Marsh Dispatch

Student Services Position with USGS in Lafayette, LA

2012-02-16T09:30:00.000-06:00

Student Services Position
U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center (Lafayette, LA)

The U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center (USGS NWRC) seeks a student contractor to work with a team of researchers investigating the ecological implications of climate change and land use change. Specific duties will include, but will not be limited, to: (1) data analysis and the evaluation/application of regional-scale modeling tools; (2) synthesis of literature pertaining to future global change scenarios and the potential vulnerability of priority ecosystems and species; and (3) preparation of written communications that summarize research efforts. The position will likely involve collaboration with federal, state, and non-profit environmental managers and scientists. For general information about the program, please see the project’s fact sheet:
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/LCC/GulfPlains/pdf/DoIGulfCoastPlainLCC.pdf

Level of Education and Knowledge
The student shall have completed a BA or BS degree and at least one year of graduate school. It is important that the student be enrolled or recently enrolled in an intensive degree program (e.g., Biology, Ecology, Geology, Environmental Science, Engineering) with longer-term goals of earning an M.S. or Ph.D. degree. The student shall be familiar with basic computer operations including knowledge of common software applications and database management protocols. The student should also be able to work for long periods of time in the field commensurate with the time project supervisors spend in the field while on travel. Knowledge of ecological research methods as they
pertain to report writing is also preferred.

Working conditions
The official duty station is the USGS National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, LA. Most work will be completed indoors within an office; however some laboratory or greenhouse work may also be
necessary. Field work will be uncommon and student-optional, but may involve long hours in forested wetlands, marsh, or coastal barrier islands. Travel, with a duration ranging from day trips to week-long-trips, may be allowed, but is not required.

Estimated number of hours to be performed
40 hours per week for one year

Approximate start date
February 27, 2012

Approximate end date
February 27, 2013

To apply for this position, please send a copy of your resume via email to Mike Osland (email address: oslandm@usgs.gov). Questions regarding the position can also be sent to this email address. To facilitate the identification of such emails, please include “student
position” in the subject line of your email

Marine Science camp counselor positions

2012-02-14T06:37:00.000-06:00

Title: Marine Science Instructor/Counselor
Work Dates: June 3– August 10, 2012
Location: Awendaw, SC (20 miles from Charleston)
Description: To lead, instruct, and supervise campers (ages 8-16) in all areas of Marine Science Curriculum and perform duties that are required by the Camp Director. The camp runs out of a coastal area in South Carolina. It has direct access to the ocean and we take trips out to islands for nature hikes and marine studies. During the week, trips are made to aquariums, water parks, environmental education centers, and creeks for kayaking. At camp we take the campers into the salt marsh, crabbing, cast netting, as well as study dolphins and turtles. Various large and small group games are also led throughout the week.
Principle Duties:
• Teach all components of the Marine Science Curriculum (training provided).
• Lead students in daily program classes and activities (group games, team building, wake-up, meals, canteen, campfire, and rap-up).
• Be actively involved in all program activities, leading and participating in evening recreational and instructional times as scheduled.
• Assist with routine clean-up.
• Set-up and maintenance of site and program areas.
• Perform direct supervision of children while involved in classes and activities (on- and off-site).
• Perform camp counselor duties including staying and attending to campers over night while they are at camp.
Qualifications:
• Pursuing a BA or BS in Marine Science, Biology, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, Parks and Recreation, or related field is preferred but not necessary to apply (applies to Juniors, Seniors, and College Graduates.)
• Residential camp experience preferred.
• Must have the patience, understanding, flexibility, and energy to work and live with campers and staff.
• Must demonstrate teaching skills and the ability to implement creative “hands-on” teaching methods.
• Must be willing to sacrifice, adapt, and work hard as part of a team pursuing one common goal and objective.
Salary: $440 - $550 twice a month plus room and board and a sickness/accidental insurance plan. EOE.
Contact: If you are interested in the position please send your resume and three references to Chelsey Repokis at ccalzad@clemson.edu.

What do professors do?

2012-02-14T06:09:00.002-06:00

From Fred Monardi on facebook

Summer internships in Environmental Sciences with USDA in North Carolina

2012-02-08T09:11:00.000-06:00

Summer Internships in Environmental Sciences

USDA Forest Service

Southern Research Station

Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, Otto, NC

Summer Intern positions in Biological Sciences are available at USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, located in Otto, NC. To qualify, students must: (1) be in good academic standing, (2) be currently enrolled in a college or university, and (3) plan on returning to college or university in fall 2012. Interns work with Coweeta scientists and staff on a wide variety of projects. Current research projects include, but are not limited to: land use effects on water quality; hemlock woolly adelgid impacts on forest processes; southern Appalachian forest carbon, nutrient, and water budgets and cycling; and effects of cation depletion on forest stream water quality. Projects typically have both a field and laboratory component, and may include some data analysis. Students may utilize some portion of data collected and/or analyzed to fulfill university intern requirements. The rate of pay ranges from a GS-03 (approximately $11.95/hr) to GS-04 (approximately $13.41/hr), depending on education and experience. A limited amount of housing is available on site for approximately $125/month.

