-Weiner) diversity index abbreviated with the letter H?

[Geoffrey Patton]

 http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/ms/what/shannonday/shannon1948.pdf



 

Cordially yours,

 

Geoff Patton, Ph.D.

2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

 





“We are all failures- at least the best of us are.” 
  J.M. Barrie (of Peter Pan fame)

 




On Wed, 3/26/14, Resetarits, William  wrote:

 Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Why is the Shannon (or Shannon Weiner, Shannon-Weiner) 
diversity index abbreviated with the letter H?
 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
 Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2014, 11:37 AM
 
 The Shannon Index is derived from the
 paper below.  It was originally
 developed as a measure of the information content of a
 signal.  I had a
 pdf I would post, but the file is corrupted.
 
 
 Shannon, C. E. (1948) A mathematical theory of
 communication. The Bell
 System Technical Journal, 27, 379­423 and 623­656.
 
 
 
 William J. Resetarits, Jr.
 Professor
 Department of Biological Sciences
 Texas Tech University
 Lubbock, Texas  79409-3131
 Phone: (806) 742-2710, ext.300
 Fax (806) 742-2963
 
 http://www.festivalofecology.org/100-influential-papers
 
 http://www.unifr.ch/biol/ecology/sayingseco.html
 
 
 
 
 
 
 On 3/26/14 10:22 AM, "Jorge A. Santiago-Blay" 
 wrote:
 
 >Hello Ecolog-L:
 >
 >Does anyone know why the Shannon (or Shannon Weiner,
 Shannon-Weiner)
 >diversity index abbreviated with the letter H?
 >
 >Is the answer related to the first letter of the last
 name of Hulbert
 >(citation below)?
 >
 >Hulbert, S. H. 1971. The nonconcept of species
 diversity: a critique and
 >alternative parameters. Ecology 52:577-585.
 >
 >If you now the answer, just shoot me an email (blayjo...@gmail.com).
 >
 >Gratefully,
 >
 >Jorge
 >
 >Jorge A. Santiago-Blay, PhD
 >blaypublishers.com
 >http://blayjorge.wordpress.com/
 >http://paleobiology.si.edu/staff/individuals/santiagoblay.html

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Golden Goose Award, nominations due April 18, 2014

[Geoffrey Patton]

That's great, Cliff. I posted it to my facebook. I thought it had something to 
do with the old Golden Fleece Award and I've been concerned about the trend 
away from basic research. (Not that I'm in the lab anymore.) Thanks for sharing 
that uplifting story. It's going to make a lot of people feel better about 
their own struggles.
 

Cordially yours,

 

Geoff Patton, Ph.D.

2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

 





“We are all failures- at least the best of us are.” 
  J.M. Barrie (of Peter Pan fame)

 




On Mon, 3/24/14, Cliff Duke  wrote:

 Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Golden Goose Award, nominations due April 18, 2014
 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
 Date: Monday, March 24, 2014, 1:40 PM
 
 The purpose of the Golden Goose Award
 is to demonstrate the human and/or economic benefits of
 federally funded scientific research. It is also intended to
 demonstrate that scientific outcomes build upon each other
 and that the technological advances that flow from them
 cannot easily be predicted at the outset of a particular
 scientific research project. The award highlights and honors
 examples of scientific studies or research that may have
 seemed obscure, sounded "funny," or for which the results
 were totally unforeseen at the outset, but which ultimately
 led, often serendipitously, to major breakthroughs that have
 had significant societal impact.
 
 See http://www.goldengooseaward.org/ for details.

[ECOLOG-L] Utility rights-of-way stream buffers

[Geoffrey Patton]

Dear Ecologgers:
I would like to get views on appropriate stream-buffering practices on the 
rights-of-way owned by electric and pipeline utilities. Are there Best 
Practices, state guidelines, or other established guiding principles? 
  
 
Cordially yours,
 
Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits." Mark Twain

[ECOLOG-L] Saccharomyces cerevisiae XV 185-14C? Ethics of "borrowing".

[Geoffrey Patton]

 We've all done it, I suppose - "borrowed" a starter culture of cel


 We've all done it, I suppose - "borrowed" a starter culture of cells for our 
research. I've wondered, though, about the ethics of this and wonder how others 
in the field feel about not properly paying for cell lines. Krzysztof's comment 
about the value of getting low passage cultures directly from ATCC (or similar 
original sources) struck a chord. Perhaps it's old guilt popping up. I did buy 
most of the cell lines I used. 
 
 
Cordially yours,
 
Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902   
"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits." Mark Twain 


>
>From: Krzysztof Sakrejda 
>To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU 
>Sent: Friday, July 26, 2013 6:36 AM
>Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Where may I purchase strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae 
>XV 185-14C? Please, feel free to send reply directly to me. Thank you - Jorge
>
>
>The ATCC looks expensive until you realize that through them you are
>probably actually getting the specific strain you want,
>with a minimum of evolutionary distance between when it was deposited
>and when it was passed on to you.  If the specific
>properties of the strain do not matter or if you find a collaborator
>close to the source then I would skip it, but otherwise it can
>save a lot of frustration and wasted time.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Krzysztof
>
>
>On Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 5:27 PM, Cochran-Stafira, D. Liane
> wrote:
>> Have you checked the American Type Culture Collection (ATTC)?  They carry 
>> hundreds of strains, but they are rather expensive, and there is a good bit 
>> of paperwork for registration.
>> Liane
>>
>> *
>>
>> Liane Cochran-Stafira, Ph.D.
>> Associate Professor
>> Department of Biological Sciences
>> Saint Xavier University
>> 3700 West 103rd Street
>> Chicago, Illinois  60655
>> email:  coch...@sxu.edu
>> Phone: 773-298-3514
>> Fax: 773-298-3536
>> http://faculty.sxu.edu/~cochran/
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>> From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
>> [ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] on behalf of Jorge A. Santiago-Blay 
>> [blayjo...@gmail.com]
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 2:22 PM
>> To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
>> Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Where may I purchase strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae XV 
>> 185-14C? Please, feel free to send reply directly to me. Thank you - Jorge
>>
>> Dear Ecolog-Listers:
>>
>> Where may I purchase strain *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* XV 185-14C? Please,
>> feel free to send reply directly to me. Thank you.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Jorge
>>
>> Jorge A. Santiago-Blay, PhD
>
>
>
>-- 
>
>Krzysztof Sakrejda
>
>Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
>University of Massachusetts, Amherst
>319 Morrill Science Center South
>611 N. Pleasant Street
>Amherst, MA 01003
>
>work #: 413-325-6555
>email: sakre...@cns.umass.edu
>---
>
>
>

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Other list serves like Ecolog

[Geoffrey Patton]

 I can also recommend the marine mammal list:
MARMAM mailing l



 I can also recommend the marine mammal list:
MARMAM mailing list
mar...@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

