WERC Highlights -- October 2006

USGS Fire Research Included in New Fire Ecology Book: The University of California Press has published Fire in California’s Ecosystems, a 596-page, comprehensive work, the first to synthesize our knowledge of the science, ecology, and management of fire in California. The book will serve as a textbook for students and reference book for managers and policy makers. USGS scientist Jan W. van Wagtendonk of the Western Ecological Research Center is one of the book’s 5 editors, which also include Neil G. Sugihara and Jo Ann Fites-Kaufman from the U.S. Forest Service, Kevin E. Shaffer from the California Department of Fish and Game, and Andrea E. Thode from Northern Arizona University. Over 30 experts from government agencies, universities, and other organizations have authored 24 chapters; 7 chapters have authors from USGS. Jan van Wagtendonk authored “Fire as a Physical Process,” is first author of “Sierra Nevada Bioregion,” and coauthor of “Fire as an Ecological Process” and “The Future of Fire in California’s Ecosystems.” Matthew L. Brooks is first author of “Southeastern Deserts Bioregion” and coauthored “Fire and Invasive Plant Species.” Jon E. Keeley authored “South Coast Bioregion.” Todd C. Esque and Robert E. Gresswell authored sidebars. For more information about the book: http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10085.html. (Jan van Wagtendonk, El Portal, CA, 209-379-1306, jan_van_wagtendonk@usgs.gov) Citation: Sugihara, N. G., J. W. van Wagtendonk, J. Fites-Kaufman, K. E. Shaffer, and A. E. Thode (eds.). 2006. Fire in California’s Ecosystems. University of California Press, Berkeley. 596 p.

Bats: On October 30, 2006, USGS scientist Gary Fellers of the Western Ecological Research Center discussed bat biology on the community radio station of Point Reyes Station (KWMR), California. (Gary Fellers, Point Reyes, CA, 415-464-5185, gary_fellers@usgs.gov)

USGS to Participate at International Fire Congress: Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center will be among the USGS participants at the Third International Fire Ecology and Management Congress to be held in San Diego, CA, November 13-17, 2006. A special session will focus on the 2003 southern California wildfires and bring together those scientists actively engaged in postfire research with fire managers closely involved in the fire suppression efforts and postfire management. Among other USGS presentations is one on fire history, ecology, and management in the Mojave Desert. Additionally, during the meeting, students representing the Student Association for Fire Ecology (SAFE) chapters from universities around the world will have the occasion to meet professionals in their field of interest during their annual SAFE Mentor Luncheon. The Congress is hosted by the Association for Fire Ecology in association with Washington State University, the Tall Timbers Research Station, and The Nature Conservancy. Detailed information about the Congress can be found on the website http://emmps.wsu.edu/firecongress. (Jon Keeley, Three Rivers, CA, 559-565-3170, jon_keeley@usgs.gov; Robert Fisher, San Diego, 619-225-6422, rfisher@usgs.gov; Matt Brooks, Henderson, NV, 702-564-4615, matt_brooks@usgs.gov)

Wildlife Corridors: On October 26, 2006, the Orange County Register interviewed USGS scientist Robert Fisher of the Western Ecological Research Center about impacts of fragmentation on wildlife in southern California and the importance of wildlife corridors to connect habitat for wide-ranging species. (Robert Fisher, San Diego, CA, 619-225-6422, rfisher@usgs.gov)

California Fires: USGS scientist Jon Keeley of the Western Ecological Research Center was contacted by the Associated Press on October 26, 2006, regarding a special session organized by Keeley on the effects of the 2003 California wildfires, which is scheduled for the Third International Fire Ecology and Management Congress, to be held in San Diego, November 13-17, 2006. (Jon Keeley, Three Rivers, CA, 559-565-3170, jon_keeley@usgs.gov)

Parasite and Cultural Traits: USGS scientist Kevin Lafferty of the Western Ecological Research Center was contacted on October 20, 2006, for an interview for an upcoming story in Discover magazine about his recent study on Toxoplasma gondii infection and cultural change. (Kevin Lafferty, Santa Barbara, CA, 805-893-8778, klafferty@usgs.gov)

Bird Use of San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds: USGS scientist Nicole Athearn of the Western Ecological Research Center will give a talk titled “Bird use of salt ponds at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge” at the refuge’s open house on October 14, 2006, in Fremont, California. Athearn will give an overview of common species that use the salt ponds and discuss how bird use has changed since certain ponds were opened for tidal exchange with bay waters in 2004. This is a free public event during National Wildlife Refuge week. For more about the event: http://www.fws.gov/sfbayrefuges/NWR_2006.htm. (Nicole Athearn, Vallejo, CA, 707-562-2002, nathearn@usgs.gov)