Re: [ECOLOG-L] Fwd: [AESS_LIST] EPA Climate Webpage
They may be backing off though still face extraordinary challenges, should Pruitt be confirmed. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/316081-epa-spokesman-no-plan-to-take-down-climate-webpages John Mickelson On Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 4:05 PM, Malcolm McCallum < malcolm.mccallum.ta...@gmail.com> wrote: > -- Forwarded message -- > From: "Papadakis, Maria C - papadamc" <papad...@jmu.edu> > Date: Jan 25, 2017 1:38 PM > Subject: [AESS_LIST] EPA Climate Webpage > To: <a...@listserv.ursinus.edu> > Cc: > > All, I do not believe I have seen this news posted to the list. But > Reuters is reporting that EPA has been directed to remove its climate > change website. See here: http://www.reuters.com/article > /us-usa-trump-epa-climatechange-idUSKBN15906G > > There are important datasets linked to this site, so if you want/need > them, now is the time to download them and any other content pages that you > might regularly use. > > Also, please see this online Washington Post article "11 Stories from > President Trump's First 100 Hours that Deserve More Attention." Items > include the directive to remove the climate change website, the order to > the Agricultural Research Service and NIH to quit "public facing" > communication, the EPA contracts and grants freeze, the abrupt cancellation > of a CDC conference related to public health and climate change, and the > suggestion that President Trump may try to roll back fuel economy standards. > > Perhaps AESS can throw its weight in with the people trying to organize a > scientists march on Washington. Please see https://www.washingtonpost.com > /news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/01/24/are-scientists-goin > g-to-march-on-washington/?utm_term=.b680d44f32eb. > > Maria > > *** > Maria Papadakis > Professor of Integrated Science and Technology and Geographic Science > 801 Carrier Drive > MSC 4310 > Harrisonburg, VA 22807 > Email: papad...@jmu.edu > Office: 540-568-8142 <(540)%20568-8142> > Fax: 540-568-8741 <(540)%20568-8741> > -- > > > -- > > To learn more about and/or join AESS, go to www.aessonline.org. Please > join us at our annual conference at the University of Arizona, June 21 - 24 > 2017 > -- > > To unsubscribe from the AESS list, click the following link: > https://listserv.ursinus.edu:88/scripts/wa.exe?TICKET=NzM2Mz > g0IG1hbGNvbG0ubWNjYWxsdW1ASEVSUENPTkJJTy5PUkcgQUVTU9YPqhUqb% > 2F5%2F=SIGNOFF > >
[ECOLOG-L] interesting WSJ article on: bean-counting public science opinion
Some good... some not so good news (Very happy that we're keeping track of such trends) It's frightening clear that: facts, reason, "common sense", and logic are accounting for less and less in public discourse (esp. political) http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2016/05/13/opinion-gap-complicates-publics-relationship-with-scientists/ Deeply interested in: what effective means exist to go head to head with willful ignorance, emotions trumping facts, prejudice obliterating vision. -John Mickelson
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Opening research center & research in Sri Lanka
Hi Phil, I would certainly look up and contact Pruthu Fernando, who is a renowned expert on Sri Lanka fauna (esp. elephants) and has a great deal of field research experience in-country.. he is a wonderful guy and very knowledgeable I'm sure he'll have some pointers... try: http://www.ccrsl.org/CCR/WhoWeAre/PrithivirajFernando.htm https://www.facebook.com/savingganesh/posts/750401225081957 http://whitleyaward.org/winners/asian-elephants-sri-lanka/ John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com On Wed, Mar 30, 2016 at 12:46 PM, Phil Rekret <philip.rek...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Ecologgers, > > I am a recent MSc graduate in Integrative Biology from Toronto and I have > been invited by friends to help them open up a wildlife research center on > 22acres of privately owned land next to Gal Oya National Park in Sri Lanka. > Does anyone have, or know someone who has, any experience opening up a > research center from essentially from scratch or any experience conducting > research in Sri Lanka? > At the moment, we are starting out with 5 locally educated > biologists/naturalists who know a lot about the wildlife in the area and > have set up trail cameras to begin monitoring and collecting data. > Any help or advice you can provide me would be greatly appreciated! > > Cheers, > Phil Rekret
Re: [ECOLOG-L] help: cartogram software recommendations? (free better than $$!)