 
Cordially yours,
 
Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits." Mark Twain 


>
>From: Matt Neidenberg 
>To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU 
>Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 11:05 PM
>Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Other list serves like Ecolog
>
>
>Please include www.greener50.com 
>Check out the Learn page. Tons of Eco discussion groups on many topics!
>http://greener50.com/learn/
>
>We're just getting of the ground - probably why you didn't find us right away.
>
>Matt Neidenberg
>co-founder greener50
>
>
>On Apr 30, 2013, at 7:10 PM, Mitch Cruzan  wrote:
>
>> You left off the Evolution Directory: Evoldir
>> http://evol.mcmaster.ca/evoldir.html
>> 
>> 
>> On 4/30/2013 5:38 PM, Lonnie Aarssen wrote:
>>> Here is what I learned from member replies (thanks!), and from some other 
>>> digging regarding listservs like ECOLOG.  Specifically, I was seeking open 
>>> interactive discussion lists (like ECOLOG), that allow any list member to 
>>> post messages for distribution to the entire list.
>>> 
>>> Many are hosted by universities / research institutes, for example:
>>> https://listserv.uoguelph.ca/cgi-bin/wa?A0=ENTOMO-L
>>> http://www.lsoft.com/scripts/wl.exe?SL1=MAMMAL-L&H=SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU
>>> https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
>>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=SUSTAG
>>> http://www.resecon.org/pages/1/index.htm
>>> https://list.auckland.ac.nz/sympa/info/aliens-l
>>> https://www.csun.edu/~hcbio028/bryonet.html
>>> http://mailman.nhm.ku.edu/mailman/listinfo/taxacom
>>> 
>>> Some are associated with societies, and special interest networks, for 
>>> example:
>>> http://www.entsoc.org/resources/Systematics_Resources/People
>>> https://list.auckland.ac.nz/sympa/info/math-smbnet
>>> http://asab.nottingham.ac.uk/web/mailinglist.php
>>> http://www.mycology.net/
>>> 
>>> Two sources look particularly useful for searching based on 
>>> subject/topics/keywords:
>>> (1) Catalog of Listserv lists from L-Soft:  
>>> http://www.lsoft.com/catalist.html
>>> (2) Catalog of forum lists from The Science Forum:  
>>> http://www.thescienceforum.com/
>>> 
>>> Cheers,
>>> 
>>> Lonnie
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Lonnie W. Aarssen
>>> 
>>> Professor
>>> Department of Biology
>>> Queen's University
>>> Kingston, ON
>>> Canada, K7L 3N6
>>> 
>>> Editor
>>> Ideas in Ecology and Evolution
>>> http://library.queensu.ca/ojs/index.php/IEE
>>> 
>>> Campus office:  Room 4326, Biosciences Complex
>>> Email:  aarss...@queensu.ca
>>> Web:    http://post.queensu.ca/~aarssenl/
>>> Tel:    613-533-6133
>>> Fax:    613-533-6617
>>> 
 -Original Message-
 From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG-
 l...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Lonnie Aarssen
 Sent: April-19-13 1:44 PM
 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
 Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Other list serves like Ecolog
 
 Dear Ecolog,
 
 Does anyone know about other open list serves like Ecolog (i.e. that do not
 require a society membership) connected with any other science disciplines?
 
 Based on responses, I would be happy to compile and report a list of these.
 
 Cheers,
 
 Lonnie
>
>

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Post-doc abuse; was faculty overtime

[Geoffrey Patton]

 
I should have been more explicit. I was not refering to those situtations where 
the post-doc has full freedom to stop lab/field work before their tenures 
expire and take some time to write and publish and prefers to continue to 
collect data. Perhaps they wish to take advantage of the opportunities, 
equipment, season or what-have-you. Many of us have willingly volunteered the 
extra hours over months or years to have results see the light of day and 
benefit Science. 
 
What I was refering to are situations where, due to poor management by the PI, 
the post-doc gets steam-rolled into lab or field work right up to the time of 
departure and is expected (i.e., coerced) into a situation where the results 
will never get published unless the individual continues to work uncompensated 
while they try to build a career elsewhere. The alternative is risking 
recommendations and reputation for subsequent employment opportunities. This is 
why I called it abuse.

Cordially yours,
Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
Wheaton, MD 20902  
"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits." Mark Twain 

From: George Wang 
>To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU 
>Sent: Friday, February 15, 2013 1:36 PM
>Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Post-doc abuse; was faculty overtime
>
>I agree with Judith. I am still working on manuscripts pertaining to the 
>postdoc work I did for which funding ended three years ago. Never for once 
>did I consider it as "abuse" or "slave work". In fact, working on them is 
>one of the few opportunities of enjoyment I have these days (especially 
>when my manuscript submissions get accepted).
>-GW
>
>On Fri, 15 Feb 2013 08:28:16 -0500, Judith S. Weis 
> wrote:
>
>>That's quite reasonable. Publishing work done in the previous mentor's lab
>>will be more beneficial to the postdoc's fledgling career than the former
>>mentor's. It's not the "mentor's work" its the postdoc's work, or their
>>joint work and the postdoc will likely be the first author.
>>
>>
>>> Related to this is the practice of "letting go" (i.e., not renewing or
>>> higher-level hiring) post docs and still expecting them to be actively
>>> engaged in publishing the mentor's work up to a year or more later.
>>>
>>> Geoff Patton
>>> Wheaton, MD
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Feb 14, 2013, at 6:47 PM, David Inouye  wrote:
>>>
 I suspect most faculty fall into this exempt category.

 http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/fairpay/fs17d_professional.pdf

 Fact Sheet #17D: Exemption for Professional Employees Under the Fair
 Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
 This fact sheet provides general information on the exemption from
 minimum wage and overtime pay provided by Section 13(a)(1) of the Fair
 Labor Standards Act as defined by Regulations, 29 CFR Part 541.
 The FLSA requires that most employees in the United States be paid at
 least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime pay at
 time and one-half the regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40
 hours in a workweek.
 However, Section 13(a)(1) of the FLSA provides an exemption from both
 minimum wage and overtime pay for employees employed as bona fide
 executive, administrative, professional and outside sales employees.
 Section 13(a)(1) and Section 13(a)(17) also exempt certain computer
 employees. To qualify for exemption, employees generally must meet
 certain tests regarding their job duties and be paid on a salary basis
 at not less than $455 per week.

 At 06:10 PM 2/14/2013, Aaron T. Dossey wrote:

> Doesn't a requirement that a salaried employee work more than 40 hours
> (literally or de-facto) violate labor laws? Maybe it's just a matter 
>of
> a greater need for  law 
>enforcement,
> accountability and transparency?
>
>
> On 2/14/2013 3:08 PM, Judith S. Weis wrote:
>> It should be strongly recommended to all grad school applicants to
>> learn
>> about their potential advisors ahead of time by talking to grad
>> students
>> in that lab and in other labs. That way you can find out about the
>> person's attitudes towards grad students having a life, having a
>> family
>> etc. and whether or not they demand 12-hour days and weekends etc.
>> That
>> way you know what you will be getting into and can make a more
>> informed
>> choice of advisor. There are many humane professors out there. I'd
>> like to
>> think that I have been one of them.
>>>
>>=
>
>
>

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Responses to Davis_etal..Nature article on invasive species

[Geoffrey Patton]

My wife and I were discussing this topic the other day while hiking through a 
Maryland park infested with Chinese garlic mustard and Japanese stilt grass 
(among other invasives). We'd biked past slopes of kudzu and came from 
Florida's expanses of Brazilian peppers and punk trees. Certainly, we 
appreciate that Science will note positive aspects in selected situations where 
there are temporally-beneficial effects. However, the mantra that remains to be 
overturned is that "Any change from the natural evolution of an ecosystem is, 
by definition, adverse". Ecosystems took millions of years of experimentation 
to achieve a deep dynamic balance. Upset by out-of-control human intervention 
can tilt against a healthy balance and remains counter to maintenance of 
diversity.

Cordially yours,
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.  2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

--- On Wed, 7/6/11, Christopher M Moore  wrote:

From: Christopher M Moore 
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Responses to Davis_etal..Nature article on invasive 
species
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 6:30 PM

Thanks for the post David.

As a newcomer to science (working on my Ph.D.), there were some lingering 
questions I had while reading Davis et al. and the responses: Is this how we 
want to move forward as a science?  What does it mean when we resort to 
gathering signatures?  Is this how our science should work?  What does it 
contribute?  How should we deal with issues that are debated in a more 
productive and less polarizing manner?  Personally, I don't think that 
petitioning changes ecology nor any other natural phenomena.

I would like to add Peter Kareiva's blog on the matter to be added to this 
discussion: 
http://blog.nature.org/2011/06/invasive-species-fight-mark-davis-peter-kareiva/

Opening of the piece: "A famous person once observed that the signature of a 
civilized mind is the ability to hold two seemingly contradictory ideas in 
one’s head at the same time. This is exactly what conservation must learn to do 
when it comes to introduced (or what we often call “non-native” or “invasive”) 
species."

