[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in cover crop-weed ecology

[Steve Young]

The Invasive Plant Science Lab at Utah State University in Logan, UT is
seeking a motivated PhD student with strong research skills and an interest
in cropping systems. The research focus of the position will be on cover
crops to address invasive plants in agricultural cropping systems of the
Intermountain and Western US. Funding has been secured to support the
project with the expectation of expanding into a variety of crops and
systems, including organic.


Responsibilities are as follows: assist with data collection and analysis
of field-based research, contribute to the preparation of papers, reports,
and associated project deliverables and assist the PI with project
integration/coordination with collaborators. In addition to contributing to
the project described above, the incumbent will be encouraged to pursue
other, complementary research.


We seek candidates with: 1) strong quantitative and statistical skills, 2)
demonstrated research excellence and 3) strong oral and written
communication skills. Preference will be given to applicants whose research
interests and expertise complement the research project but outstanding
applicants looking to broaden their field of interest will also be
seriously considered.


An MS degree in ecology, agronomy, weed science, plant biology, or a
related field is required. A graduate research assistantship is available
for up to 3 years. The position is available immediately, with a preferred
start date of late spring or early summer 2018.


Send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of research
interests, and names and addresses of three references as email attachments
(pdf or word formats) to Dr. Steve Young at steve.yo...@usu.edu. For
earliest consideration, apply by May 1, 2018. Applications will be accepted
until the position is filled. *Utah State University is an Affirmative
Action/Equal Employment Opportunity/ADA Employer. *

[ECOLOG-L] MS and PhD positions at Utah State University

[Steve Young]

The Invasive Plant Science Lab in the Department of Plants, Soils & Climate
at Utah State University has immediate openings for MS and PhD graduate
students. In general, projects will be focused on invasive plants in
natural area and agroecosystem settings with basic and applied emphasis.
Topics for research studies will include climate change, resistance
mechanisms, plant competition, belowground (root) characterization,
landscape dynamics, modelling, and others yet to be determined. Together,
studies of individual plants will lead to a better understanding of the
factors contributing to invasion success and how management can be designed
to best limit it. See the Invasive Plant Science Lab website for more
information: https://psc.ou.usu.edu/invasive-plant-science/



Currently, two projects are underway addressing medusahead in rangelands
and kochia in cropping systems with new projects being developed to address
green foxtail in organic production systems, common reed in riparian and
wetland systems under extreme drought, spotted knapweed in rangelands,
dyer’s woad on marginal lands, and biocontrol of Canada thistle. Students
with a background and interest in fields related to invasive plants are
particularly encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should email Dr.
Steve Young (steve.yo...@usu.edu) a single pdf that includes: 1) letter of
application describing educational background, research experience, career
goals, and professional interests, 2) resume or CV, 3) contact information
for at least three references, and 4) GRE and TOEFL scores (if required).
Review of applicants will continue until the positions are filled.



Utah State University is located in picturesque Logan, UT, a community of
100,000 people situated 85 miles north of Salt Lake City.  Logan has a low
cost of living and is located in a semi-rural mountain basin with nearby
ski resorts, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and mountains providing unparalleled
recreational opportunities.

[ECOLOG-L] ESA's Paper Trail - A Pioneering Adventure

[Steve Young]

Editor's Note: In this edition of the *Paper Trail*, a 50th anniversary is
celebrated by a cohort of individuals representing many who were inspired,
intrigued, perplexed, shocked, and thrilled by the work of two pioneers in
ecology. In a way, Dan Simberloff and Edward O. Wilson are a replicate of
the famous mystery solving duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson of London,
as they sought to prove a theory using empirical evidence from a most
unlikely and wildly ambitious set of experiments. What they found was no
less a mystery solved than a set of founding principles related to island
biogeography and dynamic equilibrium that are still referred to and tested
today. Their followers come from all regions and stages, whether graduate
student, post doc, assistant or full professor. Their stories emanate from
the deeply profound affect that the work by Dan and Ed had on their
thinking, philosophy, and research. This special issue is a tribute to
ecological discovery and an example of one of the most extensive
connections ever made across generations through scholarly writings.

http://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/issue/10.1002/bes2.2017.98.issue-4/

Steve

[ECOLOG-L] ESA Bulletin: Paper Trail_April

[Steve Young]

In the April issue of* Paper Trail*, a weekly dinner club, during which
ecology was discussed and the blossoming of a relationship fueled in part
by differences in the results from a field research study, helped connect
two scientists with an interest in carbon. The basic premise is that
aquatic ecosystems cycle carbon through various processes and to and from a
range of contributors in what has been referred to as active and passive
conduits or “pipes.” Whether at the global or local scale, limnologists,
like these two researchers who study lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and
wetlands, would argue that these aquatic systems are anything but simple
pipes. The complexity of these systems has challenged them and their
terrestrial-minded colleagues with still much more to learn.

Read on:
The Arising Researcher -
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bes2.1317/full
The Established Researcher -
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bes2.1316/full

Steve

Editor, ESA
*Paper Trail*Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853

[ECOLOG-L] The new weed ecology

[Steve Young]

Cannabis agriculture is of increasing interest not just because of the
economics, but in large part because of the effects from unregulated
production, which is exacting a toll on some places where it is grown, like
in California.

An article was written in the Ithaca Times based on a research study
conducted by two professors who were trying to measure the impacts of the
rising number of cannabis ‘farms’ in Northern California. In addition to
the significant impact on forest ecosystems and threatened fish and other
animal species, rats were found dead in the vicinity of these farms because
apparently, they like cannabis and well, the farmers had no choice but to
poison them. The two go on to suggest that a lack of research on cannabis
agricultural practice is strongly tied to the federally illegal status of
cannabis as a Schedule I drug and this restriction is having ramifications
not just for the environment, but also social systems, such as land tenure
and demographics.

The Ithaca Times article is here:
http://www.ithaca.com/news/ithaca/weed-ecology/article_6e180426-c227-11e6-80c1-1bf2bf48d9d7.html
and the research article is open access and can be viewed/downloaded for
free here: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/11/4/044023

Steve

[ECOLOG-L] National Forum on Climate & Pests

[Steve Young]

Through a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture,
the Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Centers, Northeast Climate
Hub, Agronomy Society of America, and the Cornell Institute for Climate
Smart Solutions have joined together to organize the first National Forum
on Climate and Pests (NFC), which will be held in Washington DC on
October 4-6, 2016. Invited experts in the climate and pest disciplines will
speak in front of a live audience via the Internet. Please plan to watch
and participate. For more information and registration details, visit the
following website: http://neipmc.org/go/nfcp.

Regards,
Steve

[ECOLOG-L] Respecting nature challenges society and conservation science - PNAS

[Steve Young]

The recent Paris accord on global climate change is a key step in
acknowledging biophysical limits to human actions, but the challenge of
respecting the biosphere’s ecological limits remains underrated. We analyze
how respecting these limits squarely conflicts with an economy centered on
growth and technology to mitigate environmental stress. The need to
mitigate human impacts on species and natural systems has made conservation
science a major multidisciplinary discipline. Society and conservation
science have tried unsuccessfully to resolve this need within the growth
paradigm. We show that its resolution increasingly demands profound shifts
in societal values. Our aim is to identify the nature of these necessary
shifts and to explore how they define future paths for conservation science.

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/05/13/1525003113.abstract.html?etoc

Steve

Re: [ECOLOG-L] let's go corporate, publishing companies have!

[Steve Young]

That is what Digital Commons is for.
Steve


From: "Ganter, Philip" <pgan...@tnstate.edu<mailto:pgan...@tnstate.edu>>
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 11:16 AM
To: Steve Young <sl...@cornell.edu<mailto:sl...@cornell.edu>>, ECOLOG 
<ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU<mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>>
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] let's go corporate, publishing companies have!

The problem is not whether or not we are being paid.  We are paid by our home 
institutions.  The problem is the cost of getting to publications based on 
research funded by public money.  That has been and continues to be the root 
problem, compounded by the publish-or-perish, paper-counting mentality and the 
rise of predatory “open-source” publishers.

Just this week, I have visited the websites of major scientific publishers who 
all wanted over $35 for access to a single article.  Preposterous (I am 
reminded at the silly prices that keep most “minibar” items firmly in the hotel 
room refrigerator in the US, while in South America, they are priced reasonably 
and actually are a convenience).  But I could often “rent” temporary access for 
a few dollars.  Hm.

The major US academic funding agencies need to learn a lesson from Apple.  They 
need to flex their power and establish an iTunes for academic publishing where 
a dollar gets you the publication you want.  The publishers can be paid 
royalties from this.  With a bit of quality control over which publications are 
part of the scheme and some peer pressure to not submit manuscripts to 
publishers not participating in the scheme, we can resolve many of the issues 
surrounding access to science (for that is what we are, ultimately, discussing).

Phil Ganter
Biological Sciences
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

From: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news" 
<ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU<mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>> on behalf of 
Steve Young <sl...@cornell.edu<mailto:sl...@cornell.edu>>
Reply-To: Steve Young <sl...@cornell.edu<mailto:sl...@cornell.edu>>
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 7:57 AM
To: "ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU<mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>" 
<ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU<mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>>
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] let's go corporate, publishing companies have!

And then there is the argument that some just enjoy reviewing papers – pro bono 
or payment is not something they consider. They like the opportunity to be 
involved in cutting edge science albeit the very periphery, before it is widely 
distributed. Interesting how this relates somewhat to the debate about paying 
college athletes 
(http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/why-ncaa-athletes-shouldnt-be-paid).

Steve


From: ECOLOG <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU<mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>> on 
behalf of David Duffy <ddu...@hawaii.edu<mailto:ddu...@hawaii.edu>>
Reply-To: David Duffy <ddu...@hawaii.edu<mailto:ddu...@hawaii.edu>>
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 1:02 PM
To: ECOLOG <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU<mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>>
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] let's go corporate, publishing companies have!

http://chronicle.com/article/Want-to-Change-Academic/134546?cid=trend_right_h

"So why not try this: If academic work is to be commodified and turned into a 
source of profit for shareholders and for the 1 percent of the publishing 
world, then we should give up our archaic notions of unpaid craft labor and 
insist on professional compensation for our expertise, just as doctors, 
lawyers, and accountants do."

--
David Duffy
戴大偉 (Dài Dàwěi)
Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit/Makamakaʻāinana
Botany
University of Hawaii/Ke Kulanui o Hawaiʻi
3190 Maile Way
Honolulu Hawaii 96822 USA
1-808-956-8218

Re: [ECOLOG-L] let's go corporate, publishing companies have!

