[ECOLOG-L] Post comments about Earth Stewardship on ESA's Twitter and Facebook pages
ESA has launched a new Facebook page as part of its efforts to initiate dialogue about the Society and ecological research, policy engagement, education and other initiatives in general. The new Facebook page allows you to Like ESA, post on the wall, view or add photos and start a discussion. You can also subscribe to the new Facebook page on your phone or as an RSS feed to receive ESA news and updates from the ecological community. The old Facebook group page is being removed TODAY; visit the new page at facebook.com/esa.org. ESA also provides updates on Twitter @ESA_org. And during this year's annual meeting in Austin, Texas, tweeting enters meeting attendees into a drawing for a new ESA t-shirt. Join the conversation about Earth Stewardship using #earthsteward on Twitter and mentioning Earth Stewardship on ESA's Facebook wall. All responses will be automatically entered into the daily drawing. To share information about the annual meeting in general, use #ESA11 on Twitter. Details are available on a recent EcoTone post: http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecologist-2/news-events/sharing-ecology-online/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Speaking of species and their origins
An essay published in the June 8 issue of Nature is causing something of a stir. Eighteen ecologists who signed the essay, titled Don't judge species on their origins, argue that conservationists should assess organisms based on their impact on the local environment, rather than simply whether they're native, as described in a recent Scientific American podcast. In the essay, Mark Davis from Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota and colleagues argue that adherence to the idea of non-natives as the enemy is more a reflection of prejudice rather than solid science, wrote Brandon Keim in a Wired Science article. As the authors wrote, the preoccupation with the native-alien dichotomy among scientists, land managers and policy-makers is prohibitive to dynamic and pragmatic conservation and species management in a 21st century planet that is forever altered by climate change, land-use changes and other anthropogenic influences. As a result of this misguided preoccupation, claim the authors, time and resources are unnecessarily spent attempting to eradicate introduced species that actually turn out to be a boon to the environment; the authors cite the non-native tamarisk tree in the western U.S. as an example of this... Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecologist-2/speaking-of-species-and-their-origins/
[ECOLOG-L] Press release: Cephalopods experience massive acoustic trauma from noise pollution in the oceans
Research shows that low frequency sound, such as noise produced by offshore activities, causes lesions in the sensory organs of squid, octopus and cuttlefish Noise pollution in the oceans has been shown to cause physical and behavioral changes in marine life, especially in dolphins and whales, which rely on sound for daily activities. However, low frequency sound produced by large scale, offshore activities is also suspected to have the capacity to cause harm to other marine life as well. Giant squid, for example, were found along the shores of Asturias, Spain in 2001 and 2003 following the use of airguns by offshore vessels and examinations eliminated all known causes of lesions in these species, suggesting that the squid deaths could be related to excessive sound exposure. Michel André, Technical University of Catalonia in Barcelona, and colleagues examined the effects of low frequency sound exposure-similar to what the giant squid would have experienced in Asturias-in four cephalopod species. As reported in an article published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment (e-View), a journal of the Ecological Society of America, all of the exposed squid, octopus and cuttlefish exhibited massive acoustic trauma in the form of severe lesions in their auditory structures. The researchers exposed 87 individual cephalopods-specifically, Loligo vulgaris, Sepia officinalis, Octopus vulgaris and Illex coindeti-to short sweeps of relatively low intensity, low frequency sound between 50 and 400 Hertz (Hz) and examined their statocysts. Statocysts are fluid-filled, balloon-like structures that help these invertebrates maintain balance and position-similar to the vestibular system of mammals. The scientists' results confirmed that statocysts indeed play a role in perceiving low frequency sound in cephalopods. André and colleagues also found that, immediately following exposure to low frequency sound, the cephalopods showed hair cell damage within the statocysts. Over time, nerve fibers became swollen and, eventually, large holes appeared-these lesions became gradually more pronounced in individuals that were examined several hours after exposure. In other words, damage to the cephalopods' auditory systems emerged immediately following exposure to short, low intensity sweeps of low frequency sound. All of the individuals exposed to the sound showed evidence of acoustic trauma, compared with unexposed individuals that did not show any damage. If the relatively low intensity, short exposure used in our study can cause such severe acoustic trauma, then the impact of continuous, high intensity noise pollution in the oceans could be considerable, said André. For example, we can predict that, since the statocyst is responsible for balance and spatial orientation, noise-induced damage to this structure would likely affect the cephalopod's ability to hunt, evade predators and even reproduce; in other words, this would not be compatible with life. The effect of noise pollution on marine life varies according to the proximity of the animal to the activity and the intensity and frequency of the sound. However, with the increase in offshore drilling, cargo ship transportation, excavation and other large-scale, offshore activities, it is becoming more likely that these activities will overlap with migratory routes and areas frequented by marine life. We know that noise pollution in the oceans has a significant impact on dolphins and whales because of the vital use of acoustic information of these species, said André, but this is the first study indicating a severe impact on invertebrates, an extended group of marine species that are not known to rely on sound for living. It left us with several questions: Is noise pollution capable of impacting the entire web of ocean life? What other effects is noise having on marine life, beyond damage to auditory reception systems? And just how widespread and invasive is sound pollution in the marine environment? Press release is available at http://www.esa.org/pao/newsroom/press2011/04112011.php
