|
|||||||||
| You are here: Home > Publications > Newsletter > Archives > 2006-2-February > | ||||||||||||||||||
UPDATES FROM REGIONAL SECTIONS AND WORKING GROUPS
ASIA
Conservation Planning in ChinaWulungu River is the largest inland river in Junggar Basin in Xinjiang, and plays an important ecological role in the region. An endangered species of beaver (Castor fiber birulai) is restricted to the river. Since the end of 1980s, the population of beavers has decreased from about 700 to 400; annual production of native fishes has decreased from more than 3000 tons in the 1970s to about 45 tons today. With support from IUCN, the Altay Wildlife Conservation Association is developing a strategic conservation plan for sustainable management of Wulungu River. Among the objectives of the project is to increase awareness and capacity for wetland conservation and sustainable management by engaging local people in the planning process. For more information, please contact Changqing Yu, cqyu@tsinghua.edu.cn. Construction of infrastructure and environmental restoration are critical to successful organization of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Construction requires large quantities of building materials such as stones and concrete, which leads to extensive mining in the areas near Beijing. Mining for such construction is one of the main sources of revenue in Mentougou District, located in the mountains west of Beijing at the upper reaches of the Yongding River. A project to conduct strategic planning and establish demonstration areas for ecological restoration in Mentougou was launched in 2005. For more information, please contact Changqing Yu, cqyu@tsinghua.edu.cn.
Wildlife Trafficker ArrestedOne of the most wanted wildlife traders and traffickers in southern Asia, Tashi Tsering ("Tsewang"), has been caught by Wildlife Conservation Nepal operatives and local law enforcement personnel. In April 2002, Interpol issued a red corner notice against Tsering on charges of conspiracy and violation of the provisions of the Wildlife [Protection] Act of India. Tsering was evading arrest in several cases in India for his criminal role in some of the largest seizures of illegal wildlife products in recent history. In December, Tsering allegedly moved from India to Nepal, where operatives began to track his movements. The Nepal police subsequently arrested Tsering, who is currently awaiting evaluation and sentencing. He may spend as many as 15 years in prison for alleged wildlife trafficking crimes.
Prasanna Yonzon
AUSTRAL AND NEOTROPICAL AMERICAThe Section's President, Javier Simonetti, and Yolanda Kakabadse have been recognized by SCB with 2006 Distinguished Service Awards. Both awardees were nominated by the Section in recognition of their distinguished service and work in the field of conservation biology. We celebrate their achievements and awards. Thanks to the support of The Christensen Fund, the Section is sponsoring four new SCB members. The memberships were given as prizes for the best conservation-related papers delivered by students and young professionals at two scientific meetings: the VI Congreso Venezolano de Ecología in November 2005 (two prizes), and the First DIVERSITAS Open Science Conference in Oaxaca, México, also in November 2005 (two prizes). Cristian Olivo Q.
AUSTRALASIAHappy New Year to all and welcome to the austral summer. If you haven't already signed up for the Australasia Section, please do so! And if you haven't already subscribed to Pacific Conservation Biology, please do so as well!
Board of DirectorsThe roles of board members were realigned at the recent Board of Directors meeting to account for turnover in board composition. We currently have two vacant positions, President Elect and student representative. Current board members are Craig Morley, President, morley_c@usp.ac.fj
Thanks to outgoing board members Richard Frankham and Menna Jones for their valuable service to the Australasia Section. The Section is currently recruiting volunteers to help with the activities of its committees. If you are interested in participating in any of these efforts, please contact the relevant committee chair directly.