[Steve Young]

You’re missing the point - athletes like to play sports and some
scientists like to review manuscripts. It is the enjoyment that drives
them, not the money.
Steve





On 2/17/16, 10:54 AM, "Malcolm McCallum"
<malcolm.mccallum.ta...@gmail.com> wrote:

>paying reviewers is in no way related to paying athletes.
>The athletes are largely student.
>Most reviewers are not students.
>However, one could argue that reviewing is part of a scientist's job.
>Yet, its a part that most institutions provide no credit for.
>ITs a really screwed up situation.
>
>On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 7:57 AM, Steve Young <sl...@cornell.edu> wrote:
>> And then there is the argument that some just enjoy reviewing papers –
>>pro
>> bono or payment is not something they consider. They like the
>>opportunity to
>> be involved in cutting edge science albeit the very periphery, before
>>it is
>> widely distributed. Interesting how this relates somewhat to the debate
>> about paying college athletes
>> 
>>(http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/why-ncaa-athletes-shouldnt-
>>be-paid).
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>> From: ECOLOG <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU> on behalf of David Duffy
>> <ddu...@hawaii.edu>
>> Reply-To: David Duffy <ddu...@hawaii.edu>
>> Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 1:02 PM
>> To: ECOLOG <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
>> Subject: [ECOLOG-L] let's go corporate, publishing companies have!
>>
>> 
>>http://chronicle.com/article/Want-to-Change-Academic/134546?cid=trend_rig
>>ht_h
>>
>> "So why not try this: If academic work is to be commodified and turned
>>into
>> a source of profit for shareholders and for the 1 percent of the
>>publishing
>> world, then we should give up our archaic notions of unpaid craft labor
>>and
>> insist on professional compensation for our expertise, just as doctors,
>> lawyers, and accountants do."
>>
>> --
>> David Duffy
>> 戴大偉 (Dài Dàwěi)
>> Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit/Makamakaʻāinana
>> Botany
>> University of Hawaii/Ke Kulanui o Hawaiʻi
>> 3190 Maile Way
>> Honolulu Hawaii 96822 USA
>> 1-808-956-8218
>
>
>
>-- 
>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] let's go corporate, publishing companies have!

[Steve Young]

And then there is the argument that some just enjoy reviewing papers – pro bono 
or payment is not something they consider. They like the opportunity to be 
involved in cutting edge science albeit the very periphery, before it is widely 
distributed. Interesting how this relates somewhat to the debate about paying 
college athletes 
(http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/why-ncaa-athletes-shouldnt-be-paid).

Steve


From: ECOLOG > on 
behalf of David Duffy >
Reply-To: David Duffy >
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 1:02 PM
To: ECOLOG >
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] let's go corporate, publishing companies have!

http://chronicle.com/article/Want-to-Change-Academic/134546?cid=trend_right_h

"So why not try this: If academic work is to be commodified and turned into a 
source of profit for shareholders and for the 1 percent of the publishing 
world, then we should give up our archaic notions of unpaid craft labor and 
insist on professional compensation for our expertise, just as doctors, 
lawyers, and accountants do."

--
David Duffy
戴大偉 (Dài Dàwěi)
Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit/Makamakaʻāinana
Botany
University of Hawaii/Ke Kulanui o Hawaiʻi
3190 Maile Way
Honolulu Hawaii 96822 USA
1-808-956-8218

[ECOLOG-L] Winning promotes dishonest behavior

[Steve Young]

Suppose this also applies to plants, insects, and animals that compete for 
resources?

Winning a competition engenders subsequent unrelated unethical behavior. Five 
studies reveal that after a competition has taken place winners behave more 
dishonestly than competition losers. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate that winning a 
competition increases the likelihood of winners to steal money from their 
counterparts in a subsequent unrelated task. Studies 3a and 3b demonstrate that 
the effect holds only when winning means performing better than others (i.e., 
determined in reference to others) but not when success is determined by chance 
or in reference to a personal goal. Finally, study 4 demonstrates that a 
possible mechanism underlying the effect is an enhanced sense of entitlement 
among competition winners. - February 1, 2016, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1515102113 PNAS

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/01/25/1515102113.abstract.html?etoc

Steve

Re: [ECOLOG-L] promoting Ecology course

[Steve Young]

Create an innovative and highly engaging course that combines the two
disciplines and then get support from an existing degree program at your
institution. Once it is approved by the curriculum committee, promote it
widely. After a couple of years, make it available online through your
institution¹s distance degree program. Although not as easy as it sounds,
most institutions are very interested in courses that are
cross-disciplinary and target a broader audience by relating the
fundamentals to topics of increasing societal interest. Just need to think
outside-the-box. 

Steve





On 2/1/16, 11:23 AM, "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on
behalf of Kay Shenoy"  wrote:

>Does anybody have ideas on how to promote Ecology among Biology
>undergraduates? We are finding that Biology majors are increasingly
>focused on health-care fields; many students consider Ecology
>³unimportant² for their future careers, and it is not addressed in the
>MCAT exams, so they give it a low priority. How does one increase
>enrollment in Ecology courses, and particularly in schools that do not
>have dedicated Ecology departments? Any thoughts would be welcome!

Re: [ECOLOG-L] fake papers, the h-index, and publish or perish

[Steve Young]

Use short answer and essay questions. It's more work, but students can't cheat 
and they (are more likely to) learn the concepts.

Steve


...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
http://ipscourse.unl.edu/iwep
Twitter: @NAIPSC



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Malcolm McCallum
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 1:27 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] fake papers, the h-index, and publish or perish

This is what happens when two things are paired together.
1) impact ratings driving science instead of the other way around
2) lacking control over cheating in college/grad school.

I have been shocked at the large amount of cheating that goes on, and that is 
ignored, even in professional schools. Here is a nice link for anyone who does 
online grading automatically...

http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1347802-Cheating-on-an-online-test/page2

On Tue, Feb 25, 2014 at 12:18 PM, David Duffy ddu...@hawaii.edu wrote:
 Labbé says that the latest discovery is merely one symptom of a 
 spamming war started at the heart of science in which researchers 
 feel pressured to rush out papers to publish as much as possible


 *Publishers withdraw more than 120 gibberish papers*

 Conference proceedings removed from subscription databases after 
 scientist reveals that they were computer-generated.

 Nature.com

 24 February 2014

 The publishers Springer and IEEE are removing more than 120 papers 
 from their subscription services after a French researcher discovered 
 that the works were computer-generated nonsense.

 Over the past two years, computer scientist Cyril Labbé of Joseph 
 Fourier University in Grenoble, France, has catalogued 
 computer-generated papers that made it into more than 30 published 
 conference proceedings between
 2008 and 2013. Sixteen appeared in publications by Springer, which is 
 headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, and more than 100 were published 
 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), based 
 in New York. Both publishers, which were privately informed by Labbé, 
 say that they are now removing the papers.

 Among the works were, for example, a paper published as a proceeding 
 from the 2013 International Conference on Quality, Reliability, Risk, 
 Maintenance, and Safety Engineering, held in Chengdu, China. (The 
 conference website says that all manuscripts are reviewed for merits 
 and
 contents.) The authors of the paper, entitled 'TIC: a methodology for 
 the construction of e-commerce', write in the abstract that they 
 concentrate our efforts on disproving that spreadsheets can be made 
 knowledge-based, empathic, and compact. (Nature News has attempted to 
 contact the conference organizers and named authors of the paper but 
 received no reply*; however at least some of the names belong to real 
 people. The IEEE has now removed the paper).

 *Update: One of the named authors, Su Wei at Lanzhou University, 
 replied to Nature News on 25 February. He said that he first learned 
 of the article when conference organizers notified his university in 
 December 2013; and that he does not know why he was a listed co-author 
 on the paper. The matter is being looked into by the related investigators, 
 he said.

 How to create a nonsense paper

 Labbé developed a way to automatically detect manuscripts composed by 
 a piece of software called SCIgen, which randomly combines strings of 
 words to produce fake computer-science papers. SCIgen was invented in 
 2005 by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 
 in Cambridge to prove that conferences would accept meaningless papers 
 - and, as they put it, to maximize amusement (see 'Computer 
 conference welcomes gobbledegook paper'). A related program generates 
 random physics manuscript titles on the satirical website arXiv vs. 
 snarXiv. SCIgen is free to download and use, and it is unclear how 
 many people have done so, or for what purposes. SCIgen's output has 
 occasionally popped up at conferences, when researchers have submitted 
 nonsense papers and then revealed the trick.

 Labbé does not know why the papers were submitted - or even if the 
 authors were aware of them. Most of the conferences took place in 
 China, and most of the fake papers have authors with Chinese 
 affiliations. Labbé has emailed editors and authors named in many of 
 the papers and related conferences but received scant replies; one 
 editor said that he did not work as a program chair at a particular 
 conference, even though he was named as doing so, and another author 
 claimed his paper was submitted on purpose to test out a conference, 
 but did not respond on follow-up. Nature has not heard anything from a few 
 enquiries.

 I wasn't aware of the scale of the problem, but I knew it definitely 
 happens. We do get occasional e-mails from 

Re: [ECOLOG-L] fake papers, the h-index, and publish or perish

[Steve Young]

In my online course, I give them a variety of activities - discussion board, 
problem sets, quizzes - on a weekly basis, which are low effort grading - Are 
they getting the concepts? I do not post the answers to anything outright, but 
incorporate them into my weekly lectures, so that the student who is really 
paying attention will get the answers. I do other things like have them 
participate in my webinar series and they all have to do a Final Project. Exams 
are an even number of multiple choice (cheating is possible), short answer, and 
2-3 essay questions (cheating not possible) to make them tell me what they've 
learned. It is fairly easy to see which student is getting the material and who 
is not and thus, grading can go more quickly than it may seem. I also remind 
them weekly about assignments and that I am happy to address any questions. I 
never let an email question go unanswered for more than a day. This is not a 
silver bullet answer because there are online courses with 100+ students and 
grading can be a nightmare, even with a TA. For classes with fewer numbers ( 
50), this strategy seems to be working and not taking every waking hour.
Steve 

From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU on behalf of David L. McNeely mcnee...@cox.net
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 8:13 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] fake papers, the h-index, and publish or perish

Well, TAs CAN be paid to assist with grading.  I know that I was expected to 
grade as a TA, and I have had TAs help with grading.  One justification for the 
low pay that TAs get has always been that part of the job was the learning 
experience.  How can one learn teaching without practicing teaching?  Grading 
is a part of teaching.  As a TA in a large introductory course, I was a part 
of, for want of a better term, grading parties.  Each paper was marked by 
three TAs.  The middle score was recorded.  Fair?  It was one prof's way of 
coping, and it seemed to work.  By the third exam (there were five counting the 
final) we converged pretty closely on the scores.  We used what has been called 
by educationists a rubric.  We called it a model answer.  A group of TAs 
could also use the system used by the Advanced Placement program, which again 
involves a rubric, but only one person scores a given response.  A team leader 
monitors scores for each grader, and provides feedback to the graders, so that 
they can know how far from the team mean and median scores their own estimates 
of central tendency are.

I usually only had a single TA or at most two for any course I taught as a 
faculty member.  I worked with them to develop a list of points that should be 
included in any short answer or essay response.  I graded some papers, the TA 
graded some, and I double checked a sample of his or her work.
It worked for us.

Of course, if TAs take on grading, and have not been doing so all along, then 
the grading time has to be factored into their work load.  I assume if they are 
already grading, it has been taken into account.

David McNeely

 Judith S. Weis jw...@andromeda.rutgers.edu wrote:
 Absolutely right! But how do you give essays in a very large class?
 Grading them is an enormous job. And that's not what TA's are paid for
 (unless the university provides a grader which I've never come across)
 J

  Use short answer and essay questions. It's more work, but students can't
  cheat and they (are more likely to) learn the concepts.
 
  Steve
 
 
  ...
  Stephen L. Young, PhD
  Weed Ecologist
  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  http://ipscourse.unl.edu/iwep
  Twitter: @NAIPSC
 
 
 
  -Original Message-
  From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news
  [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Malcolm McCallum
  Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 1:27 PM
  To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
  Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] fake papers, the h-index, and publish or perish
 
  This is what happens when two things are paired together.
  1) impact ratings driving science instead of the other way around
  2) lacking control over cheating in college/grad school.
 