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Science in a culture of news-grazers
When was the last time you sat down after dinner to watch the local news? How about the last time you forwarded or received a link to a news story? Odds are, with the prevalence of social networking, blogs and email, you probably sent or received news in some form during your lunch break this afternoon. In fact, just by reading this post you are providing evidence that consumers tend to prefer cherry picking news throughout the day, rather than replenishing their news supply all at once. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/science-in-a-%E2%80%9Cculture-of-news-grazers%E2%80%9D/.
[ECOLOG-L] Spontaneous fermentation: the role of microorganisms in beer
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was once quoted as saying: In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria. While there is certainly some truth to this quote, especially considering water quality in the 1700s, it should be noted that beer's long history is also fraught with microorganisms-both helpful and harmful in the eyes of the brewer. The four main ingredients in most modern beer recipes are water, a starch such as barley (usually malted), hops and yeast. And each ingredient has a very specific role in the brewing process. Any home brewer knows that the quality of the water used in brewing beer can significantly impact the flavor of the finished product. For example, excessive amounts of fluoride in the tap water can alter the flavor (and then some) of beer, not to mention the presence of bacteria and other microorganisms naturally found in tap water which can turn beer sour, acidic or give it a foul odor. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/spontaneous-fermentation-the-role-of-microorganisms-in-beer/
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Going (all 400 miles) green
The topic of this year's Ecological Society of America annual meeting is global warming. So it is fitting that Jason Aloisio, graduate student in biology at Fordham University, and Anthony Gizzi, graduate student in pharmacology at Thomas Jefferson University are going green-all the way to the meeting, that is. Their journey will span three states and four hundred miles on bike. Read the full post and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-and-society/going-all-400-miles-green/. Track them on Twitter @GO_GreenRiders.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Field Talk, Uniformity and diversity in the Homogecene era
Imagine a small town where everything is uniform-a tiny community of individuals who eat the same meals and pair up with people with similar qualities and traits. The scenery is stripped down: one church, one pub and cookie-cutter houses. Now add in social interactions. Greetings occur but they have few variations; life is routine. And just a few miles over in a town with the same layout, similar individuals are interacting, eating and greeting, in all the same ways. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/conservation/field-talk-uniformity-and-diversity-in-the-homogecene-era/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Gulf disaster, looking for answers in science
It seems the only certainty amidst the Gulf of Mexico environmental disaster is that nothing is certain. From the amount of oil continually pouring from the seafloor to British Petroleum's use of chemical dispersants, this crisis has been anything but straightforward. As evasive, and at times downright misleading, as BP has been, the environmental impacts of this disaster are far from allusive. Just take a look at the photos on the Public Broadcasting Service's News Hour site to get a sense of urgency surrounding this crisis. The answers are likely not going to be found on BP's press site. Since the accident, many in the scientific and environmental communities have been working on efforts to provide assistance to assessment, mitigation, rescue and restoration efforts. Scientific societies, environmental organizations, government agencies and institutions alike have been connecting to develop as many reliable resources as possible to assist scientists and natural resource managers in the region. Here is a sampling of these efforts. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-in-policy/gulf-disaster-looking-for-answers-in-science/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Biodiversity is a delicate recipe
Picture a simmering pot of vegetable broth, the condensed flavors the basis for what will become a hearty corn chowder. Looking at the recipe, you know that before the broth was introduced, onions and garlic were sautéed in olive oil until they grew translucent. Then flour was added to form the rue. And you know after the broth is added, potatoes, corn and other assorted vegetables will be left to simmer. But would you have known all of this just by seeing the list of ingredients alone? Unless you enjoy cooking regularly, you probably would not have known the sequence for preparing corn chowder just by the taste. According to a study recently published in Science Express, biodiversity is a similar process. Some scientists go about recreating an ecosystem by adding all of the elements at once into an experiment. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/biodiversity-is-a-delicate-recipe/.