Cheers,

Chris 

On Jul 6, 2011, at 2:18 PM, David Duffy wrote:

>> Date: Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:52:27 +
> 
> 
> 
>> Forwarded from rom: Shyama Pagad 
>>  on Aliens-L list server
>> 
>> Correspondence Nature Vol 475 July 7 2011
>> 
>> --
>> Non-natives: 141 scientists object
>> 
>> We the undersigned feel that in advocating a 
>> change in the environmental management of 
>> introduced species (Nature 474, 153–154; 2011), 
>> Mark Davis and colleagues assail two straw men.
>> First, most conservation biologists and 
>> ecologists do not oppose non-native species per 
>> se — only those targeted by the Convention on 
>> Biological Diversity as threatening “ecosystems, 
>> habitats or species”. There is no campaign 
>> against all introductions: scarcity of resources 
>> forces managers to prioritize according to the 
>> impact of troublesome species, as in the Australian Weed Risk Assessment.
>> 
>> Second, invasion biologists and managers do not 
>> ignore the benefits of introduced species. They 
>> recognize that many non-native species curtail 
>> erosion and provide food, timber and other 
>> services. Nobody tries to eradicate wheat, for 
>> instance. Useful non-native species may 
>> sometimes still need to be managed because they 
>> have a negative impact, such as tree invasions 
>> that cause water loss in the South African fynbos.
>> 
>> Davis and colleagues downplay the severe impact 
>> of non-native species that may not manifest for 
>> decades after their introduction — as occurred 
>> with the Brazilian pepper shrub (Schinus 
>> terebinthifolius) in Florida (J. J. Ewel in 
>> Ecology of Biological Invasions of North America 
>> and Hawaii (eds H. A. Mooney and J. A. Drake) 
>> 214–230; Springer, 1986). Also, some species may 
>> have only a subtle immediate impact but affect 
>> entire ecosystems, for example through their effect on soils.
>> 
>> Pronouncing a newly introduced species as 
>> harmless can lead to bad decisions about its 
>> management. A species added to a plant community 
>> that has no evolutionary experience of that 
>> organism should be carefully watched.
>> 
>> For some introductions, eradication is possible. 
>> For example, 27 invasive species have been 
>> eradicated from the Galapagos Islands, 
>> mitigating severe adverse effects on endemic 
>> species. Harmful invasive species have been 
>> successfully kept in check by biological, chemical and mechanical means.
>> 
>> The public must be vigilant of introductions and 
>> continue to support the many successful management efforts.
>> 
>> Daniel Simberloff* University of Tennessee, Tennessee, USA.
>> dsimberl...@utk.edu
>> 
>> *On behalf of 141 signatories 
>> [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v475/n7354/extref/475036a-s1.pdf]
>> (see

[ECOLOG-L] Rhetorical question on trees

[Geoffrey Patton]

? To what degree do trees self-fertilize by dropping leaves and building their 
own humus ? They capture energy from the sun and nutrients from the air (and 
soil) and some of that production feeds the soil upon which the following 
year's growth depends. The soil biota processes the wastes, further captures 
atmospherically-deposited nutrients, and makes it all newly available for 
further growth, I would imagine. Apologies for being a marine biologist but 
this seems like something that might have been researched already. Yes or no?



Cordially yours,

Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

Re: [ECOLOG-L] [ap-envsci] Clickers-Which one do you love!

[Geoffrey Patton]

I'd like to know whether anyone has tried to do a Fuzzy Logic style expert 
elicitation using clickers? 

Please respond directly to gwpatt...@yahoo.com. 
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: Mitch Cruzan 
Sender: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news" 

Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:37:53 
To: 
Reply-To: Mitch Cruzan 
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] [ap-envsci] Clickers-Which one do you love!

Last year we tried to standardize to one clicker on campus for the 
reasons you mention.  We ultimately chose the eInstruction CPS-Pulse 
product as it was the most flexible and did not require students to pay 
a registration fee each term.  The key things we were looking for were:
1.  Flexibility of question type (multiple choice to 10 options, decimal 
numbers, and alpha input).
2.  The ability to conduct 'self-paced' exams.  The clicker effectively 
replaces scantrons as students use a paper copy of the exam and enter 
answers on the clicker.  They can scroll through the questions and 
answer in any order, see their last input for each question, and change 
their answers as many times as they want.
3.  Flexibility of OS.

This last item is where we had the most difficulty as the eInstruction 
software does not run well on Macs.  Neither the iClicker or Turning 
Tech has the ability to do self-paced exams, and iClickers only allow 
multiple choice with five options.  I think we may end up being a dual 
clicker campus with eInstruction for PC users and iClickers for the Mac 
people.

If you have existing PowerPoints you use for lectures it is fairly easy 
to integrate clicker questions.  I suggest developing questions that 
challenge students to think about the material - apply concepts to new 
situations, combine previously covered concepts, or use questions as a 
bridge to the next topic.  I also suggest you use questions as 
discussion pauses - let them discuss with peers during class and discuss 
as a whole class after.

Advantages are:
1.  They will come to lecture - I get 90% attendance.
2.  The question pauses break up the monotony - it keeps them engaged.
3.  They think about and discuss the material with each other during 
class, so they actually learn more.
4.  Based on anonymous surveys they really like the clickers because it 
helps them learn the material.  Student evaluations have gone up since I 
stated using these things a few years back.


On 2/22/2011 10:39 AM, Cary Chevalier wrote:
> I use "clickers" all the time.
>
> Turning Point is good, so is Einstruction (CPS).  I happen to use the 
> E-instruction product, but either is well reviewed.  There are also probably 
> other providers that are just a good.  If your institution is thinking about 
> using "clickers"  have the providers send reps to your institution to give 
> demos.
>
> the one thing you DON"T want to do is have a bunch of different clickers on 
> campus, as it is unfair to students.  Research the diff. products, then 
> settle on an institution adoption of your choice.
>
> good luck!
>
> Cary
>
> Cary D. Chevalier, Ph.D.
> Department of Biology
> Missouri Western State University
> 4525 Downs Dr.
> St. Joseph, MO 64507
> Ph: 816.271.4252
> Fax: 816.271.4252
> Email:  cc...@missouriwestern.edu
>
 "J. Michael Nolan"  2/22/2011 9:48 AM>>>
> List Members.
>
> I know nothing about "clickers". Every year I do give the people at Stanford 
> U. a plug, and Rick Reis, Ph.D. for running a free newsletter called 
> Tomorrow's Professor. There are a gazillion lists and newsletters out there, 
> and sometimes it is more than overwhelming. This is one newsletter I would 
> subscribe to.
>
> Recently, there was an article, not only on types of "clickers", but also how 
> to use them. They are so valuable, I do keep them on file.quicker if you 
> do a search, as all of their posts are archived: 
> http://cgi.stanford.edu/~dept-ctl/tomprof/postings.php
>
> I am not teaching new teachers, but if I was.it would be one of the first 
> resources I might have people subscribe to?, will maybe right after the 
> AP-Env Sci list!
>
> Thanks and have a great day. If you don't live where there is snow, I will be 
> pleased send some of another foot we got on the eastern shores of Lake 
> Michigan yesterday and last night! Well, after I get our front door open.
>
> Sorry for my cross-posting.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Mike Nolan
>
> Interesting that you bring these brands up, Jonathan...my district just put 
> Promethean boards into all of the classrooms and we are expecting to get 
> their clickers next year, but I was able to get a set of Turning Point 
> (ActiveInspire) clickers as they were being cleaned "away" and I am learning 
> how to use them. They are very intuitive- mainly I am learning how to 
> incorporate questions into my existing Power Points. There is a plug-in 
> needed to make it work but once I figured that out, the rest is 
> straightforward. It's a little time consuming to write que

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Conservation or just gardening?