  I have been shocked at the large amount of cheating that goes on, and that
  is ignored, even in professional schools. Here is a nice link for anyone
  who does online grading automatically...
 
  http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1347802-Cheating-on-an-online-test/page2
 
  On Tue, Feb 25, 2014 at 12:18 PM, David Duffy ddu...@hawaii.edu wrote:
  Labbé says that the latest discovery is merely one symptom of a
  spamming war started at the heart of science in which researchers
  feel pressured to rush out papers to publish as much as possible
 
 
  *Publishers withdraw more than 120 gibberish papers*
 
  Conference proceedings removed from subscription databases after
  scientist reveals that they were computer-generated.
 
  Nature.com
 
  24 February 2014
 
  

Re: [ECOLOG-L] drones for ecology research

[Steve Young]

See the April 2013 issue of Frontiers.
http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/120150
Steve


...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

Ph: 308-696-6712
http://ipscourse.unl.edu/iwep
Twitter: @NAIPSC


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Chris Lortie
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 3:06 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] drones for ecology research

Hi Ecolog,

I am no fan of drones monitoring citizens. However, has anyone had any luck 
with them for ecology research? My students and I are experimenting with one 
now to photograph shrub canopies from above. http://bit.ly/ecodrone-up

Let met know if you have any other ideas or suggestions and we will try them. 
Kangaroo rats next I think.

cheers,
chris.
lor...@yorku.ca

[ECOLOG-L] Online Invasive Plants Course

[Steve Young]

In case you haven't heard or seen the announcements, a course on invasive 
plants is taking place entirely online in January. This two-day course led by 
instructors from across the country will offer participants practical and basic 
information on the ecology and management of invasive plants. Each day, 
sessions will take place in real-time using Adobe Connect technology hosted by 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln EdMedia. As much as possible, this online course 
will replicate a field course, but more importantly it will provide for those 
with limited funds or are too busy to travel an opportunity to hear, learn, and 
engage in discussions about invasive plant species right from their computer. 
For course details, be sure to visit the NAIPSC website 
(http://ipscourse.unl.edu).

Steve



...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

Ph: 308-696-6712
http://ipscourse.unl.edu/iwephttp://ipscourse.unl.edu/
Twitter: @NAIPSC

[ECOLOG-L] Transportation networks in the US

[Steve Young]

NASA captured two nighttime images of the continental US for a natural-light, 
mosaic view using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the 
Suomi NPP (National Polar-orbiting Partnership) satellite 
(http://www.nasa.gov/content/lighting-the-paths-across-the-us/#.UpbJkydoHlc).
Will it be any different in 2050?

Steve


...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

Ph: 308-696-6712
http://ipcourse.unl.edu/iwep
Twitter: @NAIPSC

[ECOLOG-L] Invasive plants webinar

[Steve Young]

Apologies for cross posting

The NAIPSC is hosting a webinar on Phragmites australis, which is one of the 
most widespread invasive plant species in North America. Since 2008, a focused 
effort to eradicate or significantly reduce P. australis has been on going in 
the state of Nebraska. A report on this effort will be given along with 
insights on control options, monitoring, and integrating land owners in the 
process from the outset through to the final stages and beyond.

This webinar will take place on November 21 at noon (Central Standard Time). It 
is part of the 2013-2014 NAIPSC Webinar Series and is being offered FREE to 
all. For more information about the webinar and viewing details, visit the 
NAIPSC website (http://ipscourse.unl.edu).


Steve


...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Merits of invasion science

[Steve Young]

And don't forget that eastern redcedar is also propagated and distributed by 
nurseries to agencies and individuals for windbreaks and the like. Even if fire 
and bison were allowed to run over the plains again, they might still not be 
enough to overcome this anthropogenic dispersal mechanism.

Steve


…….
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
http://ipcourse.unl.edu/iwep
Twitter: @NAIPSC


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of David L. McNeely
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 5:34 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Merits of invasion science

The species in question are a part of environmental degradation.  For example, 
Eastern Red Cedar (_Juniperus virginianus_) has become noxious in the Southern 
Great Plains due to fire suppression and grazing.  We know what caused it to 
become so.  We don't, evidently, know how to get the prairie back from it and 
other woody species over the broad range where they have become dominant, given 
the patterns of ownership and occupation that now exist.  If we could allow 
wildfire at any season to run over the plains, and if we could bring back bison 
in the numbers that once existed, that likely would work.  But there are people 
in the way.  Believe me, no one who has to contend with the emergence of cedar 
breaks over the landscape in recent decades is at all bothered by the terms 
noxious, and weedy, especially when a grass covered plain is the 
alternative.

David McNeely

 Madhusudan Katti mka...@mail.fresnostate.edu wrote: 
 Really? You want us to go from “invasive” which is already contentious 
 because it attaches some anthropocentric value to an ecological process, to 
 even more strongly negative value-laden terms like “noxious” and “weed”? What 
 room is there then, on a planet dominated by humans (and our values), for any 
 range expansions or distributional changes by any species in response to, 
 say, climate change?
 
 ~
 Dr. Madhusudan Katti
 Associate Professor,
 Department of Biology, M/S SB73
 California State University, Fresno
 2555 E San Ramon AVe
 Fresno, CA 93740
 
 http://about.me/mkatti
 
 On Oct 29, 2013, at 12:09 PM, David L. McNeely mcnee...@cox.net wrote:
 
  A better term than native invasive to apply to species that become pests 
  within their native geographic range (Eastern Red Cedar is an excellent 
  example in the southern plains and prairies) is noxious.  Or, we might 
  simply call them pests.  Invasive makes no sense for such species.  From 
  where have they invaded?  Hence, your sugar maple example would be a 
  noxious weed species.  The bull frog is a true invasive in that it did not 
  occur in the western part of North America prior to introduction.
  
  David McNeely
  
   malcolm McCallum malcolm.mccal...@herpconbio.org wrote: 
  Cattle Egrets were supposed to be a natural dispersal via 
  anemochore as I recall, a one time event wasn't it?
  
  Invasive species need not be exotic species, at least from a 
  continental perspective.
  For example, sugar maple is native to most forests in Illinois, but 
  with changes in fire regimes it becomes invasive crowding out the 
  oak-hickory.  Sweetgum does a similar thing in southern wet 
  forests, and there are a pile of other examples. these are NATIVE 
  INVASIVES.
  Bullfrogs fall in between from a continental pespective.  they are 
  native to and widespread in North America, but they have been 
  introduced into habitats in the west where they do not normally 
  occur creating havoc.  Technically, these are also exotic invasives 
  at the regional or local level, but native invasives from a 
  continental perspective.
  Lonicera japanicus is an exotic invasive in streams of North 
  America, although some closely related Lonicera are NONINVASIVE 
  EXOTICS, and some simply cannot even become established!!
  Likewise, asiatic mussels, zebra mussels, and an assortment of 
  other species are EXOTIC INVASIVES.
  
  I don't know why we do it, but often we lump issues about exotics 
  and those about invasives together under the same title.  It really 
  is not appropriate because the two overlap, but are not the same things.
  
  On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 10:12 AM, Meg Ballard mball...@udel.edu wrote:
  The difference is the scale of invasion, both temporal and spatial.
  
  There is a difference in moving from one pond to an adjacent one, 
  where your natural enemies and competitors are likely to exist, vs 
  intercontinental or oceanic movements that occur in short time 
  scales rather than evolutionary time scales.
  
  
  On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 10:45 AM, malcolm McCallum  
  malcolm.mccal...@herpconbio.org wrote:
  
  I mentioned this correspondence to a friend who works a lot in 
  this field.  This is what he/she said (i'm leaving off the name 
  since he/she is not available to ask 

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Merits of invasion science

[Steve Young]

Unfortunately, many do not want (care) to know how it is working, which 
contributes to ridiculously futile managerial adjustments.

Steve


...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
http://ipcourse.unl.edu/iwep
Twitter: @NAIPSC


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of malcolm McCallum
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 10:56 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Merits of invasion science

And, the only way to prevent it, is to know how it happens.
And, the only way to correct it (if possible), is to study how it is currently 
working.

This is true of so many things.

On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 9:49 AM, David L. McNeely mcnee...@cox.net wrote:
 Miles, When will we we learn to just leave things alone?

 Had we left things alone in the first place, there would be no invasions.  
 You can't have it both ways.  So, if you want things left alone, then you 
 don't do the things that bring about invasions -- you don't start aviation 
 activities that move snakes about, for example.  But if you did not leave 
 things alone, then you have an obligation to do your best to prevent 
 consequences, monitor what is going on, and fix things where appropriate.

 Not doing anything after the fact, or not doing anything to prevent 
 consequences neither one constitutes leaving things alone.

 David McNeely

  Thomas J. Givnish givn...@facstaff.wisc.edu wrote:
 Miles - ridiculously futile managerial adjustments? often make more of a 
 mess by trying to set things straight? sentimental nostalgia?? nature 
 will adjust, with or without us???

 Are you kidding us?


 Are you saying that, if a brown tree snake appears on the tarmac at Honolulu 
 (it's happened several times already), we shouldn't do anything about it? 
 Are you saying that you aren't willing to judge whether, say, the 
 introduction of the emerald ash borer or the balsam wooly adelgid were or 
 were not good for the ecology?


 Thomas J. Givnish
 Henry Allan Gleason Professor of Botany University of Wisconsin

 givn...@wisc.edu
 http://botany.wisc.edu/givnish/Givnish/Welcome.html




 On 10/29/13, Miles Medina  wrote:
  I don't think the question is whether invasives are a problem. The 
  criticisms the article raises are rather easily refuted. Sure, 
  invasives are a problem for industry or national security (i.e. our 
  species), and if we are generous perhaps for the integrity of some 
  ecological system as we understand it. But who is to judge what is 
  good for the ecology? Or is it more often just some sentimental 
  nostalgia? My point is that whether we claim the motivation to 
  control invasives is selfless preservationism or reduce it to 
  economic loss or other self-interest, it is ultimately 
  anthropocentric, because our management actions rely on our own 
  limited data and understanding of ecology and are given direction 
  by our own limited judgments about what is best for some natural 
  system. The truth is, nature will adjust with or without us, and 
  life will go on. Perhaps our efforts would be better spent figuring 
  out how to better conduct our civilization than on making 
  ridiculously futile managerial adjustments. The real question to my mind 
  is whether we should continue on such a path knowing we so often make more 
  of a mess by trying to set things straight.
  Reading the authors' justification for invasive management reminded 
  me of Bush the administration rallying support for the Iraq war.. 
  What we already know is scary, so imagine how terrifying the uknown 
  unknowns might be! When will we learn to just leave things alone?
 
  Miles
  On Oct 28, 2013 11:54 AM, lisa jones lajone...@hotmail.com wrote:
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
   A quick and interesting editorial piece from Richardson  
   Ricciardi Misleading criticisms of invasion science: a field 
   guide in Diversity and Distributions (2013, 19: 1461-1467).
  
   A link to the article can be found here on the Canadian Aquatic 
   Invasive Species Network (CAISN) website (listed near the bottom of the 
   page):
   http://www.caisn.ca/en/publications
  
   I am sure there will be a response from those who see no value in 
   invasion science but as one reviewer pointed out when invasions 
   are driven by us (ballast waters, trade, aquaculture, you name 
   it) and overcome wide ecological barriers... well, I would be 
   very careful in saying that there is no problem.
  