[ECOLOG-L] Ecotone: Preventing future oil spills: Congress discusses need for environmental science
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced yesterday morning that exploratory oil drilling off Alaska and deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico will be suspended due to safety concerns. The White House also said it has cancelled a drilling lease off the coast of Virginia. Fearing another spill like the current disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, officials cited a need for further environmental reviews and evaluations of nation-wide emergency response capabilities. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-in-policy/preventing-future-oil-spills-congress-discusses-need-for-environmental-science/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Ballistics experts of the bug world
Meet the ballistics experts of the bug world: A quick draw beetle that fires volatile liquids with the pulse of a Tommy Gun, aphids that self-combust at the threat of a predator and a double-pistoled worm that sprays its victim with streams of goo. Of course, these insects are not the only invertebrates carrying chemical artillery-bees are maybe the most famous projectile-launching bugs around. The below insects, however, give a unique look into chemical warfare on a small scale. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/ballistics-experts-of-the-bug-world/
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: When habitat destruction is extremely subtle
When it comes to habitat destruction, startling events like oil spills and deforestation are certain to grab the headlines. Yet as a new study in the journal Animal Conservation shows, sometimes habitat destruction can be so subtle that it passes under the eyes of all but the most astute scientists. David Pike and fellow researchers from the University of Sydney look at the case of reptiles in outcrops and find that people moving rocks less than 30 centimeters out of place can ruin the habitat for species like the endangered broad-headed snake that shelter in narrow crevices. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/conservation/when-habitat-destruction-is-extremely-subtle/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Scientists sampling for Gulf oil recovery
As volunteers train and policymakers debate, scientists are pooling their datasets for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It is the behind the scenes portion of region-wide preparations for the impending arrival of oil on land. Along the Gulf coast states, researchers are offering years of sediment, water and plankton samples to the cause of assessing pre-impact conditions in the Gulf. Meanwhile, researchers from the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology (NIUST) are collecting samples from the seafloor and water column closer to the source of the leaks. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/scientists-sampling-for-gulf-oil-recovery/.
[ECOLOG-L] Taking action: what you can do for the Gulf
These are only highlights from today's EcoTone post, details and links to mentioned resources are available at http://www.esa.org/esablog/conservation/taking-action-what-is-being-done-and-what-you-can-do-for-the-gulf/. If you have more information on volunteer opportunities or other rescue and response information, please comment here or on the blog post itself. More targeted information for ecologists will be distributed tomorrow. Volunteer: There are MANY volunteers opportunities ongoing in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama. Keep in mind that many of these volunteer efforts require specialized training and protective gear-petroleum is toxic to the respiratory system and the skin. BP has just announced its training location for volunteer oil spill cleanup-at the Mobile Civic Center in Alabama through May 21. The training is four-tiered ranging from oil spill responder to wildlife rehabilitation. Call 1-866-647-2338 to register for classes. Audubon is also organizing a large scale volunteer effort-a registration form is available online to place volunteers based on their training, experience and resources. Share your datasets: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and NOAA have begun gathering water and sediment samples throughout Florida; Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana have also been working with state agencies and NOAA. The aim is to develop a pre-impact wildlife assessment to make monitoring possible impact sites faster and more accurate. This sampling has been started using the NOAA Natural Resource Damage Assessment protocols. More information on dataset collection will be posted tomorrow on EcoTone and distributed to Ecolog-l. Train and volunteer to clean oiled wildlife: Federal and state agencies are also coordinating with the Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research (Tri-State) to rescue oiled birds as well. Volunteers are being recruited on a state-by-state basis-information is updated regularly on the Deepwater Horizon Facebook page and on the oiled wildlife Facebook page. International Bird Rescue Research Center is working with Tri-State to set up rehabilitation centers in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. NOAA has designated the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program the primary responders in the state for responding to marine mammals; the program is accepting volunteers. The New England Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Team is offering oiled wildlife training. The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is also providing daily news updates on their blog. Report oiled, injured or deceased wildlife: To report injured or oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401 and leave a message. Messages will be checked hourly. To report spill-related damage, call 1-800,440-0858, and to inquire about volunteering, or to report oil on the shore, call 1-866-448-5816. Reports of oiled animals and oil slick sightings are being mapped on The Oil Spill Crisis Map which is being used by responders as well. You can report these areas by texting or emailing.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Ecology meets technology in a mechanized planet
It goes without saying that the world as we know it is becoming increasingly infused with technology. Besides the everyday devices-computers, cell phones, cameras, cars-huge advances are being made on a daily basis at the intersection of biology and technology. Areas like biorobotics, nanotechnology, geoengineering, genetically engineered organisms and global monitoring, for example, are gaining steam. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-in-policy/ecology-meets-technology-in-a-mechanized-planet/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: The oil spill comes to Washington
Last month, Obama surprised conservationists when he added plans to expand off-shore drilling to his energy policy in an effort to sway votes in Congress. Then-just as both sides rose to debate the issue-the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. This morning, amid reports of shifting ocean currents and dying sea turtles, several democratic senators joined a Capitol Hill press conference organized by the Sierra Club. The senators gave their views about what the oil spill means to climate change and energy policy. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-in-policy/the-oil-spill-comes-to-washington/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: QA-Ecologists assess oil spill damage
An oil slick originating from a rig about 130 miles southeast of New Orleans, which is dumping oil into the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of approximately 25,000 barrels per day, is drifting toward the Alabama, Florida and Louisiana coasts, and scientists are still assessing the ecological impact that will result. In this QA, three members of the Ecological Society of America's Rapid Response Team discuss the current and possible future damage of this spill and the effects it could have on the Gulf region. Read the full article and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-in-policy/qa-ecologists-assess-oil-spill-damage/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Picture Your Grant on the Hannity Show
David Inouye on why basic research isn't a bridge to nowhere. The scientific community celebrated the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which prioritized US scientific understanding, competitiveness, and capacity by directing $3 billion to the National Science Foundation (NSF), including $2 billion for research and related activities. Part of the reason for the windfall was NSF's large backlog of unfunded but highly ranked proposals-something that complemented the stimulus act's emphasis on shovel-ready projects. Read more, listen to the podcast and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-in-policy/picture-your-grant-on-the-hannity-show-david-inouye-on-why-basic-research-isn%E2%80%99t-a-bridge-to-nowhere/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: The sharp shooters of marine life
The archerfish's long distance spitting can fire a bug off of a branch and send it down to the water's surface, and the nearly-blind pistol shrimp uses its gigantic claw to stun its prey with a bubble nearly as hot as the Sun. However, if the archerfish didn't have keen eyes enabling it to detect an insect against a vegetative background, and if the pistol shrimp lacked its protective eye covers, called orbital hoods, these animals might never have developed the ballistic mechanisms that characterize them. Read more, comment and share at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/the-sharp-shooters-of-marine-life/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: It's raining ash! Hallejulah!
While stranded tourists and airline companies curse Iceland's belching volcano, atmospheric scientists have found a ray of hope in the clouds of ash. In a press conference today, experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said migrating ash plumes are giving scientists a chance to test new atmospheric science models and ash-sampling technology. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/it%E2%80%99s-raining-ash-hallejulah/.
[ECOLOG-L] Field Talk: Termites enrich the soil in East Africa
Vertebrate fertilizer is not the only source of nutrients in the soils of East African savannahs, at least according to a study recently published in the journal Ecology. Alison Brody from the University of Vermont and colleagues found that termites actually had more of an effect on the fruiting success of Acacia trees in Kenya than did dung and urine deposition from ungulate herbivores, such as zebras and gazelles. Field Talk highlights the work of ecological scientists who have been published in three of the Society's journals-Ecology, Ecological Applications and Ecological Monographs-or who are involved in programs of the Society. Field Talk is primarily a podcast but also features written stories or submitted videos and other materials describing ecologists' experiences in the field. To listen to the interview or to share your unique, funny or enlightening stories from the field, visit http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/field-talk-termites-enrich-the-soil-in-east-africa/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Climate change from a population perspective
Numerous policy discussions have emerged regarding the impact of climate change on humans; however, this interaction is a two-way street, said scientists in a Washington, DC briefing last Friday. That is, how will climate change impact human health and how will population growth affect factors like carbon emissions? The short answer is that they are closely connected; the longer answer is that scientists are currently trying to flesh out the exact effects and viable options for a future with global climate change, human expansion and urbanization. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-in-policy/climate-change-from-a-population-perspective/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Bumblebee advertises infertility to avoid harassment, keep order in the colony
Researchers have found that pheromones play a key role in reproduction and social status in the buff-tailed bumblebee colony. Specifically, sterile female workers seem to advertise their infertility with extra pheromones in an attempt to ward off harassment from competing bees. The queen buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) lives for one cycle between winters, and in that time, the colony goes through two distinct social phases centering on her reproduction. First, in the pre-competition phase, the queen collects nectar and lays infertile female worker eggs to help her tend to the brood. At this time, reproduction in the colony is exclusive to the queen. In the second, competition phase, the queen begins laying male and female worker eggs which have the ability to reproduce. Mature female workers compete with the queen and among each other for reproduction. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/bumblebee-advertises-infertility-to-avoid-harassment-keep-order-in-the-colony/
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Fire ant decapitating flies take hold in Florida, one head at a time
It's been roughly 80 years since the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) arrived from South America to Mobile, Alabama in soil used as ballast to weigh down boats. Needless to say, fire ants have adapted well in southern states like Texas, Louisiana and Florida, disrupting native wildlife and plants and causing problems for people ranging from shorting out street lights to stinging limbs. But in the late 1990s and early 2000s, scientists brought over several strains of parasitoid flies from Argentina in an attempt to naturally eradicate the fire ants. A scientist recently found that one particular fly strain may be able to completely wipe out fire ants in northern Florida. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/fire-ant-decapitating-flies-take-hold-in-florida-one-head-at-a-time/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Peruvian boobies have the advantage as solitary hunters
Just off the coast of Peru, the Humboldt Current produces one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet. Humans and animals alike have based their livelihood on the abundance of marine life that results from the deep, nutrient-rich waters of this coastal upwelling. Seabirds, which gather in massive groups off the coast to prey on schools of fish, have been completely sustained, until recently: Anchovy decline from overfishing and El Nino's warmer waters have led to a major drop in seabird populations. One resilient bird, however, has held steady due to its solitary hunting style. To read more and comment, visit http://www.esa.org/esablog/conservation/peruvian-boobies-have-the-advantage-as-solitary-hunters/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: From the community, ecology influencing art
Architects, ecologists and urban planners design projects to tackle upcoming waterfront property issues in New York City due to rising sea levels from climate change, zebra finches play electric guitar as they go about their routines in a London exhibit and bacteria colonies produce intricate Petri dish art. Here is what's happening in ecology for the last week in March. See the videos and read more at http://www.esa.org/esablog/ecology-and-society/from-the-community-ecology-influencing-art/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Life between extinctions, cracking open the Cretaceous period
One hundred million years ago, Earth experienced its first great peak in biodiversity. Flowers emerged and with them pollinators, dinosaurs towered over newly evolved mammals and marsupials, the steaming jungles were teeming with newly arrived ants and termites, and the oceans were filled with gigantic, air-breathing reptiles. This was life during the Cretaceous period, Earth between two great extinctions. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/life-between-extinctions-cracking-open-the-cretaceous-period/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: So you want to be a conservationist? Think of the community
When we consider all the conservation challenges facing our world and society, we know that communicating effectively to the community is not only helpful but necessary. However, many inspiring projects in various conservation areas have failed to succeed-not because the scientific background was not there or because the financial resources were unavailable-but because the community's support was not entirely there. One of the elements to a successful conservation project is a strong connection to the community, especially during the early stages of project planning. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/conservation/so-you-want-to-be-a-conservationist-think-of-the-community/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Tackling fiction with what he knows best
