Wednesday 5 December 2012

University of Essex : Environmental Postgraduate Taught Courses (Masters Degrees)

University of Essex : Environmental Postgraduate Taught Courses
(Masters Degrees)

http://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/prospective_students/pg_taught/default.aspx

The School of Biological Sciences academic staff have expertise in
biophysics, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, computational
chemistry, environmental microbiology, molecular medicine,
photosynthesis, plant productivity, ecology and environmental
chemistry. Our unique multi-disciplinary environment enables us to
offer a wide range of modular, interdisciplinary taught postgraduate
courses which provide targeted training in specialist areas of
biology.

Masters in Environmental Resource Management and Masters in Natural
Environment and Society:

http://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/eco/Joint_Writtle_Postgraduate_Opportunities.html

Masters in Environmental Governance: The Natural World, Science and
Society

http://www.essex.ac.uk/ces/meg/meg.shtm

SUPPORT OUR PROJECT

Dear All,

Our Organization has been nominated for the global giving challenge
for a long term partnership and is available on the following link
(http://http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/childrens-sanitation-and-hygiene-promotion/)

You can also find more information on our website
(http://http://afesmw.org/newsandevents). This is a great opportunity
for us and for our capacity to implement the objectives of the
network, there fore we seek all your support.

Regards,

Daniel Mwakameka
(Executive Director -AFES)

[ANFES] University of Essex : Environmental Postgraduate Taught Courses (Masters Degrees)

http://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/prospective_students/pg_taught/default.aspx

The School of Biological Sciences academic staff have expertise in
biophysics, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, computational
chemistry, environmental microbiology, molecular medicine,
photosynthesis, plant productivity, ecology and environmental
chemistry. Our unique multi-disciplinary environment enables us to
offer a wide range of modular, interdisciplinary taught postgraduate
courses which provide targeted training in specialist areas of
biology.

Masters in Environmental Resource Management and Masters in Natural
Environment and Society:

http://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/eco/Joint_Writtle_Postgraduate_Opportunities.html

Masters in Environmental Governance: The Natural World, Science and
Society

http://www.essex.ac.uk/ces/meg/meg.shtm





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[ANFES] Lead negotiator reveals Africa’s four-point agenda to salvage COP18

Lead negotiator reveals Africa's four-point agenda to salvage COP18

Doha, Qatar, 30 November 2012 (ECA) - The African Group at the UN
Climate Conference has said it is galvanizing support to bring the
talks "back on track" and salvage what some delegates fear could be
the least productive of the Conferences of the Parties since
Copenhagen 2009.

The spokesperson of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), Mr. Seyni
Nafo, says Doha 2012 could actually achieve tangible results if
delegates paid due attention to issues that have the potential to
strengthen multilateralism in climate talks, according to Information
and Communication Service of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
at the meeting.

In a press release made available to ECA, Seyni Nafo cites the problem
of a Second Commitment Period to the Kyoto Protocol; the urgent need
to finalise outcomes on all the issues from the Bali mandate;
securing necessary climate finance; and a conscientious effort to work
on the 2015 agreement as real deal-breakers, without which Doha 2012
might not go down well in Africa

"Developed country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol must honour their
commitments through ambitious mitigation obligations for a second and
subsequent commitment periods. They must reduce their emissions of
greenhouse gases by at least 40 per cent during the second commitment
period from 2013 to 2017 and by at least 95 per cent by 2050, compared
to 1990 levels, as an equitable and appropriate contribution." Nafo
maintains.
"We stress the urgency of agreeing on a second commitment period in
Doha and of elaborating measures to avoid a legal gap between
commitment periods", the release states.

Since the talks opened last week, African countries have maintained
pressure on Annex I parties (developed countries) to ensure the
environmental integrity of their emission reduction commitments, and
to guarantee an equitable and appropriate level of domestic emission
reductions.
More:

http://new.uneca.org/ArticleDetail/tabid/3018/ArticleId/2403/Lead-negotiator-reveals-Africa-s-four-point-agenda-to-salvage-COP18.aspx

Climate aid assurances fail to convince African nations

DOHA (AlertNet) - African negotiators and climate activists are
demanding that rich nations provide a concrete commitment at U.N.
talks in Doha to increase funding for developing states to adapt to a
warmer world and grow in a cleaner way, despite reassurances from
donors that aid is not about to dry up.

Rich governments say they have delivered on a 2009 pledge to provide
some $30 billion in "fast start" finance from 2010 through 2012. They
also have promised to mobilise $100 billion a year in public and
private finance by 2020. But as the first funding period draws to a
close, there has been no firm indication of what will happen in the
interim.
"In Africa, (the finance gap) will mean that the continent will not be
able to develop and implement enough adaptation activities to
alleviate the problem," said George Awudi of the Pan-African Climate
Justice Alliance. "Countries will be compelled to go for loans... and
this will be killing Africa double."