Board of Directors MeetingThe third annual meeting of the Australasian Section board was held at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia on 16 November 2005. Discussion topics are detailed below. 2007 Australasian Regional Conservation Biology Meeting. The Section has begun planning for an inaugural regional conference to be held at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia during the southern hemisphere winter. The Section intends to draw conservation biologists together regularly at a meeting in our region every three years. A three year cycle was devised in order to minimize conflicts with the international SCB meetings held in alternate years in North America and other regions. Please contact Richard Kingsford, Rob Davis, or Karen Firestone if you are interested and able to assist. A planning meeting will take place in early February 2006. We are currently soliciting symposium topics. The Future of Pacific Conservation Biology. The long-standing editor of Pacific Conservation Biology, Harry Recher, will be retiring from his editorial duties in 2006. The Section thanks and congratulates Harry for his sustained and unstinting efforts as Editor, and thanks Ivor Beatty and Surrey Beatty and Sons for the effort and personal support devoted to publishing Pacific Conservation Biology to date. The board discussed a number of issues related to the journal including the new editorial team, ISIS abstracting, funding for administrative support, online access to back issues, electronic submission and handling of manuscripts, and a five year strategic plan to grow the journal. The Section is trying to gather information about which universities within the region subscribe to the journal. If your university does not subscribe please contact Karen Firestone. If you are a Section member in good standing and are interested in serving on the editorial board, please contact Harry Recher.
Student Representative and Student AffairsWe currently are recruiting a person to fill the Student Representative position on the Board of Directors. The responsibilities of this position will be to coordinate and maintain records of the Section's student awards and develop other student related matters as well as support SCB's Student Affairs Committee. Contact Craig Morley for more information. The Section awards student prizes at a variety of venues each year. The most recent prize was awarded at the Ecological Society of Australia meeting, held 29 November - 2 December 2005 at the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane. The best conservation paper, as judged by the ESA committee, was presented by Ph.D. student Sarina Loo from the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University. Sarina presented her work on predicting the spread of invasive species using GARP models and time-series data. Sarina will receive a two year SCB membership and a subscription to Conservation Biology. Sarina agreed to share her thoughts on winning the award. "Winning the SCB Australasia Section student prize for my presentation has given me confidence in my work and my scientific abilities. The positive feedback associated with the award has inspired me and reinforced my desire to further myself as a passionate ecologist. I look forward to being a member of SCB and will thoroughly enjoy my Conservation Biology subscription. I am entering the last year of my Ph.D. and the recognition this award has given me will assist my future endeavors. Undertaking a Ph.D. has been a very tumultuous time in my life. There have been many highs but often many more lows and hair ripping experiences. I would be surprised if anyone finishes a Ph.D. with a full head of hair! Winning the award has been a definite highlight in my Ph.D. and one of the memories that I will look back on fondly. I came away from the ESA conference feeling uplifted that so much good research is being done, be it with old or new methods. The passion the speakers showed for their research was inspiring and makes me confident that we can make a positive difference in ecological management both now and in the future." In 2006 the Section will support student awards at other conferences throughout the region, including the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, New Guinea Biology Conference, New Zealand Ecological Society, and Genetics Society of Australia.
Upcoming ConferencesVeg Futures 2006 - The conference in the field. Hosted by Greening Australia. Albury-Wodonga, Australia. 19-23 March. See www.greeningaustralia.org.au/GA/NAT/TipsAndTools/exchange/Veg+Futures/ Australasian Bushfire Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 6-9 June 2006. www.bushfire2006.com/ 2006 Scientific Meeting of the Australian Mammal Society. University of Melbourne, 3-5 July. Followed by a macropod symposium from 6-7 July. Contact Graeme Coulson, 03 8344 4857, gcoulson@unimelb.edu.au National environment trade and consumer exhibition. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 9-11 June 2006. www.ecoshow.com.au 2006 Ecology Across the Tasman. Held in partnership between the Ecological Society of Australia and the New Zealand Ecological Society. The Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, 28 August - 1 September. www.ecolsoc.org.au/conferences.html 15th Australian Weeds Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, 24-28 September. www.plevin.com.au/15AWC2006
