Optimising the use of nearshore fish aggregating devices for food security in the Pacific Islands
Bell JD, Albert J, Andréfouët S, Andrew NL, Blanc M, Bright P, Brogan D, Campbell B, Govan H, Hampton J, Hanich Q, Harley S, Jorari A, Lincoln Smith M, Pontifex S, Sharp MK, Sokimi W, Webb A, 2015. Optimising the use of nearshore fish aggregating devices for food security in the Pacific Islands. Marine Policy 56:98-105. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2015.02.010. | Find with Google Scholar »
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Dear all,
Thank you all for attending this week’s Department meeting…I attach the slides we used. As you may know, Julia Cooke is taking up a lectureship in the UK. We will have a farewell morning tea for her next week…keep an eye out for the announcement!
cheerio
Mariella
General News and Announcements
What are we doing with your Feedback
As discussed in the Department meeting we take your feedback seriously. Below some immediate outcomes:
- Digilab refresher course – you do not have to sit through the entire 3 hours, just come along to the aspects you want to refresh on
- Administration closed door – we NEVER close all doors, but only half of the team to allow them to complete the year. There will ALWAYS be someone available for your requests. We will improve communication to make that clear
- Field work – we hope to have a new online system implemented this year that is designed to make forms easier and quicker
- Absence on Duty Form – we have gathered your feedback and are redesigning the form to make it less clunky
From the Committees
The Enrolment committee has developed a new undergraduate page on the bio website with a FAQ section. Please have a look, it is beautiful and advertise it to the students in your unit: http://bio.mq.edu.au/undergraduate-studies/
Please send any feedback to Darrell
Illuminate Festival
The Faculty are calling for ideas and nominations for activities for the Iluminate Festival to take place 19-24th October.
This will be an event to be held on campus and in the City, and is aimed at showcasing research at the university to the public. This year the Festival will focus on the major research themes ‘Secure Planet’ and ‘Healthy People’, which are the research themes that all of our work fits into. The Dept needs to be well presented at this event.
Next Thursday (23rd – time to be announced) I will run a meeting to discuss potential ideas. Please contact me (simon.griffith@mq.edu.au) if you have any ideas before that, or if you are interested in participating in the meeting next week. We need to develop the ideas and communicate them to the Faculty Committee before the end of April so we need to move fast. They are interested in lectures, practical demonstrations, workshops, activities, anything that will capture imagination, from anyone in the community. They are particularly keen to get input from students and post-docs.
Biodiversity conservation volunteering!
A volunteering club called “friends of nature” under youth association of Vietnam Forestry University is running to conserve biodiversity in Vietnam. Most of members are students and young lecturers, researchers in VietNam Forestry University who have the same interest of caring natural ecosystem. They are spending their time to do volunteer work: conservation education in mountainous areas, supporting, consulting local people how to use natural resources in a sustainable use, biodiversity survey and conservation….
If you are interested in conservation in Vietnam, Please working together!!!
Nguyen Thi Thu (Ms) (Vice Director)
Biodiversity Centre, Faculty of Natural resources and Environmental management, Vietnam Forestry University
Mobile: (+84)944160909
Email: thu.nguyen.2k14@gmail.com
Next week’s seminar
On April 22nd, 1-2pm, E8 tearoom
Richard Thackway (University of Queensland) will give the following seminar:
Assessing and reporting resilience of native vegetation using metrics of structure, composition and function
The effects of contemporary and previous land management practices are reflected in the present-day condition of native vegetation. In order to properly manage land for productive use or to restore it to its ‘natural’ condition, it is important to know the changes that have taken place to the use of the land, and the cumulative effect of those changes. Assessing and reporting the resilience of native vegetation using metrics of structure, composition and function is discussed. The system, VAST-2, has been developed in the Australian context, where land management was relatively unchanged for some tens of thousands of years prior to European settlers who arrived some hundred years hence. Early settler’s activities of modifying and fragmenting the natural landscape produced profound changes to land use and management. This reference state provides a structure in which to compile, interpret and sequence data gathered in the past about changes in management practices and the effects of these practices on the condition of native plant communities.