Interested students should send (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume, and (3) college transcripts by March 1, 2012 to:

Chelcy R. Ford

Acting Project Leader

USDA Forest Service

Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory

3160 Coweeta Lab Rd

Otto, NC 29763

crford@fs.fed.us

Field technicians with the NEON network

2012-01-30T11:39:00.000-06:00

There are several field technician positions (at many experience levels) currently available with the NEON network. See the "We're Hiring" section on their webpage for position descriptions and locations. http://www.neoninc.org/

Summer research internships for undergraduates at TAMUG

2012-01-20T11:23:00.000-06:00

TAMUG has several summer internships available through the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates program. My Coastal and Wetlands Ecology lab is one of several potential labs that can host interns. The application deadline is Feb 15, and information can be found here: http://www.tamug.edu/nsfreu/

Wetland biologist opening with AECOM

2012-01-18T15:11:00.000-06:00

The Environmental Consulting Agency AECOM (Houston office) is looking for an entry level wetland, permits, and NEPA biologist. Preferred qualifications include some training and experience in the field. If you are interested, please send your resume to Timothy Love at timothy.love@aecom.com

www.aecom.com

More of the latest from the Wetlands Lab

2012-01-17T11:59:00.001-06:00

Following is the abstract of a manuscript currently in press at the Journal of Coastal Research.

The response of photosystem II to soil salinity and nutrients in wetland plant species of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Eric N. Madrid, Anna R. Armitage, and Antonietta Quigg

The photosynthetic response of many wetland plant species to soil salinity and nutrients has been described in the laboratory, but less is known about the cumulative effect of these abiotic factors in the natural environment. In this investigation we correlated field measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence with simultaneous measurements of soil nitrogen and phosphorus content, soil salinity, and relative leaf nitrogen content in four species (Spartina alterniflora Loisel, S. patens (Aiton) Muhl, Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey.) Steud. and S. robustus (Pursh) M.T. Strong), that are common in brackish and salt marshes of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. We found that the range of environmental conditions experienced by each species in the field is greater than what has been considered in laboratory investigations, and that saline soils may elicit an inverse photochemical response that has not been documented in the laboratory. The relationship between chlorophyll fluorescence and soil N:P ratio was not significant in S. alterniflora, nonlinear in S. patens and S. robustus, and significant and positive in S. californicus. The relationship between leaf nitrogen content and effective quantum yield was significant and positive in S. alterniflora and S. robustus, but only S. alterniflora appeared to be able to increase relative leaf nitrogen content over a wide range of soil nutrient and salinity regimes. S. californicus had the greatest potential for photosynthetic light capture but also had the narrowest ecological distribution. Thus, the species best adapted to high levels of abiotic stress (S. alterniflora) was less dominant at lower salinities, and species with the highest potential for photosynthetic performance (S. robustus and S. californicus) were only found in locations with favorable abiotic conditions.

The research in this article was supported by grants from the Texas General Land Office, Oil Spill and Response Division, and from the GLO Coastal Management Program.

Latest findings

2012-01-17T11:45:00.000-06:00

Below are recent abstracts from our research lab. These talks were presented at the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation 2011 meeting.

Metapopulation dynamics in estuarine habitat restoration: Do reference areas act as source populations?

Anna R. Armitage, Michael T. Bell, Chuan-Kai Ho, Eric N. Madrid, Antonietta S. Quigg

Consideration of metapopulation dynamics in habitat restoration can help to identify suitable source populations to supply restored areas. Metapopulation theory stipulates that source populations will have positive intrinsic growth rates; therefore, we predicted that aquatic faunal populations in reference (source) areas would have higher intrinsic growth rates than in restored (sink) areas. Second, a metapopulation exists if patches of habitat are connected and are suitable for colonization; therefore we predicted that organisms would disperse to and colonize restored areas where the habitat was suitable. To test these hypotheses, we monitored habitat characteristics and densities of three common aquatic species (sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna; rainwater killifish Lucania parva; grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio) in three patches of recently restored brackish marsh and one reference area in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico from 2008 to 2010. All habitat patches were connected by a network of permanently inundated channels. Faunal densities were constant over time in the reference area but increased in most of the restored areas. This suggests either that (a) the reference area served as a source population that supplied the restored areas with recruits, or (b) the intrinsic growth rate was higher in restored than in reference areas. We used principal components analysis to define threshold suitability values for key habitat characteristics. Only Poecilia density was significantly related to habitat characteristics in the reference site, but Poecilia densities were not higher in restored areas with ideal habitat features than in unsuitable restored areas. Therefore, habitat suitability did not appear to be the primary driver influencing faunal colonization of restored habitat. Our results suggest that metapopulation dynamics were not strongly influencing restored site colonization at this spatial scale.