Its been a few years since I played around with them but a fairly good reference (including many free packages) can be found at: https://www.gislounge.com/area-cartograms-explored/ John Mickelson Geospatial & Ecological Services 501 Stage Road Monroe, NY 10950 john.mickel...@yahoo.com On Sat, Mar 19, 2016 at 11:19 PM, Malcolm McCallum < malcolm.mccallum.ta...@gmail.com> wrote: > Does anyone have any recommendations regarding freeware that can be > used to make cartograms? I have a variety of data for over 100 > countries that I would like to express in a series of cartograms. If > you can make a recommendation to me, that would be great. :) > > -- > Malcolm L. McCallum, PHD, REP > Link to online CV and portfolio : > https://www.visualcv.com/malcolm-mc-callum?access=18A9RYkDGxO > > “Nothing is more priceless and worthy of preservation than the rich > array of animal life with which our country has been blessed. It is a > many-faceted treasure, of value to scholars, scientists, and nature > lovers alike, and it forms a vital part of the heritage we all share > as Americans.” > -President Richard Nixon upon signing the Endangered Species Act of > 1973 into law. > > "Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive" - > Allan Nation > > 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert > 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, > and pollution. > 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction > MAY help restore populations. > 2022: Soylent Green is People! > > The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) > Wealth w/o work > Pleasure w/o conscience > Knowledge w/o character > Commerce w/o morality > Science w/o humanity > Worship w/o sacrifice > Politics w/o principle > > Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any > attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may > contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized > review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not > the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and > destroy all copies of the original message. >
Re: [ECOLOG-L] bluetooth speaker for call back study
Hi Kim, I looked at quite a few this past spring and ended up with a Shaark Boom-box Bluetooth speaker; (~$60 online), and am very happy with it. Very long battery (12+ hours - listed as 18, depending)... really excellent sound fidelity, connects easily to BT devices and the speakerphone connection to my cellphone is just great. I'd run it up to the $200 Bose and a couple of others; for the price , it's a steal. I understand you can buy a stereo paired set now for ~$150... -John On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 11:52 AM, Withers, Kim kim.with...@tamucc.edu wrote: Anybody have any experience to share? kw Kim Withers, Ph.D. Assistant Professor MS Biology Program Coordinator Department of Life Sciences Texas AM University-Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78412 361-825-5907
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Soil humidity from topographic data?
There are a number of reasonably well documented equations and soil moisture model (or Topographic Wetness Index, TWI) approaches for calculating soil moisture parameters using a raster digital elevation model. The calculations (which I'm guessing have evolved over the past few years) are simply a function of the slope and the contributing upslope area; with the basic understanding that, all things (such as land cover and soil catenas) being equal, the bottom of a long slope slope will tend to be wetter than the top of a short slope. Some of the older hydrological software addons to ArcGIS (TauDEM, etc...) even have Soil Moisture functions included. The simplistic notation is: LN (a/S) or the natural log of the Upslope Area divided by the slope (for all points\pixels within the DEM). H. Mitasova has been working on the geospatial estimation of such estimates (which can easily be built into scripted functions within packages such as ArcGIS with Spatial Analyst (as well as Open Source software such as GRASS)... For more see: http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/44278/PDF http://skagit.meas.ncsu.edu/~helena/gmslab/reports/CerlErosionTutorial/denix/Advanced/ErosionRep97/rep97.html http://hydrology.usu.edu/RRP/userdata/4/87/Appendices.pdf http://ks.water.usgs.gov/pubs/reports/wrir.99-4242.html http://journalofmaps.com/student/10_01_Hardy.pdf John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com From: Alexandre Fadigas de Souza alexso...@cb.ufrn.br To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 10:00 PM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Soil humidity from topographic data? Dear friends, I have a number of soil-related variables, and need to estimate soil humidity. Would someone know how? We have collected topographic (elevation, slope, convexity), soil (texture and nutrients), and vegetation cover data from 85 5 x 5 m plots scattered through a sandy coastal vegetation complex in northeastern Brazil, which include sand dunes as well as latosols. We did not have enough funding or time to measure soil humidity in the filed, but our analyses would greatly benefit from an estimation of it. Do you have an idea on how to do that? Many thanks, Alexandre
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Canopy cover from GoogleEarth images
Since you're mostly dealing with digital versions of air phot Hi Jeff, Since you're mostly dealing with digital versions of air photos, (as opposed to histogram matched and calibrated satellite data) you're immediately going to be either hand extracting or photo-interpreting the extent of the canopy layer within each of the images or (potentially) using an automated (machine segmentation program) like eCognition, which, depending on a range of factors contained within each image set (lighting, texture, time of year, resolution, parallax, etc) Either way, you're best off by having the same person(s) perform the analysis so that areas considered to be FOREST can be more uniformly assessed and mapped. (at some point you have to decide how big does a tree or forested patch have to be, to be considered FOREST with a virtually uniform gradient, spatially as well as temporally, from BARE SOIL to MATURE FOREST, that break line can be tricky to hit. You'll have to be aware of a number of error factors within the work; how well each year\image epoch