October 2010 Archives

The [Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft] (DFG), [Germany's] main grant agency, is soliciting proposals from universities to host a biodiversity centre that could create up to 80 postdoc and PhD positions, 6 professorships and 10 group-leader positions. The DFG will make its selection by April 2012; the host university will build a new centre or expand an existing lab. Proposals must be submitted by 14 January 2011, and applicants must show how they will collect and analyse data and set up a study programme. The DFG will provide between €4 million (US$5.5 million) and €7 million a year for up to 12 years. The successful applicant must have expertise in biodiversity theory and modelling, ecology, evolution and the science of conservation.

• Synthesis, theory development and modelling in biodiversity research,
• ecological research with focus on ecological interactions,
• evolution and adaptation of organisms and biocoenoses,
• scientific fundamentals of conservation.

This wider measure of economic progress would highlight the enormous investment opportunities which exist to strengthen our environmental and social infrastructures and offer a more constructive way to achieve long-term reduction in budget deficits. Widening the basic measure of economic activity by prioritising human and environmental imperatives could transform the terms of the debate on how to respond to the economic crisis.

Conservation groups have expressed concern that a major UN conference on nature protection is stalling, with some governments accused of holding the process hostage to their own interest.

TEEB has documented not only the multi-trillion dollar importance to the global economy of the natural world, but the kinds of policy-shifts and smart market mechanisms that can embed fresh thinking in a world beset by a rising raft of multiple challenges. The good news is that many communities and countries are already seeing the potential of incorporating the value of nature into decision-making.

The Convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio "Earth Summit"). It remained open for signature until 4 June 1993, by which time it had received 168 signatures. The Convention entered into force on 29 December 1993, which was 90 days after the 30th ratification. The first session of the Conference of the Parties was scheduled for 28 November - 9 December 1994 in the Bahamas. (http://www.cbd.int/history)

In April 2002, the Parties to the Convention committed themselves to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth. (emphasis in original; http://www.cbd.int/2010-target/)

Recently, members of the public were asked what biodiversity is. The most common answer was "some kind of washing powder".

English Communication for Scientists is a brief guide on how to communicate more effectively in English, no matter how much previous experience you have. Although it was developed with non-native speakers of English in mind, it should prove useful for native speakers, too. Organized as six self-contained units, it will help you understand basic communication strategies and address various audiences (Unit 1); design and draft not only scientific papers (Unit 2) but also e-mail, résumés, and short reports (Unit 3); structure, support, and deliver oral presentations (Unit 4); create and present posters, chair sessions, and participate in panels (Unit 5); and prepare, run, and evaluate classroom sessions (Unit 6). Created by seasoned communicators, English Communication for Scientists provides no-nonsense, directly applicable guidelines, illustrated with examples of written documents, oral presentations, and more. Improving your scientific communication is only a click away: start today!

Image via Wikipedia

FWP  Commission granted approval on 10-7-10 to an FWP proposal under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act to lethally remove wolves in West Fork Bitterroot because of unacceptable impacts to the local elk population. ("FWP outlines wolf relisting efforts, project 2010 population", KPAX.com, Missoula, Montana, 8 October 2010).

Toby Bridges of the anti-wolf group Lobo Watch predicted people would be pulling triggers.

"If Molloy, or any of these environmental organizations, think for a second that the decision of someone who is totally out of touch with modern wildlife management will keep hunters from killing wolves this fall and winter, they need to think again," Bridges wrote in an e-mail message. "In fact, the anger provoked by this ego-driven judge will more than likely result in the death of far more wolves than the quotas established by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Any wolf that now steps out in front of any hunter this fall is very likely to be shot ... and left to rot." ("Molloy wolf decision brings cheers, frustration, howls of protest", Rob Cheney, The Missoulian, 6 August 2010)

The Dimensions of Biodiversity initiative seeks to characterize biodiversity on Earth by using integrative, innovative approaches to fill rapidly the most substantial gaps in our understanding of the diversity of life on Earth. This campaign will take a broad view of biodiversity, and in its initial phase will focus on the integration of genetic, taxonomic, and functional dimensions of biodiversity. Successful proposals should integrate these three dimensions to understand interactions and feedbacks among them. While this focus complements several core NSF programs, it differs by requiring that multiple dimensions of biodiversity be addressed simultaneously, in innovative or novel ways, to understand the roles of biodiversity in critical ecological and evolutionary processes..