Does ecotypic-based genetic diversity of a dominant plant impact ecosystem health and stability? A case study in a restored Spartina alterniflora marsh

Courtney T. Lee and Anna R. Armitage

Increased genetic diversity of habitat-forming species correlates with increased faunal diversity and enhances ecosystem resiliency to and recovery from disturbances. Genetic diversity at the species level may be just as important as species diversity for the long term health and stability of ecosystems. To identify the benefits of increased genetic diversity within a single plant species, I performed a common garden experiment in a constructed salt marsh in Galveston Bay, Texas. The nutrient acquisition patterns and productivity of genetically distinct Spartina alterniflora populations (ecotypes) in monoculture plots (single population) were compared to polyculture plots (two or three populations). Early trends suggest that polyculture treatments have more live plant material and increased shoot production a month after transplanting. I also examined interactions between increased genetic diversity of S. alterniflora and its colonizing insect and spider communities. At this early development stage of the restored marsh, few of these arthropods have colonized the study plots, but faunal response to plant genetic diversity may strengthen over time as the plant community develops. In an effort to maintain diverse community assemblages and ecosystem stability, increased genetic diversity of a dominant primary producer may be an important consideration.

These projects were supported by grants from the Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Response Division and the GLO Coastal Management Program

Wetland/Estuarine Ecologist

2011-12-20T15:35:00.000-06:00

	Job Title:	Wetland/Estuarine Ecologist
	Agency:	South Florida Water Management District
	Location:	West Palm Beach, FL
	Closing Date:	January 6, 2012

The Florida Bay Watershed Unit of the Everglades Systems Assessment Section seeks an estuarine and/or wetland ecologist at the Scientist 3 level. The successful candidate will join a multi-disciplinary team to assess the restoration needs of the southern Everglades and Florida Bay and evaluate hydrologic, water quality, plant community and food web responses to changing water management. Primary responsibility will be the compilation, management, and analysis of hydro-ecological data in support of statistical analysis, simulation modeling and the production of technical reports and scientific publications. This position also will support field and laboratory monitoring and research activities. Requirements for this position are a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, environmental science, or related subject; a Master's degree is preferred. Expertise and experience using databases and ecological statistics is required, with proficiency in the use of PC-based spreadsheets, graphics, and statistical software such as JMP and R or similar packages. Strong writing skills are expected and a broad knowledge of estuarine and wetland ecology is desired. The candidate should also be willing to work in rigorous field conditions for up to several days at a time.

Applications should be submitted to the South Florida Water Management via https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_home.asp?partnerid=25162&siteid=5198

(enter 664BR in keyword search). For more information, Contact Dr. Christopher Madden: cmadden@sfwmd.gov

Data Specialist at DISL

2011-12-20T15:16:00.001-06:00

Please visit the following link for full job description and application.
http://press.disl.org/jobs/data_specialist2011.htm
DATA SPECIALIST
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab proposes to hire a full-time, 12 month, Data Specialist to perform the following functions and achieve the goals enumerated in the Statement of work:
Minimum Requirements: B.A degree in Biology, Earth Science or a related field. Experience with metadata creation preferred. Knowledge of relational database concepts. Be able to maintain tables and to query database. Be skillful at SQL database, Microsoft Access. Knowledge of one or more programming languages (VB Script, Cold Fusion, PHP, C). Must be detail oriented. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Be able to work well in a collegial relationship with faculty, be flexible, and highly motivated.
Functions: Collects research data sets from faculty; assembles metadata information of data sets; writes metadata using FGDC compliant tools (such as MERMAid on National Coastal Data Development Center web site); submits metadata to NCDDC; has the opportunity to work with and guide faculty and staff to create metadata records; will be an integral part of bringing valuable input for a lab wide project that will house research data and metadata records for Dauphin Island Sea Lab; creates interface to allow easy access to these data items.

Graduate Research Assistant at UHCL

2011-12-20T14:48:00.002-06:00

Position/Title: Graduate Research Assistant

Agency/Location: University of Houston Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, Texas 77059

Needed: beginning Spring 2012 or Summer 2012.