Twenty-two indicators representing three components of vegetation condition—regenerative capacity, vegetation structure and species composition—are scored using information from a variety of sources. These indicators are assessed relative to the pre-European reference for each plant community. Indicators are aggregated into ten ecological criteria according to their component, each of which is weighted proportionally to their perceived contribution to the whole: regenerative capacity (55%), vegetation structure (27%) and species composition (18%). The three components are then summed to produce a total transformation score for the vegetation at a site. The application of this system to a range of sites selected across Australia’s tropical, sub-tropical, semi-arid and temperate bioregions is presented.
Application of VAST-2 is discussed as a tool for identifying potential risks and barriers to achieving success, demonstrating progress toward vegetation condition targets, and selecting sites which represent least-cost options for future land use changes.
The AINSE Winter school applications close on 20th April
Twilight Sounds for the Thin Green Line – PAWA
PAWA is a non-profit, non-industrial, apolitical professional association for all those who are working in and for protected areas in NSW, the ACT and Parks Australia. The Thin Green Line Foundation is a charity solely dedicated to protecting endangered species and threatened ecosystems by supporting park rangers. This is from their website:
“In the past 10 years alone it’s estimated that over 1000 park rangers have been killed, 80% of them by commercial poachers and armed militia groups. We provide park rangers with essential anti-poaching equipment and training to assist them in patrolling on the front-line of conservation. We also provide financial support to the widows and orphans of park rangers killed in the line of duty.
Our support is focused on rangers in developing regions, conflict zones and indigenous rangers in Australia and abroad.”
The Protected Area Workers Association and The Thin Green Line Foundation are holding a fundraising event to support Park Rangers in developing countries and conflict zones at the Neilson Park Kiosk in Sydney Harbour National Park.
Friday 1st May, kicking off at 6:30pm
Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park
Tickets can be pre purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/twilight-sounds-for-the-thin-green-line-tickets-16481111448
Visit the PAWA website http://pawansw.org/index.html or Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/423727697800961/
more details or call the NPWS Harbour South Office on 02 9337 5511 for more information.
Looking for work – Alison Jaggard. BSc (Ecology; UNSW); Hons (1st class; UTS)
Alison has finished her Research Assistant contracts in the Dept of Environment and Geography, and is seeking work in Biology. Alison was a Research Officer for Assoc Prof Paul Beggs (2012-2013) and a Project Co-ordinator/Research Assistant (2013-2014) for Dr Kirsty Davies. Her interests are urban ecology, environmental health, zoology and botany. She published a paper from her Honours study on rainbow lorikeets in Urban Ecosystems. She has also worked as a demonstrator at UTS in biology/ecology subjects and as a research assistant at UNSW with Dr Jenny Beer. Alison’s email is alison.jaggard@mq.edu.au or alison.je.garde@gmail.com
Jobs – Department of Agriculture ABARES
The Department of Agriculture, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is looking for applicants for their Entry Level Professional Program (ELPP – http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/careers/elpp).
This ELPP offers:
- a tailored program with an individual focus on agricultural research and analysis
- access to excellent working conditions
- a starting salary of approx $60,871 plus super
Criteria:
- Willing to relocate to Canberra (relocation assistance will be provided if applicable)
- Graduates with an honours–level degree in economics or in the science disciplines of statistics, mathematics, modelling, spatial analyses, forestry or ecological sciences
- Postgraduate qualifications are highly desirable
- Candidates with undergraduate qualifications, combined with relevant experience, and professionals who hold double degrees with strong economic and/or science content would also be well placed in the ABARES entry level program.
