[ECOLOG-L] HUBBS/was David Starr Jordan Indiana U Re: [ECOLOG-L] Jordan's rule Folkloric Tangent
I wrote a couple articles about Clark Hubbs that you guys might be interested, since you are discussing him! I also met him and admired his tenacity even at an advanced age. He is a character! This one was written after his passing: The Fish Wrangler http://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2011/apr/legend/ And this one was written earlier Lives of a River (his part comes about halfway in) http://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2011/apr/legend/ Wendee Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Ecology ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [wendeeholtcamp.com] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com Online Magazine Writing Classes start Sep 1 Oct 13, 2012 - Ask me! On 8/30/12 10:20 AM, Dan Brumbaugh dbrumba...@amnh.org wrote: Great stories- thanks. Clark Hubbs, who died in 2008, was a professor at UT Austin. There are links and other information at http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/tnhc/fish/hubbs/HIS/index.html. Cheers, Dan McNeely and all: Most interesting. That's a great story about the kids. Whatever happened to Clark? I wonder if he ever connected with Ed Ricketts? I don't remember anything I've read about Ricketts mentioning him. My wife, Rose Tyson, who was curator of physical anthropology at the Museum of Man, had the Hubbs (midden) collection transferred to the University of San Diego sometime around the turn of the millennium along with an inventory done by her volunteer, Daniel Elerick. This collection was from several archaeological sites along the Pacific coast, all the way to the tip of Baja California Sur. I wonder if anyone has put together any kind of biography of Hubbs? These kinds of stories help bring these folks to life for future generations. My wife did a physical anthropology paper on a burial from this collection, and Charles Merbs did one on the pathologies. Who knows what treasures the collection might hold for future generations? I liked Hubbs right away. He was all business; no pretensions. He took you at face value. I just recalled one story he told me--Hubbs was hiking northward in the mountains of Japan with a guide. In the midst of the wilderness, they came to a sign. He asked for a translation. The guide said, Sign say 'This spot most north where Camellia grow.' He told me other stories about his visits with the Emperor, but I have forgotten them. His family has probably written them down or remembers them. Hubbs' wife, an M.D. herself, I believe, also helped Hubbs by laying out his manuscripts on a large table so he could work on several at one time. My wife, too, has been an enormous help to me over the last 39 or 40 years; I would not be whatever I am without her, though I don't blame her for what I am not. I hope others will post stories about Hubbs and other highly accomplished students of natural history and other sciences. I have an audiotape of Margaret Mead and Fred Singer that I made in 1972. I wish I could remember more. G. Ledyard Stebbins let me videotape him in a darkened motel room in Sacramento many years ago--I should have the tape somewhere if it hasn't fallen apart. I also videotaped one of this lectures to the local Chapter of the CNPS. There was another one out of a very similar rock from which Hubbs was chiseled, and he had stories about others, generations before his time. I can't remember the names of the characters, but one Stebbins liked to tell was about an early lady botanist (and, I believe, M.D.) and a very proper Victorian era gentleman scientist who were out on an expedition (strictly scientific, mind you) by horse-drawn buggy in California when the lady espied an aquatic plant she wanted to press. The gentleman removed his shoes and rolled up his pants to retrieve the specimen, but found that the water was too deep. He said something like, I fear I shall not be able to collect the specimen, dear lady. Take off your pants, said she. Oh, I COULDN'T, said he. Take them off, said she, I've AUTOPSIED better men than you! I hope someone can identify these characters--they were quite well-known. WT I realize that I made some errors in my last post. I have added text in (parentheses). There may still be others. - Original Message - From: mcnee...@cox.net To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU; Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 5:46 PM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] David Starr Jordan Indiana U Re: [ECOLOG-L] Jordan's rule Folkloric Tangent Hubbs kept an academic geneology showing the descendents of his students. So, when I published my first paper after starting work on my Ph.D., I got a note from him, as part of a reprint request. He had sketched my academic geneology on the card. Probably a majority of ichthyologists and fish ecologists in North America are descended from David Starr Jordan, mostly through Carl Hubbs or Robert Rush Miller or both. Clark Hubbs told me that when the two families went
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Smithsonian Magazine and Evolution...
The Smithsonian does fund Smithsonian magazine. Why did you think not - curious? They just hired a new Editor in chief, who laid off several staff editors in a bloodbath, and it got some media coverage. So the pub will be changing, or is changing. But it's definitely still under the Smithsonian. Wendee Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Ecology ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [wendeeholtcamp.com] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com Online Magazine Writing Classes start Sep 1 Oct 13, 2012 - Ask me! On 8/28/12 6:32 AM, J. Michael Nolan mno...@rainforestandreef.org wrote: I was given the gift of some yearly subscription to Smithsonian Magazine. Have no clue who keeps it going or what is paying for it. Sure not the Smithsonian! Anyway, I am one of those nerds that reads the darn thing. Well, in all honesty I do look at the pictures. Someone once said that about Playboy Magazine. Whoops, no that was the other way around for Playboythe didn't look at the pictures, but only read the articles. Sorry, its early here. Anywayif you get a chance see Jan 2012hot spots in the world to visit if Evolution is your main interest in life. Swimming Lizards (of course that would be Galapagos); Walking Whales; Early Humans, etc. Jan/Feb 2004geez, have been getting the magazine longer than I realized. One addition to my spiel yesterday on A. callidryas, the stunning Red-eyed Tree Frog. The colony I have been keeping is of the more southernCosta Rica, Panama variety. I do wake them up and show people their stunning powder blue sides and like I said the ones in the image have a more purple coloration on their sides, more like what I have seen and caught in Belize. Probably not a great classroom Animal. When they are plastered up against the inside of you terrarium, being nocturnal and allthere really is not much to see. I suppose we could come up with a lesson or 2 in watching a Frog sleep? Actually, the way they plaster themselves onto some, a leaf in the wild is rather amazing to me. Every square inch, millimeter if you are on your Metric System Unit of their ventral surface is covered. This is where they obviously can lose the most fluids from and desiccate the easiest from. The skin on their dorsal surface, which is obviously green is just a bit thicker vs. their belly-side, which is a whitish color. Also, if you want to get involved with them and there are captive bred Animals out thereplease make sure they are captive bred and not yanked out of the wildanother negative for the Classroom is that it takes 6 or 8 or 10 to have them breed. They breed in colonies in the wild, and that trend seems to carry over to captivity. Oh, and for Earth Science folks on the list. Talk about forgetting than some people know? In the wild, one more amazing factoid about these guys. They are very good at predicting the weather. They will sometimes start calling (Males only) and breeding BEFORE there is any water or pool of water below them. So, eggs can be deposited before there is any where for the larvae to go 10 days later. But, by some strange sense an ensuing monsoon type rain is about to happen in most cases. So, what was dry land will now be a very nice pond for the young to hatch into. When this started it was supposed to be only a couple of sentences. I will someday share some info on Poison Frogs, talk about the evolution of their breeding behavior, why poison-dart frog is just not a great thing to call them and why these guys could be Great for your Classroom. One long deal still brewing on Macaws in capitivity and in the wild also. Thank you and have a great Tuesday. Another spectacular morning on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. Thank you. Mike Nolan -- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef ** Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest Marine Ecology Destinations that we Specialize in: North AmericaAlaska (Southeast and the Interior), Hawaii, British Columbia, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park. CaribbeanCuracao Central AmericaBelize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panamá. South AmericaBolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and The Galápagos Islands, Péru, including Cuzco and Machu Picchu. MexicoThe Baja Peninsula (especially during the Spring Whale Migration and Breeding season). East AfricaKenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island. Australia and New Zealand. Birding, Photography, along with Home and Garden Tours are available upon request to Most Destinations that we offer. The following Research/Conservation Expeditions are now
[ECOLOG-L] writing about the environment/ecology + article on sci denial
I have another of my 6-week online writing classes starting Sat, Sep 1 (deadline to register is a week before - Aug 25), and the next starting Oct 13. Info here: www.wendeeholtcamp.com/nature.htm. Let me know if you have questions! My email is holtcamp_AT_embarqmail.com. This is to learn how to write about science, ecology, the environment and outdoor travel for magazines ( websites, if you're so inclined). A lot of Ecologgers have taken it in the past - whether you are a scientist wanting to write about your research or a grad student wanting to explore the idea of writing as a career (my background is I have a MS in Wildlife Ecology and not in journalism/English I ended up a writer and photographer, and love it!) In other news, I have an article you all may be interested in on science denial. This came out of my attending one of the first conferences on Science Denial, which was held in April in Madison (audience was mostly media). The article is called Flavors of Uncertainty: The Difference Between Denial and Debate and it's a feature in Environmental Health Perspectives. It is online here: http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.120-a314 or here it is as a PDF (much better looking): http://wendeeholtcamp.com/sciencedenial.pdf. It even starts with a quote from Stephen Colbert! :) Enjoy! Wendee Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Ecology ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [wendeeholtcamp.com] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com Next Online Mag Writing Class starts Sep 1, 2012 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] online conservation/science writing class
Hi Ecologgers! I'm trying to recruit a few more folks for my next conservation/science/nature writing online class. It starts next weekend and runs for 6 weeks (though I have them going nearly every 6 weeks, though not always). There's more details here: www.wendeeholtcamp.com/nature.htm and there's an outline online here: www.wendeeholtcamp.com/outline.htm. If anyone has any questions about it or anything else related to writing about ecology/science for the general public, you can email me at bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com Cheerio! Wendee Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Ecology ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ] Twitter: @bohemianone Email: bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com Next Online Mag Writing Class starts Feb 25, 2012 - Ask me!
Re: [ECOLOG-L] dam Texas
Since I requested info on the listserv about dams nationwide for an article I was writing (and got a lot of response) I thought I'd pass along the link to my article in Miller-McCune magazine Texas' Thirst for Dams Bucks National Trend (esp since part of it relates to potential pres nominee and his environmental record) and how Texas stands in relation to the rest of the nation. Please tweet, Facebook, link, pass along! http://www.miller-mccune.com/environment/texas-thirst-for-dams-bucks-nationa l-trend-34541/ Wendee Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Ecology ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ] Twitter: @bohemianone Email: bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com Online Magazine Writing Classes starting Aug 6 Sep 17, 2011 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] classic studies of sexually selected traits having survival disadvantage
Are there any classic or more well-known studies that are oft-cited for how traits that may enhance the sexual fitness of an animal may decrease its survival? I know of examples of birds with elaborate feathers getting more parasites but don't remember who showed that (wasn't it that guy who was later criticized for falsifying data? Was his work ever vindicated?) And then there's the example of antlers in cervids. but I don't know any citations offhand. I need to cite them in a paper on something else entirely but though I could easily find a couple studies, I wanted to cite the ones that everyone cites - the classic ones - and I wouldn't be able to figure that out easily. Thanks for any help. Wendee Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Ecology ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ] Twitter: @bohemianone Email: bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com Online Magazine Writing Classes starting July 16 Aug 27 2011 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] new dams in US?
Certain water planning regions in Texas have proposed new dams/reservoirs and I'm just wondering if there are any other states that have either proposed or recently built dams/reservoirs specifically for water use (ie municipal and/or commercial - not hydro power). I'm not talking small, off-channel reservoirs (though some of those are being proposed also) but massive new reservoirs comparable to the biggest ones in existence in the state. It seems to me the trend is that dams are being torn down and few are being built but I'm not privy to the situation in every state. I'm really interested in just the US, not international (though of course if you have any insight there of particular interest, feel free to pass it along too). Of course, new dams flood valuable wildlife habitat, which is why this story is of interest. PS My article deadline is in a couple days... just wanted to get a quick snapshot. Wendee Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Ecology ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian * Scientist Web: [www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ] Twitter: @bohemianone Email: bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com Online Magazine Writing Classes starting Jun 4 July 16 2011 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] scientists writing for popular press/ Disseminating scientific thought to the general public: are scientists making science readily accessible?
Since Josh brought this up... Another approach is to do your own popular writing. While academic training rarely prepares a scientist to do this and the reward structures in academia don't necessarily encourage popular writing, some scientists can pull this off. One good example of this in ecology is Bernd Heinrich. While some on I thought I'd mention that (and I've mentioned it on here before) I teach an online writing class that many scientists take to do just that. I've had many Ecologgers in the class over the years - grad students, professors, etc. It is a 6 week class that teaches the ropes of how to publish in the popular press, from writing a query letter to learning how to be a better observer of the world around you and have that translate into better writing. It includes many QAs from editors at magazines and journals you all might want to write for. If you're interested in more info, the website is www.wendeeholtcamp.com/nature.htm - the class outline is there too. There's one starting up April 23! :) Wendee Wendee Holtcamp ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian * Scientist Web: [www.wendeeholtcamp.com] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com] Twitter: @bohemianone Next Online Magazine Writing Classes start April 23 Jun 4, 2011 - Ask me!
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Disseminating scientific thought to the general public: are scientists making science readily accessible?
I heard recently that there may be some legal precedent that by showing sources a story you can open yourself up to lawsuits. I don't recall the details but it was, I believe, based on an actual case. Do any of the other journalists here know what that is? Regardless, there are other ways to make sure a writer gets the facts straight. They can read back the quotes to the scientist, or call them back to double check facts, etc. And yes, too often stupid mistakes get through in the media BUT there are a heck of a lot of conscientious journalists and science writers out there too. As Dawn suggested, check out the background of the person doing the reporting and see what they've done, if you have any concern. Also I've had bad experience with editors making changes and introducing errors. Editors do NOT always show their edits to the story to the writer after making them, though more and more I request to see the story post-edit, pre-pub. Not all will do it. And my name is on it, so... yea you can bet it's frustrating every but as much as having a mis-quote out there. I am a stickler for making sure the science is absolutely dead on accurate, and not every writer is (or sometimes understands the science) but like I said, I'll say again - there are many outstanding science writers out there too who are every bit as conscientious about making sure the facts and quotes are accurate. Wendee Wendee Holtcamp ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian * Scientist Web: [www.wendeeholtcamp.com] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com] Twitter: @bohemianone Next Online Magazine Writing Classes start April 23 Jun 4, 2011 - Ask me! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of malcolm McCallum Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 2:14 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Disseminating scientific thought to the general public: are scientists making science readily accessible? I don't see the problem with allowing a interviewee to read your article to ensure the quotes are accurate. In fact, it seems kind of irresponsible as a journalist not to do this. Why would you not want to make sure? I am mystified. In fact, about 10 years ago I was quoted in the St. Louis Post Dispatch and I was quoted as saying a frog could grow an extra leg later in life instead of during metamorphosis. This was a very minor error based on a misunderstanding. Had I seen it before hand I could have indicated the error apriori. Isn't being proactive better than cleaning up a mess later. Of course, none of the fallout from this statement fell on the well-minded journalist, I had to repeatedly explain that it was a misquote! On the other hand, I was quoted in the Chronicle of Higher Education and was not offered the opportunity to read the article or review quotes, but the end product was good and I don't recall any inaccuracies in that article. However, I have been quoted in the Jonesboro Sun, Belleville News Democrat, Arkansas Gazette, Texarkana Gazette, Collinsville Journal, Edwardsville Intelligencer, and Chicago Tribune. In every case they asked me to double check their quotes to make sure they were accurate! I never asked! The explanation in each case from the newspapers that offered this opportunity was to ensure accuracy. The funny thing is that none of those offering had any substantial errors! Why any journalist would not want to do this is beyond me. I appreciate that DW Lawrence has education and experience in this field, as did the one journalist who concurred with your approach. However, the seven other journalists and editors who requested my double-check of their quotes. By no means am I suggesting this is a 7-2 vote either, these are just the total of my experiences. I don't think this has anything to do with trust and has everything to do with reality. We are all human. A journalist is certainly able to misinterpret what a scientist says, and a scientist is certainly able to miscommunicate what one means. If one or the other happens, critical misreporting can happen. If both errors occur, the entire report can be turned upside down. This approach is just as beneficial for the reporter as the interviewee. Having said that, I do not recall requesting this privilege from any of the reporters. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just relating my experience. Malcolm On Mon, Apr 11, 2011 at 12:23 PM, David M. Lawrence d...@fuzzo.com wrote: I'm not obfuscating anything. I'm telling you how most of my journalistic colleagues feel, Mr. Caswell. Having grown up in the news business; having been a practitioner in it for much of the past 30 years; having a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University; having two published books, hundreds of published articles and scripts; having worked for radio programs, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and news Web sites; and having memberships
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Disseminating scientific thought to the general public: are scientists making science readily accessible?