Responsibilities: Excellent opportunities exist for new graduate students interested in freshwater, estuarine, and marine fisheries, limnology, wetland ecology, blue crab ecology, and Diamondback Terrapin research. Individuals will be responsible for conducting research projects under direction of a graduate advisor in coastal and/or inland ecosystems in Texas. Potential project topics include but are not limited to:

1) Urban fish population assessment

2) Population dynamics of diamondback terrapin and impracts of blue crab fishery

3) Estuarine Fish community responses to changes in water quality and hydrology

4) Effectiveness of constructed wetlands for habitat enhancement and water quality improvement

5) Ongoing water quality assessment of coastal streams

6) Blue crab mortality studies

Student will be responsible for learning and operating various field and laboratory methodologies including telemetry, acoustic doppler current meters, side scan sonar, electrofishing gear, nets and boats. Student may need to partially live onsite at various locations including wildlife refuges during portions of their study. Extensive travel along Texas coast possible during study period. Campus is located in beautiful natural area adjacent ot NASA and the Armand Bayou Nature Center, and 5 minutes from Galveston Bay and Clear Lake and 30 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico.

Qualifications:

* Graduation from recognized accredited university with a B.S. degree in an appropriate field depending on research interest (e.g. fisheries, wildlife science, herpetology, aquatic/marine biology) with excellent academic credentials and letters of reference

* Acceptance into graduate school in the Environmental Science Program at UHCL (M.S. Thesis Option)

* Ability to carry out strenuous field work (heat, rain, mosquito's etc).

* Academic commitment to work on project fulltime and timely completion of project.

Salary/Stipend:

$1890-2100 per month (full-time) – normally 50% during full-semesters, 100% in summer

* Waiver of out of state tuition rates (in state rates will apply) upon acceptance into school AND award of competitive RA

Closing Date: June 1, 2012 or until filled.

* Note may also have some limited job opportunities at the Environmental Institute of Houston located at UHCL for temporary (part or full-time employement).

For more information contact:

Dr. George Guillen – 281-283-3950 guillen@uhcl.edu

Research Experience for Undergraduates at Mote Marine Lab

2011-12-20T10:17:00.002-06:00

Each summer, Mote Marine Laboratory hosts a 10-week program focused on providing research experiences in estuarine science to 10 advanced undergraduate students. Students are paired with Mote scientists and develop and complete an independent research project related to their mentor's research interests. Students gain experience in science communication by presenting the results of their independent project in a manuscript-style research paper and orally at a laboratory-wide poster session. Students attend research seminars and workshops on career skills in science and also have the opportunity to present their research findings at professional conferences.

Information about 2012 REU mentors and their programs, as well as the application procedures, are now posted on the REU web site: www.mote.org/reu

**All application materials are due on February 15, 2012**

Wetlands jobs

2011-11-22T12:47:00.000-06:00

Interested in a wetlands-related job? This website might help:
http://swampschool.org/support/wetland-jobs/#

The latest from our lab on invasive plants

2011-11-14T15:17:00.001-06:00

The latest publication from the lab. This article comes from Cara's REU program - congrats!
Valinoti, C.E., C.-K. Ho, A.R. Armitage. 2011. Native and exotic submerged aquatic vegetation provide different nutritional and refuge values for macroinvertebrates. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 409: 42-47.

Abstract:
Proliferation of exotic submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) has the potential to alter trophic interactions among native fauna. The invasion of Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil) into brackish and freshwater wetlands on the Gulf Coast of the United States has decreased the abundance of native plant species such as Ruppia maritima (widgeongrass). Macroinvertebrates use SAV to meet nutritional requirements and seek refuge from predators. Shifts in SAV dominance can alter patterns of SAV use by associated fauna, but the dynamics of these alterations following Myriophyllum displacement of Ruppia are not well understood. In our study, we examined the trophic implications of shifts between native (Ruppia) and exotic (Myriophyllum) SAV in a brackish wetland in Port Arthur, Texas, USA. This study addressed the following questions: 1) Do aquatic invertebrates directly consume Myriophyllum, and 2) do predator–prey interactions differ in native and exotic SAV canopies? We collected Ruppia, Myriophyllum, Palaemonetes spp. (grass shrimp), and juvenile Callinectes sapidus (blue crabs) from the field and ran a series of three mesocosm experiments in the laboratory. In a “no-choice” grazing experiment, Palaemonetes consumed 13% of the Ruppia biomass but had no impact on Myriophyllum biomass. In a second study, when given a choice of plant canopies, Palaemonetes selected Ruppia over Myriophyllum 60% of the time when Callinectes was absent, but selected Myriophyllum more frequently in the presence of Callinectes. The selection of Myriophyllum was likely due to its refuge value; a third mesocosm experiment resulted in 60% Palaemonetes mortality due to Callinectes predation in Ruppia canopies but only 20% mortality in Myriophyllum canopies. Myriophyllum has a more structurally complex canopy that probably provides better protection from predation. Our studies suggest that native and exotic plants provide substantially different values as food sources and as refuges from predators for lower trophic levels.