WERC Highlights -- March 2001

Big Unknowns of Global Change: USGS scientist Nate Stephenson is an invited speaker at a University of Georgia conference and workshop, April 5-8, on "The Big Unknowns in Global Change." While the Earth's climate and biota have changed continually throughout history, there is a broad scientific consensus that changes caused by humans over the next several decades will be unusually rapid, severe, and disruptive. Yet many details remain unresolved. The conference and workshop aim to bridge the gap among scientific disciplines involved in global-change research, and address key unknowns in current global change models. Stephenson's presentation will suggest some possible improvements to current computer models of vegetation change and carbon dynamics. (Nate Stephenson, Three Rivers, CA, 559-565-3176)

Forest Road Restoration: Mary Ann Madej, research geologist at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, was interviewed for an article on small stream restoration in an upcoming issue of Field and Stream magazine. In a recent study, Madej found the National Park Service’s 20-year program to remove abandoned forest roads in Redwood National and State Parks to be effective in reducing sediment loads to important salmon-bearing streams. Media coverage of Madej’s report also includes the Environmental News Service, States News Service, and American Rivers website. (Mary Ann Madej, Arcata, CA, 707-825-5148).