was georeferenced, (or superimposed within a real-world feature space) both to real world features as well as each other... whether elevation factors were included in the correction process (ala orthocorrection processes to remove terrain displacement), etc... All of these can significantly affect the area metrics you compile for each image set. And that's all assuming that you can somehow thread the data of the respective image layers that are served up via Google Earth, into an appropriate image processing or GIS capture software array. In my opinion, you certainly will not want to attempt the exercise within Google Earth itself. While single point, line or polygon feature creation is supported in the software, to attempt to extract large areas of adjacent feature layers would be an extraordinary challenge (it's really not intended to serve as a GIS, but as a simple geobrowser or tool to look at things). But if you have access to software like ArcGIS, there very likely may be a way to gain access to the imagery (often in a higher resolution and clearer version) as an online feature or map service which NYS and other agencies host. How big is the area you are looking at? There are a number of satellite based end products as well as potential input layers (e.g. Landsat) which, at 30m resolution, you might be able to get some sense of the general trend (there are also versions of certain products that measure change in land cover over time...). -J John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com From: Corbin, Jeffrey D. corb...@union.edu To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Monday, July 1, 2013 2:49 PM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Canopy cover from GoogleEarth images Hello Ecolog – My colleagues and I are studying the reforestation of a reclaimed landfill - from essentially bare-ground to a reasonably dense forest from 1991 to present. I am interested in quantifying changes in percent canopy cover over time using GoogleEarth images. Their archived images include good–resolution growing season photos taken in 1995, 2001, 2005, 2007, and 2010. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to quantify canopy coverage in each photo? Many thanks! -Jeff Jeffrey D. Corbin Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences Union College Schenectady, NY 12308 (518) 388-6097 http://jeffcorbin.org
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Requesting advice on bat survey training
I know that their offerings tend not to be cheap, but the good folks down at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (National Zoo) at Front Royal: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/default.cfm offer a wide range of highly respected course materials, including terrestrial mammal conservation... here is a posting from this past year http://www.diversitas-international.org/resources/news/training-courses-at-the-smithsonian-conservation-biology-institute Species Monitoring Conservation: Terrestrial MammalsApril 16-27, 2012This course teaches current techniques in assessment and monitoring of wild mammal populations, including bats. Participants learn principles of study design; current field assessment methods; data analysis techniques including MARK and DISTANCE software; application of monitoring data to decision-making and population management; and collection and preparation of museum voucher specimens.http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/MAB/GMU/terremammals.cfmSee also: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/SpeciesSurvival/VirgianiaBigEaredBats/default.cfm Also pretty sure Conservation International still does an annual bat conservation workshop: http://www.batcon.org/index.php/get-involved/workshops.html -John John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Sun, 1/27/13, Michael S. Batcher mbatc...@riverbeauty.net wrote: From: Michael S. Batcher mbatc...@riverbeauty.net Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Requesting advice on bat survey training To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Sunday, January 27, 2013, 3:15 PM I have been interested in learning more about methods to survey for bats, using either or both sound or mist nets. I would appreciate any advice anyone may have on courses or organizations that offer such training. I don't have a particular research goal at this point - just interested in learning something new. Thanks in advance. Michael S. Batcher Buskirk, NY 12028
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets?
There are a range of Windows based mapping applications, both fee-based as well as free\open source, all of which should run fine on such a Windows 7 tablet PC. From the top of the line (price wise) GIS software suite (ArcGIS and\or ArcPad (which can be several hundred to several thousand, based on your agencies license http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcpad) down to one of my preferred free suites: MapWindow (http://www.mapwindow.org/). All would let you: load and use USGS digital raster graphic (DRG) image backgrounds and then create\update\edit vector-based point\line\polygon features using your GPS locations. (since the USGS data are seldom actually edited themselves). You would need an external GPS unit (of which there are a wide range, including wireless blue-tooth connectable as well as cabled). Pretty sure if you phoned the sales folks at whatever tablet vendor you were considering, they would give you a range of (working) options. I've run 6-8 versions of combinations of the above mentioned technologies all on much older systems, so have little doubt the vast improvements over the past 5+ years will provide a range of workable options. (though, again, have not used the Motion CL900) -j John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Wed, 1/9/13, Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net wrote: From: Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 7:53 PM John and Ecolog: Thanks, John--this is a big help. So much help, in fact, that I'm simply not computer-savvy enough to understand all of the terminology. However, I found the writing quite clear and competently done, a rare feature among product-pitches. That alone impressed me greatly. I hope that you and others will comment further, particularly those who have used it. Can anybody tell me if there are any mapping applications that will work on the CL900? I want to be able to use USGS maps and be able to modify them in the field via GPS. Thanks, WT - Original Message - From: John Mickelson jmicke...