   Lisa
  
  
  
  
  

 --

 --
 David McNeely



--
Malcolm L. McCallum
Department of Environmental Studies
University of Illinois at Springfield

Managing Editor,
Herpetological Conservation and Biology



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,

Re: [ECOLOG-L] USDA Creates Online Tools to ID Pests

[Steve Young]

Of course, there is also LeafSnap (http://leafsnap.com/), which works in 
real-time on your smart phone. 

Steve


...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of David Inouye
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2013 9:29 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] USDA Creates Online Tools to ID Pests

Busting Bugs: USDA Creates Online Tools to ID Pests

Do you work at a port or international border where identifying potentially 
destructive agricultural pests is part of your job? Are you a student or 
teacher interested in learning more about potential and existing agricultural 
pests? Have you ever seen a creepy crawly thing in your backyard and wondered 
if it might be an invasive species? If you fit any of these descriptions, then 
ID Tools may be just what you need.

Created by USDA-APHIS' Identification Technology Program (ITP), ID Tools helps 
agency staff to quickly identify pests, including insects, diseases, harmful 
weeds, and more, through an efficient, online database system. ID Tools 
currently includes more than 30 websites covering a vast array of pests and 
pests associated with specific commodities. These tools help to keep 
international cargo and economic activity movioving as efficiently as possible 
at U.S. 
ports of entry. However, ITP's ID Tools web site, which receives about 12,000 
visitors a month, is not for experts alone.

One of our main reasons for creating ID Tools is to empower non-experts 
including students, educators, and the general public with access to expert 
information, said ITP Coordinator DDr. 
Terrence Walters. 
[http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=clickenid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTMwOTA0LjIyNTY1MjgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDEzMDkwNC4yMjU2NTI4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NzU4MTE5JmVtYWlsaWQ9aW5vdXllQHVtZC5lZHUmdXNlcmlkPWlub3V5ZUB1bWQuZWR1JmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=102http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/08/14/busting-bugs-usda-creates-online-tools-to-id-pests/Read
More]

http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/08/14/busting-bugs-usda-creates-online-tools-to-id-pests/
 

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Funded PhD search question

[Steve Young]

Another source from SDSU, which posts not only their own but others. In 
addition, internships, permanent positions, and seasonal work are also listed.

http://www.sdstate.edu/nrm/academics/careers/index.cfm

Steve

...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

steve.yo...@unl.edu
308-696-6712
http://ipscourse.unl.edu/iwep

-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Richard Boyce
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 8:22 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Funded PhD search question

Neagha,

ECOLOG-L is a great place to look. Also (allow me to toot my horn a little), I 
extract grad school announcements from ECOLOG-L and other sources and post them 
at http://www.nku.edu/~boycer/gradopps.html.

Regards,
Rick

On Jul 31, 2013, at 12:00 AM, ECOLOG-L automatic digest system wrote:

Funded PhD search question

Hello Fellow Ecologgers,

Does anyone know of a good place to search for funded PhD positions, preferably 
in the conservation, environment, sustainable development, or science outreach 
fields?

So far most of the opportunities I have found are posted on a 
university-by-university basis.  Is there any equivalent to a job-board that 
posts available PhD opportunities?

As usual, I am happy to share any results and post them on my blog as well.

Thank you,


Neahga Leonard

*There is not just a whole world to explore, there is a whole universe to 
explore, perhaps more than one.* http://writingfornature.wordpress.com/



Richard L. Boyce, Ph.D.
Director, Environmental Science Program
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, SC 150 Northern Kentucky University Nunn 
Drive Highland Heights, KY  41099  USA

859-572-1407 (tel.)
859-572-5639 (fax)
boy...@nku.edumailto:boy...@nku.edu
http://www.nku.edu/~boycer/
=

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making 
exciting discoveries. - A.A. Milne

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Fwd: Root depth measurement

[Steve Young]

Many have used mini-rhizotron tubes installed in the ground and then captured 
images with a scanner connected to a computer. Software to analyze the images 
for roots is then employed. The system is very effective at non-destructively 
obtaining in situ root samples, but there are some obvious drawbacks. We've 
used them extensively in our studies. Several papers have been published using 
this method and there are two companies that sell the equipment. There is 
another method to install an entire rhizotron in the ground to measure roots. 
Again, drawbacks exist along with the benefits.

If you can't find the information or publications, let me know and I can help 
off list.

Steve
…….
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of ??
Sent: Friday, July 05, 2013 5:42 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Fwd: Root depth measurement

Hi all，
I want to do some measurement of the root depth of plants (including shrub, 
grass and forb). Excavation of the whole plant root system is most 
straightforward but hard to get permission for, especially for shrubs. Do you 
guys have any idea how to measure/extrapolate root depth with minimum impact on 
plants and soil?
Thank you so much!
Cheers,
Jade
(P.S.: I've found from literature two alternatives, one of which is to sample 
soil cores near the gamet and measure root biomass at each depth level then 
extrapolate 95% root depth, the other is to inject tracer into certain depth of 
soil and see whether it can be detected in plants. Both seem complicated and 
potentially destructive;b I am under the impression that plant above ground 
height should be somehow correlated to root depth.
Is there any way of inferring root depth from this too?)
--
Yu Zhang (Jade)
 Ph.D Student in Environment Science, Policy and Management College of Natural 
Resources, University of California, Berkeley, USA
Tel: (+1) 510-3257206
Email: elizabeth...@gmail.com
Skype: ElizaZ663

[ECOLOG-L] 2012-2013 NAIPSC Webinar Series_ends tomorrow

[Steve Young]

The last webinar for the 2012-2013 NAIPSC Webinar Series is tomorrow. We'll 
hear from Charlotte Adelman, co-author of Midwestern Native Garden discuss her 
book and the use of native plants instead of invasive or non-native plants in 
the landscape. Have some tulips, chrysanthemums, or Kentucky bluegrass in your 
garden, around your house, or in a location nearby? Did you know that there are 
natives available with similar features, which also support native insect 
populations? Not from the Midwest? Don't worry because the same concepts apply 
to any region of the country or part of the world. Read more about the book and 
Ms. Adelman here (http://www.ohioswallow.com/book/The+Midwestern+Native+Garden).

I hope to see you tomorrow. We'll start at noon (CST). You'll need to go to the 
eLibrary website (http://passel.unl.edu/communities/naipsc) to sign up and/or 
participate. Also, the 2013 NAIPSC Field Course is still open for registration 
(http://ipscourse.unl.edu).

Thanks,
Steve



...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

[ECOLOG-L] FW: FW: Cameras for monitoring insects

[Steve Young]

Follow up to my question, yesterday.
Steve

From: true@gmail.com [mailto:true@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Bradshaw
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2013 5:45 PM
To: Steve Young
Subject: Re: FW: Cameras for monitoring insects

I have brainstormed about such a thing myself for my blacklight cages. However, 
there is nothing that has been specifically developed for insects. There are 
probably some cameras out there of various sizes (like a trail camera) and they 
might work for some of the larger moths; however, it would take some 
experimentation. It would be easy enough to figure out. On a warm night during 
New Moon set up a blacklight and place a trail camera and a continuously 
running camera side-by-side. Turn them on at the same time and the them run for 
as long as the continuous camera will allow. Then scroll through the film at 
the times when the trail cam went off (if it does) and try to see what 
triggered it.

--
Jeff

On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 4:13 PM, Steve Young 
steve.yo...@unl.edumailto:steve.yo...@unl.edu wrote:
Any ideas?
Steve


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDUmailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf 
Of Steve Young
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2013 10:11 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDUmailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Cameras for monitoring insects

A colleague wants to know what cameras are available for monitoring insect 
movement (e.g., sphinx moth). Are there cameras available with enough 
sensitivity to pick up their movements even during the night without actually 
attracting them? Would something like a trail camera work? If you know, could 
you send me the information?

Thanks,
Steve

...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
steve.yo...@unl.edumailto:steve.yo...@unl.edumailto:steve.yo...@unl.edumailto:steve.yo...@unl.edu
308-696-6712tel:308-696-6712



--
Jeff Bradshaw
Assistant Professor and Extension Entomologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Panhandle Research and Extension Center
4502 Ave I Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Office phone: 308-632-1369
Cell: 217-552-4133
Bradshaw Entomology Lab - bloghttp://panhandlepests.blogspot.com/

[ECOLOG-L] Cameras for monitoring insects

[Steve Young]

A colleague wants to know what cameras are available for monitoring insect 
movement (e.g., sphinx moth). Are there cameras available with enough 
sensitivity to pick up their movements even during the night without actually 
attracting them? Would something like a trail camera work? If you know, could 
you send me the information?

Thanks,
Steve

...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
steve.yo...@unl.edumailto:steve.yo...@unl.edu
308-696-6712

[ECOLOG-L] Resource relating to E.O. Wilson's opinion piece

[Steve Young]

Some of you have heard about the connectamillionminds project:
http://www.connectamillionminds.com/connectory.php
Not sure if it is a publicity stunt or a legitimate attempt to address STEM 
deficiencies among the younger generations.

Steve

...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

[ECOLOG-L] Invasive plant chat

[Steve Young]

For those interested in invasive plants (and anyone else), there is a new chat 
feature on the NAIPSC (North American Invasive Plant Ecology and Management 
Short Course) website that you can use to ask a question, make a comment, or 
share something. It can range from theoretical, basic, applied, or even 
something related to current 'hot topics' on invasive plants that is outside of 
the scientific realm. You can also check out the discussion board by clicking 
the 'join' link to see questions addressed in the NAIPSC Webinar Series for the 
past 8 months, too.

Steve


...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

[ECOLOG-L] 2013 NAIPSC

[Steve Young]

2013 NORTH AMERICAN INVASIVE PLANT ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE

January 9, 2013. The 2013 North American Invasive Plant Ecology and Management 
Short Course (NAIPSC) is now open for registration. Similar to previous years, 
the 2013 NAIPSC Field Course will include presentations, hands-on workshops, 
site visits and instructor-led discussion sessions on the latest in invasive 
plant ecology and management. The NAIPSC Special Session for 2013 is on the 
topic of biocontrol. Registration can be done either online or by downloading a 
brochure from the NAIPSC website (http://ipscourse.unl.edu). While there, be 
sure to check out the new NAIPSC Online Community that features relevant 
webinars, interesting articles, and opportunities to interact on any topic 
related to invasive plants. Also new is the Invasive Weed Ecology Program, 
which has some interesting information and thoughtful insights on invasive 
plants. The third annual NAIPSC Field Course will be held June 25-27, 2013 at 
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln West Central Research  Extension Center in 
North Platte, NE. CEU and graduate student credit will be available.

Steve

...
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

steve.yo...@unl.edumailto:steve.yo...@unl.edu
308-696-6712

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Community level effects of habitat fragmentation

[Steve Young]

There is one by Rudnick et al. (2012)
http://www.esa.org/science_resources/issues/FileEnglish/issuesinecology16.pdf
Steve


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Thomas J. Givnish
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 10:11 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Community level effects of habitat fragmentation

Start by looking up the seminal paper by Ellen Damschen and her colleagues, 
based on experimental work in the southeast (Savannah River lab).

