The saga of the Spartina that fell over continues

This week, we surveyed restored marsh mounds at Port Arthur. Last July, some of the mounds appeared to be overgrown with Spartina, and the plants were growing over the edges of the mound and falling over. All of the plant material eventually senesced during the winter, but the centers of those mounds now have dense new green growth. Decomposing senesced material around the edges will probably raise the elevation of the mound edges and facilitate the outward spread of the marsh plants. To quantify this spreading potential, we will assess accretion rates to determine the rate of marsh growth.
This observation suggests a hidden benefit to using this strain of Spartina: Maybe its rapid growth will increase marsh spreading rates?

Some of our research "fleet": a pirogue and a towed inflatable for samples.

Seeking Graduate and Undergraduate Field Technicians

Seeking Graduate and Undergraduate Field Technicians to work on a Recreational Use Attainability Analysis of streams in the Brazos River Basin. This TCEQ project being conducted by Dr. Kirk Winemiller in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and Dr. David Scott and Dr. Scott Shafer in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences will sample 727 miles on 31 streams.

Duties include

Participating in field training April 18, 19, 25, and 26

Working most, and preferably all Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between

May 1 - July 31, 2009

Driving project vehicles

Staying in hotels 1-2 hours away from College Station

Working independently in 2-person teams

Following a standard scientific sampling methodology

Navigating to sampling points using maps and handheld GPS units

Collecting recreation and habitat data on stream segments

Conducting interviews of people using streams

Entering data on field sheets and handheld field computers

Maintaining field equipment

Desired skills include

Ability to swim

Hiking in rough terrain

Paddling canoes

Towing a boat trailer with a full size pickup truck

Experience with Microsoft Excel

Applicants will be hired based on

Availability during periods needed for the project

Prior work experience

Experience working outdoors in tough conditions

Hired field technicians will generally work between 10-13 hours per day at a pay rate of $15/hour

To apply, please email/drop off resumes with attached references to

John Baker

Email glacous@ufl.edu

Room 110c Heep Laboratory Building (Bldg 511)

Kirk Winemiller Aquatic Ecology Lab

Texas A&M University

Seagrass work on TV

For my postdoctoral work in Florida, I studied nutrient impacts on seagrass beds. This segment of a local television show featured our work. Each clip is about 5 minutes long.
Nutrients in Florida Bay Part 1
Nutrients in Florida Bay Part 2

Technician positions open

We are hiring a field technician to assist with field sampling of plant and animal communities in restored coastal marshes in Port Arthur, TX. Field work will include deployment of nets and field experiments from airboats and pirogues. Laboratory tasks will include sorting, grinding, reducing, and analyzing of plant, soil, water, and animal samples. Sample processing will include some analytical procedures using a variety of laboratory equipment, such as nutrient and pigment analyses. Additional tasks will include reading and recording results in accordance with standard procedures, data entry and associated computer activities, writing reports, supervising student workers, and performing related duties as required.

BS in biology with related college courses in plant and community ecology and relevant work experience is desired.

The position is 30-40 hours/week and is eligible for benefits. Salary is $9.49/hour (negotiable).

To apply, submit an application online here (search for job posting# 090580). Position is available immediately and will remain open until filled.

TWO PART-TIME STUDENT WORKER POSITIONS ($7.25/hour) FOR TAMUG STUDENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE STARTING IMMEDIATELY! VIEW JOB POSTING OR CONTACT DR. ARMITAGE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

In the news

This story in a local newspaper, the Bay Area Citizen, is about management of a Nassau Bay wildlife area, where I'm serving as an adviser.

Internships available with Houston Audubon Society

Houston Audubon Society

440 Wilchester Blvd.

Houston, TX 77079

Title: Sanctuary Management Interns (2)

Agency: Houston Audubon Society

Location: Primarily High Island and the Bolivar Peninsula

Job Description: Assist with management of Houston Audubon Sanctuaries on the Upper Texas Coast.

Duties: Control exotic plant species by cutting, pulling, mowing and herbicide application. Erect sanctuary signs, post boundaries, maintain fences, pick up trash, and perform other tasks as necessary. Interact with sanctuary visitors. Bird censusing and nest monitoring may be included. Use all tools and equipment in a safety conscious manner at all times.

Qualifications: Excellent physical condition. Ability to perform hard physical work for extended and irregular periods, under adverse conditions and in all extremes of weather. Mechanical aptitude and knowledge of machinery. Experience with chainsaws and other power tools. Ability to work with a wide variety of people and to work independently of supervisor. Enthusiasm for working outdoors. Personal vehicle necessary.

Minimum Qualification: College coursework in natural or biological sciences.

Benefits: Travel expenses between sanctuaries reimbursed.

Salary: $10 / Hour (10-hour week)

Last date to apply: February 16, 2009

Starting date: March 10, 2009

Documentation needed: Resume with cover letter and 2 references.

Contact: Winnie Burkett

Sanctuary Manager

wburkett@houstonaudubon.org

How do marsh and mangrove habitats compare?

In seagrass beds in Florida, nutrient supply appears to be more important than canopy complexity for epifauna. How does that conclusion apply to salt marshes in Texas?

Most Texas salt marshes are dominated by Spartina alterniflora (cordgrass). This forms a dense, complex canopy (left) that is critical habitat for a variety of animals, including snails, shrimp, and juvenile fish. But, in some parts of the Texas coast, native mangroves (Avicennia germinans) are behaving like invasives and converting marshes into dwarf mangrove forests. This change may have been influenced by climate change, which brings milder winters and less frequent freeze events to limit the spread of mangroves. Continuing climate change may accelerate mangrove proliferation, particularly in transition zones like Port Aransas.




Mangroves have aerial root structures (left) that may provide analogous habitat to salt marshes for marsh fauna. I have observed snails using marsh grasses and mangrove pneumatophores in similar ways. But will other important marsh fauna, like brown shrimp or juvenile fish, use marsh and mangrove structures in the same way? In other parts of the world, the answer is "no," but here in Texas, where we are at the transition between marsh and mangrove habitats, the answer is unknown. We will soon begin collecting fauna from both habitats to find out.