@yahoo.com To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 1:01 PM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? Here's a side-by-side comparison of several units (including CL900... which, just to say, I have no stake or interest in save for having looked at and considered it). http://ruggedpcreview.com/3_slates_motion_cl900_full.html John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Wed, 1/9/13, Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net wrote: From: Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 3:35 PM Reasonably rugged also can hold a range of value. The cost of damage to the project can, in reality, far exceed the cost of the right equipment. I will certainly look into these, and would like to know how they compare, say, to the Panasonic, Tough Book series. Anybody have any info on such a comparison? Even if it's just based on claims. Actual experience is best, however. WT - Original Message - From: John Mickelson jmicke...@yahoo.com To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 11:08 AM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? Yes, while the term affordable can hold a range of value, we were impressed with the office visit that a rep from Motion Computing presented, specifically looking at their CL900, which is ~2# and runs Win 7. Reasonably rugged (can be augmented with proper cases\enclosures) and (as of last year) started at about $1k. http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_CL900.asp John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Tue, 1/8/13, Jamie Sheahan jashe...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Jamie Sheahan jashe...@yahoo.com Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 5:41 PM I am looking for recommendations from other field scientists for Tablet devices that we can use in our water monitoring programs. There has been an explosion of tablets on the market and We are in need of an AFFORDABLE device that is rugged enough to be dropped occasionally, lightweight, glare resistant, and useable while it in the rain or snow. We will use it to record field measurements and also to download data off of monitoring equipment and data loggers. For this reason, it needs to be able to run Windows based software programs (from Campbell Scientific PC200 and Hydras 3LT). We
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets?
Yes, while the term affordable can hold a range of value, we were impressed with the office visit that a rep from Motion Computing presented, specifically looking at their CL900, which is ~2# and runs Win 7. Reasonably rugged (can be augmented with proper cases\enclosures) and (as of last year) started at about $1k. http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_CL900.asp John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Tue, 1/8/13, Jamie Sheahan jashe...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Jamie Sheahan jashe...@yahoo.com Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 5:41 PM I am looking for recommendations from other field scientists for Tablet devices that we can use in our water monitoring programs. There has been an explosion of tablets on the market and We are in need of an AFFORDABLE device that is rugged enough to be dropped occasionally, lightweight, glare resistant, and useable while it in the rain or snow. We will use it to record field measurements and also to download data off of monitoring equipment and data loggers. For this reason, it needs to be able to run Windows based software programs (from Campbell Scientific PC200 and Hydras 3LT). We will not have internet access while out at field sites. and we aren't in need of the device to have GPS ability either. If you have experience with using any tablets out in the field, please send your suggestions and recommendations to jamie.shea...@wstribes.org. Jamie Sheahan Hydrologist Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs ph. 541.553.2028 jamie.shea...@wstribes.org
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets?
Here's a side-by-side comparison of several units (including CL900... which, just to say, I have no stake or interest in save for having looked at and considered it). http://ruggedpcreview.com/3_slates_motion_cl900_full.html John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Wed, 1/9/13, Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net wrote: From: Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 3:35 PM Reasonably rugged also can hold a range of value. The cost of damage to the project can, in reality, far exceed the cost of the right equipment. I will certainly look into these, and would like to know how they compare, say, to the Panasonic, Tough Book series. Anybody have any info on such a comparison? Even if it's just based on claims. Actual experience is best, however. WT - Original Message - From: John Mickelson jmicke...@yahoo.com To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 11:08 AM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? Yes, while the term affordable can hold a range of value, we were impressed with the office visit that a rep from Motion Computing presented, specifically looking at their CL900, which is ~2# and runs Win 7. Reasonably rugged (can be augmented with proper cases\enclosures) and (as of last year) started at about $1k. http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_CL900.asp John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Tue, 1/8/13, Jamie Sheahan jashe...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Jamie Sheahan jashe...@yahoo.com Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets? To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 5:41 PM I am looking for recommendations from other field scientists for Tablet devices that we can use in our water monitoring programs. There has been an explosion of tablets on the market and We are in need of an AFFORDABLE device that is rugged enough to be dropped occasionally, lightweight, glare resistant, and useable while it in the rain or snow. We will use it to record field measurements and also to download data off of monitoring equipment and data loggers. For this reason, it needs to be able to run Windows based software programs (from Campbell Scientific PC200 and Hydras 3LT). We will not have internet access while out at field sites. and we aren't in need of the device to have GPS ability either. If you have experience with using any tablets out in the field, please send your suggestions and recommendations to jamie.shea...@wstribes.org. Jamie Sheahan Hydrologist Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs ph. 541.553.2028 jamie.shea...@wstribes.org - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1430 / Virus Database: 2637/5521 - Release Date: 01/09/13