Karen Firestone
Viwa Restoration Project, FijiTo help restore the biodiversity on Viwa Island we plan to eradicate several invasive species (Pacific rats, feral cats, and feral dogs during phase one and cane toads during phase two). These eradications would help protect the endangered Fijian ground frog, which is found on only four mongoose-free islands in Fiji (and a small population recently rediscovered on Vanua Levu). There is ample evidence that on other islands Pacific rats have contributed to the decline and extinction of many species. More than 250,000 cane toads are believed to inhabit Viwa, competing with Fijian ground frogs for food and preying on juveniles and adults. The accessibility of Viwa Island to Suva and the University of the South Pacific, coupled with the island's accessible terrain and small size (60 ha), makes it an ideal location for community education and research. Viwa also has the potential to become an ecotourism destination, and could be established as Fiji's first community-based terrestrial wildlife sanctuary. The restoration project will benefit the people of Viwa by providing employment and improving the water supply and health standards. During the first phase, we will develop the appropriate infrastructure and capacity for the final cane toad eradication. Mammal eradications are expected to be effective and cost-efficient. They will help demonstrate eradication techniques to the villagers and assist in determining whether we can sustain an eradication project around day-to-day village life. This phase also will remove any potential interference of rats, cats, and dogs from the cane toad eradication. An experimental approach will be taken for eradication of cane toads. This will allow for techniques to be adapted and refined as the project proceeds. This project has been funded through the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund and the Australian Regional Natural Heritage Programme. The New Zealand International Aid and Development Agency supported the initiation and development of the Viwa project. Technical and logistical assistance has been provided by the Cooperative Islands Initiative based at Auckland University in New Zealand and the Department of Conservation in New Zealand. The Viwa project is part of a larger program, the Pacific Invasives Initiative (www.issg.org/cii). The program's objective is to reduce negative impacts of invasive species by effectively managing the species at selected demonstration projects in Pacific Islands Countries and Territories. The program also aims to enhance people's livelihoods in the Pacific. A technical advisory committee includes experts from Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. We also consult with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the people of Viwa. Joape Kuruyawa, a student at University of the South Pacific, has been employed full-time as the on-site manager of the program. Joape was the winner of the BP Conservation Gold Award in 2003 for his team's work on the ground frogs on Gau, Taveuni, Ovalau, and Viwa.
Craig Morley
EUROPEIn October 2005, the Communications Committee met for the first time and identified its mission and objectives. Our mission is to promote and facilitate communication within and beyond the Europe Section. Our objectives are to 1. Increase communication between Section committees and the Section membership
To help achieve these objectives the committee is seeking enthusiastic Section members (with or without communications experience!) to join the committee. If you are interested please contact Isabel Sousa Pinto (ispinto@cimar.org). One of the first tasks of this committee has been to revise the Section's area on the SCB Web site. Please visit the site and send your comments to europe@conservationbiology.org with the subject line "Section Web site." The Communications Committee is also working to bring the SCB membership expertise database to the attention of the European media. Most Section members have stated in the database that they are willing to provide comment to the media in their area of expertise. Please visit the SCB Web site, log in, and verify that your contact details are current. In November the Section held its annual elections. Four positions on the Board of Directors were filled by second term reappointments and new members. Martin Dieterich (Germany), a current Board member, was elected as President Elect. Per Sjögren-Gulve (Sweden) and Javier Bustamante were elected to second terms, and Barbara Livoreil (France) joined the Board. In addition, Martin Dieterich's appointment as President Elect opened a seat on the Board for a one year term; Georgia Valaoras (Greece) was elected to this position. We congratulate all of those elected and welcome the new Board members. The Board thanks Luigi Boitani, our first President, and Jari Niemela, whose terms of office ended in December, for their work on behalf of the Section. We look forward to continuing to work with them to further the efforts of SCB in Europe. We also thank all those who stood for, and voted in, this year's election. In December the Policy Committee met and discussed issues ranging from the role of SCB in the European policy arena and the efficacy of the committee's previous actions (Bialowieza