- Encourage individuals with qualifications in Data Sciences or Spatial Sciences to consider applying
For further information about the ABARES Entry Level Professional Program visit: agriculture.gov.au/abares/careers/elpp or email ABARES grads
Jobs – Lecturer/Associate Prof in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the Plymouth University, Devon, UK
The School of Biological Sciences at Plymouth University is looking to appoint dynamic and enthusiastic academics to contribute to its ongoing success and growth. The School has existing research and teaching strengths in areas of ecology, animal behaviour, microbiology, food security, ecotoxicology, and environmental risk assessment.
You will have experience of research in animal behaviour and /or animal welfare to complement our existing research and teaching profile. We particularly encourage applications from those whose research focuses on the mechanistic underpinning of animal behaviour and animal welfare (e.g. physiology, neurobiology). Although there is some flexibility the post holder will be required to deliver teaching in animal physiology and/or health within the general wider context of behaviour and welfare.
For informal discussion on this post please contact Dr Sarah Collins, Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour, tel: +44 1752 584616 email: sarah.collins@plymouth.ac.uk
Full details:
Job reference A4186.
Closing date 04 May 2015
Volunteers for Climate Council fundraiser – April 22
Hi everyone, just a friendly reminder that I’m looking for baking volunteers for the Climate Council fundraiser that will be held on EARTH DAY. I’d like to suggest volunteers to try a recipe with a low carbon footprint i.e. use locally sourced ingredients that are in season or that you can get from your local market 🙂
If you’d like to bake please email Julieta: julieta.martinelli@mq.edu.au
Looking forward to seeing what creative and sustainable treats people come up with!
Thanks!
Canon 7D camera for sale
7 April 2015
What: Canon 7D camera
About: Camera includes three lenses and filters, two flash kits and a Lowepro backpack. All items are in perfect condition. Pickup from Neutral Bay.
Price: $3250. Individual item prices can be viewed on GumTree. Save $1700 when purchasing all.
Contact: Diego Barneche (diego.barneche@mq.edu.au) or call ext. 6271.
Sydney Plant Ecophysiology Group meeting 23 April at Sydney Uni
Hello plant enthusiasts,
The next meeting will be from 4-6 pm, Thursday, 23 April at Sydney Uni (Redfern). The two speakers will be:
Dr Steve Van Sluyter, SIEF Postdoctoral Fellow, Macquarie University, and
Dr Kristine Crous, Post-doctoral Fellow, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
The venue has kindly been arranged by Dr Paola Corneo at Sydney Uni and is
room 422, Biomedical Building, 1 Central Ave, Australian Technology Park (Sydney University).
The building is about a 5 min walk from Redfern station and it is best to walk south along platform 10 before exiting the station.
Hope to see you there!
Cheers,
Tory and Steve
HDR Applications online
HDR applications are now online, so please direct all prospective applicants to the HDRO webpages:
http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/how_to_apply/
PhD career development
Michael Strack wrote an article on career development focusing on long term reserach strategies…check it out:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/where-hell-am-i-going-michael-strack
For Sale
2004 Holden Astra Classic TS F/INJ WHITE 5D Hatchback 4 CYL Automatic. $3250. 211,00kms. Has been a good, really reliable car. Inside in excellent condition – seats have always had seat covers etc. Small paint chips on door edges, but otherwise paintwork in great condition. Registered until 29/12/2015. Please contact Julia Cooke 0408 670 304.
Silver Electrolux 4200 Fridge. $750. Bought for $1300 in Jan 2013, excellent condition. Bought for great energy ratings – 4 stars. Delivery on Sunday may be possible, but pick up in Epping highly desirable! It is this one (now discontinued, and door is hinged on right): http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/420l-electrolux-fridge-etm4200sclh/ Please contact Julia Cooke: 0408 670 304.
Also several items of furniture to sell and give away, so get in touch if you need a couch, table, coffee table, desk or set of drawers!
Too much or too little animal experimentation?
Interesting article in Nature:
http://www.nature.com/news/uk-funders-demand-strong-statistics-for-animal-studies-1.17318
Do you have an interesting paper coming out?