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendation needed for a PDA with GPS
Having worked with digital field systems for some 20 years a Hi Tania, Having worked with digital field systems for some 20 years and having spent a fair amount of time (including recently, in the new tablet\app world) hoping for and investigating just the kind of system that you describe, I'd personally suggest that you look towards bundling a lower-end Garmin GPS units (e.g. eTrex line, which are very field-worth and run $150-250) for delineating your location values and simply rolling out paper survey forms, which are input every day into a spreadsheet on a laptop. Cheap webooks or laptops now run $300-400 range for very capable systems (for simple spreadsheet and email use), which, if the locations work, could be shared by your field teams as input terminals. Unfortunately (and really kind of surprisingly) a reasonably capable digital data logging\GPS system that you describe, one way or another, still runs $1-3k (or better for a Trimble, Leica etc...). Some USGS folks out in CA have customized a GPS\data logging software app with an integrated iPod Touch GPS cradle, but their app is custom and proprietary, so you still need a datalogging software package (such as something like HandBase http://www.ddhsoftware.com/) which, as I currently understand, still requires progamming to grab the GPS signal from a data stream to integrate it with point survey attributes. What is available commercially for under $1k, (IMHO) will really just get you reasonably accurate GPS value (not the integrated digital field survey values). The older Dell Axim V51 PDA (which can still be had via eBay and Amazon used for $1-150.00 or less) run the older Windows Mobile 6.5 OS, can be integrated with an effective survey software suite (like ESRI's ArcPad) combining automated GPS locations as well as point attributes. The determining price factor will be whether your EDU agency can get ArcPad for you at a reasonable cost, as street-price runs $1500-$2k just for the software. This small and mobile field computer can be linked to a wireless, blue-tooth GPS unit like the Pharos Bluetooth Dock for Microsoft and Pharos GPS-500 (PXT22) ($40-$80 on Amazon, used). The whole unit, assuming you go for a: extra battery (strongly suggested), ruggedized field case (also suggested) extra charging cables, etc... would probably run you $300-400 ea., possibly less. Best of luck, John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com From: Tania Bird taniab...@gmail.com To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 3:32 PM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendation needed for a PDA with GPS Dear Ecologgers, I am seeking (urgent) advice for the best device to use as a field data logger for my PhD project in Zambia. I am looking for something moderately cheap and VERY simple to use and rugged. I will be training local enumerators to collect field data on crop damage in rural farms- they will need to know the GPS location, and then to enter various measurements. There will not be anything heavy needed in terms of memory.. just a simple spreadsheet for an Access database. I assume it is easier to get a PDA that has a GPS built in rather than to have a separate GPS unit. I will need about 20 devices and am looking for recommendations as to which make and model in order to price out a budget line for them in the next few days Garmin? Palm? Any suggestions will be very welcome. Many thanks Tania Tania Bird MSc www.taniabird.com There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed ~ Mahatma Gandhi
[ECOLOG-L] Cemeteries as Habitat: response summary
Sorry for the long lapse, I finally managed the time to compil Hi All, Sorry for the long lapse, I finally managed the time to compile the delightful and surprising array of responses to my query re: urban open space systems (cemeteries, golf courses, ball fields etc...) as important biodiversity resources and habitat. A sincere personal thanks to the over 50 folks who offered some really fascinating and, for me, very useful perspectives and resources. This was actually very fun!. I'm including a somewhat condensed version of the responses, with submitters names removed... though decided to include the URL links to many, fascinating papers and references. Finding it increasingly true: the more I know... the less I understand (though say that in a good way). As a biogeographer, having worked and focused my efforts in understanding the conservation dimensions of large, wild-ish, intact, high-functioning natural areas, which de facto was taken as the inverse of urban, I'm ever so slowly softening my historically guarded (chauvinistic?) stance re: what valuable might entail, in urban systems. With now some 80% of the US population in urban areas (and growing), it would seem that just the human dimensions of greening will account for an enormously valuable asset. This immediately stimulates a desire to hear about folks experience with efforts to quantify ecosystem services within urban areas, something I was startled to hear that there has been precious little of, but will make that an additional query line. Gratefully, John Mickelson Cemeteries as Habitat: Summary Responses “I had never thought about graveyards specifically, but on a recent field trip to a 19th century graveyard in central Alabama with very old trees I found an amazingly high density of northern parula warblers. They were also found outside the graveyard, but I had never before seen (really heard) so many parulas in a such a small area.” “In Pittsburgh, PA we have a fair amount of large cemeteries within the city limits, and as a result of our impossible topography a significant portion of these are under natural cover on steep slopes or valleys. I'm not aware of any formal studies on their wildlife value, but some of these appear to provide