WERC Highlights -- September 2000

USGS Scientist’s Work Recognized by Peers: Research Ecologist Barbara Kus of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center's San Diego Field Station became an Elective Member of the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) in August. Voting by Fellows and Elective Members was conducted by mail, and the results were announced at the 118th AOU meeting, in St. John's, Newfoundland. Election to this membership class is an honor bestowed in recognition of Kus’ contributions to ornithology, which include research on endangered species conservation, teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in ornithology, supervising graduate students in avian ecology at San Diego State University, and service to professional ornithological societies. The American Ornithologists' Union is the oldest and largest organization in the New World dedicated to the advancement of ornithological science. (Barbara Kus, San Diego, CA, 619-594-4357)

Magazine Asks Burning Questions: USGS scientist Nate Stephenson was interviewed by Janet Pelley, contributing editor for Environmental Science and Technology magazine, for an upcoming article on fire and forests. So far this year, nearly 7 million acres have burned in wildfires across the United States. This is the most area burned in nearly a century, and has brought fire and forest management sharply into the public spotlight. Stephenson discussed some of the factors contributing to this year's fires, how future climatic change might affect fires, and what management approaches can improve forest resilience to fire. (Nate Stephenson, Three Rivers, CA, 559-565-3176)

Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Watershed Studies: USGS research geologist Mary Ann Madej, invited speaker for the introductory talk at a watershed restoration symposium, will outline interdisciplinary opportunities in watershed studies, especially in planning and implementing restoration activities. The symposium is part of the Association of Engineering Geologists National Meeting to be held in San Jose, California, September 19-26, 2000. (Mary Ann Madej, Arcata, CA, 707-825-5148)

USGS Scientists’ Wilderness Research Contained in New Publication: The five-volume set of peer-reviewed proceedings of the Wilderness Science in a Time of Change Conference will be available online from Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute at http://www.wilderness.net in early October 2000. The volumes are: Changing Perspectives and Future Directions (Vol. 1); Wilderness Within the Context of Larger Systems (Vol. 2); Wilderness as a Place for Scientific Inquiry (Vol. 3); Wilderness Visitors, Experiences and Visitor Management (Vol. 4); and Wilderness Ecosystems, Threats, and Management (Vol. 5). USGS contributors include Craig Allen, Matt Brooks, Stephen Corn, Dan Fagre, Jon Keeley, Cynthia Loftin, Jeff Marion, Nate Stephenson, Jan van Wagtendonk, and Gerry Wright. (Gloria Maender, Tucson, AZ, 520-670-5596)

New USGS Website Features Studies in Coastal Ecosystems: Research by USGS Western Ecological Research Center scientists on nearshore communities and coastal environments is providing important insight into how coastal ecosystems work. These studies provide resource managers with information for decision making on topics such as keystone species, species and habitats at risk, invasive species, contaminants, habitat rehabilitation, and scientific development and review of monitoring protocols. To visit the new website, go to the WERC home page (http://www.werc.usgs.gov) and click on the photo icon labeled "Coastal Ecosystems." (Gloria Maender, Tucson, AZ, 520-670-5596)

New USGS websites Highlighted for Earth Science Week: The USGS Western Ecological Research Center is inviting the public to visit three new websites the center developed to make available information pertaining to its studies on invasive species, science support for habitat conservation planning, and studies in coastal ecosystems. (Gloria Maender, Tucson, AZ, 520-670-5596)

Human Legacy in California Deserts: Southern California's deserts have been profoundly altered since the arrival of modern civilization and it may take centuries for the harsh but fragile ecosystem to recover. This was the major conclusion of a study published in the journal Environmental Management in 1999. Interviewed for an upcoming story on this subject in the Los Angeles Times, USGS scientist Jeff Lovich referred to this study, the first comprehensive examination of the scientific literature on human impacts in Southern California deserts, in which he and his colleague David Bainbridge of the United States International University examined more than 150 studies by university and government scientists. (Jeff Lovich, Sacramento, CA 916-278-3210)