[Geoffrey Patton]

I like Colleen's point and would like to add that sometimes there is more to be 
learned from the hopeless species that might inform saving others. Plus, the 
educational value...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: Colleen Grant 
Sender: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news" 

Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:24:46 
To: 
Reply-To: Colleen Grant 
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Conservation or just gardening?

Jason,
 
And if a species is beyond saving with conservation, how worthwhile is it to 
save that species with gardening?

At this point, it might be pertinent to ask what other species are dependent 
(for their life processes) on the "gardened" species.  For example, is there an 
exclusive mutualism that needs to be preserved? 
 
Colleen Grant 
--- On Mon, 1/17/11, Jason Hernandez  wrote:

From: Jason Hernandez 
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Conservation or just gardening?
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Monday, January 17, 2011, 5:08 PM


This question is inspired by a conversation with a former employer.  When do 
our interventions cease to be conservation and become gardening?
 
For the sake of argument, I was taking the purist position: that ideally, we 
want to be able to put a fence around a natural area and walk away, letting 
nature manage it.  But as my employer rightly pointed out, that is just not a 
realistic expectation in the 21st century, what with invasive species, systemic 
pollution, human pressures on surrounding areas, and countless other factors 
which will not go away.  But of course, she also knew that there is a degree of 
intervention which crosses the line from conservation to gardening, that is, 
caring for a population that no longer participates in its ecosystem processes.
 
There is, of course, a continuum of interventions.  Removal of invasive 
competitors is a relatively light intervention; growing seedlings in a 
greenhouse and then planting them out is more intensive; maintaining an in 
vitro germplasm collection still more intensive.  Are there any recognized 
criteria for determining the boundary between conservation and gardening?  And 
if a species is beyond saving with conservation, how worthwhile is it to save 
that species with gardening?  Can we determine when a species' only hope is 
gardening?
 
Jason Hernandez
Biological Science Technician, USDA Forest Service

[ECOLOG-L] Flag this message Red-winged Blackbird Die Off in AR....

[Geoffrey Patton]

Poking around the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count website 
(http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count) one can graph trends in counts 
for red-wing blackbirds or other species of  interest.  Realizing the 
limitations of such observational data, there appear to have been large swings 
looking back 20 years but generally greater biomass back in the 1980's up until 
1991 (expressed as sightings per search team). 

Cordially yours,
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.  2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

[ECOLOG-L] Effects of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

[Geoffrey Patton]

Expert sought for on-camera interview about the effects of
All-Terr


Expert sought for on-camera interview about the effects of
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). A small Maryland
environmental organization (www.magicalliance.org)
intends to produce an informative short video on the topic. If interested,
please contact Frank Lipson, President, at frank.lip...@comcast.net. 


Cordially yours,
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.  2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

[ECOLOG-L] Good news from the Gulf?

[Geoffrey Patton]

 
In response to Bill's discussion points, I would like to suggest the following 
paper:
 
Jee Hyun Jung, Un Hyuk Yim, Gi Myeong Han, Won Joon Shim
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C 150 (2009) 218–223
Biochemical changes in rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, exposed to dispersed crude 
oil
Abstract: 
This paper describes the response of the ovoviviparous rockfish, Sebastes 
schlegeli, to hydrocarbons in the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude 
oil, in the presence or absence of oil dispersants. Concentrations 
of cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A) and levels of its catalytic activity 
ethoxyresorufin O-de-ethylase (EROD) in rockfish exposed to WAF at 
concentrations of 0.1% and 1% were significantly increased by the addition of a 
dispersant, Corexit 9500 after 48 h exposure. After 72 h exposure, the levels 
of CYP1A and EROD activity were significantly increased in 0.1% and 0.01% 
chemically enhanced WAF (CEWAF) (Corexit 9500 and Hiclean II 
dispersant). Bile samples from fish exposed toWAF alone had low concentrations 
of hydrocarbon metabolites, exemplified by 1-hydroxypyrene. After 72 h 
exposure, hydrocarbon metabolites in bile from fish exposed to 
WAF in the presence of either Corexit 9500 or Hiclean II were significantly 
higher compared with fish exposed to WAF alone or control fish. These 
experiments confirm that the use of oil dispersants will increase the 
exposure of ovoviviparous fish to hydrocarbons in oil.

 

Cordially yours,

Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

--- On Wed, 8/11/10, William Silvert  wrote:


From: William Silvert 
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Good news from the Gulf?
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 4:58 AM


I confess that I posted this in large part because I was curious to see the 
reactions. As expected, all replies (on- and off-list) were critical and 
skeptical. However, although some responses were based on scientific arguments 
about issues like long-term burial in sediments, many seemed to be based on a 
deep suspicion of any good news about environmental issues and some relied on 
conspiracy theories and guilt by association. Curiously no one mentioned that 
although lighter fractions of oil dissipate more rapidly than heavier tars, 
they tend to be much more toxic.

While I agree that the article paints an incomplete and misleading picture, I 
am concerned about a broader issue, namely the willingness of the scientific 
community to investigate the possibility that things may not always be as bad 
as they seem. For example, some time ago a team of my colleagues investigated 
the benthic impacts of bentonite (drilling mud) around off-shore rigs. To their 
great surprise they found that the effects were minor and very localised. I am 
sure that if they had found something serious they could have published in 
Science mag, perhaps even with a press conference, but as it was I don't even 
recall whether the work made it past an internal report.

Work on the benthic impacts of fishing has produced some very surprising and 
counter-intuitive results. One colleague in the UK set out to study the impacts 
of shellfish dredging, in which massive quantities of sand are sucked up, 
pushed through a sieve, and dumped back on the ocean floor. Not only could he 
not see anything worth reporting, but after 24 hours he couldn't even see any 
evidence of the dredging - the smaller infauna were all present and seemed fine!

On the other hand, marks from the otter board of a trawler on the sediments of 
the Bay of Fundy persist for months in this extremely energetic environment. I 
was skeptical of this until I participated in some field work in an area where 
the tides are fast and the tidal range is up to 16 m and it is impossible to 
moor any kind of enclosure. We did monthly sampling, and when we returned to 
the site we could see the marks made by our boots the month before. It works 
both ways.

So while I agree in scientific terms with all the criticisms of the article I 
posted, I am not comfortable with all the attitudes expressed. I think we need 
to be more open-minded and not prejudge the impacts of events.

Bill Silvert


- Original Message - From: "William Silvert" 
To: 
Sent: sábado, 7 de Agosto de 2010 11:44
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Good news from the Gulf?


The following article from TIME magazine offers an unusually optimistic view of 
the BP spill which I suspect many will disagree with, but which is worth 
considering. Bill Silvert

Thursday, Jul. 29, 2010
The BP Spill: Has the Damage Been Exaggerated?
By Michael Grunwald / Port Fourchon, La.
President Obama has called the BP oil spill "the worst environmental disaster 
America has ever faced," and so has just about everyone else. Green groups are 
sounding alarms about the "catastrophe along the Gulf Coast," while CBS, Fox 
and MSNBC are all slapping "Disaster in the Gulf" chyrons on their 
spill-related news. Even BP fall guy Tony 

[ECOLOG-L] Hotter than blue blazes

[Geoffrey Patton]

The DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) area has been 
experiencing remarkable heat his summer. A question can be phased :what tree 
species may benefit from this?

Cordially yours,
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.  2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

[ECOLOG-L] Ecology Terminology and associated phenomena Colonizing species etc

[Geoffrey Patton]

This has been an especially interesting and worthwhile discussion, particularly 
on the ethics front. My ethics derive from an ecologist whose name I can no 
longer recall but whose mantra was that Nature took millions of years to sort 
out the current state and any human-caused change is, by definition, adverse. 
Where people have a hand in it, it is bad, regardless of any perceived 
shot-term benefit. Pedagogical but true in my view.

Cordially yours,
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.  2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

--- On Tue, 5/11/10, James Crants  wrote:

From: James Crants 
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Ecology Terminology and associated phenomena Colonizing 
species etc
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 10:47 AM

I think I have not made my arguments clearly enough.  I merely intended
to summarize my moral case for suppressing invasives as part of my summary
of the off-forum conversation.  My numbered paragraphs were intended to
address the claim that there is no ecological difference between native and
exotic species, and the claim that there is no ecological difference between
human-mediated dispersal and dispersal by any other agent.  My responses to
Matt's responses to those paragraphs are below:


JC(1) Exotic species, on average, interact with fewer species than native

> species, and their interactions are  weaker, on average.  In particular,
> they have fewer parasites, pathogens, and predators, counted in either
> individuals or species.  This is especially true of plants, and especially
> non-crop plants.  I suspect, but have not heard, that exotic plants also
> have fewer mycorrhizal associates than native ones, but I doubt that they
> have significantly fewer pollinators or dispersers.  Meanwhile, back in
> their native ranges, the same species have the same number of associations
> as any other native species.
> MC(1) Natural selection only produces interactions good enough to persist
> under prevailing conditions; there is no gold standard. By definition, 50%
> of all species interact with fewer species than average, and  50% of all
> interactions are weaker than average.  Preferring stronger, more complex
> interactions means preferring more tightly-coupled (and therefore)
> 'riskier'
> systems with a higher likelihood of failure.
>
JC (1b) The argument about how many species interact with fewer species than
average misses my point.  I'm saying that, if you counted the biological
interactions for each native species and each exotic species in some area
(could be a square meter, could be the world), I believe you would find that
the average number for exotic species would be significantly lower than the
average for exotic species.  Thus, exotic species are ecologically different
from native species.

Actually, having more interactions may mean greater stability, on average,
since some of those interactions are functionally redundant.  I would have
to brush up on my community ecology to be sure I'm not being overly
simplistic, but I know this is true in pollination systems; pollinators that
interact with more angiosperm species have greater population stability, on
average, and angiosperms with more pollinator species have greater
reproductive stability, on average (though I don't know if this leads to
greater population stability for long-lived species).

I'm not sure what you mean by "systems with a higher likelihood of
failure."  It seems to me that failure is a matter of human values not being
realized.  If, by "failure," you mean "rapid change," well, that hardly
seems to be a problem for you.  I would have to agree that systems managed
to promote natives at the expense of exotics are more prone to failure than
those where any and all ecological outcomes are deemed acceptable, but
that's only because "failure" in the former group means invasion and
domination by exotic species, while there is no such thing as "failure" in
the latter group.

>
> JC(2) Very-long-distance dispersal by humans confers a fitness advantage
> over very-long-distance dispersal by other agents, on average, for two
> reasons.  First, humans often disperse organisms in groups, such
> as containers of seeds, shipments of mature plants and animals, or large
> populations contained in ballast water, allowing them to overcome the Allee
> effects (lack of mates, inbreeding depression) their populations would face
> if introduced as one or a few individuals.  We also often take pains to
> maximize the establishment success of organisms we disperse, by shipping
> healthy, mature plants and animals and propogating them when they arrive,
> while non-human dispersal agents usually introduce small numbers of
> organisms, often nowhere near their peak fitness potential (e.g., seeds,
> spores, starving and dehydrated animals).
> MC(2). JC appears to be arguing that once rare occurrences are no longer
> rare.  I agree.  But I draw the opposite conclusion, because he is arguing
> that to generat

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Earthworms

[Geoffrey Patton]

So where is the discussion of worms vs Mycorrhiza?

Cordially yours,
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.  2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

--- On Mon, 5/3/10, David L. McNeely  wrote:

From: David L. McNeely 
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Earthworms
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Monday, May 3, 2010, 4:27 PM

Bill, I'm not an expert (guy from out of town with slides), but I believe that 
most soils have a redundancy of bioturbaters including rodents and beetles, 
unlike some marine bottoms.  In some northern forests in North America, the 
European night crawler, which takes its food from the surface, has depleted the 
litter layer in the extreme, exposing tree roots to harsh conditions and 
actually rendering soil less rather than more permeable.  Some of the forest 
floors that formerly were thickly covered with natural mulch are bare.  DMc

The source of these worm introductions is probably bait dumped when no longer 
needed.

 William Silvert  wrote: 
> Perhaps Bruce could fill us in on earthworms, since not all of us are 
> knowledgable in this area (I'm a marine ecologist and obviously picked up on 
> some inaccurate ideas). I always assumed that they played the same role as 
> some key polychaetes do in benthic systems, where it has been shown that if 
> just one key species is eliminated the bottom turns to concrete.
> 
> So please: if earthworms are absent, what keeps the soil aerated and broken 
> up? What are the detrimental impacts of the undesirable earthworm species? 
> What is the range of ecosystem functions that earthworms play? 
> 
> Bill Silvert
> 
>   - Original Message - 
>   From: Bruce A. Snyder 
>   To: William Silvert 
>   Cc: ECOLOG-L@listserv.umd.edu 
>   Sent: segunda-feira, 3 de Maio de 2010 18:41
>   Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] State Microbes and Yucky Worms
> 
> 
>   Native Nearctic earthworms have not been eliminated and are quite diverse. 
>Pleistocene glaciations did extirpate them from the northern portion of the 
>continent, and the present-day ecosystems in this region developed just fine 
>without the presence of earthworms. This is where the detrimental impacts of 
>invasive earthworms are the most prominent. European earthworms are the 
>primary culprits in the northern forests, but Asian, African, and South 
>American species have all found there way to North America.
> 
>   Collective nouns are not a problem in themselves, but it is troublesome 
>when a collective term is applied to describe the homogeneity of something 
>that is far from homogeneous. E.g., not all earthworm individuals are the same 
>species and as such not all function the same; not all earthworm species are 
>beneficial in all locations.

--
David McNeely

[ECOLOG-L] Insignificant species?

[Geoffrey Patton]

I think that one missing component in this discussion is the time
frame. It is difficult for humans to conceptualize millions (or
billions) of years. Have you ever actually seen $1,000,000? Our
lifetimes are scores of years. We tend to view everything from our
personal perspective. Sure, species come and species go but humans
skewing evolution to favor only fast-evolving species like viruses and
bacteria really throws a clinker into the works. Someone else said
"Nature will survive."

Cordially yours,
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.  Wheaton, MD

[ECOLOG-L] Insignificant species?

[Geoffrey Patton]

Each existing species on the planet is the result of millions of years of 
intensive evolution and selection pressure. As I used to tell my high school 
ecology students, each species has at least one secret that allows it to occupy 
some unique niche. We have no idea which secrets will be important today or 
tomorrow. To lose any species is a failure of our species to acknowledge ours 
and their place in the global ecosystem. In other words, each lost species is a 
monument to our stupidity

Cordially yours,
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.  2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

Re: [ECOLOG-L] "Natural" systems

[Geoffrey Patton]

Dear Good Ecologers:
 
While Dr. Czech has produced an elegant and exhaustive treatise on the 
application of important concepts in "natural" systems, it is a bit dense and 
unapproachable for many. 
 
It is with deep regret that I am unable to cite the specific reference for what 
I am about to write. I have frequently attributed it to John Clark's Ecosystem 
Management while knowing that's inaccurate. However, the quote I've constucted 
is "Any alteration of the natural situation is, by default, an adverse effect 
or change." Paraphrased, Nature took millenia to achieve the current dynamic 
balance of plants and animals, predators and prey, entropy and enthalpy. Any 
alteration at Man's hand away from the natural order of things conflicts with 
the balance and is adverse.  Thus, we should try to our last breath to make 
things as conducive to nature's way as possible. 
 
I think that's what we're talking about here.



Cordially yours,

Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536

--- On Sat, 3/7/09, Czech, Brian  wrote:

From: Czech, Brian 
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] "Natural" systems
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009, 5:09 PM

It's true that "natural" is just semantics in some contexts, but
defining the term can affect the way our public lands are managed.  See for
example the Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Policy of
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Here is one proposal for a frame of
reference for natural conditions:

 

http://steadystate.org/Chronological_Frame_of_Reference_for_Ecological_Integrity.pdf



 

 
Brian Czech, Visiting Professor
Natural Resources Program 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
National Capital Region, Northern Virginia Center
7054 Haycock Road, Room 411
Falls Church, Virginia 22043



From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of Steve Kunz
Sent: Fri 2009-03-06 10:24
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Climate change and Agroecosystems



In the case of human mammals, there is something unique about our  place in
the world.  We have the "intelligence" to control our environment  on
a large
scale.  Our control of otherwise "natural" systems can throw  them
out of
balance, or at least, into a new balance.  In an extreme case,  this
intelligent
control can completely wipe out most if not all of our own  species and most
others (think: nuclear war).  The planet doesn't care if  this happens, and
some
species will survive and help start things over.  Is  the result
"natural" or
"unnatural"?  At that point, it's just semantics  anyway.

Peace!

Steve Kunz




In a message dated 3/5/2009 6:08:37 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
atom.fuller...@gmail.com writes:

I'm a  grad student who reads the list-serve to look for job opportunities,
but  these threads on agroecosystems and climate change bring up a question  I
have never really gotten a satisfactory answer to, namely: Are humans to  be
considered a part of the natural world?  On the one hand, humans  are clearly
a species of mammal living on the planet.  Science in  general follows the
Copernican Principle: don't assume there is anything  particularly unique
about your place in the world.  I doubt many of  you would consider us to
have been specifically placed on the planet and  set apart from other forms
of life.  And yet, when it comes to the  things humans do, a clear
distinction is made between human causes and  natural ones, human modified
ecosystems and wild ones.  And it is  definitely useful to make distictions
between human effects and natural  ones when studying many ecosystems-I've
certainly done it in my own  research.

So why is this true?  How can natural humans cause  unnatural effects (or is
one assumption false, despite both seeming  reasonable)? Can only humans harm
the environment?  What's the  difference between an invasive species being
introduced to an island by  humans, or the same one arriving on the foot of a
bird?  What does  harming the environment mean, anyway?  Somewhat like the
two  perspectives above, I have seen it defined as: (A) changing the
environment  from it's original natural or pre-human state (which natural
state? how do  you define your baseline?), and (B) Making the environment
less capable of  supporting human life (supporting human life now or
indefinietely?  at  what standard of living?).  Those two goals aren't 
always
compatable.  So, comments?  Thoughts?  How do you  resolve this?

Adam


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[ECOLOG-L] no acorn mast

[Geoffrey Patton]

We see a few, albeit very few, acorns in MD (not none). Friends at the 
Smithsonian's Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, MD told us 
that there is a pattern of low, medium, high, low mast production that helps 
foil squirrels and others that try to profiteer too much on the seed 
production. From the Post article, this varies from one oak species to the 
next. There's the possibility that low production for several species overlaps 
this year. The other point made in the Post article made was that the heavy 
rain we had during the all-important pollinating period in the Spring may have 
been a major driver of this year's low production. The question in my mind is: 
What alternative sources of over-winter food are there for species that rely on 
acorns and what other environmental ripple effects might we see?



Cordially yours,

Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902  301.221.9536


   

[ECOLOG-L] Thesis Questionnaire: Live-Trap Redesign - response

[Geoffrey Patton]

 
Just food for thought, in case operation affects design:
 
For mark-recapture studies, it is desireable to have animals not be unwilling 
to enter the trap after having been caught the first time. The method for 
achieving this is to have the trap not go off the first several times the 
animal goes after the bait.  Once the animal is conditioned to the fact that 
the trap is not dangerous and provides a reward, occasionally being caught for 
brief periods is not sufficient to cause avoidance.


Geoff Patton

--- On Wed, 9/17/08, Martin Meiss <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

From: Martin Meiss <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Thesis Questionnaire: Live-Trap Redesign
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 10:41 AM

Hi, Justin,
Here's some experience I've had with live-trapping to keep
pests out
of my garden.  My major problem-animals are squirrels and groundhogs, and
trapping them is quite different.  Squirrels check out a trap because of
curiosity (they investigate any novel object or disturbed soil) and can be
easily enticed into the trap with a little peanut butter smeared on the bait
pan.  Design point 1: anything that makes it unnecessarily awkward to access
the bait pan should be avoided.
For me, trapping the groundhogs was quite different.  Squirrels know
no barriers, and enter the garden from any point, but I knew exactly how my
groundhog was getting in: through a gap in a fence.  (You might wonder,
then, why didn't I just fix the gap?  Because then the groundhog would have
dug under the fence, and I could not have predicted where it would have done
that.  Groundhogs don't seem to be as curious as squirrels, and won't
approach a trap just because it is novel: if it's not on their path, or
well
baited, they'll never approach,)  But because there are plenty of hiding
areas on both sides of the fence, I couldn't know on which side of the
fence
the groundhog was at any time.   My Chinese-made trap can only be entered
from one end, and I didn't know which direction to have the opening face,
toward the gap in the fence, or away from it.  Design point 2: make your
trap with two entrances, like a Havahart.
   To place the trap I had to set it first and then thrust it through a
hedge to the fence.  Bumping or jostling during this process would trigger
the trap and I'd have to start over: pull it out, reset, and push back,
Design point 3:  don't make the trigger too sensitive, or better yet, make
it with variable sensitivity.
   Any outward projections from the sides of the trap would have made
thrusting it into the hedge that much more difficult.  Design point 4: avoid
outward projections.
   In the course the summer I caught many squirrels, three feral cats,
the bothersome ground hog, and two skunks.  Freeing skunks without getting
squirted can be a problem.  It took long minutes of sweet, gentle talk and
slow approach to let them out.  Design point 5: have an optional means of
opening the trap from a distance, perhaps by a pull-string (or even a radio
signal, if you want to go high-tech.
  Now that I think about it, if you decide on high-tech, why not have a
remote system of detecting whether the trap has been sprung, or contains an
animal?  Maybe a built-in camera!  For your research purposes, a built-in
camera, or a camera nearby, would be a great way to study the behavior of
animals as they approach the trap, enter it, take the bait, spring the
mechanism, and what they do after they realize they are caught.  Knowing
these things would undoubtedly influence your design.
  Some trapped animals become aggressive as the trapper approaches, and
attempt to bite through the wires.  Thus, picking up a wire-bale handle that
has flopped down onto the top of the cage can be dangerous.  Design point 6:
shield the area around the pick-up handle, or make it lockable in the
upright position.  However, don't make it permanently upright, as this
violates the principle of no outward projections.
I have limited storage space.  My trap is collapsible, but it is
awkward and time consuming, both to collapse and to set it back up again.
Design point 7: make your trap EASILY collapsible.
  Design point 8: If you have time, make your trap lighter than air,
encrusted with gems, and fluent in three foreign languages.  That last one
is optional, but could help overseas sales.
  I hope all this helps, and that you indeed make an improved trap.  AND
that it costs less than thirty dollars.

Martin Meiss

2008/9/16 Justin Cumming <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

> Hello,
>
> My name is Justin Cumming, I am an Industrial Design Student at the
> Cleveland Institute of Art. I
> am looking for insight on my senior thesis project. It is focused on the
> design and development of
> a new Live-Trap for medium sized animals (Skunks, Raccoons, Feral cats,
> exc.)
>
> Project Background: This project to assess and redesign the cage-style
live
> trapping devic

[ECOLOG-L] Fw: job at NSF Office of Legislative & Public Affairs

[Geoffrey Patton]

This job opportunity is being passed around in case someone might be 
interested. Contact Melissa.
- Forwarded message --
From: Melissa Summers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tue, Aug 26, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Subject: [sefellows] Temporary position available at NSF
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]


Hi everyone,

My office is looking for a speechwriter to spend a year or two at the
National Science Foundation's Office of Legislative & Public Affairs
on leave from their academic or non-profit institution on an
Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA)* rotation. This person does not
need to be an experienced speechwriter; in fact, this position would
be a good opportunity for someone to gain writing experience. An ideal
candidate doesn't need to have a science background, just an interest
in writing about science & engineering for a lay audience.

If you know of anyone in your network who might be interested, please
have them contact me ([EMAIL PROTECTED]; 703-292-8463) for more
information. Ideally, we're looking for someone to start this fall.

Thanks!
~Melissa

*The Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program provides for the
temporary assignment of personnel between the Federal Government and
state and local governments, colleges and universities, Indian tribal
governments, federally funded research and development centers, and
other eligible organizations. http://www.opm.gov/PROGRAMS/IPA/

=
Visit the Felcom web page: 

Check  out the new Fellows Merchandise and Exchange Board
http://www.studioenterprises.com/recgov/cgi-bin/felcom/discus.cgi


Tell a friend how to subscribe to FELLOW-L!
Send mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> with 'Subscribe
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Re: [ECOLOG-L] Salix success? Success of exotics?

[Geoffrey Patton]

 
Why do so many exotics species become alien pests? We are all aware of the 
explanation for that success being the lack of predatory species. Is this all 
there is to the story? Could their longer evolution in their "homeland" have 
given them genetic advantages? Do as many New World species become invasive 
exotics in the Old World? 

Geoff Patton
 --- On Sat, 8/23/08, David Inouye <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

From: David Inouye <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Salix success?
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008, 11:20 PM

What makes Salix (willows) so successful at high latitudes and high 
altitudes?  Unusual physiological traits?  

[ECOLOG-L] Science Auxiliary website for temp jobs, internships, & volunteer opps

[Geoffrey Patton]

A while back, I posted a link to a website of temporary science jobs, 
internships, and volunteer opportunities.  By public demand and with a great 
suggestion by Dr. Jeff Cardille of the Univ. of Montreal, the site is available 
on iGoogle Docs. You can add new entries if you have any.  
   
  There are 3 ways to access the info-
   
  1) If you wish to just browse looking for opportunities for yourself, go to 
http://tinyurl.com/yq7d2m .
   
  2) If you wish to add an entry, go to the form at http://tinyurl.com/yqwxgs .
   
  3) If you would like to help collaborate to make this a better website, send 
me an email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and I will send back an invitation "sharing" 
the site with you.  That will allow you to edit also.  Please include your 
location and affiliation in your email.
   
  My thanks to David Inouye for his early and continuing encouragement and 
support to provide this service to the scientific community.
   
  Cordially yours,
   
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
  Wheaton, MD
   

   
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new website - short-term science jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities

[Geoffrey Patton]

http://tinyurl.com/2un7jq
   
  Apologies up front - this website is crude. These opportunities are 
time-critical and I wanted to get it up as fast as possible.
   
  The items in the table are from recent postings on ECOLOG-L and other sites 
(to be added).
   
  In the future I hope to add user interfaces that allow people to post 
opportunities directly and to make it easier to just view subsets.  If you have 
suggestions, please send them to me.  I know of similar sites and I hope to 
surpass them.
   
  The goal is to support scientific field efforts with gung-ho help.
   
  Cheers,
   
  Geoff Patton

   
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Re: ESA and Economic Growth Statement Czech, Mate!

[Geoffrey Patton]

Dear ECOLOGers:
   
  Brian Czech has been a friend for about 5 years and I can attest that Wayne's 
take on the man is correct. Brian has fervently been striving to show others 
what he sees.  My career in environmental studies has brought me to the same 
realizations.  The current "financial crisis" seems a good time to look toward 
some alternative views more aligned with reality than the neoclassical 
economics which got us into this mess of global warming.
   
  One additional point I'd like to raise is that, while population is a direct 
driver of consumption and unsustainability, there are opportunities within 
other sectors as suggested by a chart from the US EPA's 2006-2011 Strategic 
Plan (page 12): http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/2006/entire_report.pdf .  
   
  It is time for economists to rally toward environmental economics, continue 
to help us catch non-solutions such as biofuels before we go down such false 
paths, and begin to communicate simplier lifestyles, shorter workweeks, and 
better quality of life.  My 2 centavos.
   
  Cordially yours,
   
  Geoff Patton
   
  

Wayne Tyson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  Honorable Forum:

Not only does Brian have an excellent point to make, his "cooler 
heads" approach need not lack real potency. The question is, "Could 
the present statement be improved?" Perhaps it could. But Brian, 
perhaps more than most, has lng been sweating blood and tears 
over this, and I am willing, on that basis alone, to trust him (he 
has given it long, careful thought), at least until the "the jury" 
returns a verdict on it. How will we know? We will know, I submit, 
if the various deserving sacred cows bellow just enough to know that 
the statement had some real effect as opposed to just preaching to 
the choir. Czech has jumped in there and DONE something (shown 
ACTIVE leadership), rather than just bleating. He should not, then, 
be made a sacrificial goat for his trouble. Baaa? Then DO 
likewise. (This attempt at light humor is not aimed at anyone; it's 
just my impulsive shot at the general principles.) If it doesn't do 
the job, well, then, he can dust himself off and lead another charge, 
or someone else can carry the burden of leadership, eh?

Damn the torpedoes, mateys! Full speed ahead.

WT

At 01:07 PM 1/18/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>I agree with Greg Davies and Phil Ganter on explicitly identifying 
>population growth in any position on economic growth. The proposed 
>position does that in the first paragraph: "Economic growth is an 
>increase in the production and consumption of goods and 
>services. It requires increasing population and/or per capita 
>production and consumption. It is indicated by measures of 
>production, income, and expenditure, most notably gross domestic 
>product (GDP)." This is the meaning of economic growth as the vast 
>majority in the public and polity knows it - higher GDP, more 
>housing starts, growing stock market, higher consumer spending, more 
>"stuff" in the aggregate.
>
>I also agree that any ESA position should not be derived out of 
>sheer political fear, yet we can all empathize with Nadine and those 
>who want to ensure that any ESA position is not politically 
>reckless. Clearly there is a balance to be achieved. As applied to 
>the question of how much emphasis should be explicitly placed on 
>population growth, I propose the following logic:
>
>It should be crystal clear in any position on economic growth that 
>the economy grows as a function of population and per capita 
>production and consumption. But after that the phrase "population 
>growth" should be used with caution - not abandoned but used with 
>caution - because it has become saddled with heavy political baggage 
>deriving from religious concerns and ethical concerns about 
>immigration. Meanwhile the phrase "economic growth" has no such 
>problem and is viewed as a purely secular concern.
>
>With a position statement we can raise enough awareness of the 
>trade-off between economic growth and environmental security. This 
>is not so problematic politically, especially in the days of climate 
>change and Peak Oil, because of the secular nature of the subject 
>matter. Yet during actual policy-making informed by such a 
>position, population will come right out of the bag as one of the 
>twin engines of problematic economic growth. This awareness will 
>have subsequent effects on fiscal policy (e.g., the tax code).
>
>Brian Czech, Visiting Assistant Professor
>Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
>Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
>National Capital Region, Northern Virginia Center
>7054 Haycock Road, Room 411
>Falls Church, VA 22043
>
>-- Phil Ganter 
wrote:
>Greg,
>
>Your criticism of the ESA's failure to speak out on the primacy of human
>population growth as a driver of global change is accurate. The problem
>began with the decision to emphasize sustainability that was made in the
>1990's. In the document on sustai

Re: Overshoot, Homo colossus, detrivore ecosystem, dirty commies, pestilence, nuclear meltdown etc., ad infinitum.

[Geoffrey Patton]

Tom:
   
  This is a common attitude these days and somewhat understandable.  However, 
those of us witness to the loss of endangered species, widespread habitat 
alteration, and other impacts that seem irreversible beg action from us who can 
see across timespans.  
   