at least decent habitat to some species. I'm heard from longtime residents that these areas did harbor significant wildflower diversity at some point, but increasing deer populations and invasive plants have greatly reduced these. Also,a relatively large and successful great blue heron rookery is present in one of the cemeteries. Additionally, the concept of green burial is gaining ground and locally we have a new green cemetery which is setting a third of the land into conservation. Since the site is a natural burial park, maintenance is largely limited to reforestation and removal of invasive plants http://pennforestcemetery.com/who-we-are/” “This is a wonderful conversation going on. To add more data to the topic, the paper by Tonietto R, Fant J, Ascher J, Ellis K, Larkin D (2011) A comparison of bee communities of Chicago green roofs, parks and prairies. Landscape and Urban Planning 103(1):102-108, performed data analysis with green spaces including grass areas and ignoring grass areas and found a profound difference. I recommend reading this to help understand the affects of parks vs permeable grass spaces.” “I've been using landscape genetics approaches to understand how the composition of the urban landscape influences gene flow / genetic structure. My lab's most recent paper (which I have attached here in case you are interested!) identified models of landscape connectivity that explain a very high percentage of the gene flow between urban white-footed mouse populations. Cemeteries were important components of green corridors in both the Bronx and Queens. We are working on other species now (particularly stream salamanders, coyotes, and monk parakeets). I imagine that some of these same cemeteries and others will be important for them as well.” “I am second-generation Korean-American and I can ask family members for more accurate information, but yes, I think that is true about pieces of land being kept partially undeveloped for burial mounds of ancestors. Traditionally, family members -- usually direct descendents -- go back every year to weed, trim the grass, and offer their respects. I believe the tradition varies slightly upon region as well -- for instance, on the island of Jeju, burial mounds are often found in farm plots, although I do not know if this is because the farms expanded around the graves or if family members were buried deliberately on that land (I think it is more likely the first). These traditions are very rapidly disappearing, in Korea at least. I was in Korea just last year and visited my grandparents' graves
Re: [ECOLOG-L] looking for global map of time since last glaciation
Hi Clinton, It might not be exactly what you're looking for, but I heartily suggest investigating the very well done paleogeographical materials that Prof. Ron Blakely (Univ. AZ) has put together; which includes plug-ins for NASA World Wind http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~rcb7/ http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~rcb7/regionaltext.html http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~rcb7/nam.html http://worldwindcentral.com/wiki/Add-on:Paleomaps http://forum.worldwindcentral.com/showthread.php?t=6495 The globes presented in this series show how Earth may have appeared over the last 600 million years (Ma). The global views were prepared from rectangular projections drawn at a resolution of 3000x1500 pixels for each of the 26 time slices (small files of the rectangular maps are also included). Topography was cloned from digital elevation maps of modern Earth from the USGS. Colors were adjusted to portray climate and vegetation for the given time and location. The modern Earth was also drawn in this manner using a color pallet derived from satellite images created by ARC Science of Loveland, Colorado. Includes Precambrian to the present Also see: http://www.google.com/Top/Science/Earth_Sciences/Paleogeography_and_Paleoclimatology/ visually stunning and very informative. John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Sun, 11/1/09, Clinton Jenkins clinton.jenk...@gmail.com wrote: From: Clinton Jenkins clinton.jenk...@gmail.com Subject: [ECOLOG-L] looking for global map of time since last glaciation To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 12:48 PM Does anyone know where I might find a global map, preferably in GIS format, showing the length of time since last glaciation? Ideally this would be a continuous measure of time, illustrating the retreat of the last glaciation, but a coarsely categorized map would be useful also. Thanks. Clinton
Re: [ECOLOG-L] GIS of protected regions in North America?
While it is hosted as a map service (versus a down-loadable GIS coverage), the Landscope program (landscope.org) has probably one of the most complete layers for the continental US. A partnership between NatureServe and National Geographic, this program has compiled just such a listing of: Federal, State and local protected areas (parks, preserves, wildlife management areas etc...). Even though it is more fully populated (data wise) for their 5 pilot regions, it covers all of the US and combined with TNC's conservation priorities, (and other data) it is hosts a very promising geographic perspective on conservation options and opportunities for the US. Worth a look. http://www.landscope.org/map/ And while it is coarser (re: resolution), the World Database of Protected Areas http://www.wdpa.org/AnnualRelease.aspx does contain a lot of information, and is available as a downloadable layer. John John Mickelson Geospatial and Ecological Services 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 john.mickel...@yahoo.com --- On Tue, 4/21/09, Jonathan Greenberg greenb...@ucdavis.edu wrote: From: Jonathan Greenberg greenb...@ucdavis.edu Subject: [ECOLOG-L] GIS of protected regions in North America? To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 8:41 PM Ecologgers: Does anyone know if there is a GIS layer that contains coverages for all protected regions in North America (e.g. national, state and local parks, private and non-profit wildlife preserves, etc.)? Thanks! --j -- Jonathan A. Greenberg, PhD Postdoctoral Scholar Center for Spatial Technologies and Remote Sensing (CSTARS) University of California, Davis One Shields Avenue The Barn, Room 250N Davis, CA 95616 Cell: 415-794-5043 AIM: jgrn307, MSN: jgrn...@hotmail.com, Gchat: jgrn307
Re: Underwater cameras?