Don’t forget to write a press release! Culum and I will help you! email us!
Australian Entomological Society Conference 2015 – registration is now open
The conference will be held at the Pullman Hotel in Cairns, Far North Queensland from Sunday 27 to Wednesday 30 September, 2015.
To register please click here
We are pleased to advise you that Symposia details are available on the website. Your suggestions for additional symposia are welcome- please click here
The CALL FOR ABSTRACTS is open – please click here deadline for submission of abstracts is 31 July 2015
New Publications
Meta-Analysis of Studies Using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization and Microarrays to Investigate the Effects of Environmental Stress on Gene Transcription in Oysters
Anderson K, Taylor DA, Thompson EL, Melwani AR, Nair SV, Raftos DA, 2015. Meta-Analysis of Studies Using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization and Microarrays to Investigate the Effects of Environmental Stress on Gene Transcription in Oysters. Plos One 10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118839 | Find with Google Scholar »Trait differences between naturalized and invasive plant species independent of residence time and phylogeny
Gallagher RV, Randall RP, Leishman MR, 2015. Trait differences between naturalized and invasive plant species independent of residence time and phylogeny. Conservation Biology 29:360-369. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12399. | Find with Google Scholar »Assessment strategies and decision making in male-male contests of Servaea incana jumping spiders
McGinley RH, Prenter J, Taylor PW, 2015. Assessment strategies and decision making in male-male contests of Servaea incana jumping spiders. Animal Behaviour 101:89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.12.014. | Find with Google Scholar »Striking Courtship Displays in the Becard Clade Platypsaris
Miller ET, Wagner SK, Klavins J, Brush T, Greeney HF, 2015. Striking Courtship Displays in the Becard Clade Platypsaris. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 127:123-126. | Find with Google Scholar »Plastic territoriality in group-living chestnut-crowned babblers: roles of resource value, holding potential and predation risk
Sorato E, Gullett PR, Creasey MJS, Griffith SC, Russell AF, 2015. Plastic territoriality in group-living chestnut-crowned babblers: roles of resource value, holding potential and predation risk. Animal Behaviour 101:155-168. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.12.012. | Find with Google Scholar »Differential proteomic responses of selectively bred and wild-type Sydney rock oyster populations exposed to elevated CO2
Thompson EL, O'Connor W, Parker L, Ross P, Raftos DA, 2015. Differential proteomic responses of selectively bred and wild-type Sydney rock oyster populations exposed to elevated CO2. Molecular Ecology 24:1248-1262. doi: 10.1111/mec.13111. | Find with Google Scholar »Morphological and moisture availability controls of the leaf area-to-sapwood area ratio: analysis of measurements on Australian trees
Togashi HF, Prentice IC, Evans BJ, Forrester DI, Drake P, Feikema P, Brooksbank K, Eamus D, Taylor D, 2015. Morphological and moisture availability controls of the leaf area-to-sapwood area ratio: analysis of measurements on Australian trees. Ecol Evol 5:1263-1270. doi: 10.1002/ece3.1344. | Find with Google Scholar »EVOLUTIONARY DIVERGENCE OF LEAF WIDTH AND ITS CORRELATES
Tozer WC, Rice B, Westoby M, 2015. EVOLUTIONARY DIVERGENCE OF LEAF WIDTH AND ITS CORRELATES. American Journal of Botany 102:367-378. doi: 10.3732/ajb.1400379. | Find with Google Scholar »Precipitation intensity is the primary driver of moss crust-derived CO2 exchange: Implications for soil C balance in a temperate desert of northwestern China
Wu L, Zhang YM, Zhang J, Downing A, 2015. Precipitation intensity is the primary driver of moss crust-derived CO2 exchange: Implications for soil C balance in a temperate desert of northwestern China. European Journal of Soil Biology 67:27-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ejsobi.2015.01.003. | Find with Google Scholar »