Thomas J. Givnish
Henry Allan Gleason Professor of Botany
University of Wisconsin

givn...@wisc.edu
http://botany.wisc.edu/givnish/Givnish/Welcome.html

On 11/30/12, David N. M. Mbora  wrote:
 Dear Friends,
 I am looking for compelling papers on the community level effects of 
 habitat fragmentation. I am especially interested in papers that focus 
 on species interactions and ecosystem functioning.
 
 I thank you in advance for your suggestions.
 
 Sincerely,
 
 David

--

[ECOLOG-L] Webinar on invasive plants for biofuel

[Steve Young]

As you all know, ESA leadership recently joined several other organizations in 
signing a letter 
(http://www.esa.org/pao/policyStatements/Letters/ArundoDonax.pdf) to the White 
House Office of Management and Budget requesting that the agency not approve a 
rule which would allow Arundo donax, an invasive species, to qualify as an 
advanced biofuel feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The letter 
asserted that production incentives for high risk feedstocks such as Arundo 
donax should not be provided because the potential costs of mitigating 
environmental damages are very likely higher than the plant's benefits.

An upcoming webinar on November 20, 2012 is going to address this issue. As 
part of the 2012-2013 NAIPSC Webinar Series, Chris Dionigi with the US 
Department of the Interior and Deputy Director of the NISC will talk about 
invasive plants and biofuels and the challenges of intersecting mandates and 
the need for coordination. This should be a very timely and engaging webinar on 
a topic that is front and center for a range of agencies and groups at the 
local and national level. You can sign up for the NAIPSC Online Community and 
view this and many other webinars by visiting the NAIPSC website and following 
the instructions (http://ipscourse.unl.edu).


Steve

___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

steve.yo...@unl.edu
308-696-6712

NEW! Invasive Plants 
Coursehttp://agronomy.unl.edu/web/agronomy/agro-107-invasive-impacts 
(AGRO/NRES 107)
NAIPSC Webhttp://ipscourse.unl.edu/ 
Communityhttp://passel.unl.edu/communities/naipsc 
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/North-American-Invasive-Plant-Short-Course/181955048542937
 Twitterhttps://twitter.com/NAIPSC

[ECOLOG-L] PhD student - invasive species and grassland ecology

[Steve Young]

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work on restoration ecology 
and invasive plant species in Great Plains grasslands using applied and 
theoretical approaches. The successful applicant will begin January 2013 and 
have the opportunity to work independently at established field research sites 
and with individuals in The Nature Conservancy, USDA Natural Resource 
Conservation Service, the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, and the 
School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

For more information or to submit an application, please reply to this message. 
If applying, send me a cover letter, CV, and 3 references.

Thanks,
Steve

___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

steve.yo...@unl.edumailto:steve.yo...@unl.edu
308-696-6712

Website: http://ipscourse.unl.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Resilient Landscapes - Invasive Plant Species

[Steve Young]

The Soil and Water Conservation Society is seeking oral and poster 
presentations and symposia proposals for the 2013 International Annual 
Conference in Reno, NV, USA. Each year SWCS identifies topics or a theme for 
special attention at the Annual Conference. The overarching theme for the 
conference this year is Resilient Landscapes: Planning for Flood, Drought  
Fire.

The program committee has chosen five special areas of emphasis (tracks) in 
which you can choose to have your presentation included.
1) 2013 General Conference Submissions Resilient Landscapes; 2) Adaptation and 
Mitigation Planning for Drought; 3) Rangeland Conservation and Grazinglands 
CEAP; 4) Invasive Plant Species Invasive Plants: Managing Controversy, 
Creativity, and Conservation, will focus on the challenges and issues 
associated with invasive plant species, and 5) Water Resources Research, 
Education, and Outreach (NIFA Land Grant/Sea Grant 406 and NRI).

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 17, 2012

Additional information on registration, lodging, transportation and other 
conference details are online (www.swcs.org/13AChttp://www.swcs.org/13AC).

Steve Young
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
steve.yo...@unl.edu
308-696-6712

Re: [ECOLOG-L] The Audacity of Graduate School

[Steve Young]

It is also absurd to say that academia is no longer where innovation takes 
place. Sure, it might take a little longer than in private industry, but there 
are many innovative individuals with very creative ideas in academia, too. I 
know because I work with many of them and we are continually thinking of new 
ways to approach current problems and scientific questions. 

Really, I think it is all about what you make of your situation, no matter 
where you are. If you are in private industry or a public institution or agency 
and you see a need or area that should be advanced, then it is up to you to 
either put your mind to it and/or find others to join in your effort. You're 
only limited by how narrow your thinking is. 

Steve



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Ryan McEwan
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 2:25 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] The Audacity of Graduate School

There are many overgeneralizations in the points made by Aaron (and in the 
article linked above).  Graduate school is HARD, no doubt about it, but I would 
guess that, in the field of ecology, the vast majority of graduate students are 
valued and respected members of communities within their program.  That was 
certainly the case in all of my experiences. Graduate school can be an 
extremely fulfilling time and a very direct stepping stone into a rewarding 
career.

The generalization that faculty members are oligarchs who steal the student's 
intellectual property is absurd.  Certainly there are instances where a faculty 
member mistreats graduate students, but they are
*extremely* rare in my experience, and can be avoided if the students are 
careful in the application process.

In particular, for students considering graduate school- meet the potential 
faculty member before you take the position, and talk to other people in the 
lab.  **Interview on site if at all possible.**  Contact students who have left 
the lab and ask about their experience.  If you do these things(especially an 
on site interview) then you will have a very good idea about your prospects.  
Take a professional approach to the application process, be careful and 
selective, and you are likely to end up with a faculty mentor who truly cares 
about YOUR success and will do all they can to help you advance in your career.

Happy Hunting.
Ryan



Ryan W. McEwan, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
The University of Dayton
300 College Park, Dayton, OH  45469-2320

Office phone: 1.937.229.2558
Lab phone:1.937.229.2567

Office Location:  SC 223D

Email:  ryan.mce...@udayton.edu
Lab:
http://academic.udayton.edu/ryanmcewanhttp://academic.udayton.edu/ryanmcewan

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Resource: Animated Video about Renewable Energy

[Steve Young]

Interesting. Here is another one with a little bit different take. Maybe some 
of you have seen it?
http://www.switchenergyproject.com/
Steve



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Jan Künzl
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2012 8:02 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Resource: Animated Video about Renewable Energy

Dear List Members,

the german non-profit organisation /e-politik.de/ e.V.
has released an animated online-video about Renewable Energies and the German 
Energy Transition.
It can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25bmXpEPosc
The Clip is licensed as Creative Commons and can be used and distributed for 
free.
If you like the clip please share! Feedback would be appreciated!

Best regards,
Jan Künzl

--
Projektleiter WissensWerte
Gaudystr. 2
10437 Berlin
Tel: 030/23130075
Mob: 0176/20790628
www.wissenswerte.e-politik.de

[ECOLOG-L] NAIPSC 2012-13 Webinar Series

[Steve Young]

2012-2013 NAIPSC WEBINAR SERIES
September 30, 2012. Organizers of the North American Invasive Plant Ecology and 
Management Short Course (NAIPSC) have announced the schedule of speakers for 
October through December 2012. Check out the NAIPSC website 
(http://ipscourse.unl.edu) for all the details and get instruction on how to 
join the NAIPSC online community.
The NAIPSC webinar series is designed to inform participants who are involved 
in invasive plant management, research, and/or policy and provide an online 
venue for sharing resources, ideas, and information. Registration in the NAIPSC 
community is good for life. Don't miss out! Sign up today!

Re: [ECOLOG-L] ecology in China

[Steve Young]

This is enlightening.
If they wait another decade or two will there be anything left of the 
environment to prioritize protection for?
Steve


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of David Inouye
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 1:51 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] ecology in China

I returned two days ago from a trip to northeast China, where I gave lectures 
at a couple of universities, and thought I'd share a few observations about 
ecological research in China. The Chinese government is putting significant 
resources into trying to enhance the quality of research in that country. 
Sending students and faculty overseas for training is one way they're doing 
this. My faculty host went to the Botanical Society meeting here in the US last 
summer, and a host at the other university I visited will spend 3-4 months at 
Yale this winter, in his first trip to the USA. They have access to funding to 
bring international visitors about once a year, and in addition to my visit 
this year, they've had guests from Australia and Germany in the past year or 
two. I gave a couple of seminars about my research, and a talk about how to 
publish in high-profile journals. 
The graduate student who served as my translator says that he won't get his 
Ph.D. until he has an article accepted in such a journal, and there are 
financial incentives for the faculty who do so. Ecology, and Ecology Letters, 
were mentioned as two journals that would be preferred venues for papers. I 
also spent a few hours providing feedback after a presentation about ongoing 
research there, and talked later with both faculty and grad students about 
their work.

My host (Dr. Yan-Wen Zhang, Changchun Normal University) has had several papers 
published in good journals about the interesting work he does with 
plant-pollinator interactions, and the host at Northeast Normal University (Dr. 
Deli Wang, head of the Institute of Grassland Science, and director of Key 
Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology) also has a good publication record, and a 
large new grant for an experimental study of grazing (mammals and grasshoppers, 
on experimentally warmed plots that include manipulations of
precipitation) in grasslands of northeast China. Both of these
(Normal) universities specialize in training teachers, and have about 10 
-15,000 students. I learned that male Professors in China have a mandatory 
retirement age of 65, and female Professors must retire at 55. This is at least 
in part a way of ensuring job opportunities for the growing number of Ph.D. 
students. I was not told the rationale for difference in retirement age. The 
grad student who translated for me lives in campus housing ($100/yr for Ph.D. 
students, $200 for undergraduates) and eats his meals in the dining hall (about 
$5/day). He hopes to visit an international university in a few years, possibly 
for a postdoc.

The amount of construction going on in Changchun, and in Shenyang (largest city 
in northeast China) is staggering, and automobile traffic was about as heavy as 
in the Washington, D.C. area. But there was quite a bit of what seemed to be 
natural forest in some areas outside the cities, and the protected Changbai 
Mountain park on the North Korean border was impressive (and apparently has two 
species of bears, tigers, and other wildlife). The ecologists I met with 
recognize the environmental problems (e.g., air pollution) that face their 
country, but are hopeful that in another decade or two, once economic 
development has improved, that the country will be able to afford to prioritize 
environmental protection.

Although students study English in schools in China, writing papers in English 
is still a challenge for many of the ecologists (and spoken English even more 
so). The Ecological Society of America maintains an 
http://www.esa.org/authorhelp/ESA Author Help Directory 
(http://www.esa.org/authorhelp/ ) that lists volunteers who will help 
non-English speakers in preparing papers for submission, if you're interested 
in helping such authors.

I expect that we'll be hearing more in the future about ecological research in 
China. There is already at least one NSF-funded collaborative program with 
China funded by the Dimensions of Biodiversity program.

David Inouye

Dr. David W. Inouye, Professor
Associate Chair, Director of Graduate Studies Dept. of Biology University of 
Maryland College Park, MD 20742-4415

Rocky Mtn. Biological Laboratory
PO Box 519
Crested Butte, CO 81224

ino...@umd.edu
301-405-6946

[ECOLOG-L] New webinar series

[Steve Young]

A new webinar series on topics related to invasive plant species is beginning 
later this month and is being offered by organizers of the NAIPSC. The webinar 
series will feature speakers conducting research, working on projects, or 
involved in activities on invasive plants. The first webinar will take place on 
Tuesday, August, 28, 2012 at noon (CST). For more details, go to the NAIPSC 
website (http://ipscourse.unl.edu).