Hi, Havent tried it out yet, but it looks promising. There are a variety of water-proof containers that work with your current (late-ish model) digital camera. I have a Canon PowerShot SD800 IS (which I love) digital camera, and the Korean manufacturer: DiCaPac (digital camera pack), makes a plastic, velcro enclosed dry bag, with a small hard plastic enclosed circular tube to allow the zoom lens to extend. Costs $35 and (so far in the sink) seems to do the trick. Pictures don't get too noticably distorted (though one will obviously need to forgo the flash) shooting though the lens enclosure and it's rated for 5m, which is close to what you ask for (will be shooting manatees and coral reefs next week). The packs are available widely, via a Google search, I got mine through New Egg. Next step up (that I found for my camera) was a (what seemed to be) well engineered plastic housing, available through Adorama (and other major camera\electronics online outlets) but it went for $300+, which is more than I paid for the camera!. Good luck. John --- Lela Stanley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear list, I need to pick up a few disposable underwater cameras for reef shots - not more than 7 meters depth. Are there any oustanding brands (Kodak?) or are they all pretty much comparable? Thanks for your advice! Lela
Re: Department of Defense Grant
Check out the DOD Legacy Fund. Almost went to grad school @ Yale (FNR) with a (partially) funded Legacy project (restoring a Chamaecyparis t. swamp), but got a better offer @ UCONN. http://www.dodlegacy.org/Legacy/intro/LegacyGuidebook_print_June07.pdf --- Mia [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What are the chances of the Department of Defense funding a graduate student in community ecology? Does anyone know ecologists with these grants? Their previous awards seem to tend towards physics, math, and engineering.any thoughts?
Re: Denial * 2: Climate Change and Economic: extending our petroleum horizon?!
Through several links came upon these very interesting series (many folks may know about, the applications were new to me), from Discovery Mag, about how we can now create, literally, additional oil resources from just about any organic carbon source (read here as turkey guts). http://discovermagazine.com/2003/may/featoil/ (where the founder suspected that he could produce oil @ the 2003 equivalent of $15\barrel!) http://discovermagazine.com/2006/apr/anything-oil/ (where, 3 years later, the production is operational and output costs closer to $80\barrel a *bargain* by todays high of $92) Feel a bit mixed at the great opportunity to utilize currently discarded waste versus the ramifications at how this could dramatically extend our oil\petroleum economy, potentially infinitely! -John --- joseph gathman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For those who asked me offline: Peak Oil refers to the time when total petroleum production cannot increase any more. A growing body of evidence suggests that that time is about now. We may be in a plateau period that will be followed by a persistent decline in global oil production. There doesn't appear to be any combination of known alternative energy sources that can compensate for a declining petroleum supply, so our economic system will be forced to change profoundly. There will likely be increased exploitation of wood, coal, and peat for fuel. More land will be pressed into agriculture because mechanized ag systems will be unable to get enough fuel, there will be more conflicts over remaining energy resources, and there could be a long-term human population reduction. I'm sure I'm just scratching the surface, but even just with these changes, I'm sure any ecologist could imagine a host of ecological consequences. Joe Date:Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:12:38 -0500 From:Zachary Wilson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: ECOLOG-L Digest - 23 Oct 2007 to 24 Oct 2007 (#2007-289) Aren't overpopulation and human contributions to climate change both related to peak oil? Peak oil is the end of cheap, easy-to-get oil (i.e. the oil that gives us fuel and fertilizer to feed 7 billion) and declining production. Overpopulation and our contribution to climate change are the result of cheap, easy-to-get oil. Doesn't that mean peak oil is the beginning of the end of overpopulation and human-induced climate change? Is that an oversimplification? - zac wilson __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: Heads up: The new Global Warming Denial
Hi, Additionally, all of the SVS products have been ported into a 3D global browsing tool that (in my opinion) blows Google Earth out of the water. NASA's World Wind (http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/download.html), is a free, cross-platform (though the Java version is in it's early phase of development), global geospatial tool that allows one to explore, in 3 and 4 dimensions, a remarkable range of earth-based patterns and processes, including near-real-time weather, fires, earthquakes, sea-surface temperature and a whole lot more. The US is covered with high resolution air photos, satellite data as well as several scales of USGS topographic maps. A really great educational and, for climate dynamics, motivational tool. You can also add your own data into it (though this takes a bit more effort). -John --- Madhusudan Katti [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This, and a host of similar cool animations have been produced by NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio and are available in much higher resolution from their website at: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/ A search for arctic sea ice on the main page will give you 27 matches, including