Resolution and follow-up, Biodiversity Resolution, and so forth) to the expulsion of inactive committee members. The committee also identified five key areas for future efforts: agri-environmental issues, conservation and global change, implementation of NATURA2000, incentives linking academics to application, and misuse of conservation funding. To maintain its high level of activity in 2006, the Policy Committee seeks new and enthusiastic members. If you are interested contact Martin Dieterich (dieterim@fh-nuertingen.de). As we move forward under the leadership of our new President, Andrew Pullin, the highlight of our program of activities for 2006 will be the European Congress of Conservation Biology in Eger, Hungary (22-26 August). The deadline for early discount registration is 30 April. Visit the congress Web site, www.eccb2006.org, for further details. As always, the Board encourages Section members to play an active role in the Section. Please send your questions or comments to the Board at europe@conservationbiology.org
Owen Nevin
NORTH AMERICABy the time you read this newsletter, members of the North America Section will have received an email announcement regarding the current elections for the Section board. This newsletter column simply re-emphasizes the importance of voting. The board is extremely active on a number of fronts that are important to conservation biologists and for conservation in North America. In particular, we are engaged in trying to bring the best available conservation science up front and center in a number of the relevant and major legislative discussions going on now in Washington, D.C. We are also working to develop a model for North America Section meetings, the first of which is being planned for 2007. In principle, these topics affect all members of the North America Section; therefore, the identity of the people who are engaged in implementation of Section activities ought to be a matter of importance to all members of the Section. You are electing three people to board positions with three-year terms. You also are electing a President Elect, who will serve in that capacity for two years and then assume the presidency for two years. The ballot can be accessed by logging into your member account on the SCB Web site (www.conbio.org). Make your voice heard. Vote.
Steve Trombulak
FRESHWATER WORKING GROUP
Interim Board of DirectorsThere are now more than 500 members of the Freshwater Working Group. Ten members from five SCB Sections have volunteered to serve on an interim Board of Directors until a Board is elected later this year. Robin Abell, World Wildlife Fund, United States
Thanks to all for serving and to SCB Executive Assistant Heather DeCaluwe for guidance. The interim board will work on tasks leading to election of a regular board, including formulation of bylaws, submission of bylaws to Working Group members for ratification, solicitation of nominations for the regular board, and conducting board elections. Our goal is to have the elected board in place for the Working Group members' meeting during SCB's 2006 meeting.
Annual Meeting SymposiaWorking Group members helped to organize three successful symposium proposals for the 2006 annual meeting. Jennifer Molnar, Mordecai Ogada, and Carmen Revenga organized Freshwater Invasive Species: A Double-Edged Sword. David Allan worked with Mark Brown, Elise Granek, and Elizabeth Madin on The Role of Recreational Fishers in Conservation and Management: Lessons from Freshwater Systems for Marine Practitioners. Ken Vance-Borland worked with Norm Sloan of the Marine Section on A New Conservation Continuum: Connecting Land and Sea. Learn more about these symposia at the meeting Web site, and please plan to attend them.
Ken Vance-Borland
SOCIAL SCIENCE WORKING GROUP
Anthropology and Psychology Representatives ElectedThe Social Science Working Group board is pleased to announce the results of the special election for the previously unfilled positions of anthropology representative and psychology representative. Diane Russell, an anthropologist with USAID, and Carol Saunders, a psychologist with the Brookfield Zoo, were elected to serve on the Board. Congratulations and welcome!
Tool Kit for Graduate StudentsThe Student Affairs Committee is developing a tool kit for graduate students interested in cross-disciplinary conservation research. Ultimately this will include techniques for integrating social and natural sciences into cohesive project design, cultivating partnerships in multiple academic departments, locating funding for multidisciplinary projects, and publishing the results. We are seeking input from students and graduates who have worked in both the natural and social sciences to ascertain what strategies have worked and how the Working Group can facilitate research discussions with conservation practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds. We would like to be able to present a preliminary draft of this tool kit at the 2006 annual meeting, so please contact us before 1 May. For more information contact Josh Drew, Student Affairs Committee Chair, at jdrew@bu.edu or (508) 289-7661.
|
|
||
|
|
||
Copyright © 2010 Society for Conservation Biology (SCB)
Direct questions, comments, and technical problems to the webmaster SCB is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization |