[ECOLOG-L] length-biomass equation, crayfish Orconectes virilis
Hello All, For a change of pace on this listserv from the self-flagellation of ecologists, I like to ask if anyone knows of an equation that uses carapace length of the crayfish Orconectes virilis to predict biomass. I am removing these exotic crayfish from a developed spring to prepare for the introduction of Gila topminnow and desert pupfish. I plan on trapping through the fall and introducing the fish either this upcoming spring or next fall. No, I don't expect to get all of them, but I'd like to reduce their population so these fish don't get eaten right away. I'm taking sex/carapace length info on about 10% of individuals. I'd like to estimate the amount of biomass I am removing in crayfish from this system. And yes, we are eating the ones that are big enough. Thank you, Shannon Torrence, PhD Wildlife Biologist Tonto Basin Ranger District, Tonto NF 28079 N. AZ Hwy 188 Roosevelt, AZ 85545 928-467-3218 office 928-467-3239 fax storre...@fs.fed.us
[ECOLOG-L] JOB AD: Bird/Amph/Bat/Stream student STEP positions (2), Tonto NF, AZ
JOB AD: Bird/Amphibian/Bat/Stream student “STEP” positions (2), Tonto National Forest, Roosevelt, AZ USDA – Forest Service, Tonto NF, Tonto Basin Ranger District, Roosevelt, AZ START DATE: ASAP DURATION: May 2008 thru September 2008, negotiable SALARY: at GS-1 to GS-5 level, depending on experience HOUSING: on site housing is available at a low cost The Tonto Basin Ranger District will be filling two Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) Biological Science Technician positions. Duty station is in Roosevelt, Arizona. POSITION INFORMATION: Duties include but are not limited to: conducting southwestern willow flycatcher, bat, and fish surveys across Tonto National Forest. This will involve following established protocols for monitoring, identification of southwestern willow flycatchers and other common southwestern riparian birds by sight and sound, use of GPS and GIS technology, kayaks and/or canoes, electrofish shockers, seine netting, and hiking in rough terrain in extreme heat. The positions involve long and shifting hours, including frequent morning and night work. Field work covers a vast range of elevations and habitats from Sonoran desert to mixed conifer. Self-motivation, good physical condition, the ability to swim, work well in a group, and willingness to spend long hours in the field are a must. Previous field experience and an academic background in wildlife, zoology, or related fields are preferred. LOCATION INFORMATION: Roosevelt is located 35 miles northwest of Globe and 50 miles southeast of Payson. The Globe/Miami and Payson areas have year-round populations of approximately 10,000 people and are the nearest communities with full services. The climate is characterized by hot summers and pleasant winters. Summer temperatures often exceed 100-degrees. Summer monsoon rains occur in July and August. TO APPLY OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Please send a resume and official transcript(s) to: Amyann Madara-Yagla, Wildlife Biologist Tonto Basin Ranger District HC02 Box 4800, Roosevelt, AZ 85545 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (preferred method of sending resume) Telephone: 928-467-3200 Shannon Torrence, PhD Wildlife Biologist Tonto Basin Ranger District, Tonto NF Highway 188 Roosevelt, AZ 85545 928-467-3200 office 928-467-3239 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED]
in situ chlorophyll probes vs fluorometric lab methods
Dear Group, =20 Does anyone out there know of a study comparison of chlorophyll concentration readings from optical probes (e.g., YSI has one) and traditional fluorometric lab methods? What were the results? =20 Thank you, =20 =20 Shannon Torrence, PhD Upper Coast Conservation Program Coastal Fisheries Division Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 1502 F.M. 517 East Dickinson, Texas 77539 =20 281-534-0136 office 281-534-0122 fax =20
Job Ad: Coastal Fisheries Technician, Texas Coast
Apologies for cross-postings. =20 Note: please direct questions to the hiring contact, Jarrett Woodrow, below. =20 POSITION TITLE: Fish Wildlife Technician I-III FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Datasonde Technician POSTING DATE: August 10, 2007 POSTING NO.: 07-49-539 CLOSING DATE: September 12, 2007 ***PLEASE VISIT http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/jobs/postings/?page=3D07_49_539 TO READ THIS JOB DESCRIPTION ONLINE AND http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/jobs/application_process.phtml/busi ness/jobs/application_process.phtml FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.*** =20 NOTE: TEMPORARY POSITION ENDING SEPTEMBER 31, 2008. EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2007, SALARY WILL INCREASE $50 or 2%, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. =20 PHONE NO.:281/534-0131 FAX NO.: 281/534-0122 E-MAIL ADDRESS: [EMAIL PROTECTED] =20 POSITION LOCATION: Dickinson Marine Laboratory SALARY: $2,131.66- $2,378.83 - $2,770/Mo. ADDRESS: 1502 FM 517 East, Dickinson, TX 77539 DIVISION: Coastal Fisheries =20 HIRING CONTACT: Jarrett Woodrow =20 =20 GENERAL POSITION DESCRIPTION: Under the direction and supervision of the Dickinson Coastal Conservation Program Manager, the Fish Wildlife Technician maintains and operates field equipment including: water quality instruments, environmental and biological sampling equipment, vehicles, boats, and other specialized equipment. Responsible for logistical planning and execution of field activities of workgroup. Supports biologists by collecting and maintaining data and providing field assistance on biological assessments and studies. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division, and Branch rules, regulations, and procedures. =20 WORKING CONDITIONS: (1) Required to work in inclement weather and on boats in the water; (2) Working outdoors in extreme temperatures and inclement weather; (3) Wading in water and deep mud, or over rough and uneven surfaces or bay bottom; (4) Boating in rough seas; (5) Carrying heavy objects; (6) Workdays exceeding eight hours including early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays; (7) Non-smoking work environment in all state buildings and vehicles. =20 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education: Graduation from high school or GED. Experience: Fish Wildlife Technician I: (1) None; Fish Wildlife Technician II: (2) Two years relevant experience; Fish Wildlife Technician III: (3) Two years experience as a Fish Wildlife Technician II. Acceptable Substitutions: Fish Wildlife Technician II: Relevant bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required two years of experience at the FWT I level. License/Certifications: Must possess or be able to obtain, within thirty days of employment, a valid class C Texas driver's license. NOTE: Retention of position is contingent on obtaining and maintaining required license. =20 SELECTION CRITERIA: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Fish Wildlife Technician I: (1) Knowledge of basic computer operations; (2) Knowledge of fish and wildlife resources; Fish Wildlife Technician II, Knowledge of Fish Wildlife Technician I, PLUS: (3) Knowledge of basic water chemistry; Fish Wildlife Technician III, Knowledge of Fish Wildlife Technician I II, PLUS: (4) Knowledge of water quality, biological and environmental sampling techniques and equipment; Fish Wildlife Technician I: (5) Skill in effective verbal and written communication; Fish Wildlife Technician II, Skills of Fish Wildlife Technician I, PLUS: (6) Skill in operating vehicles and watercraft; (7) Skill in operating a personal computer; Fish Wildlife Technician III, Skills of Fish Wildlife Technician I II, PLUS: (8) Skill in collecting environmental and biological samples; Fish Wildlife Technician I: (9) Ability to operate vehicles and watercraft; (10) Ability to operate a personal computer; (11) Ability to collect and record data and maintain records; (12) Ability to fully participate in water-based field activities; (13) Ability to make decisions and work under moderate supervision; (14) Ability to function in a team environment and be an effective team member; Fish Wildlife Technician II, Abilities of Fish Wildlife Technician I, PLUS: (15) Ability to maintain electronic devices such as water quality meters; (16) Ability to collect environmental and biological samples; Fish Wildlife Technician III, Abilities of Fish Wildlife Technician I II, PLUS: (17) Ability to train others; (18) Ability to maintain electronic devices such as water quality meters; Fish Wildlife Technician I, II III: (19) Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; (20) Ability to push/pull 50 lbs. =20 Additional Requirements: (1) A resume and professional references accepted, but they will not serve in lieu of a completed State of Texas Application; (2) Position start date and length of hire will be contingent upon funding availability. =20 An Equal Opportunity Employer Employment, Recruitment and Retention Branch 4200
English language
Warren: =20 A comment about the words impact and significant: =20 I recently moved from an academic institution to a state agency. While I was always careful with my use of the words influence and effect when writing Results sections of papers, now I must use the word impact at work for the simple reason this is the language used in environmental policies (e.g., Environmental IMPACT Statement EIS). If Company X has mitigation requirements for filling wetlands, I have to use the word impact in my recommendations for this reason. Significant takes on a different meaning than it does in the scientific literature concerning NEPA requirements. Significant impacts require an EIS and ROD (record of decision) while non-significant impacts only require an EA (Environmental Assessment) and a FONSI (Finding of no significant impact). =20 This took some adjusting for me. However, because non-scientists often read what I write, I have to use the language in the way they understand it. =20 =20 =20 =20 My apologies to Karen: it has been pointed out to me that predate is a proper synonym for to prey upon according to the Oxford English Dictionary (my Webster New World College Dictionary Fourth Edition does not recognize this usage). =20 It was also pointed out to me that there was considerable discussion about this on Ecolog-L in 2004 followed by a 2006 article in the Bulletin of the ESA. This article reported that the OED accepted this usage in 1974, that depredate is the oldest synonym and that published papers in our field used all three verbs. For the papers surveyed, predate was used in 7 articles, depredate in 10 articles and prey upon in 18 articles. =20 Now, it has been pointed out to me that there are other technical misusages or overusages, such as: data is instead of data are impact instead of effect or affect orientate instead of orient preventative instead of preventive significant used in a non-statistical sense =20 All of these can be found in my dictionary, so should I be using any and all of them? What would ecology journal editors do with a sentence such as this -- ? =20 The incomplete data shows a significant impact on loon recruitment orientated toward eagle predating on eggs, thusly suggesting preventative action. =20 Ain't English wonderful? =20 =20 Shannon Torrence Upper Coast Conservation Program Coastal Fisheries Division Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 1502 F.M. 517 East Dickinson, Texas 77539 =20 281-534-0136 office 281-534-0122 fax =20
journal notification
Charnsmorn, =20 =20 Try going here http://www.lib.washington.edu/fhl/virtualreadingroom/journallist.html and selecting on the journal you want. You can register for free at many of these to get journal alerts. =20 Shannon Torrence Upper Coast Conservation Program Coastal Fisheries Division Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 1502 F.M. 517 East Dickinson, Texas 77539 =20 281-534-0136 office 281-534-0122 fax =20
Re: Peer review, another perspective
Dear Mr. Tyson et al., =20 Another way to get articles is to write to the author (via email) for a reprint request. I recently transitioned from the academic world to a government job (and therefore do not have journal access), and contacting the author is a good way of getting articles. Providing reprints (for me pdf preferred) is in the best interest of the author because his/her citation index increases with the number of people that read the article. An increase in a person's citation index can increase the probability of receiving grants, getting tenure, etc. Thus, paying for a journal article is almost NEVER necessary. =20 Although I have never published anything in Science, authors of the article in question probably do not profit from the sale of online articles. I have not profited from the sale of my publications (maybe no one has bought them??). Also, most of the time the authors PAY to have their manuscripts published in journals. =20 On a different subject, I think, the fact that I do not have journal access as person responsible for conserving natural resources of a state is counter-intuitive. But, as I explained, obtaining journal articles (for free) is not difficult. =20 Shannon Torrence Coastal Ecologist Coastal Conservation Program Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 1502 FM 517 East Dickinson, TX 77539 281-534-0136 office 281-534-0122 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] =20