Steve Young

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Tree identification app

[Steve Young]

A symposium on a similar topic is being organized this fall at the 
ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meetings in Cincinnati, OH. Several international speakers 
will be presenting. Follow this link for a description.  
http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2012am/webprogrampreliminary/Session9859.html

Steve Young


___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Sharif Branham
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 8:19 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Tree identification app

Leafsnap is an existing app that is pretty good. However, there is plenty of 
room for improvement. Self contained and more detailed information with 
weblinks would be ideal.  I look forward to seeing what you come up with.  

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 13, 2012, at 9:13 PM, Laurel Gutenberg laurelgutenb...@gmail.com 
wrote:

 Since I was unable to find anything in a search for an Android 
 application dichotomous key for tree identification, I thought I would 
 try my hand at making one.
 
 Does anyone have a recommendation for an open commons or otherwise 
 public domain key I could use as a place to start? Alternatively, a 
 really good key I could use and link to or otherwise adequately cite?
 
 If you (or your students or children) were to use such an app, would 
 you rather have self-contained information stored on your device for 
 access with no network, or links to web pages that would be able to go 
 into greater detail with more visuals?
 
 If anyone knows of an existing app, I would appreciate any 
 information, although I will probably continue making my own as an exercise.
 
 Thanks for any suggestions.
 
 Laurel

Re: [ECOLOG-L] invasive truffles

[Steve Young]

Whatever the case, I do not agree that 'many discussions of exotic species come 
from a change is bad point of view'. I think this statement eliminates much 
of the research, which I referred to, that is aimed at trying to understand the 
why and how of invasive species establishment. I'm not sure what discussions 
you are involved in, but most all of the people that I work with, including 
researchers, agency personnel, and landowners, are aware of the issues and 
ramifications of invasive species. I've never had a discussion with any of them 
solely on the basis of a change is bad point of view. These people have 
observed and documented the harm, including economic, environmental, and 
social, associated with invasive species. 

I would be interested to know more about those who you are referring to that 
are discussing exotic species from the change is bad point of view.

Thanks,
Steve


On 5/25/2012 12:37 AM, Jane Shevtsov wrote:
 I never said that economic harms were more concrete than environmental 
 and social ones, only that many discussions of exotic species come 
 from a change is bad point of view rather than actually 
 demonstrating some kind of harm. In this case, the harm happens to be 
 economic/cultural.

 Jane Shevtsov

 On Thu, May 24, 2012 at 7:35 PM, Steve Youngsteve.yo...@unl.edu  wrote:
 You make some good points, but I was interested to know about your last 
 comment on highlighting an article that describes what you would say are 
 concrete harms arising from an exotic species. Just curious, but why are 
 economics, at least that was the emphasis I got from the article, a more 
 concrete harm than loss of services, both environmental and social?

 In Nebraska, introduced common reed in the Republican and Platte Rivers has 
 been one of the main causes for reducing water flow into Kansas and 
 obstructing nesting ground for two endangered bird species. Another example 
 is eastern redcedar (yes, I know we just had a discussion as to the 
 invasiveness of this native species) that has encroached into prairie 
 grasslands creating monocultures that reduce diversity in not only 
 herbaceous plant, but also invertebrate, and mammalian species.

 I know there are other examples of the 'concrete' harms done by exotic 
 species beyond just the economics. See the link to find out what Asian carp 
 are doing to kayakers in the Missouri River 
 (http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2010/08/carp_attack.shtml).

 Steve Young


 -Original Message-
 From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
 [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Jane Shevtsov
 Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 1:30 AM
 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
 Subject: [ECOLOG-L] invasive truffles

 As much as I enjoy (and tend to agree with) Matt Chew's commentary on this 
 list, I must express my disagreement with some of what he says below.

 On Wed, May 23, 2012 at 3:28 PM, Matt Chewanek...@gmail.com  wrote:
 Labeling a fungus as an invader it is an absurd anthropomorphism. 
 It is a further, even less supportable one to call a fungus  invasive
 as if invading is an essential trait or characteristic of the taxon.
 While I was speaking casually, I don't think that using the word invasive 
 implies an intrinsic characteristic any more than, say, successful does. A 
 person's success in some endeavor is a function of both their traits and 
 their environment; the same goes for invasiveness. Furthermore, there's no 
 necessary anthropomorphism behind the word invasive. For example, doctors 
 may speak of invasive cancers.

 No Chinese truffle found growing in Italy has ever been Chinese
 except in name, and possibly as a spore-unless a person knowingly 
 moved it from Asia to Italy- in which case the motivation and 
 volition were the person's, and the relevant action was 
 translocation, not invasion. If there was ever any intention to 
 invade anything as a result, it was only and entirely a person's intention.
 Why is volition relevant? Also, we often say that X (a fungus, a person, or 
 whatever) is Chinese when its immediate ancestors are from China.

 Claiming this (or any) fungus causes problems violates any rational 
 conception of causality.  The problem discussed in the article (one 
 species of truffle being mistaken for or misrepresented as another) 
 is one of unethical conduct by truffle dealers and/or taxonomic 
 error by dealers and or buyers.  Truffles aren't causing anything.
 The article also describes Tuber indicum as becoming established in truffle 
 orchards and, either by human error or competition, preventing the growth of 
 the desired Tuber melanosporum. If that's not causality, I don't know what 
 is.

   Careless metaphorical misconstruction and blaming organisms for 
 arriving and persisting in unexpected places actively undermines 
 ecological understanding, communication, effective research and 
 appropriate conservation action

[ECOLOG-L] Reference book for ecosystems

[Steve Young]

Anyone know of a good textbook that describes the different ecosystems, 
including urban/suburban? I know there is the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 
that came out a few years ago and there is the Canadian Biodiversity: Ecosystem 
Status and
Trends 2010 report, but I'm looking for additional information and explanation 
on the dynamics of ecosystems and how they function. Something that could be 
used for developing a class.
Thanks,
Steve
___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Used a tablet for field work?

[Steve Young]

Great question. I have an iPad that has been sitting in my office for 6 months. 
I would like to use it for just these purposes. Has anyone done this and what 
Apps are necessary? Is there an App for making the screen show up in daylight?

Steve Young


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of David Inouye
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10:42 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Used a tablet for field work?

I'd like a way to replace data entry on paper in the field with an electronic 
alternative.  Ultimately the data end up in a spreadsheet, but sometimes using 
formulae (e.g., 3*5 + 4*2 + 6, for numbers of inflorescences with different 
numbers of flowers). Has anyone used something like the Blackberry PlayBook, an 
Android tablet, Nook, iPad, etc. with spreadsheet software?  Recommendations 
for or against particular solutions?

I have also considered a ruggedized PC and a ruggedized tablet (Motion F5V), 
but they are a LOT more expensive than other tablet options would be.

David Inouye

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Plants Invasive natives? Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

[Steve Young]

I sent a reference to the Brown et al. (2008) paper 
(http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1614/IPSM-08-082.1) to Huang offline. I think 
many other references were also sent offline.
 
As for Joshua's comment that certain invasive species have led to unforeseen 
benefits, there is a small (?) body of research and commentary on the impact 
that invasive species are having on ecosystem services. The increase in the 
distribution of invasive species is impacting ecosystems and not always to the 
detriment of the system. In fact, articles by Hershner and Havens (2008) 
(http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./j.1523-1739.2008.00957.x/abstract), 
Pattemore and Wilcove (2011) 
(http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/279/1733/1597), and others 
would support this premise and have raised considerable debate in other online 
communities. In contrast, one of the biggest issues currently being debated is 
how invasive plant species used for bioenergy production could have significant 
effects if they escape into the local region 
(http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/Reports/Archive/2012/04-04-12-Growing-Risk.aspx).
 Again, much has to do with how we define an invasive, the context in which 
we're referring to, and the setting we may be working in. I'm not sure if this 
is the direction of the discussion for this thread, but it is something to 
consider. 

Steve


___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Joshua Wilson
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 8:11 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Plants Invasive natives? Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or 
progression?

Good evening,

First off, thank you for the wealth of responses, a number of them helped to 
solidify and clarify ideas on this issue.  I had been waiting for all responses 
before I replied with a sort of meta-analysis of what came in.
 The replies were more numerous and substantial than I had anticipated, so 
thank you again.

Now to clarify.  When I mentioned progression, my idea was that an invasive 
species encourages competition, and in some cases extreme and insurmountable 
competition.  I feel that competition without a doubt is beneficial, perhaps 
necessary, for an ecosystem to continue progressing towards a more complex and 
stronger state.

The complication arises when an introduced species or a native species that 
becomes dominant are able to outcompete the other species in the ecosystem to 
the point of the only species able to compete is itself.  In these instances, 
there are various stances to take, some of which I've heard through responses 
(again, thank you).  From the complete control and restoration of native 
(albeit weaker) species, to letting nature run its course. However, my thought 
was that ecosystems are cyclical and self-regulating.  And as Wayne Tyson said, 
we are interrupting and influencing this.  This leads to many more questions.  
With what I've learned so far through this posting, exhaustive studies would be 
needed to determine the best course of action for a particular system or 
species.
 Even then, the needed actions to benefit one species might directly contradict 
the needs of another.  There are multitudes of variables that need to go into 
project planning, not the least of which is *us, *and we cannot foresee the 
ripple effects of what we'll do.

On the other hand, certain invasive species have led to unforeseen benefits.  I 
will mention *Tamarix* *spp.* in this instance.  But even with the detriments 
and benefits, there is a threshold to each.  Likewise, invasive species seem to 
provide species-specific detriments (or benefits).
 One can call it a culling of the weak species and the establishment of 
stronger (which in my mind is necessary for progression), or unfair 
competition, invasive species are not by nature detrimental.

I've rambled far more than I expected to, and not as cohesive as some might 
like.  My knowledge and experiences are limited, hence my original question, 
but I've a sincere interest in these ideas.  Again, I would welcome any 
thoughts, ideas, questions, or comments.  Thank you all ECOLOG, this is a great 
resource for undergrads, post-docs, and interested individuals alike.  Keep it 
up.

Have a good night all,

Josh

On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 4:44 PM, Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net wrote:

 Ecolog,

 I am dismayed that there has been so little response to Huang's questions.
 Perhaps I am wrong in that assumption and they have been. But it seems 
 to me that the questions should be addressed and some conclusions 
 concluded, even if they are two-headed.

 I suggest that everyone read the article to which Huang supplied a link.
 It is not long, nor is it complicated. I suspect that there may be a 
 fundamental flaw in the article's premise, but I will leave that 
 

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

[Steve Young]

We’re not talking a few individual plants (Photos here: 
http://fireecology.okstate.edu/patch_burning__benefits_invasiveplants.html). 
I'm guessing that your backyard does not look like this in relation to raccoons.
Steve 


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of David L. McNeely
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:09 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

 Russell L. Burke russell.l.bu...@hofstra.edu wrote: 
 raccoons are native invasives

What are they invading?  Do you mean they are more common than formerly?  An 
individual raccoon invaded my yard, drinking from my bird bath and catching and 
eating crayfish from my pond.  But somehow that doesn't strike me as what is 
meant by invasive in an ecological context.

RBurke


From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] on behalf of Steve Young [steve.yo...@unl.edu]
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 9:22 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

Interesting question, can a native become invasive? I would suggest that in 
some instances this is the case. For example, eastern redcedar in the Central 
Prairie is native, but has now become invasive in many locations. The main 
reason is the lack of fire that used to occur naturally prior to settlement by 
Europeans.