the series used by the Washington Post article. There are, in fact, two versions of the 2007 Arctic Sea Ice from AMSR-E... sequences showing the polar region from different perspectives, with Alaska or Greenland in the foreground. Madhu ~~~ Madhusudan Katti Assistant Professor Department of Biology, M/S SB73 California State University, Fresno 2555 E. San Ramon Ave. Fresno, CA 93740-8034 559.278.2460 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~~~ On Oct 22, 2007, at 1:14 PM, joseph gathman wrote: There's a pretty impressive time-series animation of arctic ice shrinking at this page: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/ 2007/10/21/AR2007102100761.html?hpid=topnewssid=ST20071021007 I showed it today at the beginning of class. It takes no time and makes quite an impact. Joe __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com John Mickelson Landscape ecology 501 Stage Rd. Monroe, NY 10950-3217 (845) 893-4110 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Spatial variables: road-zone effect
Hi, Do folks have a working set of (variable) metrics when estimating anthropogenic effect (distance) within road margins? I'm looking at buffering road size classes (Inter-state, State, County, Local, etc...) with variable buffers widths within a GIS, and was wondering if certain values are conventionally used. (e.g. 50-60m from centerlines for Inter-state, 20-30m for State rds... etc..) Cheers, John
Guidelines for low-mid priced stereo dissecting microscope?
Hi, Needing to do some plant ID work. Looking for a reasonably priced ($3-600) dissecting scope. So far, features that seem useful: boom, ring light, possibly 3rd aperture for imaging. Anyone have preferences, suggestions or caveats? Cheers, John All persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. K. Vonnegut
Re: Carbon Calculator (and very interesting ocean carbon trials!)
Hi, Had an error returned, linking to enclosed Youtube submittal. Not to hijack the link, but, in searching, came upon a very interesting carbon experiment that I hadnt seen before, A for profit company PLANKTOS (www.planktos.com) is proposing to dump iron bearing particulates in various parts of the worlds ocean on a regular basis to (ostensibly)restore plankton populations and sequester carbon (see below). I apologize if this has been discussed before, (didnt see it in an archive search) but very curious as to folks reactions and science-based impressions of the approach. )Apparently WWF and Green-Peace arent immediately among the projects supporters...) -John ** Planktos, Inc. is a for-profit (ecorestoration posters quotes) company based in San Francisco with offices in the European Union and British Columbia. Our primary focus is to restore damaged habitats in the ocean and on land. Through iron-stimulated plankton blooms in the oceans and afforestation projects in Europe, we are able to generate carbon credits. We then sell these offsets to individuals and businesses that are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their impact on climate change. The profits from the sale of these carbon credits finance further ecosystem restoration projects. Graphical presentation at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPF2HyX8SrI --- Thomson, David Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sorry I can't help you out with your specific question, but I can't = resist sharing a link with you to a video from some British youths that = takes a very novel approach to explaining carbon credits or offsets:=20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Df3_CYdYDDpk I am reply to the list just in case there are a few scientists out there = who have not come across it. It appears the BBC covered this, but I = don't have TV, so the whole western world might know... apologies if = that is the case. =20 Enjoy, David -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of = Sara Viernum Sent: Mon 8/13/2007 6:31 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Carbon Calculator =20 Dear Listserv, We have a question: Are there any carbon calculators available for=20 specific consumer items (i.e. cup of coffee, load of laundry, etc.)? All we've been able to find are calculators for driving, home heating, = and=20 airtravel. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Sara E. Viernum Clifford J. Webb All persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. K. Vonnegut
IBI's, terrestrial and others..
Searching for current best work on estimates and indices of ecological or biological integrity. Starting with terrestrial, then riparian, then aquatic (fresh). Thoughts? John Mickelson Columbia University
Re: The People vs. the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in NC.....
Appearss to be true... http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/us/24woodpecker.html --- Sebastian P. Luque [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Mon, 25 Sep 2006 06:42:37 -0400, J. Michael Nolan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: [...] As I signed on to AOL to read my mail, I was horrified to read about = a town in NC that is cutting down all of its trees as fast as possible = b/c they provide homes to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, and = people are afraid that they will lose money and development rights if = they allow the birds to nest in their trees. Apparently the city council = has OK'd all this. Hope it was a hoax, fear it might not be Well, I don't know of any precedents in the US, but I know of a similar (though more tragic) story from Ecuador. The last few horned screamers (Anhima cornuta) of that country were purposely shot by villagers who feared pressure from several conservation organizations to protect the area against development. -- Sebastian