In coastal areas of his country, Ghana, rising seas are forcing people
from their homes, but the government lacks financial resources to help
them, he said. Without additional money, food insecurity, water
stress, damaging floods and tensions over dwindling natural resources
are likely to trigger social tensions and more displacement, he added.

But officials from Britain, Germany and the United States told an
event on the sidelines of the Nov. 26-Dec. 7 Doha conference on
Thursday that climate finance is not about to fall off a cliff.

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/climate-aid-assurances-fail-to-convince-african-nations

UN-REDD Africa Lessons Learned-Nov 2012

http://www.unredd.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=8331&Itemid=53

Challenges and Prospects for REDD+ in Africa

http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/publications/PDFS/B17421.PDF

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environmentalsustainability+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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Sunday 2 December 2012

[ANFES] 2012-12-02 NRMI: This Issue - Tree Heights from Satellites (Part 1) and Some Other Good Things

2012-12-02 NRMI: NATURAL RESOURCE MONITORING ITEMS OF INTEREST

This Issue - Tree Heights from Satellites (Part 1) and Some Other Good Things

 BUT FIRST, WON’T YOU PLEASE HELP? Information on Chestnut Disease Sought. Umair Awan writes, “I need some research papers or any bulliten describing chestnut disease and its control preferably in the time of 1980s. Can you please send me some useful information about how in USA the local foresters controlled this disease before 20 years? “ If you can help, please contact Umair at awan48@gmail.com.

TREE HEIGHTS FROM SATELLITES (Part 1). This past September Asian wrote, “Dear all, I am looking for literature about tree height estimation using remote sensing data especially using radar.” Here are some sites that may be of interest. If you have any more to share, please contact Asian at acoinggo@GMAIL.COM.

Bautista, Amado Adalberto López. 2012. Biomass/carbon estimation and mapping in the subtropical forest of Chitwan, Nepal: a comparison between VHR GeoEye satellite images and airborne LiDAR data. Thesis. 68 p. http://www.itc.nl/library/papers_2012/msc/nrm/lopezbautista.pdf

Brolly M, et al. 2012. A macroecological analysis of SERA derived forest heights and implications for forest volume remote sensing. PLoS One.7(3). Abstract. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22457800

Brown, C.G. 2003. Estimation of red pine tree height using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and ancillary data. Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2003. IGARSS '03. Proceedings. 2003 IEEE International 4: 2850-2852. Abstract. . http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=1294608&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fiel5%2F9010%2F28604%2F01294608.pdf%3Farnumber%3D1294608

Brown, C.G. 2003. Tree Heights Estimation using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and Ancillary Data. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Book listing. http://books.google.com/books/about/Tree_height_estimation_using_shuttle_rad.html?id=oBQeAQAAMAAJ

Brown, C.G. 2010. Model-Based Estimation of Forest Canopy Height in Red and Austrian Pine Stands Using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and Ancillary Data: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Transactions on Geoscience & Remote Sensing. Abstract. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=5345829&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fxpls%2Fabs_all.jsp%3Farnumber%3D5345829

Brown, C.G.; Pierce, L. 1999. Tree height estimation from the polarimetric and interferometric radar response. Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS '99 Proceedings. Abstract. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?reload=true&arnumber=775008&contentType=Conference+Publications

Brown, Charles G. Jr. et al. 2005. Validation of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Height Data. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 43. 1707-1715. http://web.eecs.umich.edu/~saraband/KSIEEE/01487629.pdf

Brown, Charles G. Jr. et al. 2007. Model-Based Estimation of Forest Canopy Height in Red and Austrian Pine Stands Using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and Ancillary Data: a Proof-of-Concept Study. 40 p. https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/346172.pdf

Caicoya,,Astor Toraño et al. 2010. Biomass estimation as a function of vertical forest structure and forest height. Potential and limitations for Radar Remote Sensing. EUSAR 2010. 4 p. http://elib.dlr.de/63964/1/p901-kugler.pdf

SOME OTHER PUBLICATIONS/URLS OF INTEREST

Beschta, R.L., et al. 2012. Adapting to Climate Change on Western Public Lands: Addressing the Ecological Effects of Domestic, Wild, and Feral Ungulates. Env. Manage. http://www.springerlink.com/content/e239161819g0l117/. From Jon Rhodes, Appeal list.

Bombelli, Antonio. et al.2009. Assessment of the status of the development of the standards for the Terrestrial Essential Climate Variables - Biomass. T12. GTOS. 30 p. http://www.fao.org/gtos/doc/ECVs/T12/T12.pdf   

Kugelman, Michae; Levenstein.Susan L. 2012. The Global Farms Race - Land Grabs, Agricultural Investment, and the Scramble for Food Security. Island Press. 248 p. Book listing. http://islandpress.org/ip/books/book/islandpress/G/bo8429300.html

Lund, H. Gyde. 2012. Agroforestry In: Encyclopedia of Environmetrics Second Edition, A.-H. El-Shaarawi and W. Piegorsch (eds). John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, UK, pp.45-48. DOI: 10.1002/9780470057339.vaa012.pub2.