For those who want to know more, we will be addressing this topic at the NAIPSC 
later in June. I expect the discussion will be quite good. Maybe I'll post a 
summary to ECOLOG then.

Steve

___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of ling huang
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 8:37 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

Hi

I am a chemist and not an ecologist but I'm very interested in this thread 
since I enjoy the wetlands area close to Sacramento near the Davis Yolo 
Causeway. I wondered and am interested in this invasive or progression type 
question. I saw that there was a species called Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum 
salicaria) that was introduced in the 1800s (?) and is a wetland flower that 
has invaded wetlands. I suppose my question is how far do we go back to 
determine if a species is invasive. Is there a time or case when an invasive 
becomes a native? I did see this interesting online article where the question 
asked was Can native species become invasive?

http://ipmsouth.com/2010/11/23/can-native-species-become-invasive/

Thanks. Ling

Ling Huang
Sacramento City College


--- On Sun, 4/22/12, Amanda Newsom ajnew...@ucdavis.edu wrote:

From: Amanda Newsom ajnew...@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Sunday, April 22, 2012, 3:40 PM

Very intelligent members of the public have asked me this question when they 
approach me in the field and I have some time to chat.  It's a great question, 
because invasions biology is attacked politically on this front, so it's one to 
which professionals really must craft a coherent response in friendly 
conversation.

Another point to consider is the evolutionary history of native vs.
introduced (non-native) species in any particular system.  One of the reasons 
non-natives are of concern is that they do not share evolutionary history with 
the native community, and this contributes to the unpredictable biodiversity 
loss cited by other comments presented here.
 This can also be discussed in light of the homogenization of life on earth, 
because there are many species favored, facilitated, or directly cultivated by 
humans that are now distributed worldwide.  Some of these species threaten 
regional biodiversity (Check out the book Ecological Imperialism for a really 
interesting perspective on colonialism as an ecological process via 
introduction of new dominant species).  There's a lot coming out now on 
evolution and invasive species as well that is, at least in part, reasonably 
accessible to a general audience or the academic in ecology/evolution who is 
wanting to step into invasion biology.

Related to this (somewhat tangentially) is that the buildup of introduced and 
invasive species in systems like San Francisco Bay has also increased the 
number and complexity of biological interactions, both introduced-introduced 
and introduced-native.  Increasing professional interest in 
introduced-introduced interactions hasn't yet yielded a whole lot of 
generalized hypotheses, but it has opened new windows to how complex this issue 
is biologically and how best to protect species of interest as well as local 
biodiversity.

That was a far longer and more convoluted comment than I originally intended!  
Hopefully, Joshua

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

[Steve Young]

Good point. Actually, I was thinking of lightning strikes as a natural cause of 
fire, which predates the Native Americans. There are estimates of how often 
these occur (http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/wea00/wea00239.htm). 

As for ample historical evidence, it appears that you have expertise on this 
(http://fireecology.net/docs/Journal/pdf/Volume06/Issue03/045.pdf), so maybe 
you could enlighten us with what you hypothesize as the cause of fires prior to 
recent history (e.g., eighteenth to early twenty-first centuries). I'd be 
interested to know.

Thanks,
Steve 


-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of DeSantis, Ryan
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:54 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

The comment that-

eastern redcedar in the Central Prairie is native, but has now become invasive 
in many locations. The main reason is the lack of fire that used to occur 
naturally prior to settlement by Europeans.

-is misleading.

By naturally occurring fire, were you referring to Native Americans burning 
the area prior to European settlement?

If so, a different point of view would be that humans were actively preventing 
eastern redcedar encroachment prior to European settlement. Therefore, it is 
possible that prior to Native American land management, there was naturally 
more eastern redcedar than there was during European settlement.

If you were not referring to Native Americans burning the area prior to 
European settlement, I am curious to know what evidence you were referring to? 
Is there ample historical evidence for non-anthropogenic fire in the central 
prairie?


From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] on behalf of Steve Young [steve.yo...@unl.edu]
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 8:22 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

Interesting question, can a native become invasive? I would suggest that in 
some instances this is the case. For example, eastern redcedar in the Central 
Prairie is native, but has now become invasive in many locations. The main 
reason is the lack of fire that used to occur naturally prior to settlement by 
Europeans.

For those who want to know more, we will be addressing this topic at the NAIPSC 
later in June. I expect the discussion will be quite good. Maybe I'll post a 
summary to ECOLOG then.

Steve

___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of ling huang
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 8:37 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

Hi

I am a chemist and not an ecologist but I'm very interested in this thread 
since I enjoy the wetlands area close to Sacramento near the Davis Yolo 
Causeway. I wondered and am interested in this invasive or progression type 
question. I saw that there was a species called Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum 
salicaria) that was introduced in the 1800s (?) and is a wetland flower that 
has invaded wetlands. I suppose my question is how far do we go back to 
determine if a species is invasive. Is there a time or case when an invasive 
becomes a native? I did see this interesting online article where the question 
asked was Can native species become invasive?

http://ipmsouth.com/2010/11/23/can-native-species-become-invasive/

Thanks. Ling

Ling Huang
Sacramento City College


--- On Sun, 4/22/12, Amanda Newsom ajnew...@ucdavis.edu wrote:

From: Amanda Newsom ajnew...@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Sunday, April 22, 2012, 3:40 PM

Very intelligent members of the public have asked me this question when they 
approach me in the field and I have some time to chat.  It's a great question, 
because invasions biology is attacked politically on this front, so it's one to 
which professionals really must craft a coherent response in friendly 
conversation.

Another point to consider is the evolutionary history of native vs.
introduced (non-native) species in any particular system.  One of the reasons 
non-natives are of concern is that they do not share evolutionary history with 
the native community, and this contributes to the unpredictable biodiversity 
loss cited by other comments presented here.
 This can also be discussed in light of the homogenization of life on earth, 
because there are many species favored, facilitated, or directly cultivated by 
humans that are now distributed worldwide.  Some of these species threaten 
regional biodiversity (Check out the book Ecological Imperialism for a really 
interesting perspective on colonialism as an ecological process via 
introduction of new dominant

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

[Steve Young]

Interesting question, can a native become invasive? I would suggest that in 
some instances this is the case. For example, eastern redcedar in the Central 
Prairie is native, but has now become invasive in many locations. The main 
reason is the lack of fire that used to occur naturally prior to settlement by 
Europeans. 

For those who want to know more, we will be addressing this topic at the NAIPSC 
later in June. I expect the discussion will be quite good. Maybe I'll post a 
summary to ECOLOG then.

Steve

___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of ling huang
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 8:37 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

Hi

I am a chemist and not an ecologist but I'm very interested in this thread 
since I enjoy the wetlands area close to Sacramento near the Davis Yolo 
Causeway. I wondered and am interested in this invasive or progression type 
question. I saw that there was a species called Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum 
salicaria) that was introduced in the 1800s (?) and is a wetland flower that 
has invaded wetlands. I suppose my question is how far do we go back to 
determine if a species is invasive. Is there a time or case when an invasive 
becomes a native? I did see this interesting online article where the question 
asked was Can native species become invasive?

http://ipmsouth.com/2010/11/23/can-native-species-become-invasive/

Thanks. Ling

Ling Huang
Sacramento City College
    

--- On Sun, 4/22/12, Amanda Newsom ajnew...@ucdavis.edu wrote:

From: Amanda Newsom ajnew...@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Sunday, April 22, 2012, 3:40 PM

Very intelligent members of the public have asked me this question when they 
approach me in the field and I have some time to chat.  It's a great question, 
because invasions biology is attacked politically on this front, so it's one to 
which professionals really must craft a coherent response in friendly 
conversation.

Another point to consider is the evolutionary history of native vs.
introduced (non-native) species in any particular system.  One of the reasons 
non-natives are of concern is that they do not share evolutionary history with 
the native community, and this contributes to the unpredictable biodiversity 
loss cited by other comments presented here.
 This can also be discussed in light of the homogenization of life on earth, 
because there are many species favored, facilitated, or directly cultivated by 
humans that are now distributed worldwide.  Some of these species threaten 
regional biodiversity (Check out the book Ecological Imperialism for a really 
interesting perspective on colonialism as an ecological process via 
introduction of new dominant species).  There's a lot coming out now on 
evolution and invasive species as well that is, at least in part, reasonably 
accessible to a general audience or the academic in ecology/evolution who is 
wanting to step into invasion biology.

Related to this (somewhat tangentially) is that the buildup of introduced and 
invasive species in systems like San Francisco Bay has also increased the 
number and complexity of biological interactions, both introduced-introduced 
and introduced-native.  Increasing professional interest in 
introduced-introduced interactions hasn't yet yielded a whole lot of 
generalized hypotheses, but it has opened new windows to how complex this issue 
is biologically and how best to protect species of interest as well as local 
biodiversity.

That was a far longer and more convoluted comment than I originally intended!  
Hopefully, Joshua, some of that is useful perspective.  Thanks for posing the 
question to ECOLOG!  It can be intimidating to put something like this out 
there as an undergrad, and I'm glad you took the initiative.
 It comes up a lot, as you can see, and ECOLOG is a  great forum for this 
discussion.
A.

On Sun, Apr 22, 2012 at 9:19 AM, Ruhl, Nathan nr343...@ohio.edu wrote:

 I posed a very similar question to a group of graduate students and 
 professors during a theoretical ecology seminar a few years ago.  The 
 central premise was that humans, by virtue of our 
 innate-desire/ability to alter our surroundings, have caused a general 
 decline in biodiversity globally.  That is,humans are the primary 
 vector for a loss of global biodiversity, not the 
 non-native/invasive species.  The question was, is reduction of 
 biodiversity bad or is it simply evolution in favor of species better adapted 
 to live in a human-altered landscape?

 After much debate, the consensus was more or less that we don't know 
 what all the ecological implications of a rapid global reduction in 
 biodiversity will be and, because we have only one habitable planet 
 currently, it 

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

[Steve Young]

Does anyone know of a good reference on this topic of when native plants become 
invasive? It seems like many of us know of examples, but it would be nice if 
there were something actually written (e.g., published) on it. (The article 
Ling referenced is on ants.) If not, at the very least, is there a list of 
these plants that has been put together for different regions of the globe?

Steve 



-Original Message-
From: as...@bio.miami.edu [mailto:as...@bio.miami.edu] 
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 9:20 PM
To: Steve Young; ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

Hi Steve and Ling, another example of a native becoming invasive is cattail 
(typha) in the phosphorus oligotrophic Florida Everglades. Usually present in 
low population densities, cattail populations take off with increased 
phosphorus concentrations in water and soil (usually anthropogenic). Yet 
another example is the spreading populations of Vouchesia divergens in the 
Pantanal that are associated with drier conditions over the past couple 
decades. 