  One thread which seems to hold promise is that of setting future goals, 
planning on how to achieve the goals, and taking first steps towards action.  
One example is the U.S. EPA's environmental futures initiative 
(http://www.epa.gov/osp/efuture.htm) and Project Horizon.
   
  While being of the same generation as you, I cannot stand by and be silent as 
the majesty of Nature is decimated by human greed.  For me, it's a matter of 
respect, responsibility and my own self-esteem.  This is my personal choice and 
my personal opinion.
   
  Cordially yours,
   
  Geoff Patton

Tom Schweich <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  I dunno ... the first I remember is being taught to hide under my desk 
at school (1952), bend way over and kiss my ass good-bye because the 
commies were going to blow us to smithereens. Then I think it was all 
the smog in Los Angeles that was going to get us. Then all the nuclear 
power plants were going to simultaneously melt down. Then we were going 
to completely run out of oil by year 2000. Then all the pollution was 
going to kill us. Not to mention forest fires, plane crashes, 
earthquakes, and floods. I've given up dying over and over again, and 
plan to live a little in my few remaining years. Until then, I'll try 
to be efficient in my use of petroleum products and not contribute to 
over-population, excessive pollution, or set off any earthquakes.

--
Tom Schweich http://www.schweich.com


stan moore wrote:
> Folks --
>
> Professor William Catton is Professor Emeritus in Sociology and Human 
> Ecology at Washington State University. aIn 1982 (isn't it hard to believe 
> that was 1/4 century ago!) Professor Catton wrote "Overshoot: The 
> Ecological Basis of Revolutionary Change", which some people have said is 
> among the most important books ever written ... etc. 
>
>
> 


 
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Re: Carbon offsetting

[Geoffrey Patton]

Certainly, it was people consuming in an uncontrolled manner that increased 
greenhouse gases - not environmentalists concerned about radioactive waste. 
   
  Trading one long-term mess for an even longer-term mess is irrational.  There 
still is no solution to radioactive waste.  
   
  We're talking thousands to hundreds of thousands of years of contamination, 
rather than just the centuries involved with global climate change.  It comes 
down to externalization of costs and how long before that piper returns to 
collect his due. When will we learn?
   
  Geoff Patton
  Wheaton, MD

Paul Cherubini <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  I don't believe I've heard anyone mention nuclear energy
in the carbon offsetting discussion.

The other day on another forum Professor Bruce Walsh of
the University of Arizona offered this insight:

"Is global warming a serious enough of a problem for us to 
go nuclear? Remember, the folks that shut down new nuclear
power plant constructions made a major contribution to 
increased greenhouse gases." 

Paul Cherubini
El Dorado, Calif.


 
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If not Ethanol, what then?

[Geoffrey Patton]

Apologies for cross-postings. If you haven't seen it before, this article 
discusses a simple economic model and the impacts of low energy costs: 
http://tinyurl.com/2p36zq .
   
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
  Wheaton, MD 
  301-221-9536
  [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
   
   

  


 
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PLANNED COASTAL RETREAT FROM GLOBAL SEA LEVEL RISE IN UK

[Geoffrey Patton]

http://www.surfrider.org/files/continental_drift_retreat_in_UK.pdf

  Cheers,
   
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
  Wheaton, MD 
  301-221-9536

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Irwin Approach

[Geoffrey Patton]

L. Brian Patrick beat me to the punch in defending Irwin's approach.  While 
these rants on Irwin are more about us wanting to air our views and less about 
Irwin, I'll risk putting my face here.  
   
  About 10 years ago I learned how Linda Taylor of "It's Our Nature" Eco Guides 
in Florida provides safe, secure, moderate hikes for women (and others) who may 
be fearful of venturing out-of-doors into our parks and preserves.  It was 
eye-opening for me to realize that many people fear nature so much as to never 
get out of their car in a state forest or nature preserve.  One serious 
strength of Irwin's was that he personally and physically showed that most of 
nature can be approached, if one has studied and gained experience.  I almost 
pulled on the tail of an electric torpedo ray in the Gulf of Mexico once, 
before I learned that they could shock one into a heart attack!
   
  Steve's greatest gift, as Brian points out, was love of the natural world and 
how we all share responsibility to protect nature from us.  My wife and I speak 
daily about the need for education of the masses who do not share the same 
values.  All we have (and are losing) is from ignorance and Steve's gift was 
education.  
   
  Respectfully yours,
   
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
  Wheaton, MD 
  (301-946-5233)
   


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Amphib course

[Geoffrey Patton]

 
  Sorry, David. Forgot to provide my details...
   
  Geoff Patton
  2208 Parker Ave
  Wheaton, MD 20902
  301 946-5233
  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   


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Amphibian Course - unsolicited recommendation

[Geoffrey Patton]

--0-1775733802-1144719381=:30546
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Dear Fellow Listservers:
   
  My wife and I, both govt scientists in different fields, took this course 
last year.  This is a totally unsolicited recommendation that these folks throw 
a lot of staff and expertise into this program.  We went from being sparsely 
educated Florida nature buffs to well-educated Mid-Atlantic herpo-freaks in one 
day.  We got wet, caught and saw a lot of amphibs and, as a former bio-educator 
myself, couldn't have walked away from anything better this side of Costa Rica. 
 I will gladly take direct questions and provide my wife's email if you need it 
but you won't find a better use of your time or the small fee.
   
  Cordially yours,
   
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.

Note: forwarded message attached.


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--0-1775733802-1144719381=:30546
Content-Length: 968

Recent cancellations have opened up some spaces. Register Today!
 
Natural History and ID of Mid-Atlantic Amphibians
 
Amphibian Fans - crawl, hop, jump, swim, paddle and slither over to St.
Michaels, MD and join Environmental Concern to learn about some of
wetlands most interesting inhabitants.  
 
During this 6-hour course:
 
*   investigate the natural history, taxonomy, biology and ecology
of amphibians
*   learn to identify frogs and salamanders native to the
Mid-Atlantic region 
*   learn to recognize the calls of a variety of frog species
*   discover why worldwide amphibian populations are apparently
decreasing at alarming rates and what this could mean about the health
of the environment
*   wade into wetlands and practice surveying methods for adult and
larval frogs
*   get involved with local frog monitoring opportunities 
 
 
DATE: April 15, 2006
TIME:  1pm - 8pm (hour dinner break)
WHERE:  Environmental Concern in St. Michaels, MD
(Eastern Shore)
INSTRUCTOR:  Troy Hershberger -A wildlife specialist at
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Troy conducted his graduate
research on amphibian populations around the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
COST: $70 - fee includes a copy of the field
guide: Amphibians and Reptiles of Delmarva and dinner.  
 
To best facilitate the hands-on, field components of this course, course
size is limited to 15.  Please call (410) 745-9620 to register (Visa/MC
and personal checks accepted).  To learn more about Environmental
Concern's over 32 years of wetland work, log on to www.wetland.org
 .  
NOTE:  Some waders and boots will be available, but bring your own to
ensure fit.
 

--0-1775733802-1144719381=:30546--

Solidarity & Sustainability

[Geoffrey Patton]

Dr. Gutierrez wrote:
   
  "...The best representation I have seen of this reality 
is the "ecocosm paradox" diagram (and paper) by Fey and Lam:.."
   
  I present a bit simpler model in a white paper:

  http://home.ncifcrf.gov/research/bja/OpEds/Big_Picture7.pdf (see diagram).
   
  Cordially yours,
   
  Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
   
Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. Help EPA fight 
pollution by reporting possible harmful environmental activity. To do so, visit 
EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints/index.html 



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position opening

[Geoffrey Patton]

A vacancy announcement for Toxicologist/Health Scientist,
GS-415/601-12/13 position has been prepared and is open from 12/01/05 -
02/06/06,   under announcement number  RTP-DE-2006-0018 and
RTP-MP-2006-0031. The announcement  is open under delegated examining
and merit promotion.  It is accessible via the Agency's EZhire web site
( http://www.epa.gov/ezhire ) and USAJOBS  (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov).

  GW Patton


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