I was thumbing through my New Yorker magazine when the featured fiction story caught my eye. The accompanying graphic showed several silhouetted ants and the opening line of the story read: The Trailhead Queen was dead. I began reading and got pulled into the plight facing the colony, which was profoundly affected by the death of its long-lived queen. Something about the fiction story was different though. While it kept my attention it also fed me detailed and fascinating facts (e.g. ...ants are encased in an external skeleton; their soft tissues shrivel into dry threads and lumps, but their exoskeletons remain, a knight's armor fully intact long after the knight is gone.) Halfway through reading, it struck me that this was just the sort of story a biologist could write. I flipped back to check who authored the piece and was startled to see that it was a biologist. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/conservation/tackling-fiction-with-what-he-knows-best/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: The phrenologist's guide to ecological competence
Since Darwin, scientists have been theorizing as to why there is variation in brain size between species and individuals. Does a larger brain, in say humans, indicate advanced cognitive abilities and complex language processing? Or is a smaller brain, such as the Olive-backed thrush's, adapted to weigh less to accommodate lengthy flights? In psychology, the field of phrenology has generally been dissolved, and with it, the idea that variations in brain size could indicate differences in intelligence, creativity or personality between humans. In the field of biology, however, scientists are discovering that brain variation across species might actually be linked to ecological competence. In this case, ecological competence describes the efficiency of a species to engage in ecological processes-such as flexible foraging abilities or advanced spatial memory for migration. Read more and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/the-phrenologist%E2%80%99s-guide-to-ecological-competence/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Scientists and filmmakers are making Waves together
Even though most of my face was covered by neoprene, acrylic glass and rubber, I could still feel the whiskers of the harbor seal rub against my skin as he repeatedly kissed my face. Believe it or not, the harbor seal wasn't the only marine organism that was showing me the love during a morning of scientific diving in a marine reserve off the coast of Catalina Island, California. Sheephead wrasses, garibaldi, and other temperate reef fishes had been swarming me all morning, frequently coming right up to my mask and looking me in the eyes. It was as if the kelp forest had officially accepted me into its family. I tried to focus on the task at hand: data collection for a pilot study on Southern California marine protected areas but could not believe what was happening all around me. I couldn't help but keep telling myself, Wow, people have to see this for themselves. The next day I brought underwater video equipment with me and began filming. Sixth months later a documentary was born. Even since then, communicating science through film has played a major part of my role as a marine researcher. Read and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/science-journalism/scientists-and-filmmakers-are-making-%E2%80%9Cwaves%E2%80%9D-together/.
[ECOLOG-L] Ecotone: From the Community
Fruit fly behavior mapped, resilience theory in an urban setting, changing the universe's birthdate and genetic diversity in an all-female species. Explore stories and videos on ecological science from the month of February at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/from-the-community-february-edition/.
[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: Ecologists go online, the world benefits?
Science can take a page out of the World Health Organization's book when it comes to tracking and aiding in global health. Its online database, the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN), is an early disease detection system developed by Health Canada; it collects data on unusual disease events by monitoring news wires, websites and online newspapers in eight languages. But what can ecologists take away from this? Read more at http://www.esa.org/esablog/science-journalism/ecologists-go-online-the-world-benefits/.
[ECOLOG-L] Ecotone: Can birds affect tree growth?
Growing conditions, such as water and nutrient supply, are the major determinates of tree growth, but insectivorous birds can also play an important role, say scientists in a study published in the January issue of Ecology. Under the right conditions, birds contribute to whole tree growth by preying on herbaceous arthropods, such as leafhoppers, caterpillars and grasshopper. While it may be conventional wisdom that birds help tree growth by controlling insect infestations, previous research showed this relationship to be much more dynamic and complex than it appears on the surface. For example, conditions, such as the plant and insects' natural defenses against predators, can dampen the effects of top-down predators like birds. Continue reading at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/can-birds-affect-tree-growth/.
[ECOLOG-L] Ecotone: Nutrient enrichment linked to diseases in humans and wildlife
Scientists have provided a rather grim prognosis for global health: the recent increase in nutrient enrichment due to human activities, such as nitrogen pollution through fossil fuel combustion, is likely contributing to several varieties of infectious diseases in humans and wildlife. Lead author Pieter Johnson from the University of Colorado and colleagues referenced several studies showing the links-both direct and indirect-between nutrient enrichment and the emergence and resurgence of human and wildlife illnesses, such as limb malformations in amphibians and malaria, and West Nile virus and schistosomiasis in humans... Continue reading at http://www.esa.org/esablog/research/nutrient-enrichment-linked-to-diseases-in-humans-and-wildlife/.