Open Source Geospatial Research and Education Laboratory - http://geo.fsv.cvut.cz/gwiki/Osgeorel

OTB in Quantum GIS. http://www.orfeo-toolbox.org/otb/otbqgis.html. From Artur Gil, Applied GIS RS List.

Peres, C.A; Schneider, M. 2012. Subsidized agricultural resettlements as drivers of tropical deforestation. Biol. Conserv. 151(1):65-68. Abstract. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320711004253

Remis, M.J.; Robinson, C.A.J. 2012. Reductions in primate abundance and diversity in a multiuse protected area: synergistic impacts of hunting and logging in a Congo Basin forest. Am. J. Primatol. 74(7):602-612. Abstract. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22644576

RMLands: Rocky Mountain Landscape Simulator - http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/rmlands/rmlands.html From Kevin Mueller, Appeal list.

Rossi, A.M., et al. 2011. Restoration of plant communities in former pine tree plantations. Southeast. Nat. 10(4):741-750. Abstract. http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1656/058.010.0413?journalCode=sena

Roth, Julie K. et al. 2007. Multi-Species Inventory and Monitoring: A Foundation for Comprehensive Biological Status and Trend Monitoring in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Final Report. 262 p. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5150415.pdf

Scheyvens, Henry. 2012. Community-based Forest Monitoring for REDD+: Lessons and reflections from the field. IGES Policy Brief. 10 p. http://enviroscope.iges.or.jp/modules/envirolib/upload/4124/attach/PB_22_E_final.pdf

Schotz, Al. et al. 2006. Vascular Plant Inventory and Ecological Community Classification for Russell Cave National Monument. Durham, North Carolina: NatureServe.108 p. http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ruca/rucarpt.pdf

KEEPING UP-TO-DATE – PRODUCTS, NEWSLETTERS, EMAIL LISTS, JOURNALS. See also http://botany.si.edu/puhttps://www.createspace.com/3489254bs/bcn/links.cfm, http://scholar.google.com/, and Directory of Open Access Journals. http://www.doaj.org/doaj?func=findJournals.

WORKING SMARTER - WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, EVENTS, ETC. – See also: http://www.gfis.net, http://www.iufro.org/events/calendar/ and http://www.iufro.org/discover/noticeboard/.

7-12 April 2013. Session BG5.1: Biospheric Feedbacks on the Earth System, EGU General Assembly 2013. The EGU General Assembly 2013 will bring together geoscientists from all over the world into one meeting covering all disciplines of the Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences. Especially for young scientists, it is the aim of the EGU to provide a forum where they can present their work and discuss their ideas with experts in all fields of geosciences. The EGU is looking forward to cordially welcoming you in Vienna. Details at http://www.egu2013.eu/home.html. From Gerardo López Saldaña, Applied GIS RS List.

21-24 May 2013. ISPRS Hannover Workshop 2013 - High-Resolution Earth Imaging for Geospatial Information. Call for papers is now open. See http://meetings.copernicus.org/h_ws2013/abstract_management/how_to_submit_an_abstract.html

6-7 June 2013. 6th EARSeL Workshop on Remote Sensing of the Coastal Zone. University of Basilicata, Matera, Italy. Call for papers now open. See: http://www.earsel.org/SIG/CZ/6th-workshop/index.php. From Artur Gil, Applied GIS RS List.

24-27 June 2013. Eighth International Conference on "Geographical Analysis, Urban Modeling, Spatial Statistics" GEOG-AND-MOD 13. http://www.unibas.it/utenti/murgante/geog_an_mod_13/index.html in conjunction with The 2013 International Conference on Computational Science and its Applications (ICCSA 2013). International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam http://www.iccsa.org/ . From Artur Gil, Applied GIS RS List.

9-11 October 2013. 5th International Conference on Geoinformation Technology for Natural Disaster Management (GiT4NDM). Dewey College; 5889 Coopers Ave., Mississauga, Ontario, L4Z 1P9, Canada (http://www.igrdg.com/5thGiT4NDM.php). In addition, there will be an exhibition beside the 5th GiT4NDM 2013. The exhibition will provide a showcase for the state-of-the-art geo-information and communication technology products and services. Interested sectors of the geospatial data providers and economy should cease the opportunity to showcasing their products and solutions. Please see the attached brochure for 5th GiT4NDM 2013. In addition, we have a pre-conference workshop on Open Source Hands-on GIS workshop for Disaster management using QGIS and GRASS on October 8, 2013 by Prof. Scott Madry from the University of North Carolina, USA. From Artur Gil, Applied GIS RS List.