This is such a fascinating discussion - my twin passions, science and journalism! Dave M, I think that the key here is there are different kinds of writers. There are strict journalists or reporters who are trained to just report - and that is where the whole he said, she said journalism school of writing comes from too. The reporter as unbiased neutral reporter, conveying the facts and details. The spectrum of science writing also includes more narrative/creative nonfiction and in those cases the writer is commentator. Think Rick Bass, Bill McKibben, on and on. They are not just neutrally reporting but are writer-with-personality-and-opinion. Those are two ends of a spectrum. Many writers are leaning towards narrative nonfiction - feature length stories that include more story-telling - even within traditional reporting outlets like the NY Times. Magazine features are often narrative stories that include some of the writer's personality and perspective. So the writer who went in and learned about that scientist's work and called it a potion was making his/her own judgment - weaving his own story about that scientists work - based on what they were learning. Now the question is also did the writer say that in their OWN WORDS or did they quote others who thought that? It also seems like a situation where, if the story kind of SOUNDED like a tale of a scientist making a potion the editor could have come in and labeled it that to sell the story. Hopefully that science writer had enough knowledge and intellect that they could make that judgment call about the validity of the science. But if, as you suggest, it is way off base - well that is frustrating but ultimately that's the risk any of us play in this world. During the election didn't Sarah Palin criticize fruit fly research as unnecessary and unimportant? She was way off base in her understanding of the importance of that work, which I believe was being done for some medical issue, but the point is - if the public is funding it, scientists face the scrutiny of the entire society who funds that research, like it or not. Just my 0.03 Wendee Wendee Holtcamp ~ Writer * Photographer * Bohemian * Scientist Web: [www.wendeeholtcamp.com] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com] Twitter: @bohemianone Next Online Magazine Writing Classes start April 23 Jun 4, 2011 - Ask me! David, I am sure you are an ethical as well as a reputable journalist. Surely a journalist and a source can work effectively together to make sure that a story is accurate. If not, then one or both have hangups that go beyond normal concerns. Scientists don't publish without others reviewing their work. Journalists (or at least you) seem to think that would be unethical on their part. Seems to me that a prior agreement that recognizes the source's greater expertise on the science, but the journalist's greater competence in telling the story would be appropriate. The source does not want to tell the journalist how to tell the story, and the journalist does not want to decide what the science is or says. It really seems like you are trying to protect something beyond what you are claiming to want to protect. No one wants you to give up your ownersip of a story, and no one wants to tell you not to publish what you believe to be the truth. But no one wants to be made to sound like (s)he is making claims that are not supportable, or to sound like (s)he is reaching beyond available data. I have seen a colleague made to sound like a zealot and a promoter of pseudoscience, when he gave no indications that should have led to such writing. In fact, he spoke against overreaching with his results, specifically stating that they were preliminary and only! of value for further study. The resulting story painted a picture of a person obsessed with selling a potion, stating that he claimed to have proven something he had labeled as an odd finding, in need of additional scrutiny. Naturally, he was unhappy with the reporter, and with the administrator who had brought him and the reporter together. And guess how many interviews he has given since. Again, I am sure you are both ethical and reputable, and I am sure that any reports you write have been thoroughly fact checked. But only the source is able to say, That is not what I said, and my published reports do not lead to that conclusion. Please change it. mcneely David M. Lawrence d...@fuzzo.com wrote: I'm not obfuscating anything. I'm telling you how most of my journalistic colleagues feel, Mr. Caswell. Having grown up in the news business; having been a practitioner in it for much of the past 30 years; having a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University; having two published books, hundreds of published articles and scripts; having worked for radio programs, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and news Web sites; and having memberships
[ECOLOG-L] Sisters Oregon/Cascades wildlife/env research?
Does anyone do any cool research in or near Sisters, Oregon in the Cascades? :-) I'm a freelance environmental journalist and heading there for the birth of my niece, but while there I want to possibly explore story ideas! Email me. bohemian_AT_wendeeholtcamp.com Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ~ 6-wk Online Mag Writing Bootcamp Starts Feb 26 April 9~ ~~~ Bohemian Adventures Blog - http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com
Re: [ECOLOG-L] If you've seen the movie Avatar...
You didnt mention this directly, but did you realize Avatar director James Cameron actually IS involved in a fight to help save the Amazon from Chevron oil exploitation? There are some other, better articles out there but this is the only one I could find quickly http://www.chevroninecuador.com/2010/02/avatar-director-james-cameron-on.htm l and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/han-shan/avatar-director-james-cam_b_474203.ht ml Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com ~ 6-wk Online Mag Writing Bootcamp Starts Feb 26 April 9~ ~~~ Bohemian Adventures Blog - http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Emily LeGrand Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2011 1:36 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] If you've seen the movie Avatar... Hi everyone, I was just reading Nature magazine and apparently the plan the Ecuadorian government has to avoid oil drilling in Yasuni National Park, the most biodiverse place on earth, and home to one of the last groups of people living in voluntary isolation, is not working. Estimates are that there are possibly 920 million barrels of oil underneath the national park, and the Ecuadorian government has proposed to avoid drilling if the world is willing to pay Ecuador $3.6 billion, approximately half of the expected value of the oil. This $3.6 billion is a measure of how the world values biodiversity, a sacred way of life and perhaps most of all, a stable climate. The money would go toward helping the Ecuadorian economy shift away from the oil dependency of the last 30 years. My thought is that if the movie Avatar, which essentially is the story of Yasuni, was the highest grossing film in history in North America, surely it touched a nerve, and surely each and every person who saw the film can afford to spend the price of the movie ticket or video rental to contribute to this fund, which reportedly has only $100,000 in it. Each barrel of oil is worth about $5-9, depending on how you value the oil itself versus the cost to mitigate its combustion. This is about the price of a movie ticket or video rental. There is debate about whether the Ecuadorian government is trustworthy. And of course, there is the very legitimate viewpoint that this is essentially holding biodiversity and native people ransom, and that since life is priceless, this is unacceptable behavior. But if this is what it will take, most people who could afford to see the movie initially can also afford to be put out another $7 in hopes that this will work. If you are more comfortable signing a petition to register support, do that. I have put together the following links so that you can educate yourself about the issue, allow yourself to feel what could be lost, and to buy your barrel of oil. Please send this to everyone you think would care and/or everyone you know who has seen Avatar. If you have seen it, definitely send it to the people you saw the movie with. Let's make this viral and let's make the fund grow! http://www.yasunigreengold.org -lots of information, and an opportunity to sign a petition and to donate. http://www.theworld.org/2010/01/29/avatar-in-the-amazon/ - movie and article about how indigenous groups in western Ecuador felt about Avatar http://www.saveamericasforests.org/Yasuni/SS/index.html- a slideshow http://www.saveamericasforests.org/pages/GivePage1.htm http://www.saveamericasforests.org/pages/GivePage1.htm-donationpage to donate Thank you! Emily LeGrand
[ECOLOG-L] Australia flood aftermath/science?
I'm trying to get some assignments to get over to Australia to report on the aftermath of the intense flooding in Queensland. Is anyone on the list doing research on any species or habitat - terrestrial or marine - impacted by the floods? What scientific projects are being funded to determine the long-term (and short-term) impacts? Feel free to forward to colleagues, and have them email me at bohemian_at_wendeeholtcamp.com Thanks! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ~ 6-wk Online Mag Writing Courses Start Feb 26 April 9~ ~~~ Bohemian Adventures Blog - http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com
Re: [ECOLOG-L] short reading on scientific method and experimental design for undergraduate ecology course
Here's something I wrote for the National Center for Science Ed's newsletter several years back. It's not precisely what you're asking for, but it may be useful or interesting. :) The Way Science Works. http://wendeeholtcamp.com/science.htm In fact, I think that the germ of the idea came from something I posted to Ecolog back in 2003... So there ya go. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com ~ 6-wk Online Writing Courses Start Jan 15 or Feb 26~ ~~~ Bohemian Adventures Blog - http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Anna Mosser Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 9:40 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] short reading on scientific method and experimental design for undergraduate ecology course I'm looking for one or two short readings on scientific method and experimental design for an undergraduate ecology course (mostly 2nd year students). Any suggestions? Somethings freely available and slightly entertaining would be great! Thanks, Anna Mosser aamos...@gmail.com
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Red-winged Blackbird Die Off in AR....
Maybe because they are moving through the area at that time, and because they fly in such massive flocks that they died, that is my guess. Migratory birds have mostly moved on by this time of year. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com ~ 6-wk Online Writing Courses Start Jan 15 or Feb 26~ ~~~ Bohemian Adventures Blog - http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Judith S. Weis Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 1:22 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Red-winged Blackbird Die Off in AR But why would this affect just red-winged blackbirds and not other birds? Dear ECOLOG-L Members, I have an ornithologist friend who works for the Dept. of the Environment in D.C., and in a recent correspondence I asked for his opinion on the mass bird kills in the news. Here is his reply for any who are interested. The red-winged blackbird and other species kills were most likely microbursts and windshear associated with the storm system which had moved through earlier. Microbursts can have wind gusts between 60 and 120 miles an hour, that would create plenty of force to mimic hurricane conditions and do some real trauma. Is was not disease or some type of contamination. You can see a few birds staggering around with broken wings on the news videos. I believe the birds were either crushed in the air of forced downward with enough energy to kill them. I dont buy the firework theory. If it were true we would have giant bird kill problems every July 4th. Cheers, Evan D. Clark On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 12:53 PM, J. Michael Nolan mno...@rainforestandreef.org wrote: List Members Apologies for cross-posting. Interesting story for all Ecologists, Biologists.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12105157 Really do hate it when people use the term Blackbird and will tell you why, should want to hear. By the way, this is the first Bird sp. to migrate north in the Spring. Obviously, we have seen this before and will be curious about any follow-ups to this. Typical media usually does a poor job of following up, unless it is that will catch our attention. Thank you and have a great week. Mike Nolan -- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and/or your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit ** Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest Marine Ecology Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs: Spain, Mexico, Central and South America Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit 161 Main St. Coopersville, MI 49404 Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 Fax: 1.616.604.0546 Google Talk/MS IM/Skype: travelwithrandr AOL IM: buddythemacaw E-mail: i...@rainforestandreef.org and travelwithra...@gmail.com Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses Web: http://rainforestandreef.org **
Re: [ECOLOG-L] access to journal articles, the huddled masses
I have had no trouble in just emailing authors of papers I want to read and asking for a PDF reprint. Wayne, Liz, others - why not just do that? I think encouraging interest in scientific topics and science generally is fantastic BUT I think in America at least it's far more crucial at this juncture to teach people the basics all over again - what science IS, and how it works, and how it differs from studies of other topics like history, philosophy, etc. So many folks (nearly 45%) are now rejecting evolution, climate science, and other basic scientific facts/theories because they listen more to their own preferred media, their political party, and their own church leaders, rather than what was once a foundational understanding that scientific findings have a legitimacy beyond mere opinion. And that there's a big difference between scientific consensus and a single study. That basic fact is lost on most (non-scientist) people, it seems. That is something that needs to be taught from elementary school and taught over and over until it's clearly understood. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com ~ 6-wk Online Writing Courses Start Dec 4 Jan 15~ ~~~ Bohemian Adventures Blog - http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com I think Mr. Tyson makes an excellent point. So what can we, as ecologists, do about access to scientific research and encouraging public interest in that research? I have two suggestions: 1. We should speak with our publications. Whenever suitable, we should submit our best and most interesting publications to open-access online journals. (And fortunately ESA has made this easier for us through the creation of Ecosphere.) It could be helpful to boycott some of the most outrageous for-profit journals; after all, it seems ridiculous that we have to pay these journals to publish our work and then anyone who wants to access it also must pay. Journals published by scientific societies should still be supported, even if they charge for publication and access, as these fees help fund the goals of those societies, which often include education and outreach efforts, which brings me to: 2. We need to be more involved in engaging the public in our research. Too often, we insult the intelligence of the general population and assume they can't understand complex research themes. I suggest finding ways to include outreach efforts in our research. Citizen scientists have been successful in helping data over large spatial/temporal scales over which it would be unfeasible for individual researchers/lab groups to do so. High school students can easily be trained to help with most field work. Here at my institute in Germany, there is a yearly open house, where non-scientists get to see what we do on a daily basis, hear scientific talks, and actually try some hands-on scientific activities. I used to teach biology to public school students when I was an undergrad (a great tool for interaction in itself) and I saw that when we first started with a class, the students had a very fixed stereotype, often somewhat negative, of who scientists were and what they did. After bringing them interesting hands-on activities for 10 weeks and focusing on actual experimentation (the goal was that they learn the scientific method, not that they memorize the difference between a monocot and dicot), they came away with a completely different view of science and were much more eager to become scientists themselves. While I wouldn't expect them to maintain such a high degree of enthusiasm for their whole lives, I'm hopeful that that experience at least encouraged them to be more engaged with science and gave them the confidence to feel they could understand scientific research. I'm curious to hear suggestions from others. -Liz Water links us to our neighbor in a way more profound and complex than any other. -John Thorson Liz Perkin Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei (IGB) Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Müggelseedamm 310 12587 Berlin Germany Tel.: +49 030/64 181 784 Date:Thu, 2 Dec 2010 22:11:25 -0800 From:Wayne Tyson landr...@cox.net Subject: Re: life that uses Arsenic in place of phosphorus Ecolog: I hope that Malcolm will continue to help us/me understand the details of this paper. As a non-member of AAAS, I do not have access to it . . . [24 hours access to this Science article for US $15.00 from your current computer. [Why Don't I Have Access? [The content you requested requires a AAAS member subscription to this site or Science Pay per Article purchase. To find out what content you currently have access to - view your access rights. If you would like to recommend that your institution subscribe
[ECOLOG-L] Oil Spill deepwater corals
Since I sent an inquiry a while back regarding the Gulf Road trip I took and the article I was to be reporting on the oil spill, I thought I'd post a link to the article that came out. The Forgotten Deep: http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2010/dec/ed_2/index.phtml Kind regards Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ~ 6-wk Online Writing Courses Start Dec 4 Jan 15~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] writing class
If anyone is interested in learning how to write about ecology, nature, environmental issues - or for that matter other topics - for magazines, I have a writing class with some spots in it starting Oct 23. More info is here: www.wendeeholtcamp.com/nature.htm. Lots of ECOLOGGERS have taken it in the past - professors, grad students, and ecology professionals who want to write about their own research or other hot topics in science for glossy magazines, and get paid to do it. The class is all online and runs 6 weeks and if you email me - bohemian_at_wendeeholtcamp.com I'll answer any questions you may have! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Oct 23 (signup by Oct 16) ~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] Roosevelt Elk and/or Olympic Nat Park ecology?
Anyone on here study Roosevelt elk, and/or doing any cool ecology research in or near Olympic National Park? I'll be in the vicinity in October and wanted to try to meet up with someone, and maybe write an article (no assignment on that topic yet, though). Wendee Blogs for Nature from the Bering Sea ~ http://tinyurl.com/2ctghbl ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Oct 16 (signup by Oct 9) ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Ecosystem-based fisheries management
Just real quick - I've heard Antarctica mentioned a couple times but isn't it true that the Patagonia toothfish and the bluefin tuna are both completely devastated stocks? So how can that be sustainable? (and I'm assuming that if somewhere is using ecosystem based management appropriately, then fisheries would be sustainable). This is tangential to the article I'm writing, so I was just curious. But now I'm ever more curious... Wendee Blogs for Nature from the Bering Sea ~ http://tinyurl.com/2ctghbl ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Sep 4 (signup by Aug 28) ~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Jennifer Rhemann Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 6:09 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Ecosystem-based fisheries management Wendee, have a look at www.ccamlr.org for an example of ecosystem-based management. The Commission to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) regulates fishing and other resource-utilization activities in the Southern Ocean. (Patagonian toothfish, Antarctic toothfish southern bluefin tuna are some of the lucrative fisheries in the Southern Ocean.) Assessments by the Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management, the Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment and CCAMLRs Scientific Committee form the basis of the regulatory measures, and they are developed in accordance with an ecosystem approach to management that acknowledges the interlinked and complex ecological systems of the Southern Ocean biomes. The conservation principles that guide CCAMLRs management include prevention of decrease in the size of any harvested population to levels below those which ensure its stable recruitment [ ]; maintenance of the ecological relati! onships between harvested, dependent and related populations of Antarctic marine living resources and the restoration of depleted populations [ ]; and prevention of change(s) or minimisation of the risk of change(s) in the marine ecosystem which are not potentially reversible over two or three decades, taking into account the state of available knowledge of the direct and indirect impact of harvesting, the effect of the introduction of alien species, the effects of associated activities on the marine ecosystem and of the effects of environmental changes, with the aim of making possible the sustained conservation of Antarctic marine living resources. The incorporation of these principles into CCAMLRs management practices is integral to CCAMLRs aim to follow both a precautionary approach and an ecosystem approach to regulation of the harvesting of Antarctic marine living resources. In keeping with these principles, the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) was created in 1984 to (i) detect and record significant changes in critical components of the ecosystem, to serve as a basis for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources and (ii) to distinguish between changes due to harvesting of commercial species and changes due to environmental variability, both physical and biological. The Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management coordinates the efforts of the CEMP. Standard methods for data collection and analysis were first established in 1987 and revised in 1997. Via these methods, CCAMLR has collected and analyzed ecosystem data from numerous sites, species and other parameters. The CCAMLR Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) for Antarctic toothfish is an example of application of an ecosystem approach and a precautionary approach to governance of living resources. The CDS aims to (i) monitor the international toothfish trade (ii) identify the origins of toothfish imports or exports, (iii) determine whether toothfish catches have been made in accordance with CCAMLR conservation measures, and (iv) gather catch data for the scientific evaluation of toothfish stocks. This program promotes responsible fishing techniques and accountability in the commercial fishing industry. The CDS operates in conjunction with CCAMLR monitoring programs for krill, finfish and sea birds in order to provide a more comprehensive view of the ecosystem health. Additionally, survey data (from fisheries and fishery-independent surveys) and strategic modeling are methods utilized by the CCAMLR Scientific Committee to assess ecosystem status. If you want more info, I'd be happy to send you the references for the above info or the paper (from which the above text is culled... sorry if it's still a bit too much for this forum). The CCAMLR website
[ECOLOG-L] ecosystem based fisheries management
Are there any fisheries in the world that are actually managed using an ecosystem approach versus single-species stock assessment models? I know there's debate over whether the Bering Sea fisheries could become that way. The comprehensive research done there feeds into their regional fishery council's decisions, but I don't think it's truly an ecosystem-based approach in terms of analyzing how many of say Pollock are needed not just to feed people but also to feed the fur seals, the seabirds, etc to prevent ecosystem collapse. But my question is not about the Bering Sea but about whether there is ANY fishery that is actually managed in an ecosystem approach or whether it's still theoretical at this stage? Wendee Blogs for Nature from the Bering Sea ~ http://tinyurl.com/2ctghbl ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Sep 4 (signup by Aug 28) ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Good news from the Gulf? not so fast...
When I went on my Great Gulf Coast Road Trip recently, I visited with several biologists at the Gulf Coast Research Lab in Ocean Springs MS and one of them, Mark Peterson, told me that most fish actually metabolize oil (PAH). This abstract says These experiments confirm that the use of oil dispersants will increase the exposure of ovoviviparous fish to hydrocarbons in oil. Now I'm not a physiologist and so now that I've seen the abstract below, and started to think about it, I'm not quite sure whether that means that they break it down into less toxic substances and it does NOT really impact them negatively, or that their gut is now exposed to this PAH/oil and that could potentially be harmful? Maybe I need to read the paper... Does anyone know? I'll be writing about this soon so I'd love to talk to someone who knows a bit more about it (and yes I can follow up with Mark as well). I also met with Harriet Perry the lady who discovered that virtually ALL the blue crab larvae (zoea) she was collecting daily had a little droplet of oil under their carapace. They get it in there when they molt. So this raises the possibility of it getting into the food chain. So that makes me curious - if fish can metabolize PAH/oil in a way that does not harm them directly (as Mark suggested to me), what about invertebrates like shrimp, squid, crabs etc? Is there any evidence that they can metabolize PAH, and/or that there are any sublethal impacts people should be looking for? Best Wendee Blogs for Nature from the Bering Sea ~ http://tinyurl.com/2ctghbl ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Sep 4 (signup by Aug 28) ~~ ~~~ I’m Animal Planet’s news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Geoffrey Patton Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 11:12 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Good news from the Gulf? In response to Bill's discussion points, I would like to suggest the following paper: Jee Hyun Jung, Un Hyuk Yim, Gi Myeong Han, Won Joon Shim Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C 150 (2009) 218–223 Biochemical changes in rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, exposed to dispersed crude oil Abstract: This paper describes the response of the ovoviviparous rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, to hydrocarbons in the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil, in the presence or absence of oil dispersants. Concentrations of cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A) and levels of its catalytic activity ethoxyresorufin O-de-ethylase (EROD) in rockfish exposed to WAF at concentrations of 0.1% and 1% were significantly increased by the addition of a dispersant, Corexit 9500 after 48 h exposure. After 72 h exposure, the levels of CYP1A and EROD activity were significantly increased in 0.1% and 0.01% chemically enhanced WAF (CEWAF) (Corexit 9500 and Hiclean II dispersant). Bile samples from fish exposed toWAF alone had low concentrations of hydrocarbon metabolites, exemplified by 1-hydroxypyrene. After 72 h exposure, hydrocarbon metabolites in bile from fish exposed to WAF in the presence of either Corexit 9500 or Hiclean II were significantly higher compared with fish exposed to WAF alone or control fish. These experiments confirm that the use of oil dispersants will increase the exposure of ovoviviparous fish to hydrocarbons in oil. Cordially yours, Geoff Patton, Ph.D. 2208 Parker Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902 301.221.9536 --- On Wed, 8/11/10, William Silvert cien...@silvert.org wrote: From: William Silvert cien...@silvert.org Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Good news from the Gulf? To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 4:58 AM I confess that I posted this in large part because I was curious to see the reactions. As expected, all replies (on- and off-list) were critical and skeptical. However, although some responses were based on scientific arguments about issues like long-term burial in sediments, many seemed to be based on a deep suspicion of any good news about environmental issues and some relied on conspiracy theories and guilt by association. Curiously no one mentioned that although lighter fractions of oil dissipate more rapidly than heavier tars, they tend to be much more toxic. While I agree that the article paints an incomplete and misleading picture, I am concerned about a broader issue, namely the willingness of the scientific community to investigate the possibility that things may not always be as bad as they seem. For example, some time ago a team of my colleagues investigated the benthic impacts of bentonite (drilling mud
[ECOLOG-L] Gulf Coast Road trip TX-LA-AL-MS-FL - need contacts
As soon as I return from the Bering Sea (I'm blogging for Nature on this oceanographic project - http://tinyurl.com/2ctghbl) project I'm taking a road trip from TX to the FL panhandle (or maybe just AL depending on timing) to document effects of the oil spill. I am wondering if anyone on this list is willing to meet with myself and another environmental reporter to show us places that you may have access to, that you want to show the press and ultimately the public, little-known stories, or particularly wildlife impacts. I'm personally interested in stories on the greater marine ecosystem - all the stuff that nobody will ever see under the ocean. so anyone who knows how to get out there diving, or on a boat please let me know. I've heard that BP has sort of commandeered all the research vessels and prevented many from going out in the guise of trying to make sure they're Available in case they're needed. I would love to get out in the Gulf any way possible. It will be around the last week in July so please email me if you have any contacts, suggestions, or can meet with us personally even if it's just a stroll on the beach to talk about your own research. I'm reporting for several markets and so is my colleague. Best Wendee My adventures in the Bering Sea ~ http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond or a tally: http://tinyurl.com/2ctghbl ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts July 24 (signup by Jun 17) ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] worlds authorities in sustainable ag/meat/ag ecology
Who would you say are the world's leading authorities in agricultural ecology (how can we feed the world given our rates of consumption, increased meat demand, that kind of thing)? What questions are actively being addressed (besides the above) by academics that are hot topics in ag ecology right now for both the US and internationally? From the Bering Sea.. Wendee My adventures in the Bering Sea ~ http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts July 24 (signup by Jun 17) ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] Bering Sea blog for Nature
I'll be blogging for Nature's Great Beyond blog on the upcoming month-long expedition to the Bering Sea - it's the 4th year of a multi-disciplinary study on the impacts of climate change on all levels of the Bering Sea Arctic/subarctic interface. Follow my adventures here: http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/ . I'll be on board from Jun 16-July 16. Hopefully I will get to cross walruses off my bucket list :-) I should also be doing podcasts at Adventures in Climate Change: http://adventures-in-climate-change.com/wendeeholtcamp/ The boat I'll be on and the project info: http://bsierp.nprb.org/ Wendee My adventures in the Bering Sea ~ http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts July 24 (signup by Jun 17) ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] The Wendee Holtcamp Report/climate change blog
My new blog The Wendee Holtcamp Report on Adventures in Climate Change just launched! The 1st entry (well technically the 2nd): Time for a Sea Change ~ http://ow.ly/1PTRW About the oil spill - thanks to some folks on Ecolog - including Judith Weis who I quoted therein. Post a comment and let me know what you think! As I mentioned before, I will be highlighting some positive stuff/research/initiatives in the world of climate change. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Jun 26 ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Gulf spill again - solutions?
Thanks to those who have replied on and off list so far. I want to clarify that I'm not necessarily interested in ideas/solutions on how to stop the well from flowing (and yes, it's depressing that they should not have had such solutions worked out long, long ago) but more on how do ecologists and conservationists mitigate the long-term (or short-term) impacts to the overall Gulf ecosystem. IS there anything that can be done to minimize death and disease, or do we just have to sit idly by and watch things die, then research the impacts? Things like booms prevent oil from washing into sensitive coastal estuaries but are there actually methods to save this next generation of fish and shrimp eggs or larvae? Are there actually innovative ways to save them or are they just all going to die (those directly impacted that is)? Are there ways to boost the next generation? I heard someone on the Deepwater Horizon Facebook feed that they should use the indigenous microbes to help break down the oil. I know this has been done elsewhere. ARE there oil-eating/degrading microbes indigenous to the Gulf? Are they already used commercially? I haven't seen this anywhere in the news. So these are the kinds of things I'm curious about... and want to write about. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 15 or Jun 19 ~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Wayne Tyson [mailto:landr...@cox.net] Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2010 9:14 PM To: Wendee Holtcamp; ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Gulf spill again - solutions? WH These are dangerous intellectual waters. The environmental contexts of the two sites are very different, and the petroleum/biology interactions are likely to be different. We need a Challenger-type investigation, but one with a Feynman in charge instead of a Rogers. The fixes are likely to be more cosmetic than substantive, but sold as if they were. Find and expert that says heshe doesn't know a lot, and you will more likely get the truth. The truth is likely to be more along the lines of the dissembling than the miracle-making. The obvious scandal is, I suspect, in the window-dressing-type technology was sold on a presumptive, untested hypothesis. The devil (and the real news) is likely to be in the details. For example, just how was the shut-off valve system designed? Somebody who can't talk, at some engineering position along the chain of command is likely to have the key, and may have even warned against the system. I further suspect that the numbers weren't done or were fudged on things like the failure-scenario modeling on the design. The issue of the effects of the use of dispersants at depth upon sea life, including reef-type life-forms like corals on subsurface geologic formations. Check the applicable departments in regional universities (you probably already have). Go get 'em! WT PS: Sound policy needs to be based on sound science, not pseudoscience controlled by the marketing departments. If you ever want to do a story on wildfire, I might be able to be of more help on how the prevention and control efforts are largely made for TV. Undersea drilling is not my area, but this has all the earmarks of an elaborate flim-flam. Asking questions that elicit evasive answers is a good way to separate the sheep from the goats. - Original Message - From: Wendee Holtcamp bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2010 3:37 PM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Gulf spill again - solutions? I'm working on a 2nd piece about the spill and gathering research for a magazine feature due in a few months. Reading all the news, the never-ending geyser of oil, the hundreds of thousands of gallons of chemical dispersants being unceremoniously spewed into the ocean to help feels a bit overwhelming. Likewise, the cleanup response and attempts to cap the wells seem underwhelming in comparison, despite the fact that I'm sure hundreds (or thousands) are working hard around the clock at times to study, document, clean, and try to cap the well. What positive news is there? What solutions are being studied here or have been studied in past oil spills to minimize long-term ecological impacts to marine ecosystems? Did anyone here study the Valdez spill? What worked, versus what didn't, and though this is a totally different ecosystem, what can be learned? I have contacted a dozen scientists I've found on Google, from abstracts etc but getting few replies. I'm sure everyone doing anything related to oil is probably tapped out. But in the chance that someone here has any
[ECOLOG-L] Gulf spill again - solutions?
I'm working on a 2nd piece about the spill and gathering research for a magazine feature due in a few months. Reading all the news, the never-ending geyser of oil, the hundreds of thousands of gallons of chemical dispersants being unceremoniously spewed into the ocean to help feels a bit overwhelming. Likewise, the cleanup response and attempts to cap the wells seem underwhelming in comparison, despite the fact that I'm sure hundreds (or thousands) are working hard around the clock at times to study, document, clean, and try to cap the well. What positive news is there? What solutions are being studied here or have been studied in past oil spills to minimize long-term ecological impacts to marine ecosystems? Did anyone here study the Valdez spill? What worked, versus what didn't, and though this is a totally different ecosystem, what can be learned? I have contacted a dozen scientists I've found on Google, from abstracts etc but getting few replies. I'm sure everyone doing anything related to oil is probably tapped out. But in the chance that someone here has any info - please share any stories - whether you're doing clean up, or have done research on how to help fish and fisheries resources or marine mammals recover in a particular region after a spill. I'm looking for something to give hope. I kind of like the hair being collected idea, Who came up with that? But I want other ideas too. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 15 or Jun 19 ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] Part II- what proposals r u submitting to study oil impacts?
My first Adventures in Climate Change blog post went up Monday - Shrimp Oil Really Do Mix? http://adventures-in-climate-change.com/editorsdesk/?p=137 I'm doing part 2 on ecosystem cascades. People may not be willing to speculate on the impacts of this oil spill (if you are, feel free to pontificate!) but I suspect scientists are readying their proposals to submit on the long-and short-term impacts of this spill. What measures will you, or do you suspect others, will be measuring? Marsh productivity in areas affected by the oil? What about the greater marine ecosystem? How will scientists/ecologists measure the impacts of the oil and/or the dispersant chemicals on the benthic communities, or marine productivity? I would like to quote a couple scientists who have thought about these things, so please get in touch if you have any thoughts! I promise to treat your words with integrity and accuracy. Also I will be starting a monthly blog for Adventures in Climate Change focused on the Positive things that are happening in the world of climate change - ie what individuals, groups, or governments are doing to help curb global warming, study its impacts, etc. It will have a light tone, but cover projects that may not receive press otherwise. There's so much focus on the gloom and doom, for good reason, but I want to help inspire others to follow the lead of these lights in the darkness. So send me your stories, examples, and ideas. It's only once a month at this point but I'll stockpile ideas. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 15 or Jun 19 ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] quick quote on ecological impacts of oil spill
I'm a freelance environmental journalist and working on a story on the Gulf spill and need some quick quotes from experts. Anyone out there working in the Louisiana or Mississippi Coast and/or study oil spill impacts on fragile coastal ecosystems that can email me to give me a quote (best if you have actually studied oil spill impacts and published on it, or have firsthand knowledge of the Gulf coastal ecosystem and oil impact projections). I'm doing a blog post on this, and also trying to get other assignments, but this need is quick - couple hours! If you have anything later than that still email me as I may get more assignments. This story is not going away anytime soon. Thanks a million! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 15 or Jun 19 ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Galapagos Islands
I would recommend you subscribe to the CTURTLE listserv http://accstr.ufl.edu/cturtle.html for more specific answers about the sea turtles if you don't find any researchers from ECOLOG that know. You've asked a lot of very broad questions... is this for grad research or an undergrad project? I visited the Galapagos in 2007 and there's a lot of info online - try the Galapagos Conservancy website - http://www.galapagos.org/2008/ or the Galapagos Park website http://www.galapagospark.org/ Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 15 or Jun 19 ~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Coston, Mylea Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2010 2:17 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Galapagos Islands I am looking for information on the Galapagos Islands and sea turtles. The questions I would like answers to are: 1. How does local fishing affect sea turtle populatoins? 2. How does local agriculture affect sea turtle populations? 3. How does tourism affect sea turtle populations? 4. What research has been done on these islands for these populations? 5. What are the local and national governments doing about it? If anyone has personal experience or other information I would appreciate the message! Thanks so Much!! M. Coston Department of Natural Resource Management Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas
[ECOLOG-L] IWC proposal on whaling/New paper published: whales and fisheries
Since Lyne brought up whaling I'm curious whether anyone has a (professional or personal/professional) opinion on the International Whaling Commission upcoming vote on opening the world oceans to whaling again. Are people aware that this is on the table this June's IWC meeting in Morocco? It hasn't received much press. It surely will if it passes! Apparently the US is supportive. Yep. But this is the thing. Save the Whales has been touted as perhaps the most successful environmental campaign of all time. Most people loathe the thought of killing the gentle giants. But we eat all kinds of other creatures. So... if some species of whales have sufficiently recovered (have any? It seems they have recovered, if not to the numbers they once were pre-modern era) then is it actually a possibly viable idea to hunt them IF it helps better regulate things like the scientific whaling of Japan? I'm at the beginning of my research here, but it's quite an interesting topic. What do whale ecologists think? Would it be good or bad for the marine ecosystem? Hunting and hunting enthusiast passion has helped to save/manage many species of terrestrial animal (ducks and elk comes to mind) but whales? Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 15 or Jun 19 ~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Lyne Morissette Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 10:56 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] New paper published: whales and fisheries Dear colleagues, The following article has just been published in this month's issue of Marine Ecology Progress Series (MEPS): Ecosystem models clarify the trophic role of whales off Northwest Africa ABSTRACT: There is global concern about the interaction between whales and fisheries, and in some countries, great whales are viewed as a threat to fisheries by potentially eating fish species that could be exploited for human consumption. We developed an ecosystem model to explore the trophic interactions between cetaceans and fisheries off Northwest Africa and to examine the potential impact of a reduction in the abundance of baleen whales on fishery yields. This allowed us to characterize the structure and function of the ecosystem in terms of biomass, mortalities, consumption rates, food habits, and fisheries. Faced with sparse data for our study area, we explicitly accounted for uncertainty in ecosystem structure, model accuracy, and input data and conducted an extensive sensitivity analysis. We tested model performance with time series of biomass and catches for important species of the system. Our results indicate that the overlap between prey species consumed by cetaceans and species targeted in fisheries is low. Furthermore, for a wide range of assumptions about whale abundances, diet composition, and food consumption in breeding areas, we found that whale consumption is several orders of magnitude lower than total fishery catches and 2 orders of magnitude lower than the amounts taken by other trophic groups. Finally, simulations of substantial reductions of whale populations did not influence the biomass of commercially important fish, nor any other species of the foodweb. These results suggest that fisheries yields would not benefit from the removal of whales in this area. The article can be downloaded from MEPS website (http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v404/p289-302/ ) or you can contact the first author for PDF copies (lyne.morisse...@globetrotter.net ) Lyne Morissette, Ph.D. Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski (UQAR-ISMER) email: lyne.morisse...@globetrotter.net Tél. 418-723-1986 #1981 | Sans-fil 418-750-5685
[ECOLOG-L] tiger photo needed before Mon... anyone have one?
I need to find a photo of a tiger (any kind) for use on an Animal Planet blog post for Monday. I can't find any public domain ones that are clearly not just accidentally places on a govt website but not really public domain. So I thought I'd ask if anyone has one I could use on the blog? Anyone doing tiger research in China? (what it's about - well the new animal rights laws and limits on trade in tiger parts etc) If so email me! bohemian_AT_wendeeholtcamp.com Thanks a million! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 15 or Jun 19 ~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
Re: [ECOLOG-L] learning from insects?
I wrote an article on biomimicry for National Wildlife's recent issue that talks about the termite-inspired building. You can find it online here: http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Animals/Archives/200 9/Mimicking-Mother-Nature.aspx I also teach an online writing class that while geared for popular writing many professors, grad students and scientists (including people from this listserv) have taken it to improve their writing. :) Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Mar 20 or May 15~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Josh Stack Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 10:29 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] learning from insects? David I'm new to this list so if you're already familiar with the following, my apologies: For the termite inspired building, more is available here: www.esf.edu/efb/turner/primary%20research%20articles.html I'd also suggest inquiring at www.AskNature.org, a project of the Biomimicry Guild. There is a taxonomy of Nature's design strategies, as well as a searchable case studies database, including other design examples of humans learning from insects. Another good resource is an engineers and biologists mechanical design listserv -- www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=BIOMIMETICS Hope that's useful. Josh On Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 9:34 AM, David Inouye ino...@umd.edu wrote: What examples are there of how humans are learning from insects? Such innovative ideas as adapting the natural ventilation system of termite mounds for architecture http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/12/10/building-modelled-on-termites-eastgate-c entre-in-zimbabwe/and using ants to learn about traffic control http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sci-tech/ants-offer-clues-to-improve-tra ffic-flow-say-experts_100123590.html. David Inouye -- Attorney Counselor at Law www.ngbc.us NGBC, LLC MYCO+Evolution, LLC This electronic mail transmission is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete the original message.
[ECOLOG-L] Evolution Wildlife/Evo Eco
I am thinking of doing a post in honor of Evolution Weekend for my Animal Planet blog highlighting a few research projects that show evolution-in-action or something unique (and I'd like to focus sort of on evolutionary ecology type studies, hence my post here). The one that comes to mind is the Grants' work in the Galapagos. Any others come to mind, or that you're involved in? Send me a brief summary off-list to bohemian_AT_wendeeholtcamp.com Thanks! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Feb 6, 2010 (signup by Jan 30)~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
Re: [ECOLOG-L] now I've seen it all
Hanno you bring up a very intriguing point about the distinction between what people trust in the medical science community versus the academic science community. I had never put that together but I think you're right on. I get dismayed at how trusting people are of their doctors, and how doctors treat people as if their responses will be on a bell curve rather than treating them holistically (one blatant example is with birth - if patients do not proceed according to the timetable, they give pitocin to speed the birth, which almost inevitably leads to a cesarean). And of course most pregnant women just follow along, fearful of a negative outcome, while the doctors more concerned about getting home to watch the football game, and/or malpractice. This is of course an oversimplification but it happens. But the distinction with the general public's acceptance of academic science - something to think about. And that phenomenon may well be different in the US than elsewhere. There was a study I saw about how the US is an outlier in terms of religious belief and poverty. Most highly religious nations are higher in poverty. We're one of the few that are a first world nation with a high degree of religiosity. And I believe that the rejection of academic science is a direct result of that religiosity because it is the religio-political conservatives that reject climate change and evolution. There are active Christian ministries opposing those two major issues - including the well known Focus on the Family (James Dobsons organization). And I myself am a Christian, but a progressive one who accepts science, evolution etc and in fact am writing a book (due out Fall 2010) on making peace between evolution and Christianity. Also Malcolm I wanted to make a response to one point. While most of the things being touted as medical solutions are bunk, some are not. There are certainly some things like Echinacea perhaps, and other natural medicines that DO make a difference but the research has not been done. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Feb 6, 2010 (signup by Jan 30)~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Hanno Murphy Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 8:31 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] now I've seen it all I'm shocked to find myself defending the general public, but I do think that you are grossly overstating the issue. The American understanding of advertising is complex. Individual's reactions are not simply based on what they are told, especially in an advertisement. If this were true, you would find more consistency in the verbally communicated messages of advertisements. How many ads have you seen where the visual content and spoken dialog have had virtually nothing to do with the brand or product? How many ads have you seen that are self reflexive? The complexity of our advertising has been forced to evolve as Americans have become more savvy. While much of America seems unable to think critically with regards to a logical argument or seems to misunderstand how science is regulated, I still believe they can distinguish the scientific community from a TV endorsement. The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)is a cognitive psychology theory used in advertising. It suggests that strong opinions are formed when when a person has both the desire and capacity to analyse information presented to them. Otherwise, a weak opinion is formed. Weak opinions are formed in a passive process and aren't necessarily conscious. I don't think medicine ads are being processed through in a manner that creates strong opinions about science. I would actually say that most of them are designed to discourage any logical thinking. Consider that nearly all of the imagery is about how great your life will be at the same time they are telling you about the possibility of death. The wiki on ELM is decent and it gives the cite for the original text if you choose to hunt it down ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaboration_likelihood_model). I would also like to address another potential difficulty in this argument; It is my belief that American perceptions of 'medical science' and of 'academic science' (for lack of a better term) are substantially different. If Americans trusted academic science as much as they do medical science, climate change would have been acted upon 20 years ago. If people are buying these products primarily because they are actively thinking about the scientific endorsements, then they should be taking academic science more seriously. But, since most
[ECOLOG-L] top ten animal stories/+sci writing class
I'm curious what you guys think are the top ten animal-related news stories for the past decade? What animal-related success story, story of decline, or exciting discovery was most talked about, or most intriguing? I'm doing a post for my Animal Planet blog (http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news) on this, and though I have a couple ideas I wanted to get some input from ecologists! :-) The blog will be going from 5/week to 1/week starting January 1st but will still be there. And I have a couple more openings for my 6-week online writing class (many professors and scientists take it to learn how to write for general interest/science/enviro magazines)- I have it set to start Dec 19 but I think I'm moving that back to Dec 26 to start right after Christmas since some people may be a wee bit busy the week before. If you're interested I can send you a course outline or you can visit the website www.wendeeholtcamp.com/nature.htm Happy holidays! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Dec 19, 2009 (signup by Dec 12)~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Scientific Networking
You definitely can create a list on facebook and send email just to that list (Go to Compose email and it will say type the name of a friend, list or email address. I have created lists but not to the extent I probably could/should. As a writer I really enjoy facebook for its various social networking purposes. I have writing colleagues, friends, scientist colleagues (many of which I meet online when they're sources for a story of mine). I post links to my Animal Planet blogs and articles, and keep abreast of what others are writing about or doing scientifically, which helps me get ideas to write about. Twitter is useful for me to get story ideas (what animal related stories are in the news which is what the Animal Planet blog covers) or for trying to promote something... (for me it's my writing) or if you want to search for something in real time it's absolutely irreplaceable (such as the info it provided during the Iran election, or less crucial perhaps but fascinating nonetheless, the TX State Board of Education hearings about evolution ed). People tweet through scientific meetings, and such. No doubt people will be tweeting from Copenhagen. You get a totally different perspective (more like the one you might get by being there) than you'd get from a news article, or even a blog. You capture more of the little snippets of conversation, where sometimes the real stuff of interest lies. And there are a lot of fan pages and groups that have their own discussions. I haven't gotten much into that aspect of Facebook but know it's there. And on another note if anyone's interested in my online writing class (it teaches the ropes of how to write for general interest magazines, and is geared towards science/environment issues) I have one starting Dec 12th... a good thing to do over the holidays!! :) Wendee - bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Dec 12, 2009 (signup by Dec 5)~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- I've joined a few of the various social networks and find them of little professional value, although I have met up with some old friends and schoolmates. However it strikes me that this kind of networking could be of considerable value to scientists, and I am posting to enquire whether any suitable networks exist. It may of course be that I simply don't know how to use the networks I belong to. It would be handy to be able to classify one's friends/colleagues by interest and to be able to post messages to various specific interest groups. This seems similar to the idea of lists on Facebook, but I have not yet found any way to send messages specifically to one or more of these lists. Some of these interest groups already exist as formal groups of course, I am sure that there must be several organised groups dealing with climate change. On the other hand I doubt that there are groups specifically interested in vibrio or in ctenophores, so it would have to be an ad hoc group. I envisage a system where individual scientists would define their own interest areas and be able to communicate easily with colleagues with overlapping interests. For example, if I am working on the possibility that pollution is depressing oxygen levels in some region and this is encouraging the dominance of jellyfish, I could send it to people I know whom I have classified as interested in pollution, in hypoxia and in gelatinous zooplankton, and perhaps to others working in the same region. Of course some of the existing networks are ideal for a few scientists. I find Twitter absolutely useless, but for astronomers searching for comets it must be a fantastic tool. Anyway, I would welcome any comments and advice on ways in which these modern networking tools can be used for science. Email lists have certainly been useful, but I find that in some areas they are too narrowly defined and structured to work well. Bill Silvert
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Marine Light Pollution Research
You should try contacting Frank Paladino at Indiana Purdue University (http://www.ipfw.edu/bio/about/faculty/paladino.shtml) who studies leatherback sea turtles in Costa Rica. While he may not directly study light pollution, I know that he has brought attention to light pollution's impact on leatherback and sea turtle nesting and would possibly welcome a student addressing the ever-growing lights of Tamarindo, the town nearest Las Baulas National Park near Playa Grande, the nesting beach for the dwindling Pacific Leatherbacks. He is a great guy with a lot of passion for conservation and science! Discovery Channel sent me there in 1999 to write a blog (before the term was coined!) on their research. It's archived here at the Wayback Machine... some pics are gone but the stories are there. http://web.archive.org/web/19991013054742/www.discovery.com/exp/turtles/day6 .html if nothing else I bet Frank would know who might be studying light pollution. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Dec 12, 2009 (signup by Dec 5)~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Cora Ann Johnston Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 11:22 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Marine Light Pollution Research This is a general request for information about the ecological impacts of marine light pollution and anyone who may be conducting relevant research. After quite a bit of literature review and department searching, I have found that there is an increasing demand for research on ecological impacts of artificial night lighting (especially in shallow marine ecosystems); however, I have been unable to find anyone who has begun to address the issue. I would sincerely appreciate references to researchers or literature addressing marine light pollution. To put this in context, I am having no success finding relevant faculty to potentially advise a Ph.D. on light pollution, which has left me wondering if this emerging topic really remains essentially unaddressed. I am interested in the influence of artificial lighting on community ecology dynamics, especially regarding potential changes in recruitment, settlement, habitat choice, species interactions, and physiology (i.e. maturation), as well as the economic conflict that it could create (for example between fisheries and cruise industries). Thanks for your help and insight! Cora Ann -- Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding in a manner that's precise, predictive and reliable - a transformation, for those lucky enough to experience it, that is empowering and emotional. We must embark on a cultural shift that places science in its rightful place...as an indispensable part of what makes life worth living. -B. Greene
[ECOLOG-L] hazel dormouse pics?
I am having the darndest time finding a photo of a hazel dormouse, an endangered species that lives in the UK. Anyone have one that we could use for the Animal Planet blog this week? Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Oct 24, 2009~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] raccoon dogs?
Anyone on the list study raccoon dogs, preferably in China, or know someone who does? I tried Google scholar but the few people I tried to contact who studied (genetics) on them their emails bounced. There's apparently a pretty horrific fur trade where they skin the poor things alive. but I'm trying to get a few questions answered about whether these are caught in the wild or raised on farms (or both) and check the accuracy of some of the humane society groups etc. As always if you have any story ideas based on your own research you'd like to see on the Animal Planet blog, especially if it's been in the news lately and it's related to animals (sort botanists etc) let me know! And last I have an online writing class starting Oct 17 if anyone's interested!! :-) Thanks!! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Oct 17, 2009~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] bats-WNS CA wildfire
A couple things. I'm doing a feature on White Nose Syndrome in bats, but for a Texas magazine. I'm curious what proactive conservation measures are being taken in states that haven't yet been affected by WNS? I know the Forest Service closed several caves. Anything else? I did one blog post for Animal Planet about this on some cool research but in the states that are affected rather than those not affected yet. It affects hibernating bats, and so it's possible it may not affect bats that don't hibernate at all. then again as it appears to be an exotic species, who knows what can happen in terms of ecological release etc. Second - the wildfires in Cali now are a great time now to talk about the ways wildfires impact forests positively. I had previously written about the impacts on individual animals and animal rescue efforts, and now I want to talk about forest regeneration. Anyone out there working in the vicinity of the Angeles Nat Forest, and also know what wildlife lives there - any endangered species or species of concern? Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Oct 17, 2009~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] salmon/Cannon Beach/OR coast
I am traveling to Cannon Beach or somewhere close by along the Oregon coast on the 13th of Aug and wanted to try to meet with a biologist who studies salmon in the region. Anyone here out there, or know someone who is? Sorry for the last minute. gonna try to write an Animal Planet blog post about it. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Aug 29, 2009~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] biologist working on military land?
I am doing a post on my Animal Planet blog about how military lands benefit wildlife. I know there have been several stories out there and I just wanted to get a few quotes from someone who works with some endangered species of animal on US military land - it can be any species anywhere (not plants though this is ANIMAL Planet after all) :-)- but preferably something with a newsy hook (recent publication? Recently listed? Some currently brewing controversy?) I want to get it up for Monday/Memorial day so the sooner the better! I figured with such short deadline it would be better to ask here than search out people, possibly who work with the military and may have to go through PR people etc. Anyway thanks!!! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] images in pres/was Open Access and Intellectual Imperialism Correction
It's always best to ask permission. Most folks don't mind letting you use it especially for educational purposes and I've found they appreciate being asked. I am curious where the law stands on this in terms of fair use though - as a photographer and as someone who makes my own presentations regularly! Hmm I'll have to ask some photographer colleagues... Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- What are your thoughts on using a copyrighted image in a presentation at a meeting? No copies are distributed, but merely displayed. Thanks, Tom
Re: [ECOLOG-L] wildfire impact on wildlife? Santa Barbara etc?
The pic of the fawn and mt lion is so freaking adorable it should be illegal :) Just to clarify in this particular case I am actually looking for individuals who are caring for individual rescued animals, not ecosystem wide impacts, and though I got several responses none so far have been what I need, which is someone who works in wildlife care and rescue from disasters - or more specifically someone in the Santa Barbra area working on this. I Do plan to mention that overall fires are beneficial and necessary for (most - at least fire-maintained) ecosystems, and most wildlife escape, burrow, etc. But this is Animal Planet and people are interested in what happens to the wildlife... and it rarely gets reported! :) So if you know anyone in the SB area who volunteers with or works with Animal Rescue Team, CA Dept Fish Game, Santa Barbara Humane Society or Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network and have an email address or someone's direct phn # or you can forward this I would be very grateful!! :) Wendee - bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ Im Animal Planets news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Bailey, Andrew Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 10:34 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] wildfire impact on wildlife? Santa Barbara etc? Wendee, Thought you might find this blog post from Wildfire Today timely and interesting: http://www.wildfiretoday.com/news/2009/5/11/fawn-and-mountain-lion-cub-toget her.html See also this link to the animal rescue team: http://www.animalrescueteam.net/ You might also doa a search for Lil' Smokey from last year's wildfires. Many animal populations are adapted to wildfire- its a normal part of the ecosystems in which they live- but individuals within populations can always succumb to wildfire. I'm sure there have been plenty of studies on this, but I'm not at my desk and don't have much material to work from here. Andrew From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Wendee Holtcamp [bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com] Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 6:10 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] wildfire impact on wildlife? Santa Barbara etc? I was considering doing an (Animal Planet) blog post on the impact of wildfire on wildlife. I was tying it to the Santa Barbara fires but those folks are otherwise preoccupied, and I can't get hold of anyone. I wondered if anyone might have a perspective on how wildfires impact wildlife especially when they occur at times like this - spring when birds may be nesting etc. Do wildlife rehabs end up with burned animals, or do most animals get out of the way? Is nesting/repro success reduced for individual animals living in burn zones? Has anyone ever studied that? What species out near Santa Barbara are most at risk? Any endangered or threatened species? Thanks!! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] wildfire impact on wildlife? Santa Barbara etc?
I was considering doing an (Animal Planet) blog post on the impact of wildfire on wildlife. I was tying it to the Santa Barbara fires but those folks are otherwise preoccupied, and I can't get hold of anyone. I wondered if anyone might have a perspective on how wildfires impact wildlife especially when they occur at times like this - spring when birds may be nesting etc. Do wildlife rehabs end up with burned animals, or do most animals get out of the way? Is nesting/repro success reduced for individual animals living in burn zones? Has anyone ever studied that? What species out near Santa Barbara are most at risk? Any endangered or threatened species? Thanks!! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
[ECOLOG-L] I'm Animal Planets news blogger! story ideas?
I am now Animal Planet's news blogger! I will be posting blog stories 5 days/week about various animal topics - wildlife and pets and domestic animals alike. I'd love for you to visit now and then, and especially post comments! Discussion on the comments section is encouraged and will help the blog stick around :-) http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news/ Last week was its first week, and there are now 5 stories - The Great Turtle Race, Resurrection spiders, Do factory farms increase risk of swine flu? Fluorescent Puppies, and Kentucky Derby time! And of course if you have any story ideas based on your research, etc, do send them along to me! Also I have a nature/green writing online class starting up Jun 6 if anyone is interested! One recent student, who published his essay from class in Canadian Wildlife mag, said Your nature-writing course was excellent technically and also very motivational ... the best writing course I've taken. Check out the site: www.wendeeholtcamp.com/nature.htm Hope all is well with everyone! Peace! Wendee 3 ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness'
Re: [ECOLOG-L] EVOLUTION Sex and Parthogenesis Re: [ECOLOG-L] clarification/ parthenogenesis sex
Raven and Johnston 5th edition, McGraw Hill. It's not incorrect what they said. It's maybe simplified. It's not that sex does not confer advantage to individuals. As I understand it, it's that sex does not in every situation and every species and under every circumstance benefit individuals more than asexuality - so it can be a puzzle. There are apparently 2 books out at the moment by Mark and Matt Ridley, ironically, on the 2 competing theories - the Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature by Matt Ridley, and The Cooperative Gene: How Mendel's Demon Explains the Evolution of Complex Beings by Mark Ridley (covers more of Kondrashav's theory). Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Start Apr 11 Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness' -Original Message- From: Wayne Tyson [mailto:landr...@cox.net] Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 4:54 PM To: Wendee Holtcamp; ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: EVOLUTION Sex and Parthogenesis Re: [ECOLOG-L] clarification/ parthenogenesis sex Which biology textbook? WT - Original Message - From: Wendee Holtcamp bohem...@wendeeholtcamp.com To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 7:16 AM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] clarification/ parthenogenesis sex Just to clarify, since a couple asked offlist, what I meant when I said sex does not have adaptive advantage to the individual, that comes from this in my basic Biology textbook: Sex is of great evolutionary advantage for populations or species...However evolution occurs because of changes at the level of individual survival and reprono obvious advantage accrues to the progeny of an individual that engages in sexual repro. In fact recombination is a destructive as well as a constructive process in evolutionThe segregation of chromosomes during meiosis tends to disrupt adv combos of genes more often than it creates new, better adapted combinations... In fact the more complex the adaptation of an indiv organism, the less likely that recombination will improve it and the more likely that recomb will disrupt it. It is therefore a puzzle to know what a well-adapted individual gains from participating in sexual repro since all of its progeny could maintain its successful gene combinations reproduced asexually I understand that there are 2 reigning theories at present on the evolution of sex. One is the deleterious mutation hypothesis (Kondrashav) that sex purges a species of genetic mutations (for this to be an evolutionary stable strategy, according to his calculations anyway, the rate of deleterious mutations must be less than 1 individual per generation, which is right about the rate that deleterious mutations occur in most species). The other is Van Valen's Red Queen hypothesis, which says sexual repro helps individuals fight disease and parasites. The organism is in an ever present red-queen-syndrome battle (running fast to stay in the same place) with disease and parasites, and sex helps mix up the gene combos. What I'm TRYING To understand is where/how does selfish gene theory fit in with all this. Sometimes selfish gene theory seems at odds with Darwinian selection on individuals, but sometimes it doesn't. OK does that help clarify? Any insight??? :-) Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Start Apr 11 Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness' No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.38/2037 - Release Date: 04/02/09 06:09:00
[ECOLOG-L] clarification/ parthenogenesis sex
Just to clarify, since a couple asked offlist, what I meant when I said sex does not have adaptive advantage to the individual, that comes from this in my basic Biology textbook: Sex is of great evolutionary advantage for populations or species...However evolution occurs because of changes at the level of individual survival and reprono obvious advantage accrues to the progeny of an individual that engages in sexual repro. In fact recombination is a destructive as well as a constructive process in evolutionThe segregation of chromosomes during meiosis tends to disrupt adv combos of genes more often than it creates new, better adapted combinations... In fact the more complex the adaptation of an indiv organism, the less likely that recombination will improve it and the more likely that recomb will disrupt it. It is therefore a puzzle to know what a well-adapted individual gains from participating in sexual repro since all of its progeny could maintain its successful gene combinations reproduced asexually I understand that there are 2 reigning theories at present on the evolution of sex. One is the deleterious mutation hypothesis (Kondrashav) that sex purges a species of genetic mutations (for this to be an evolutionary stable strategy, according to his calculations anyway, the rate of deleterious mutations must be less than 1 individual per generation, which is right about the rate that deleterious mutations occur in most species). The other is Van Valen's Red Queen hypothesis, which says sexual repro helps individuals fight disease and parasites. The organism is in an ever present red-queen-syndrome battle (running fast to stay in the same place) with disease and parasites, and sex helps mix up the gene combos. What I'm TRYING To understand is where/how does selfish gene theory fit in with all this. Sometimes selfish gene theory seems at odds with Darwinian selection on individuals, but sometimes it doesn't. OK does that help clarify? Any insight??? :-) Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Start Apr 11 Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness'
[ECOLOG-L] parthenogenesis sex
I am trying to answer a question about parthenogenesis that is confusing my mind. does anyone out there study (automictic) parthenogenetic organisms like bees or mites etc that might be able to answer a couple questions? Please email me at bohemian _AT_ wendeeholtcamp.com (change that email up, you know the routine). Basically I'm writing an article on shark virgin birth and its implications for global shark decline/conservation, but going into the evolution of sex in general. It appears that sex is a puzzle because it does not necessarily provide adaptive advantage for the individual (though it does increase genetic diversity in a population). Would it somehow benefit individual genes, though, supporting Dawkins' selfish gene theory? It appears there is considerable literature on the possibility of sex evolving to eliminate selfish genetic elements, which unfortunately I don't have time to read all before my deadline. I just wondered if anyone on this list studies these things and might contact me? Thanks for any discussion or insight! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Start Apr 11 Jun 6, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness'
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Fwd: HOLD ON JOHN HOLDREN AND JANE LUBCHENCO
I just get such a kick out of seeing Jane Lubchenco's name there. I was so inspired by her research when I was in Biology 101 in college, thought it was so cool. How exciting that we actually have a government tapping 'real scientists' and not industry cronies!! It's a new day! Now let's just hope we can turn this behemoth ship around quick cuz behemoths don't always turn quickly. However I am curious about this hold. Will that prevent their being inducted? And I should probably know this but since I don't others probably don't either... will one or the other be inducted or does the White House have multiple science advisors? Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts April 11, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness' If you're interested in facilitating the confirmation of ESA member (and Past President of the Society) Jane Lubchenco as NOAA Administrator, and John Holdren (AAAS past president) as White House Science Advisor, you could contact your Senators, both to express your concern about the anonymous hold(s?) on the confirmations and to ask whether your Senators are the ones who have placed the hold(s). David Inouye Dear Friends, Sad to say, internal Senate politics is delaying confirmation of the most important science appointees -- and it may not be Menendez who many of us contacted last week. See http://scienceblogs.com/authority/2009/03/science_advisor_and_noaa_admin.ph p. I called Harry Reid's office. He had been very helpful with the CCB's Nevada Biodiversity Initiative and I mentioned that when I talked to a staffer about Reid breaking the logjam. The staffer said she would pass the message on (I'm not holding my breath). At this point in history we badly need good scientists doing what they can to avert catastrophe. Holdren can advise Obama but cannot run the OSTP until confirmed, Lubchenco is in limbo. I hope you will all, scientists or not, will contact Reid (info at url above) and ask that he end this sad delay. PLEASE FORWARD THIS LETTER TO ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT HELP. Thanks. Best. Paul Paul R. Ehrlich Bing Professor of Population Studies President, Center for Conservation Biology Department of Biology, 371 Serra Mall Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020 Ph 650-723-3171 Fx 650-723-5920 http://www.stanford.edu/group/CCB/Staff/Ehrlich.html
[ECOLOG-L] Interesting article on evolution poll (diff one)
Interesting article/poll on evolution: No Consensus, and Much Confusion, on Evolution and the Origin of Species: About half of public believes plants, animals and humans evolved while almost half believes humans were created directly by God. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/no-consensus-much-confusion-evolution/ story.aspx?guid=%7B518F492A-B763-43C2-8A0A-95A8AE99CF6D%7Ddist=msr_1 OR http://tinyurl.com/cgbke3 I thought this is interesting because it says, Our reading of these poll results is that the 23% of the public who believe that only Darwin's theory of evolution should be taught in school are solid believers in his theory, and that the 17% who think that only creationism should be taught are solid believers of that theory. That leaves more than half the public who have some opinions on this topic that are not clearly thought out or firmly held. And that's the audience for my book. :-) (and those who are reachable with messages from we who care about this issue.) I don't like how they say taught in schools as there's a HUGE difference between whether it should be taught in SCHOOL versus the *science classroom*. I also disagree to some extent where they says, When people give apparently inconsistent answers like these it is usually a sign that they have not thought much about the issue and do not have very firm opinions. Because it does not account for the fact that, perhaps (as I believe) their questions did not allow for people to answer in ways that suggested BOTH evolution occurred AND God created people. The idea that those two are mutually exclusive persists in polls, and is part of the problem with figuring out just what people believe. What I want to know is how do these pollsters get JOBS?! Seriously? Who comes up with these questions? Did they never go to school for understanding how not to ask confusing/misleading questions? Sheesh. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Feb 21, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness'
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Gallup poll on evolution
That's not totally true, because there are so many definitions of evolution. Microevolution and natural selection are a fact. The theory of evolution by means of natural selection (ie common ancestry/the tree of life/macroevolution) is a theory You're right that students are not being taught it though. Many high school teachers shy away from teaching it altogether (even with state testing, they give take home tests, don't lecture on it, etc). They hedge it with statements made to eliminate controversy. And it's no wonder, even my college professor colleagues got called Spawn of the devil by irate parents (though I am, after all, in Texas). I agree with what someone said that this stuff should be taught from a young age. Not just evolution but critical thinking, the nature of science and how science is foundational to our culture and world. One editor at Sci Am mag once said, Science used to be foundational. Now it's a side. So I'm on a side, I'm pro-science. It's truly sad that the country's understanding of science is so pi$$-poor that people fight against the very thing that is a bedrock of modern society. Off my soapbox... :) Peace out! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Feb 21, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness' -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Kevin Murray Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:37 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Gallup poll on evolution There is no theory of evolution. Evolution is a fact, it happens. The theory is evolution via natural selection. If people don't know this already it's because we aren't teaching them. On Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 11:34 AM, David Inouye ino...@umd.edu wrote: http://www.gallup.com/poll/114544/Darwin-Birthday-Believe-Evolution.aspx PRINCETON, NJ -- On the eve of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, a new Gallup Poll shows that only 39% of Americans say they believe in the theory of evolution, while a quarter say they do not believe in the theory, and another 36% don't have an opinion either way. These attitudes are strongly related to education and, to an even greater degree, religiosity.
[ECOLOG-L] IUCN and Dhamra port, India/sea turtle controversy
When I posted an inquiry about this in December several people expressed interest so I thought I'd pass along a link to the article, which appears in the Jan 09 Scientific American. Fury Over Conservationists Taking Fees from Developers: A proposed megaport and a sea-turtle nesting beach collide within the group that maintains the endangered species list by Wendee Holtcamp A PDF of the article as it appeared in the mag, reprinted with a cool image of mating turtles.. http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/0109016.pdf The version on Sci Am's page is (minus pic but you can comment) http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=fury-over-conservationists Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Starts Feb 21, 2009~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness'
Re: [ECOLOG-L] govt spending vs results
This is a really interesting issue and one that Ben Cohen of Ben Jerry's has been actively involved in. I saw him as keynote at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in VT a couple years back. He stacked up big plastic Oreos to show the amount we spent on military versus healthcare, education etc and military was many many oreos higher (each Oreo representing $1 or 10bil - can't remember). He basically showed how we could eliminate global poverty if we just took the amount being spent on caching certain weapons that we will never use because they're old and outdated. As I recall, he apparently met with several actual military advisors to come up with a real plan. I think applying some of this $ to education is so extremely essential right now!! I just testified at the TX State Board of Edu hearings - where they're definitely trying to dumb down our kids! (7 creationists on a 15-member board of a huge state - very scary). Here's a page Ben Cohen has: American Priority Pie: http://www.benjerry.com/americanpie/ He's involved in the National Priorities project called http://nationalpriorities.org/ I blogged a little about Cohen's work and the concept of spending http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/2008/10/poverty-blog-action-day.html ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Starts Jan 3 Feb 21, 2009~~ Makes a great HOLIDAY GIFT!! ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness' -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of malcolm McCallum Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 11:57 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] govt spending vs results I often hear that you can't solve government problems by throwing money at them, but consider this. US military is ranked if the best, one of the top two defense agencies in the world. We spend $439 b per year on the military, almost 1 b just on bullets alone. This doesn't even count the portions of military activities conveniently placed in other agencies such as Dept of Homeland security (30.9 b) for example. Meanwhile, we spend $54 b of the federal budget on education, 7.3 b on the EPA, 10.1 b on the entire Dept of Interior, 6 b on NSF, and the list goes on. Our education system is decaying and frankly this is probably indirectly or directly affecting many government decisions. Our environmental protection is rapidly falling. We don't even spend as much on global climate change as we do on bullets! In fact, publicly provide more in foreign military financing (4.6 b) than we do to child survival and health (1.4 b), the post office (3.8 b), forest service, NOAA, unemployment insurance (2.7 b), NPS, BLM, FWS, immigration and customs (4.4b), FEMA (3.1 b). We all know how well FEMA has operated in the past decade. IS IT ANY SURPRISE THAT THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS COSTS ONLY 11 M dollars? (see torture) So, it is clear that if we want to be the best at something, it costs money. They only thing we are currently THE BEST at is the military, and half or more of government spending goes that way. I have no problem with us spending to have the best military, but certainly it would be nice if we were competitive in some of the other areas? Maybe ethics? Maybe spending 1 B on bullets is five times more important than the federal trade commission, white house, or as important as the Smithsonian Institute. Maybe bullets are only half as important as unemployment insurance, NPS, BLM, FWS. IS it better to be the greatest at one thing, or great at a lot of things. Imagine if we doubled NSF's budget to 12 b what would that do? Now, what if we gave our US scientists $439 b to solve the nations problems.where would be? Would we need our military anymore? What if we gave 439 b to the Dept of Energy for developing technologies that are cleaner? Where would be? What if we put $439 b into children's health? Ethics is an important part of running a government. Is it more ethical to invest in killing the oposition than to discover ways to make them your friend? -- Malcolm L. McCallum Associate Professor of Biology Texas AM University-Texarkana Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology http://www.herpconbio.org Summer Teaching Schedule Office Hours: Ecology: M,W 1-2:40 pm Cell Biology: M 6-9:40 pm (don't ask!) Forensic Science: T,R 10-11:40am Office Hours: MW 12-1, 5-6, TR 11:40-12:30, 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
[ECOLOG-L] democracy/was letter to ecolog
Democracy works best with an informed citizenry, and when citizens care enough to make their thoughts known. It's tough for individual citizens, with their busy lives, to write letters about issues that they care about but are not actively pressing on their lives. Case in point, I got involved in raising awareness about sand mining in Texas, and no one really even knew about it. I (along with another nonprofit, Legacy Land Trust) got the river selected as an American Rivers most endangered in 06 which got it only a very small amount of media coverage. I wrote a few articles for nonprofit newsletters and wrote an article for Texas Parks Wildlife magazine (Many Bayous, One River - http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2006/dec/ed_3/). This got the attention of the TX Senate apparently and our Harris Ct Senator wrote up a bill to help protect the river from sand mining. It passed Senate but didn't get voted on in the House. Despite knowing about this bill, I had no idea when the houses were going to vote, and it all happened within like 48 hours - way too short notice to get people to contact their House Reps. The only way I had ANY idea what was going on was the LLT Director was in Austin finding out what was going on. Most people just do not have that amount of time, even when if they were aware of it, they care. There's a similar situation with the Texas State Board of Education and their revision of the science standards that will affect textbooks and evolution education. This issue gets a lot of press so people are more aware, but not everyone, by far. Whatever we all think of the media, it's where most people get their info, and yet at the same time, activist groups seem to be the ones that motivate most people to write Congresspeople. There are all these limitations on who can do what that prevent a lot of citizens from knowing how to effectively make a difference, so they do nothing. Obama has set up a new transition website http://change.gov (Office of the President-Elect) where people can contact them I have no idea of whether they will actively read and respond. (Just redaing the 5 agenda items on the right side is inspiring: Revitalizing the Economy Ending the War in Iraq Providing Health Care for All Protecting America Renewing American Global Leadership Also I'm not really that familiar with what's called the google for government bill but from it sounds like a positive step. It remains to be seen whether we will truly see more openness in government but I am hopeful. For the first time in a long time! In fact the change.gov site says right on the front page OPEN GOVERNMENT. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Starts Nov 8~~ ~~~ 'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness' We're all likely aware that voting once every four years isn't a truly dedicated form of democratic action. And a complaint isn't very good unless possible solutions are offered along with said complaint. Thus, I'd pose a rhetorical question about the collective post-election state of mind: How often do we call, meet, write, e-mail our elected officials? I can answer from the personal level to say I've been derelict in doing so. Others have been shouldering that burden for too long and I've been procrastinating for no good reason. If two of the ideals of the Obama-Biden campaign were hope and change, then it's a matter of following through and doing the things that are required of us as citizens. Gunter Grass said, The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open. While it has often been regarded as a statement of dissent, it would seem in fact to be the true measure of participation. So, we have this fantastic tool (I.e.- ECOLOG-L) we use to share memes. Given that many
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obama - good news for ecologists?
Does anyone have any idea who the candidates might be for his Secretary of the Interior? That will probably have an important impact on how he will impact wildlife biologists, science, conservation, etc. ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Starts Nov 8~~ ~~~ Jesus spread the wealth does that make him a socialist? Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack, he said. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. (NIV) -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Teresa M. Woods Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 10:52 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obama - good news for ecologists? I think an Obama administration can give us a lot to hope for on the one hand -- Obama has spoken about restoring an emphasis on science in education, and he clearly wants to be informed by science. He's expressed serious concern about addressing global climate change. I've heard him using some of the rhetoric consistent with Tom Friedman' book, /Hot, Flat and Crowded/, emphasizing investment in renewable energy sources and green building, also for wise economic reasons. Obama's sensitive to the views in other countries, and just as leaders pressed on President Bush to recognize climate change as real and human caused, Obama will be under pressure from world leaders as well (and hopefully more receptive). On the other hand, his administration is going to be strapped by unimaginable inherited constraints. So what will be realistic? I think only time will tell. But I am ... well, hopeful. Teresa Teresa M. Woods, M.S. Coordinator Olathe Educational Partnership K-State Olathe Innovation Campus, Inc. 18001 West 106th Street, Suite 160 Olathe, KS 66061-2861 Office: Olathe Northwest High School 21300 College Blvd., Rm. 1833 Olathe, KS 66061 Tel: 913-780-7150 Mobile: 913-269-8512 =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Brian?= wrote: What do you think this means in terms of funding, job opportunities, environmental education, research and policy, etc.? What major changes (if any) do you think might occur over the next few years that will affect our personal and professional lives as ecologists? Should we be excited? Kind of a vague and open-ended question, I realize, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
[ECOLOG-L] Palin laughs at fruit fly research
Palin gave a policy talk in which she ridiculed fruit fly research... which is of course provided foundation of modern genetics. Now this does not really surprise me for a creationist, but it does not bode well for science funding should they get elected. This has a clip: http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/24/palin-fruit-flies/ sometimes these dollars go to projects that have little or nothing to do with the public good. Things like fruit fly research in Paris, France. I kid you not. The irony is that some of this research on fruit flies has actually been used to help understand autism, which was what her talk was actually on. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Starts Nov 8~~ ~~~ to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. Ralph Waldo Emerson
[ECOLOG-L] Mariana flying fox on Guam
Does anyone here work on the (endangered) Mariana flying fox in Guam or know who does? I know on Guam it occurs only on an Air Force base so it may be DOD biologists working on it. Does that species occur on other islands, or is the flying fox on Guam its own species (or a subspecies?) Anyone with Bat Conservation International working on them? Thanks! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Starts Nov 8~~ ~~~ .to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
[ECOLOG-L] saltwater grass
I heard of a lawn grass being used commercially in Australia that can be watered with seawater. I don't know anything more. Does anyone know about what species of grass this is, or whether it or something similar has been used elsewhere when water conservation measures must be implemented? Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Starts Nov 8~~ ~~~ .to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
[ECOLOG-L] Candidate Cons Agreement controversies?
I'm curious if anyone has heard of any local controversies over a Candidate Conservation Agreement or CCA being thought to thwart or delay the listing process for a candidate (to the ESA) species? I'm doing an article on a particular candidate endangered species, but has a CCA in place (where all parties affected come together to try to manage the species in the interim). But while some parties involved think it's the best thing since sliced bread, others are saying they think that it's actually preventing the listing by the US Fish Wildlife Service. Of course FWS denies this. It's just an interesting concept and I thought I'd see whether there are any other local controversies brewing about candidate species and CCAs preventing the FWS listing the species in other places? Thanks for any feedback! Wendee (just got power back after Hurricane Ike 2 days ago - woohoo!) ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Starts Nov 8~~ ~~~ .to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
[ECOLOG-L] cassowaries
I'm trying to touch base with some biologists studying cassowaries in NE Australia - preferably Mission Beach. I have not had luck contacting people via the internet sites out there and wondered if there's anyone on this list who studies them or knows someone who does and can pass along my email. I'll be there Aug 8-11 or so. Thanks!! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ ~~6-wk Online Writing Courses Start Aug 2 or Sep 20~~ ~~~ You are the ultimate tree hugger hippie freak! - my daughter
Re: [ECOLOG-L] ocean explorers
FYI someone referred me to this article for the apparent original source for that quote though, if anyone is interested Stone, G.S. 1999. A week beneath the waves. New Scientist, 2212. p34 See 3rd paragraph in. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg16422124.800-a-week-beneath-the-waves. html ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 31~~~ ~~~ You are the ultimate tree hugger hippie freak! - my daughter
[ECOLOG-L] ocean explorers
This is a statement I've seen in various places, but I can't find an authoritative source. Does anyone know one? More people have walked on the moon than have explored the world's deepest oceans. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 31~~~ ~~~ You are the ultimate tree hugger hippie freak! - my daughter
[ECOLOG-L] sperm whale photos
Does anyone you know where or from whom I could get pics of sperm whales for an article for TX Parks Wildlife magazine? They do not necessarily have to be within the Gulf of Mexico or the US but that would be ideal. Anything will work, since we're in a pinch. They have an article on sperm whales, and may have to cancel it due to lack of photos. It's sort of urgent (deadline asap) so please forward onto anyone you may know. Thanks a million! I'll pass along the editors contact info if you email me. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 31~~~ CHECK IT OUT! ~~~ You are the ultimate tree hugger hippie freak! - my daughter
[ECOLOG-L] ringtail research
Does anyone here work on ringtails (Bassariscus astutus) either in the wild or in captivity, or have in the past? Have any anecdotes about them in any way? Know anyone who has had them legally or illegally as pets? I'm doing an article on them for TX Parks Wildlife mag but the anecdotes don't have to be from TX. On another note I survived my 2-week shark diving expedition and you can read/see pics of the amazing research being done at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea between Australia and Papua New Guinea at the Discovery Channel Expedition Shark blog I did while there: http://blogs.discovery.com/expedition_shark There is actually one more about to be posted tomorrow I think, a final wrapup about the fears people have of sharks and how relatively unfounded they are since you can swim and dive within arm's length of them and they don't pay you any mind - even when there's food and they're in a frenzy. They're amazing animals. And I'm starting up another 6-wk online writing class May 17 if anyone's interested! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 17~~~ Sign up now! ~~~ You are the ultimate tree hugger hippie freak! - my daughter
[ECOLOG-L] Shark diving in Aus! Discovery Channel blog
You can follow my adventures in Australia's Coral Sea as I blog live for Discovery Channel on shark research being filmed for Discovery's 2008 Shark Week program Expedition Shark, along with underwater photographer Cat Gennaro. The researchers lasso the sharks (shark rodeo) and haul them onto the boat to retrieve radio tracking devices. Cool stuff! http://blogs.discovery.com/expedition_shark/ Blogging should begin around Apr 5/6 through the 15th - assuming the satellite phones work! You'll be able to comment and ask questions which I hope to be able to answer along with the scientists and documentary crew! I leave tomorrow morn - will arrive Down Under Apr 1. I'll also be doing a few audio dispatches on Discovery's Earth Live program but that should be linked from the main blog site. http://dsc.discovery.com/guides/discovery-earth-live/discovery-earth-live.ht ml PS I'm already set to nomail on ecology so if you want to contact me, send me an email offlist at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 17~~~ ~~~ You are the ultimate tree hugger hippie freak! - my daughter
Expelled: The Intelligent Design movie blog at Daily Kos
I just published a post at the Daily Kos about a new film coming out in Spring 2008 Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed claiming that big surprise here Intelligent Design is being pushed out of science and classrooms by big bad science bullies. I posted at Daily Kos on it and posted a tongue-in-cheek poll. Please go visit and comment! Take the poll!! http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/20/152932/724?new=true Expelled: The Intelligent Design movie Here's a few paragraphs from my post: The whole problem with intelligent design is that its proponents claim it is science, but scientists have banned this new concept from science classrooms and scientific journals. They're suffering some sort of discrimination or something. It's a reasonable enough argument, at first glance, and the premise of the new documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The makers of this film want people to see this movie so badly that they're offering to pay schools and churches $5 per student to see it. What intelligent design proponents - in the movie and elsewhere - don't tell you is that science and scientists do not have PR campaigns. Intelligent design is not well-established, and despite what the film may tell people, it's not being expelled. It doesn't have enough data or studies behind it to be put into textbooks. In fact, it's not even science. Somehow we as a society seem to have forgotten what science even is. This shall not do! (continues at the Daily Kos) ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Jan 26 NEW: Advanced Writing Workshop! Feb 2 ~~~
Invitation to submit to anthology on global warming
Please reply to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Colleagues and friends, Greetings and best wishes! I'm writing to let you know about a new anthology project I've recently started. Facing the Change: Grassroots Encounters with Global Warming will be a completely new kind of book about global climate change. Instead of experts talking at you, this anthology will feature personal responses to global warming - what everyday people are feeling and thinking as well as what they are doing. Stories, essays, and poetry are welcome, from concerned citizens from all walks of life and all ages. Please go to www.facingthechange.org for more information, writing suggestions, and submission instructions (including a printable version of the full Invitation to Submit). Submission deadline 5/1/08. Please consider submitting your own writing to the project. You can also help by forwarding this invitation to anyone who may be interested - colleagues, students, friends, family, or community members. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions you might have. Your interest and assistance will be much appreciated. The world needs your insight, strength, and concern. Join with me in Facing the Change. Thanks, Steve Steven Pavlos Holmes, Ph.D. Independent Scholar in the Environmental Humanities 21 Eldridge Rd., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 USA [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.facingthechange.org
SUB: endangered Prairie Chickens (287 wd/quik crits)
This is for a national magazine for their front-of-book travel/science section.
Sorry for the quick turnaround but I need to turn this in tomorrow evening.
It's short at least! It's very slightly over word count, should be 250. I want
to know if there's anything unclear, or that you think I really should
explain/ie you have questions about? I can cut in some places to answer
questions so just let me know what you think :) Thanks! PS Do you get a decent
image of what these things look like? There will be a photo though...
HOUSTON - In the first rays of morning light, a male Attwater's prairie chicken
erects his tail and neck feathers, inflates his orange neck sacs and emits a
low boom, not unlike the sound of blowing into a Coke bottle. Then the dance
begins. He stamps wildly, making a rapid 180-degree turn. In the distance,
another male starts. Before long, females wander over. They are very
nonchalant, appearing to pay no mind, just kinda teasing them, says Terry
Rossignol, Manager of the Attwater's Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge,
40 miles west of Houston, and one of North America's last patches of coastal
tallgrass prairie. The males, on the other hand, will explode into a dancing
frenzy when any females show up.
The Refuge hosts the free Attwater's Prairie Chicken Festival the second
weekend in April. They set up viewing scopes within 100 yards of booming,
stamping, dancing chickens. Booming season starts in early February and runs
through April and chances are above average to see a prairie chicken this year;
although they have 10,528 acres to roam, a few have hunkered down near the
self-guided auto loop. Forty miles south of Houston, the Nature Conservancy's
2,300-acre Texas City Prairie Preserve on Galveston Bay has the only other wild
population, and offer free tours twice weekly. Currently, the birds are in
dire straits, says Rossignol. Both locations release captive-bred birds each
year, but hawks and owls kill up to half the population each year, not to
mention imported fire ants devouring newly hatched chicks. With less than 50
birds in the wild at two locations, anything could wipe them out in the blink
of an eye. Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005 really put this int!
o perspective. {BY WENDEE HOLTCAMP}
Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology * http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com
* 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Nov 24! *
Re: [SSWG] Denial * 2: Climate Change and Economic Growth
The biggest problem is that the lay public -and by that I mean nearly everyone including and sometimes especially the educated - think theyre immune to propaganda and most don't tend to approach problems and issues and TV and newspaper reports with the skeptical minds that can really think to question the source of the info. Dr Nancy Snow studies propaganda and says those who think they are immune are often most vulnerable. People tend to think if it made its way to TV it must have been vetted through some people who know but press don't always know themselves how science works. Is it a single study or a consensus? Who funded it? What was the sample size? These type of questions should be addressed by mainstream news in my opinion. Or we need a Jon Stewart daily show mocking the way media presents science. Maybe I should do that... Wendee www.wendeeholtcamp.com Sent via BlackBerry by ATT -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 07:36:35 To:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [SSWG] Denial * 2: Climate Change and Economic Growth Newsweek published a major article a month or two ago about the effort of those with big money to pay people, including at least one scientist, to misinform the public about climate change. Misinformation has been used in military operations for a long time with great success (e.g., misinforming the Germans where the D-Day invasion would occur). So, using scientists that are willing to be paid off to keep the public guessing is not beyond the scope of reality. Neither is one admitting part of the truth then denying another part. Seems the person is spouting the whole truth by admitting to part of the truth. At least it makes it harder to determine if they are touting the whole truth. Also a common practice. Irregardless of the science, there will always be those that try to fool others into believing the wrong thing, usually because of the wrong green -- money, power, or a combination of the two. Economics is about money and it is not surprising to me that these individuals will use any misinformation method available or that can be developed in an attempt to keep the public guessing. Thus the importance of educating everyone so they can distinguish truth from error, including those in the third world who will eventually play a singnificant role in determining the world's course of action. Bill Gator Gates William R. Gates Wildlife Biologist Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge 2700 Refuge Headquarters Road Decatur, Alabama 35603 Phone: (256) 353-7243 Extension 25 Fax: (256) 340-9728 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://wheeler.fws.gov [EMAIL PROTECTED] com [EMAIL PROTECTED] To com ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent by: cc [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED], .conbio.org [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], 10/23/2007 04:55 [EMAIL PROTECTED], PM[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject [SSWG] Denial * 2: Climate Change and Economic Growth Iâve been following
Re: Denial * 2: Climate Change and Economic
I'd say 2 reasons - one is that global warming is something that ecologists can study. Such as Lucas' study of the impact of global warming on pika and marmot. I'm not sure how you'd study peak oil in the same way, except maybe some theoretical models. Second -- An Inconvenient Truth catapulted the topic to national prominence and acceptance even among skeptics. I don't know of a similar effort on peak oil. In fact I know basically what it means but I don't know much more than that. Probably a lot of us are the same. W. ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com * 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Nov 24! * ~~ -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG- [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of joseph gathman Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:37 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: Denial * 2: Climate Change and Economic Speaking of denial, why does Global Warming always generate so much response on this list, while Peak Oil doesn't? To my mind, they are both profoundly important, both are ecological in some way (PO may be more so), and both are happening now. Maybe ecologists just don't know about PO, or haven't considered what it really means (it's likely to be a paradigm shift in human history with not-yet-explored ramifications for the planet in general). Certainly there has been MUCH more buzz (and funding) about GW, while PO is under the radar. Is ecology really so trend-driven that we can't see a huge issue in front of our noses? Joe (While this is no place to elaborate, I have to at least note that, with= a 90% fossil-fueled economy, and ceteris paribus, economic growth simp= ly =3D global warming. And also that, with economic growth - increasing= production and consumption of goods and services in the aggregate - pri= oritized in the domestic policy arena, dealing with climate change means= not conservation and frugality but rather wholesale onlining of nuclear= , tar sands, mountaintop removing, etc., because, as Woolsey pointed out= , renewables such as solar and wind won=92t come anywhere near the level= s our currently fossil-fueled economy needs.) = So perhaps we could view denial science as lying on a spectrum, where = endpoints might be defined either in terms of hardness/softness of scien= ce (e.g., physics hard, climate change science medium, ecological econom= ics softish), or else in terms of political economy (e.g., from little t= o big money at stake). Denial would tend to be motivated pursuant to pr= incipals of political economy, and gotten away with in proportion to the= softness (or alternatively, complexity) of the science. = = Brian Czech, Visiting Assistant Professor = Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences National Capital Region, Northern Virginia Center 7054 Haycock Road, Room 411 Falls Church, VA 22043 = = __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
JBS Haldane/inordinate fondness for...???
Theres a famous quote Ive heard umpteen times by JBS Haldane who said that (paraphrasing) God had an inordinate fondness for beetles. I was trying to find the actual quote and found various versions. Im trying to find out the veracity of them what is the ACTUAL quote and the source? Really I want to know if he said just beetles, or stars AND beetles. Wikipedia lists 3 versions: The Creator, if He exists, has an inordinate fondness for beetles. If one could conclude as to the nature of the Creator from a study of creation, it would appear that God has an inordinate fondness for stars and beetles. (1951) the Creator, if He exists, has a special preference for beetles, and so we might be more likely to meet them than any other type of animal on a planet that would support life (1951). What is the right version?? What is the 1951 source? Ive read he was in the presence of theologians and was asked what he could infer about life from studying creation and that was his reply. It also says that 25% of all species are beetles. Is that accurate? One thing on Wikiquote says that the quote was from a space flight conference in 1951 and was reproduced in Journal of the British Interplanetary Society vol. 10, p. 156 - anyone have access to that journal and could look it up?? (I don't have easy access to a uni library right now... sorry!) Another source says it's mentioned in Hutchinson's Homage to Santa Rosalia or Why Are There So Many Animals Am Nat 93 (870): 145-159. I have that article some place in one of my ungodly collection of 2,000+ articles... but well... anyone have this handy?? I'll summarize the responses -- I know we all want to know the facts about this famous ecologist quote don't we?! :) Thanks!! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com * 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Nov 24! * ~~
one night in bangkok
Ill be in Bangkok for one night and one day Nov 15-16 (on the way home from 2 weeks in Nepal reporting another story) and wondering if there is anyone on the list who lives in Bangkok, or who has any ideas for ecology related things to see and do, or people to meet with within that short time frame? Ive actually written about the street elephants in Bangkok for Animal Planet is there any organization working on the elephant welfare in Bangkok itself (there is a elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai but thats far too far)? Speaking of fireflies, do fireflies synchronize along the river there? Any other ecological research taking place right there? Anyone who lives or works in Bangkok, please contact me offlist at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~
Re: misinformation portrayed as science
This type of thing is a critically important issue in the battle for the public understanding of science. Fringe groups are doing things like creating their own museums (like the $27 million Creation Museum in KY) and starting journals that sound credible and the lay public simply does not have enough understanding of how to think critically and think of things like Malcolm mentioned (why would physicians be peer reviewing atmospheric science, who publishes the journal, etc). The other problem is that mainstream science, besides protecting the interest of scientific integrity, does not have a political agenda and hence no big money or political influence in and of itself so there's no push (like we probably need) to get behind sound science. To be sure, AIBS, AAAS and other science organizations have made headway but it's not the vast concerted effort we need to turn around the nation's absolute lack of scientific and critical thinking. Chris - what is the deal with the former NAS head? Does he just have a political axe to grind or an agenda to push for some reason? These things are really of interest to me as I'm working on a book that deals with these issues with creation/evolution but it's really similar stuff between anti-evolution and anti-global warming, ie the use of propaganda and influence to push an agenda. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~ -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Malcolm McCallum Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 2:14 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: misinformation portrayed as science Recently, I received an article on how carbon dioxide does not contribute to climate change. The article is clearly misinformation and was published in a journal called The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons (http://www.jpands.org/). Most of the article is a fake article that was circulated back in the 1990's. EVERYONE NEEDS TO CHECK THIS OUT! http://www.jpands.org/vol12no3/robinson.pdf They say they do double blind peer review, but who peer reviewed it? Are any of these folks atmospheric scientists, or for that matter even evironmetally aware? Furthermore, looking right at figure 2 you can see how biased their deductions are. Examining the figure you see that they draw a vertical line suggesting that hydrocarbons were not in use prior to that line. What the heck is coal then? Last time I checked coal is a hydrocarbon compound! Apparently this is not limited to climate issues as published in this blog (http://autismnaturalvariation.blogspot.com/2006/03/open-letter-to-journal-o f-physicians.html) on Autism where they request an article be retracted: downward trends in neurodevelopmental disorders following removal of thimersoal-containing vaccines Spring 2006. Main criticisms: 1. methodological flaws 2. factual errors 3. misleading use of terminology 4. the article should be retracted Notice the Wikipedia discussion regarding this journal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_American_Physicians_and_Surgeons Articles published in the journal have argued that the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are unconstitutional,[27] that humanists have conspired to replace the creation religion of Jehovah with evolution, [28] that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has not caused global warming, [29] that HIV does not cause AIDS,[30] and that the gay male lifestyle shortens life expectancy by 20 years.[31] A series of articles by pro-life authors also claimed a link between abortion and breast cancer;[32][33] such a link has been rejected by the National Cancer Institute.[34] The journal is not listed in the major literature databases of MEDLINE/PubMed[35] nor the Web of Science.[36] Quackwatch lists JPandS as an untrustworthy, non-recommended periodical.[37] The World Health Organization found that a 2003 article on vaccination published in the journal had a number of limitations which undermine the conclusions drawn by the authors, although it noted that the matters raised in the paper were of sufficient importance that WHO and GACVS will continue to keep the issue under careful and ongoing review.[38] Investigative journalist Brian Deer wrote that the journal is the house magazine of a right-wing American fringe group [AAPS] and is barely credible as an independent forum.[39] I recommend that people inform the Directory of Open Access Journals about this journal/article as they are trying to be reputable, but clearly this journal is not. Also, we need to publicize that this journal is little more than political tribe. Malcolm L. McCallum Assistant
fireflies/ppl learn about science
I have two unrelated questions. FIRE-FLIES: First I'm doing an article on fireflies and it seems they're most common (or only found?) east of the Rockies except Utah. Yet there are some anecdotal reports from CA and WA. Can you all tell me if any of you currently see blinking fireflies - of any species - there are 175+ in the US (not all flash though). OR if you remember seeing them when you were a kid. Another common report is that they are declining in some areas but no one seems to know why - could be chemicals, could be habitat loss, could be light pollution, could be that people are just not outdoors enough to see them. But can anyone confirm for me that they personally saw them as a child in CA or OR or WA? In the West? Or that their parents or grandparents (who are living and I can contact) saw them out west? HOW PEOPLE BECOME SCIENTISTS/MEDIA INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE - I saw some studies that indicate that most natural scientists have two main influences affecting their early interest in sciencets - early outdoor experiences and media/TV (for me it was Jacques Cousteau and Jane Goodall documentaries, whereas a slightly younger generation grew up on Croc Hunter). Have you seen this study that showed this? The other study I heard about was an NSF study that indicated the majority of Americans learn about science from the media. I can't seem to locate either of these from a Google search. Ring any bells? Know of any other studies? What influenced YOU to become a scientist? Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~
Re: mountain lions/source sink management
I wasn't arguing that bald eagle killing doesn't occur Bill - I just was unaware of it at least on a widespread scale. With legalized hunting or killing of mountain lions, there are records that can be scientifically analyzed, at least. I also thought that the scale of source-sink management was probably more effective on a smaller scale than countrywide. And the fact that some people on the list have mentioned that in some states bald eagles are abundant while others they are not seems to indicate that we can't really say all of the US is a sink. Even within a state, I'm sure it varies. The mt lion management dealt with within-state management like one rancher may create a sink whereas Big Bend NP may be a source. Though another study seemed to indicate that really Mexicos del Carmen is truly the source... It's an interesting and complex topic. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com ~~ Online Nature Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of William Silvert Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2007 12:35 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: mountain lions/source sink management I'll back off on this. I have seen photos of dead bald eagles with gunshot wounds near ranches, but if killing bald eagles is illegal, then I guess it doesn't happen. Bill Silvert - Original Message - From: WENDEE HOLTCAMP [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'William Silvert' [EMAIL PROTECTED]; ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2007 6:16 PM Subject: RE: mountain lions/source sink management Do you have scientific basis that the US is a sink for bald eagles? As I understand it, with the mountain lions the source-sink dynamics occur on a much smaller scale than countries. And a sink is really a sink. Like ranches that literally kill the animals when the intrude, or areas where hunting is more active. I don't know of any active killing of bald eagles and such a thing is prohibited, no? Just because we may not be a source does not necessarily mean we're a sink. The bald eagles are on the rise in the US aren't they? I also thought they WERE removed from the ESA, weren't they?? Wendee
Re: mountain lions/source sink management
Do you have scientific basis that the US is a sink for bald eagles? As I understand it, with the mountain lions the source-sink dynamics occur on a much smaller scale than countries. And a sink is really a sink. Like ranches that literally kill the animals when the intrude, or areas where hunting is more active. I don't know of any active killing of bald eagles and such a thing is prohibited, no? Just because we may not be a source does not necessarily mean we're a sink. The bald eagles are on the rise in the US aren't they? I also thought they WERE removed from the ESA, weren't they?? Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com ~~ Online Nature Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of William Silvert Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2007 4:47 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: mountain lions/source sink management One interesting example of source-sink management is the bald eagle. Despite the fact that it is the US national bird, the US is a sink for this species, and bald eagles are imported from Canada. But I know of no neutral ground between the US and Canada! Bill Silvert - Original Message - From: WENDEE HOLTCAMP [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 11:57 PM Subject: mountain lions/source sink management I am working on an article on mountain lions, in a place where attitudes and opinions about them are pretty heated (TX). One source mentioned that in other states that there are source sink models of management and this sounded like a really interesting idea. Basically you have areas that provide a source of the mountain lions (such as protected national parks), sinks such as working ranches that tend to kill mountain lions, and then the idea is also that the areas between the source and the sink are neutral so that they can harbor some of the expanding source populations but buffer them from the sinks. Does anyone here have personal experience working with a mountain lion population following a source-sink model in a management setting? Or alternatively has anyone worked on models of this type of management? Feel free to send along others' contact info or to forward my email.
mountain lions/source sink management
I am working on an article on mountain lions, in a place where attitudes and opinions about them are pretty heated (TX). One source mentioned that in other states that there are source sink models of management and this sounded like a really interesting idea. Basically you have areas that provide a source of the mountain lions (such as protected national parks), sinks such as working ranches that tend to kill mountain lions, and then the idea is also that the areas between the source and the sink are neutral so that they can harbor some of the expanding source populations but buffer them from the sinks. Does anyone here have personal experience working with a mountain lion population following a source-sink model in a management setting? Or alternatively has anyone worked on models of this type of management? Feel free to send along others' contact info or to forward my email. Also in our previous discussion about hunting and conservation, someone mentioned the David Quammen book Monster of God. I got that and am browsing through it. I can't find the person who suggested this in the Ecolog archives so maybe they emailed me offlist. Anyone on here remember this?? There was something I wanted to mention in my mountain lion article based on that but the book is like 9,000 pages long ;) He's a great writer though, and very eloquent. It's about how certain alpha predators inspire fear in humans, and how that has affected their survival and also is a part of our human cultural history - one we may lose for some species if conservation efforts are not successful. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com ~~ Online Nature Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now!
Re: Changing the names of threads
It's standard protocol on other listservs to change the subject line if the subject has changed within a thread. Many times you'll have a thread take a complete different turn and people who may have been tuning OUT that thread may be suddenly interested. I change it IF I am taking on a new topic/subtopic and that way when someone replies to that specific post, I know they're replying to my new post, and not someone else's post. I don't always have time to read everything but I do read the posts that reply specifically to my comments. It can be overwhelming to keep up with everything but I appreciate the replies to my comments so I like to save them. I'm not debating the merits of this versus your request, I'm just answering the question of why I personally change the subject line. What I do is keep the new and the old titles so people can know it's a new twist on the old subject. Ie. Hunting/was XYZ. I think this is a good option. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Nature Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of L. Brian Patrick Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 8:29 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Changing the names of threads Dear colleagues, When responding to previous emails on EcoLog, why do respondents keep = changing the names of the threads??? For the benefit of this community, = could those who respond to emails not change the subject lines, even if = they feel that the conversation has taken a turn and the subject heading = is no longer applicable? In the end, these subject line are often the = result of bickering that should be handled in personal emails, not to = the entire listserv. **PLEASE** keep the same subject line if you are = responding to a previous posting on Ecolog. Yeah, I know, this simple request will turn into 8,000 responses that = will quickly have nothing to do with this simple request... Best regards, Brian --- L. Brian Patrick Ph.D. Candidate Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent, OH 44242 USA
Re: in Memorium yangtzee dolphin
That SciAm article URL didn't work. Here's the right one http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?alias=yangtze-river-dolphin-pro Aug 8, 2007 Yangtze River dolphin probably extinct: study By Michael Kahn LONDON (Reuters) - The long-threatened Yangtze River dolphin in China is probably extinct, according to an international team of researchers who said this would mark the first whale or dolphin to be wiped out due to human activity. More at site... ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com ~~ Online Nature Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now!
microlending/RE: hunting conservation/was ECOLOGY Conservation Principles and Transformations
Why don't people who care about conservation (nonhunters) consider tithing to causes they care about in the way religious people pay a tenth of their income to their church (or are asked to - not all do)? Is it too much to ask to contribute back a significant part of everyone's earnings to tax deductible causes that will invest in our children's future and the Earth's future? Another idea I just had is microlending for conservation. Heck if I had a Harvard MBA maybe I'd start it myself. Kiva.org is one such organization that lends small loans to small business owners in 3rd world countries, and that enables them to draw themselves out of the cycle of poverty. They have an extremely high repayment rate (97-98%), partly due to the concept of community loans where everyone has to repay when one in the community defaults. You can go online and invest from $25 on up, divided by as many people as you want - you can see their photo and the business and the country. The interesting thing is this is not a donation, but an investment and you actually get your money back (unless the person defaults) and then you can reinvest. It's brilliant, really. Mohammad Yunus won the Nobel prize not long ago for this concept of microlending. Not a lot are environmental or conservation things though. What if we could create a system where conservation investors could choose to fund the grassroots individuals working throughout the world to raise awareness of their local individual causes. The businesses, like organic farms, or eco-products, could make the money and the rest could be donations. There are probably a lot of people who would do a lot more if they had small amounts of capital (rather than their own bank account). The merits of their conservation project would be chosen by you and I, who donate, rather than the people having to apply for some grant. (Of course there is also a screening to get approved) Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of James J. Roper Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:56 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: hunting conservation/was ECOLOGY Conservation Principles and Transformations Re: primate watching I think it is a sad state of affairs when the people who pay for conservation are the hunters and the fishermen, and the people who do not pay are the rest. I think that if conservation is ever really going to happen, people need to learn how to live WITH nature. There are many species that will never be hunted or watched, yet we (most of us, I hope) believe that they should be preserved too. Who will pay? It seems a particularly American way of thinking that Nature must pay for itself, whic= h usually means we sell permits to hunters and fishermen and use that money for conservation. If the species has no appeal, who will speak up for it and pay for it? There are many places in the world where hunting on a larg= e scale does not happen, here in Brazil, for one example (legal hunting). Many Brazilians don't like the idea of having guns so readily available to anybody in order for hunting to work (fishing is a different story, but it still does not generate conservation dollars). Be that as it may - if conservation depends on the people that kill the animals being preserved, I find it both philosophically and scientifically problematic, and it says much for the apathy of the non-hunters, who should also be willing to pay for conservation. Jim On 8/13/07, WENDEE HOLTCAMP [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is a really interesting point. I wrote an article about Louisiana black bears about a year ago, a threatened subspecies of American black bear. I spent a week in the field while biologists relocated bear mommas and cubs to a different habitat in efforts to expand their range. One comment by one of the people there that week was that the best thing that could happen to the LA black bear is to make it a game species. Hunters channel a lot of funds that ultimately (usually) go into conservation. I'd be curious to know how MUCH money exactly has been channeled into conservation through hunting of various species - particularly somewhat rare species hunted in a limited manner? And in what types of scenarios does funding generated from hunting/fishing of rare species outweigh the conservation efforts obtained by listing the species as threatened or endangered? I know, for example, in Texas they give out a very small number of very high-priced permits to hunt bighorn sheep - and as I
Re: microlending/RE: hunting conservation/was ECOLOGY Conservation Principles and Transformations
The article Warren mentions is online at http://www.conbio.org/CIP/article30713.cfm if anyone is interested. Scroll down as it's the 4th on the list. So who wants to start a business venture with me ;) W. ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Nature Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Warren W. Aney Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:37 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: microlending/RE: hunting conservation/was ECOLOGY Conservation Principles and Transformations Wendee may be onto something, and apparently she's not the only one thinking along this line. There's an article in the July-September Conservation Magazine about using microlending for women in poor coastal communities to curtail overfishing: Good Credit Risk by Amanda Vincent. (This magazine is a publication of the Society for Conservation Biology.) Warren W. Aney -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of WENDEE HOLTCAMP Sent: Tuesday, 14 August, 2007 19:14 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: microlending/RE: hunting conservation/was ECOLOGY Conservation Principles and Transformations Why don't people who care about conservation (nonhunters) consider tithing to causes they care about in the way religious people pay a tenth of their income to their church (or are asked to - not all do)? Is it too much to ask to contribute back a significant part of everyone's earnings to tax deductible causes that will invest in our children's future and the Earth's future? Another idea I just had is microlending for conservation. Heck if I had a Harvard MBA maybe I'd start it myself. Kiva.org is one such organization that lends small loans to small business owners in 3rd world countries, and that enables them to draw themselves out of the cycle of poverty. They have an extremely high repayment rate (97-98%), partly due to the concept of community loans where everyone has to repay when one in the community defaults. You can go online and invest from $25 on up, divided by as many people as you want - you can see their photo and the business and the country. The interesting thing is this is not a donation, but an investment and you actually get your money back (unless the person defaults) and then you can reinvest. It's brilliant, really. Mohammad Yunus won the Nobel prize not long ago for this concept of microlending. Not a lot are environmental or conservation things though. What if we could create a system where conservation investors could choose to fund the grassroots individuals working throughout the world to raise awareness of their local individual causes. The businesses, like organic farms, or eco-products, could make the money and the rest could be donations. There are probably a lot of people who would do a lot more if they had small amounts of capital (rather than their own bank account). The merits of their conservation project would be chosen by you and I, who donate, rather than the people having to apply for some grant. (Of course there is also a screening to get approved) Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of James J. Roper Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:56 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: hunting conservation/was ECOLOGY Conservation Principles and Transformations Re: primate watching I think it is a sad state of affairs when the people who pay for conservation are the hunters and the fishermen, and the people who do not pay are the rest. I think that if conservation is ever really going to happen, people need to learn how to live WITH nature. There are many species that will never be hunted or watched, yet we (most of us, I hope) believe that they should be preserved too. Who will pay? It seems a particularly American way of thinking that Nature must pay for itself, whic= h usually means we sell permits to hunters and fishermen and use that money for conservation. If the species has no appeal, who will speak up for it and pay for it? There are many places in the world where
hunting conservation/was ECOLOGY Conservation Principles and Transformations Re: primate watching
This is a really interesting point. I wrote an article about Louisiana black bears about a year ago, a threatened subspecies of American black bear. I spent a week in the field while biologists relocated bear mommas and cubs to a different habitat in efforts to expand their range. One comment by one of the people there that week was that the best thing that could happen to the LA black bear is to make it a game species. Hunters channel a lot of funds that ultimately (usually) go into conservation. I'd be curious to know how MUCH money exactly has been channeled into conservation through hunting of various species - particularly somewhat rare species hunted in a limited manner? And in what types of scenarios does funding generated from hunting/fishing of rare species outweigh the conservation efforts obtained by listing the species as threatened or endangered? I know, for example, in Texas they give out a very small number of very high-priced permits to hunt bighorn sheep - and as I understand it, a lot of this money goes to conservation/management. I've been told the species is rare enough to be listed as threatened, but as far as I know no stink has been raised about the issue by any group. I would think that the money from hunting a few benefits the overall conservation more than putting it on the ESA. Likewise, Guadalupe Bass, Texas' state fish is nearly extinct IF You consider hybrids not really Guads. Pretty much all Guadalupe bass have hybridized with their introduced cousins - smallmouth and largemouths. (There is one pure population which, ironically, was introduced outside of its range). But listing this species on the ESA would not only be an utterly logistical nightmare (distinguishing them from stocked fish? Nearly impossible if you're talking about genetics and not morphology) it would probably NOT be the most beneficial thing for the species. Any thoughts? Any other similar cases? This has the makings of a great article :) Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Wayne Tyson Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 2:43 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: ECOLOGY Conservation Principles and Transformations Re: primate watching Bill and Forum: Speaking of weak analogies, primate hunting may not be a sufficiently large sport for the duck-hunter analogy to be of much value, but one of the most insightful ecologists I have ever known, Dick Vogl, used to lecture widely on the value of the Ducks Unlimited approach for habitat preservation--an ironic but useful route to success, especially when heavy industries with political clout tend to like filling wetlands for their oil and gas depots, etc. Few took his eco-logic seriously, many rejecting it out-of-hand. Then there's the just-beginning-to-be-explored transformational concept (struggling though it may be). To illustrate, Dayton Hyde once told me that he finally figured out that probably the real reason he took up hunting ducks was to get a closer look at their incredible beauty. He told of the moment this dawned on him. Having picked up the corpse of a duck he had just shot, he was struck by the iridescent colors and beautiful form of the bird, and realized that he had just diminished that beauty (not to mention the structural and real violence used to appreciate it). He realized that the real beauty was in the live duck and its environment--earth, water, and the fire in its heart and mind, once beating and cycling much like his own. He resolved, in that moment, to work in defense of waterfowl, and that decision paid off handsomely for him, internally and financially.* A transformational moment? Hunting: a necessary or useful transition? I could tell you similar tales . . . WT * This, of course, is my version of Hyde's story; it may have suffered in the retelling, for which I apologize in advance. At 03:40 AM 8/13/2007, William Silvert wrote: This is an interesting idea, but the analogy to bird-watching is weak. There are only a few primates that are serously endangered, mostly the great apes, and I think that anyone motivated by life lists would simply head for Madagascar and count lemurs. I suspect that getting a lot of spotters into the field would have a negative impact on the species being spotted. It is worth keeping in mind that one of the most successful measures in bird conservation is the habitat preservation by Ducks Unlimited, whose motive is to shoot ducks! Bill Silvert - Original Message - From: WENDEE HOLTCAMP
primate watching
I read something recently where someone was pondering whether we could create a system of primate watching, similar to birdwatching, as a way to channel funds into primate conservation. So instead of life lists for birds (or in addition to) they would have life lists for primates. I thought this was really interesting and was just going to try to pitch an article on it, but now I can't seem to find it anywhere - I didn't find it from a google search and I can't remember if I saw this in the news or a scientific journal TOC, or what. I am pretty sure it was a primatologist or biologist/ecologist making the statement. Does this ring any bells for anyone? If so please contact me offlist [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com/ http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course Starts Sep 15. Sign Up Now!
Glacier NP
Any biologists from Glacier NP on here that study an interesting wildlife species or a hot topic ecology/environmental issue? I'm visiting there toward the end of Aug and would love to meet up with someone working there to possibly write an article about the research. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com/ http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course! Starting Aug 4 or (NEW!) Sep 15. Sign Up!
science literacy
I am finding a poll from 1988, an article in the NY Times (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE6DD143BF936A15753C1A96E 948260) that says that something like 21% believed the Sun revolved around the Earth, and that 7% said they didn't know. But I can't seem to find anything since then. Gallup doesn't apparently have anything nor the Pew Trust. Anyone know of anything that shows something similar, but more recent? Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com/ http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course! Starting Aug 4. Sign Up Online!
Re: assisted migration
By assisted migration is he talking about things like when Joe Duff has helped establish a new population of whooping cranes by hand raising them and then teaching them to fly and migrate with an ultralight? Are there even any other examples of that? I always thought that was a cool story. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course! Starting Aug 4. Sign Up Online! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Inouye Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 10:14 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: assisted migration John Nielsen, a Correspondent on the Science Desk at NPR News in Washington DC is working on a story about assisted migration as it relates to global climate change. I have heard that while there are no official translocations taking place at the moment, there's a lively scientific debate going on about whether there will or should be. I'd like to hear what the folks who subscribe to the ECOLOG listserve think of assisted migration.
Re: community-based conservation
I guess I should better define what I meant by community-based conservation. I don't mean efforts going back to native peoples that live integrated with the land/ecology etc. I was trying to get at the concept that I believe started around the 1980s where Western conservationists recognized that to make conservation (most) effective, efforts should explicitly consider the livelihoods of the people living there (typically in 3rd world nations), and get them invested in conservation and somehow increase their livelihood or give them tangible reasons for wanting to conserve - usually monetary like jobs in parks etc. So instead of just going into African countries and setting aside a park and displacing people, to instead hire locals as guides, naturalists, guards etc - they have to be able to make more money in conservation than they were making poaching or ranching (cutting down forets, degrading land) and I guess this also goes hand in hand with teaching ranching methods that don't lead to desertification etc so even though outside influences are coming into a locale, they're simultaneously needing to win the hearts and minds of the local people and convince them that they are actually helping them have better lives in the long run. It may also include teaching people to appreciate rare, local, and unique/indigenous species for various reasons - part of their history/culture, unique to their area of the world, etc. This is what I think of as community-based conservation. I always thought of it as starting in Africa but now I'm hearing of several efforts in South America around the same time so that's why I was asking - who was the first? Was there a single pioneer or a summit/conference where the conference emerged, etc. Someone mentioned a 1991 Summit but that is too late for it to be its origin. My sort of rough history is that in the 50s and 60s it was sort ofmore of an imperialist sort of conservation - just go in and make a park. But somewhere along the line, some pioneers recognized the above things should be ultimately more effective. However I don't have any book that I know of that outlines this history or has dates or people. I don't have time to do a big great literature review because in all honesty this is just a single sentence in a longer piece on a specific project. However I was sort of interested in whether it was common knowledge among those working in conservation (doesnt seem to be) or if anyone just knew offhand some person who was a clear pioneer here (or a handful of people). Thanks! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course! Starting Aug 4. Sign Up Online! -Original Message- From: Felix Martinez [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 8:20 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Cc: WENDEE HOLTCAMP Subject: Re: community-based conservation Wendee, Community-based conservation as a concept has been around for a long time. It was widely practiced throughout the Pacific Islands prior to westernization of most of those societies. Some do still practice it at some level. In Hawaii the concept was called ahupua'a and it comes the closest I have seen to a true integrated approach to ecosystem management. I would also venture to guess that the first modern organized attempt of developing community-based approaches to solving anything most probably could be traced to the development of the Peace Corps in the 1960s. (Does anyone know when they started doing direct environmental conservation work?) Felix WENDEE HOLTCAMP wrote: Does anyone have names for the people who first created community-based conservation? I have seen (online) that it really started in the early 1980s, but no mention of who those first people were, or who coined the terms? I am writing an article about Proyecto Titi in Colombia and was told it was one of the first community-based conservation projects (http://www.proyectotiti.com). I just wanted to confirm that from an outside source from the project. Anyone familiar with the project from an outsider perspective? Happy Summer! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com/ http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course! Starting Aug 4. Sign Up Online! -- Felix
community-based conservation
Does anyone have names for the people who first created community-based conservation? I have seen (online) that it really started in the early 1980s, but no mention of who those first people were, or who coined the terms? I am writing an article about Proyecto Titi in Colombia and was told it was one of the first community-based conservation projects (http://www.proyectotiti.com). I just wanted to confirm that from an outside source from the project. Anyone familiar with the project from an outsider perspective? Happy Summer! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com/ http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course! Starting Aug 4. Sign Up Online!
new Fish Wars/evolution blog
Given that evolution has been discussed here much in the past, and the whole evolution/creation battles keep picking up steam in odd places (the new $27million Creation Museum, the Institute for Creation Research starting a new research journal and accredited graduate program, among other things) I've started a blog called The Fish Wars to cover the debate from my perspective. Please come check it out and even sign up for an RSS feed from the page if interested. http://thefishwars.blogspot.com http://thefishwars.blogspot.com I'm also still plugging away on my book proposal on these issues, which will get out there one day! It's now going to be a personal memoir about how I came to be a Christian who accepts evolution, and how one can completely reconcile the two. I'm going to go on a pilgrimage talking to young earth creationists, IDers, and my own pastors and figure out whether I'm even in the right place after all (the church). Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course! Jun 23-Aug 4. Sign Up Online!
Flock of Dodos on Showtime this week
FYI - The documentary Flock of Dodos: The Evolution Intelligent Design Circus will air on Showtime several times this week. I haven't yet seen the documentary but plan to. Former evolutionary ecologist Dr. Randy Olson produced this lighthearted show looking at the intelligent design /evolution debate. As NCSE described it, At first it seems the problem lies with intelligent design -- a movement labeled recently as breathtaking inanity by a federal judge -- but when a group of evolutionists convene for a night of poker and discussion they end up sounding themselves like ... a flock of dodos. I have a link to the showtime air dates/times at my Fish Wars blog http://thefishwars.blogspot.com The DVD for Flock of Dodos has some special features, including Pulled Punches - scenes that got cut from the documentary. You can view it on YouTube. The great ironic highlight in this is Dr Michael Behe, biochemist, author and intelligent design proponent, saying My kids don't go to public schools; what do I care A link to this is also at my blog! Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog * http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com The Fish Wars: A Christian Evolutionist http://thefishwars.blogspot.com http://thefishwars.blogspot.com ~~ Online Writing Course! Jun 23-Aug 4. Sign Up Online!
new online nature writing class
I just decided to open up a new online nature writing class, after a 6-mo or so hiatus. More info is at the website www.wendeeholtcamp.com/nature.htm - the course is suitable for scientists or grad students who want to write about their research or about the environment for magazines or newspapers but don't know how to begin, or for writers who have already published. It includes one-on-one interaction with me to guide you through the process of publishing and writing and knowing environmental magazines, many QAs with magazine editors, as well as a few writers and film makers (including nature writer Rick Bass). Feel free to ask any questions - course runs Jun 23-Aug 4. Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 281-798-8417. Best, Wendee ~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer-Photographer http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~~ CRIKEY!
historian of science/evolution
Does anyone know of any prominent historians of science, maybe someone who specifically focuses on the whole history of the evolution/creation controversy? I want to find someone well known - maybe who has gotten some media coverage - but it not being my field I really have no idea. I can do a google search but that won't really tell me that. Ideally they would be in the US but not absolutely necessary. Thanks!! Wendee ~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer-Photographer http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~~ CRIKEY!
Re: Absolute Addiction to Catastrophic Consumption
I was thinking about this, and in my opinion, the things we all want to save (polar bears, rainforest, amphibians etc) are all on a marketplace so to speak, and are in competition with one another as to what gets the most attention. We may pay more as a society to save cute cuddly polar bears than they are worth in the grand scheme of relative importance of things, because without a doubt even people who are not environmentalists per se love wildlife and animals (I think there are some studies on this - I know one mag, I think Smithsonian, said their sales go way up when they put a cute animal on the cover). Every organization out there has to compete for money and the public's attention. Right now global warming has (finally) gotten the attention it deserves in the mainstream. It's reached the tipping point in terms of attention and people are paying attention who could dismiss it before. The question is, how do We Who Care About the Environment make sure that our societal group effort and money is expended on the decisions that will TRULY make the most difference in terms of turning the planet into a place we truly want for future generations. First we have to know which decisions are the most important (why I like that book about Effective Consumer Choices), then we have to know how to harness that energy and effort to educating others about the relative importance of those things so everyone is not just going in a million directions. This is where solid leadership comes in. When I say wildlife are of less relative importance, I mean each individual species Save the whales type thing. This has shifted to save ecosystems over the past 30 years I think, and I also want to add that wildlife can be an entry-drug (so to speak) to those less ecologically/environmentally minded, and so their importance in the economics of ideas may be worth more than ecologically each individual species may be. Anyway just some thoughts. Wendee ~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer-Photographer http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~~ CRIKEY! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of stan moore Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 8:25 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Absolute Addiction to Catastrophic Consumption Folks -- It seems like every day, week, or month I see in the mainstream press another matter-of-factly presented alert that a species, an ecosystem, a critical planetary cycle is out of whack, with likely devastating consequences, often sooner rather than later. Polar bears, sage grouse, the North Banks fishery, the western Pacific, major river systems, major aquifers, rain forests, ocean levels rising, desertification, carbon dioxide/global warming, glaciers melting; and the list grows and grows over time with the pace of new alarms itself increasing alarmingly. And the consuming public is told by their government that the solution to terrorism is to go shopping. More ways to shop are devised through electronic and cyber-media and advertising. The Shopping Channel on television is supplanted by EBay and Craigslist. People tune out the drone of warnings of ecological catastrophe, but focus intently on businesses handing out free products and services to bring in yet more paying customers. We are a world of catastrophic consumption, with the lines totally blurred between wants and needs. Human survival is increasingly being put at risk by destructive consumption. Resource wars are killing many, many thousands, with planning being laid by governments for yet more such wars. Terrorism is a buzz word for those who resist colonization and imperialism through armed force, with the underlying impetus for these conflicts being competition for increasingly scarce resources with petroleum far and away at the top of the list of valued resources. Petroleum greases the pathway to consumption, and consumption of petroleum itself is the underlying factor for wars past, present and future. During World War II, Americans were asked to consume less of many consumer goods in order to allow for resources to be devoted to the war effort. Now, Americans are asked to shop during wartime. The American economy drives armaments production of high technology implements of war that are capable of killing countless citizens of other countries whose national needs are in competiton with those of American citizens. So we shop and kill and kill and shop and it is all one endless destructive cycle, as interlinked as any ecological system's components. We are used to killing our competitors. Ranchers kill ground squirrels and prairie dogs that compete for grass. We kill coyotes and wolves that compete for our
Re: Consumer Choice the Environment
Amartya [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Its great if our own decisions significantly lower the net environmental impact. However just choosing what car we drive, wearing sweatshirts at home in the winter and switching to a diet based on grains and low on meat/fish and veggies/fruits (growing lettuce in Calif is not exactly environmentaly friendly), while commendable, would not seriously reduce the impact we have. - Actually the book uses scientific data to show just the opposite. It says that those specific things WOULD make a substantial difference, particularly (obviously) if a substantial number of people implemented the choices. Best, Wendee ~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer-Photographer http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~~ CRIKEY!
Re: Consumer Choice the Environment
That may be a different book because this one very clearly goes into a pretty explicit discussion of how concerned citizens worry way too much about choices that make a very insignificant difference, and he talks about not feeling guilty about decisions like cloth vs disposable diapers and using paper products here and there. He disses books like 9,999 things to do for the environment because they say they make people feel guilty about all the things they are not doing, and says instead we-who-care should focus our energy and efforts on the most important choices, and influencing/teaching others about the value to society in making those choices. Anyway it's very interesting reading, very well documented, and he explains the way the methods used etc. I'm sure the model is simplified in some areas, but at least it is based on real data rather than just hand waving. Wendee ~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer-Photographer http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~~ CRIKEY! -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Vicky Hollenbeck Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 2:51 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: Consumer Choice the Environment I read that book some time ago, but from what I recall I believe they were making comparisons of impacts of different forms of resource consumption, such as 'paper or plastic?' and disposable vs. cloth diapers. I don't really recall them implying that doing things that make a small impact should be discarded. As a matter of fact, on the back cover of the book (from Amazon's site), it says 'if we all recycled our Sunday papers, we could save 500,000 trees every week'. They did go on to say, though, that for those who feel simply overwhelmed about what to focus on, that they can focus on BIG impact behaviors, among them: not living in a bigger house than one needs (quite subjective, I know), making major appliance purchases count by buying as energy efficient as possible, etc. Personally I would recycle the can even if it only made a minuscule amount of positive impact because it really is just as easy as throwing it in the trash, assuming curbside recycling or other convenient locations exist. Vicky -- Vicky Hollenbeck USDA Agricultural Research Service Corvallis, OR 541-738-4136 On Tue, 20 Mar 2007, JM M wrote: I am not familiar with this book, but I think that I will go and read it.
Consumer Choice the Environment
Is anyone familiar with the book The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists? (circa 1999)? It analyzes the environmental impacts (air and water pollution, global warming impact and habitat/land consumption/use) for various consumer choices and says which ones are having the biggest impacts, and which are not so much making a hill of beans of difference (paper napkins, disposable diapers). They used a computational model to analyze it all, but I wonder if there is any more recent study that may have come out or of anyone reviewed their methods etc and found them faulty? I talked with Brower and he has not done a more recent model and is working in a different field now and so was unfamiliar with current work. Deadline next week. Wendee ~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer-Photographer http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~~ CRIKEY!
Planet Earth/Discovery Channel
I asked for experts on about 50 seemingly random animals before the holidays This was for an online accompaniment to the Planet Earth tv series that will air on Discovery Channel beginning on Mar 27. I wrote the animal profiles for the following episodes: Shallow Seas, Deserts, Jungles, Forests, and Mountains. You can go to the main site for info on the show: http://www.Planet-earth.com and click on the tab that says Animals Up Close or you can go directly to http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/planet-earth/animals/animals.html Note that for each animal there are several sections to the profile: Intro, Sight Unseen, Unique Behavior, Status/Conservation and Outlook. I interviewed a lot of scientists for this thanks for the feedback and hope some of you get to watch the show! It aired in the UK already but was revoiced by Sigourney Weaver for a US audience. Wendee ~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer-Photographer http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com Bohemian Adventures Blog http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ~~~ CRIKEY!