A plant community is dynamic and responds to changes in both biotic and abiotic 
factors that affect ecosystem structure and function. Thus a species once 
present in small numbers can dominate the community for a while..
The other question, when does an invasive become native, goes back to how we 
define what is native, or for how long does a species have to be present in an 
ecosystem to get naturalized. For instance, cocos nucifera, the coconut palm 
ubiquitous to tropical and subtropical coasts all over the world.. It is still 
a matter of conjecture as to where coconuts palms originated. If they were 
dispersed by ocean currents, then I suppose they would be considered native 
wherever they occur. If man were the agent of dispersal, they would be exotics. 
If brought in by man thousands of years ago, they would be naturalized exotics. 
If they invaded and dominated upon arrival, they would be invasive exotics. An 
exotic or native can bide their time in low numbers, and with an environmental 
change, suddenly take off, thus earning the term invasive.
Regards, amartya 
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-Original Message-
From: Steve Young steve.yo...@unl.edu
Sender:   Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:22:05 
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Reply-To: Steve Young steve.yo...@unl.edu
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

Interesting question, can a native become invasive? I would suggest that in 
some instances this is the case. For example, eastern redcedar in the Central 
Prairie is native, but has now become invasive in many locations. The main 
reason is the lack of fire that used to occur naturally prior to settlement by 
Europeans. 

For those who want to know more, we will be addressing this topic at the NAIPSC 
later in June. I expect the discussion will be quite good. Maybe I'll post a 
summary to ECOLOG then.

Steve

___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of ling huang
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 8:37 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?

Hi

I am a chemist and not an ecologist but I'm very interested in this thread 
since I enjoy the wetlands area close to Sacramento near the Davis Yolo 
Causeway. I wondered and am interested in this invasive or progression type 
question. I saw that there was a species called Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum 
salicaria) that was introduced in the 1800s (?) and is a wetland flower that 
has invaded wetlands. I suppose my question is how far do we go back to 
determine if a species is invasive. Is there a time or case when an invasive 
becomes a native? I did see this interesting online article where the question 
asked was Can native species become invasive?

http://ipmsouth.com/2010/11/23/can-native-species-become-invasive/

Thanks. Ling

Ling Huang
Sacramento City College
    

--- On Sun, 4/22/12, Amanda Newsom ajnew...@ucdavis.edu wrote:

From: Amanda Newsom ajnew...@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Invasion, or progression?
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date: Sunday, April 22, 2012, 3:40 PM

Very intelligent members of the public have asked me this question when they 
approach me in the field and I have some time to chat.  It's a great question, 
because invasions biology is attacked politically on this front, so it's one to 
which professionals really must craft a coherent response in friendly 
conversation.

Another point to consider is the evolutionary history of native vs.
introduced (non-native) species in any particular system.  One of the reasons 
non-natives are of concern is that they do not share evolutionary history with 
the native

[ECOLOG-L] Summer field course on invasive plant ecology

[Steve Young]

2012 NORTH AMERICAN INVASIVE PLANT ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE

March 15, 2012. The second annual North American Invasive Plant Ecology 
and Management Short Course (NAIPSC) will be held June 26-28 at the 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln West Central Research  Extension Center in 
North Platte, NE. The NAIPSC is three days of intense instruction and 
learning for those interested in the basics of invasive plant ecology and 
management. The format of the NAIPSC includes a wide variety of venues and 
settings to engage participants in learning and applying the course 
material. Over a dozen instructors with expertise in restoration, GPS/GIS 
applications, plant identification, and many other topics related to 
invasive plants have been invited from all across the US. The 
presentations, hands-on workshops, site visits and instructor-led 
discussion sessions will allow for participants to interact with 
instructors on issues or challenges they might be addressing related to 
invasive plants. For the 2012 NAIPSC, a special session has been planned 
on the topic of water use by invasive plant species and will include 
research related information specific to introduced common reed (
Phragmites australis) and eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana). The 
NAIPSC is open to graduate students, researchers, land managers, and 
policy makers and has been approved for CEU and CCA credits, and graduate 
student credits through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For more 
information and registration details, go to the NAIPSC website (
http://ipscourse.unl.edu). Register now. Space is limited.

___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

syou...@unl.edu
308-696-6712

[ECOLOG-L] Using Landsat data

[Steve Young]

Has anyone had success with using Landsat data for measuring vegetation 
change over time? I'm finding that the detail is not fine enough and the 
frequency is not short enough for what I am trying to do. I'm not an 
expert, so I was curious to hear from others who have been successful 
accessing/using the data.
Thanks,
Steve
___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

Re: [ECOLOG-L] What Can I DO?? Re: [ECOLOG-L] Message from Paul Ehrlich

[Steve Young]

I think there is a similar debate occurring in regards to the safety of 
GMO crops. In fact, there are several topics of similar importance that 
many of you might be involved in or know about outside of ecology and 
could have some useful parallels. It might be worthwhile to include those 
here. Just a thought... 

Steve Young 
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln




From:
Jeanne Coffin jeanne.cof...@tufts.edu
To:
ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date:
12/09/2011 07:07 AM
Subject:
Re: [ECOLOG-L] What Can I DO?? Re: [ECOLOG-L] Message from Paul Ehrlich



Greetings Ecologgers,

I'm a masters student at Tufts University, and we (my classmates and me)
have recently been discussing just this topic (what are the problems 
behind
the climate change debate and what are the solutions that we can actually
work on) in class. We had some thoughts (some of which have already been
eloquently expressed here) that seemed worth sharing with the general
listserv.

What's the problem, why can't we get the data to motivate change???
-It's too abstract and not immediate enough.
-It's too scary, so people resort to denial.
-The culture science and the culture of the general public don't
communicate well with each other, leading to room for misunderstanding and
misapprehension.
-Our brains pay attention to extremes, and encourage us to take sides in
moral debates (like climate change is often seen to be).
-The single solution bias.
-Not everyone is in a secure enough livelihood to have motivation to spare
for this.

When it comes to motivating change, what can we do?
-Make sure climate events are correctly attributed to global warming.
-Communicate clearly and respectfully to the general public--I've seen 
this
in discussion here many times.
-Make it about empathy for the next generation who will have to deal with
not just climate change but resource shortages as well, instead of about
whether or not CO2 from humans is or isn't the source of our 
problems--this
is essentially Barnett's point from before.
-Operationalize that empathy.
-Empower people to participate in specific (ideally tangible) positive
action, instead of discouraging/depressing them with terrifying 
predictions.
-Identify key players and work together with them (politicians, religious
leaders, community leaders, etc.)
-Focus on places where local action can actually make a significant
difference (like coal-mining country or states with a large electoral
presence).

There's more, but having a list of ideas can be a good place to start when
a large issue like climate change seems so out of control. I've found the
much of the Ecolog discussion thought-provoking and helpful--I can only
hope our thoughts are more of the same.

Best,
Jeanne Coffin

Student
Masters of Conservation Medicine
Tufts University
cell: 608.770.9686


On Thu, Dec 8, 2011 at 5:03 PM, Abdel Halloway 
abdel.hallo...@gmail.comwrote:

 Dr. Hamilton,

 The problems of global warming are not anything to do with specific heat
 but absorption of infrared radiation.

 I would suggest watching the Potholer54 Climate Change videos, 
especially
 from the beginning.

 Video#1:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52KLGqDSAjo

 Video#2:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoSVoxwYrKI




-- 
Jeanne Coffin
Canidate
Masters of Conservation Medicine
Tufts University

35 Langley Rd. Apt.1
Brighton, MA 02135
cell: 608.770.9686

Re: [ECOLOG-L] What Can I DO?? Re: [ECOLOG-L] Message from Paul Ehrlich

[Steve Young]

Lawren et al.,
Unfortunately, I think you may be preaching to the choir. I'm not trying 
to be pessimistic, but if every ESA member were to follow through and 
commit to the 'doing something', instead of just 'talking more', what 
would that accomplish? Just going by the numbers, conservatively speaking, 
ESA membership is around 10,000 and according to the Census Bureau, the 
current population in the US is 312,718,825 (
http://www.census.gov/population/www/popclockus.html) So, what do we do 
about the other 312,708,000? 
I'm in the education arena and it is a question that I've been trying to 
figure out how to answer for a long time. I know advocacy is one way and 
something I work on all the time. Maybe this should be part of the focus 
of the 'doing something' approach. 
Steve

___
Stephen L. Young, PhD
Weed Ecologist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
West Central Research  Extension Center
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101

syou...@unl.edu
308-696-6712

Website: http://ipscourse.unl.edu
Facebook: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-American-Invasive-Plant-Short-Course/181955048542937

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/NAIPSC



From:
Lawren Sack lawrens...@ucla.edu
To:
ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Date:
12/02/2011 09:09 PM
Subject:
[ECOLOG-L] What Can I DO?? Re: [ECOLOG-L] Message from Paul Ehrlich



Dear Paul and others

I appreciate the sermon, and those movies look really interesting, 
and I can't wait to see them. Still it would be super-wasteful to buy 
copies of DVDs and distribute them as Christmas presents. I just read 
that more than 30 billion compact discs are sold annually, generating 
enormous waste in manufacture, distribution and disposal. Anyhow, we 
now can download movies and software now! The film Mother can be 
streamed, but the other two recommended movies cannot yet. I just 
phoned the distributors to ask and I got the definite impression that 
if a number of people were to write to them, they could be motivated 
to update their web sites to allow downloads sooner rather than later.

Even more importantly, sending and watching movies and talking about 
them might not be enough. For those people who are past 
conversational, and have reached the What can we do? stage, we 
might be working toward practical solutions. I just read on the 
website for Paul's MAHB organization that, It's too late for talk, 
the  only hope is ACTION! The crisis is NOW!  If we act TODAY,  we 
can sustain the future But, haven't found any recommendations 
for practical action listed on the MAHB web site. (Under Ideas for 
Actions, there is advice on generating more conversation: 
http://mahb.stanford.edu/what-can-i-do/ideas-for-actions/ )

For practical actions, here are some other web sites with information.

http://www.50waystohelp.com/
http://www.worldwatch.org/resources/go_green_save_green
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/save-earth-top-ten.htm

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment/0,28757,1602354,00.html

In fact, there must be many great web resources with latest solutions 
and best practices toward environmental and social 
sustainability.  If you have some that you especially like, please 
send to me and I'll send it out to the list in the New Year, in time 
for resolutions. It would be great to see what the ideas are!  When 
such lists are compiled they could be posted on the MAHB web site and 
elsewhere.

Very best wishes

Lawren


At 10:26 AM 12/2/2011, David Inouye wrote:
From: Paul R. Ehrlich p...@stanford.edu

Subject: GLOBAL EMERGENCY: WHAT CAN I DO??

Dear Friends,

Anne and I were recently at a meeting of scientists, politicians, and
media people in Sydney.  Everyone was in agreement that humanity is
in the midst of a largely unrecognized global emergency -- one that
puts the persistence of civilization seriously in doubt.  And there
was no agreement on the burning question what can I do about
it?  That is a question that is central to the MAHB and various
social movements, all of which are searching for
answers.  Occasionally I'll pester those on my list with things I
think you can do -- this is the first of such pestering.

There are three important films available on topics dear to MAHB's
heart: the impossibility of perpetual economic growth
(GROWTHBUSTERS), the population problem (MOTHER), and the lethal loss
of biodiversity (CALL OF LIFE).  You can find more about them on the
MAHB web site at
http://mahb.stanford.edu/media-bar/mahb-goes-to-the-movies/.  Or you
can go to their respective web sites:

http://www.growthbusters.org/
http://www.motherthefilm.com/
http://calloflife.org/

What can you do?  You could buy copies and send them as Christmas
presents, arrange showings at local high schools and colleges, pester
school boards and deans to get them included in curricula, write to
TV stations and ask them to show them, write newspapers and ask them
to review them, arrange showings for your neighbors/friends.  The