MOVING AHEAD – OPPORTUNITIES – See also: Scholarships-Positions - http://scholarship-positions.com/ , Forestry, Arboriculture, Agriculture, Agronomy & Natural Resource Management Jobs at http://www.earthworks-jobs.com/forest.htm, Riley Guide to Agriculture, Forestry, & Farming Jobs http://www.rileyguide.com/agric.html, Finding Your Dream Job in Natural Resources http://www.cyber-sierra.com/nrjobs/, http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/index.html The Job Seekers Guide for International and Environmental Careers http://timresch.net/ejobs/index.htm and Scholarship Listing http://www.scholarshiplisting.com/.

MSc and PhD Fellowships at the Global Environmental Analysis and Remote Sensing (GEARS) Laboratory. The Global Environmental Analysis and Remote Sensing (GEARS) Laboratory is currently inviting applications for Doctoral or Master's work starting in Fall 2013 for students interested in one or both of the following topics: *Landscape Level Plant-Climate Interactions*: Students should be interested in applying remote sensing, GIS, and modeling to the following questions at local to global scales: - How do plants respond to their climate at multiple scales? - What will be the future state of vegetated ecosystems under climate change? - How do non-climate factors impact the distribution of plants? A degree or background in biogeography, environmental science, ecology, and/or biology is encouraged for applicants, as well as previous experience in remote sensing and GIS. *Remote Sensing Science*: Students should be interested in developing advanced remote sensing algorithms, particularly those that leverage high performance computing and machine learning algorithms. GEARS is interested in the following general topics: - Computer vision techniques applied to high spatial resolution remote sensing imagery - Fully automated pre-processing techniques including orthorectification and atmospheric correction - Radiative transfer modeling and model inversion - Advanced techniques in hyperspectral, hyperspatial, multitemporal, thermal, and Lidar data processing. Previous programming experience and a background in remote sensing and GIS is highly recommended. For additional information on either fellowship contact Jonathan A. Greenberg, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 607 South Mathews Avenue, MC 150, Urbana, IL 61801 USA. Phone: 217-300-1924, AIM: jgrn307, MSN: jgrn307@hotmail.com, Gchat: jgrn307, Skype: jgrn300. Funding will be available from a variety of sources, including fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. From Artur Gil, Applied GIS RS List.

Center for Biological Diversity Wildlands Program Director - Tucson, Arizona; San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon or Washington, D.C. The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time director for our Wildlands (formerly Public Lands) Program. The Center is a national non-profit organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and wild places through science, policy, education, creative media and environmental law. The Wildlands Program Director will oversee the Center’s work to protect and restore public lands in the United States, with a strong focus on National Forests, BLM Lands, National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges and critical state lands. The director will directly manage a staff of approximately ten biologists, activists and attorneys and coordinate with staff in other programs working on legislative and administrative policy, ecosystem defense, litigation, political organizing and media outreach. Threats to be addressed include oil, gas and coal leasing, logging, mining, livestock grazing, water diversions, off-road vehicles, invasive species, and ecosystem deterioration. The Director will also develop and implement proactive legislative and administrative agendas to better manage public lands for the benefit of biodiversity, clean water, and quite recreation in response to a changing climate and society. Main duties: Work with Center staff and other organizations to develop and implement strategies for the protection and enhancement of public lands in the United States; Directly manage approximately ten Center staff members; Preparation of communications such as press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, and white papers; Assist with fundraising; Frequent travel required. Essential qualities, qualifications and skills: Significant experience in public lands advocacy; amiliarity with environmental statutes including the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, National Forest Management Act and Federal Land Policy and Management Act; Scientific literacy; Communications literacy; Excellent research, writing, and verbal advocacy skills; An ability to lead, work with, and manage others as part of an effective team; A demonstrated commitment to environmental protection. Salary is commensurate with other non-profit organizations and includes an excellent vacation and benefits package. While position requires knowledge of and ability to oversee litigation strategies, candidates need not be practicing attorneys. Position will be located at a Center office in Tucson, San Francisco, Portland or Washington, D.C. USA. Please send a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample via email (no paper) to wildlands@biologicaldiversity.org. The position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls please. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. From Marc Fink, Appeal List.

NEXT ISSUE – Tree Heights from Satellites (Part 2)

Pay It Forward – Cheers, Gyde          

 

--   H. Gyde Lund    Forest Information Services  6238 Settlers Trail Place  Gainesville, VA 20155-1374 USA  Tel: +1-703-743-1755  Email: gyde<at>comcast.net    URL: http://www.forestinfoservices.com  CV: http://home.comcast.net/~gyde/cv.html.   Publications: http://home.comcast.net/~gyde/lundpub.htm.   Skype: forestgyde   

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