Position researching biocrusts

A PhD-level position is available at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

30 janvier 2014

Biological Soil Crusts: The Role of Trampling, Climate Change and Nitrogen Deposition in Affecting Community Species Composition

A PhD-level position is available at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to study the species dynamics of biological soil crusts communities. The successful candidate will work on a collaborative project that will examine the natural dynamics in undisturbed communities, as well as how trampling (from both cattle and people), climate change (experimentally manipulations with heating lamps and watering treatments), drought (using rainout shelters), fire, and nitrogen deposition is or has affected the composition of biological soil crusts communities. These studies will occur on both the Colorado Plateau and in the Mojave Deserts. This position will: 1) sample current and past experiments to assess treatment effects and recovery from those treatments; 2) synthesize 15 years of data on the natural dynamics of biological soil crust communities in undisturbed areas of both the Colorado Plateau and the Mojave Deserts; 3) effectively use statistical analyses to assess effects, and 4) communicate results in presentations and peer-reviewed publications. This project offers an unparalleled opportunity to examine how species composition of biological soil crusts changes through time, as we have the longest existing data set in the world. This position will also revisit some sites and examine how treatments have affected biocrust cover and physiology, using a portable fluorometer. A background in laboratory and field methods in ecology, physiology, and/or biogeochemistry is preferred. This position will be working with Drs. Henry Sun (Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas, NV) and Jayne Belnap (USGS, Canyonlands Research Station in Moab, UT). Salary is $1800/month. Start date will be fall 2014 or spring 2015, depending on the application date. Position is expected to last 4 years. Interested individuals should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three references to Dr.
Henry Sun (henry.sun@dri.edu).

New paper (SBB): Biological soil crust community types differ in key ecological functions

Nicole Pietrasiak et al. measure contributions of 8 types of Mojave Desert biocrusts to ecosystem functions: N-fixation, C-fixation, and soil aggregate stability
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038071713001831

Cryptobiotic Soils and Lichens of Joshua Tree National Park - Date Book

Cryptobiotic Soils and Lichens of Joshua Tree National Park - Date Book

Link to a short field course at Joshua Tree National Park taught by Nicole Pietrasiak and Kerry Knudsen.

Paper by Coe et al. recommended by Faculty of 1000

Faculty of 1000 is a panel of faculty members which recommends and ranks the best papers they have read in their fields, post-publication. It is sort of a post-publication peer review, and in addition to citation rates give an indication of the impact or quality a paper may have.

Scott Collins of University of New Mexico, a heavy hitter in dryland ecology specifically, and also the president of ESA has recommended Coe, K.K., Belnap, J., Sparks, J.P. 2012. Precipitation-driven carbon balance controls survivorship of desert biocrust mosses. Ecology 93: 1626-36. This is really a great honor for the authors, and I am really psyched to see my very first study subject, Syntrichia caninervis, making it big.

Check out my previous post about related work by some of the same authors here. Also CO2 Science summarizes another related work here.

Plate 1.  (Left) A moss-dominated soil biocrust from the Colorado Plateau in western North America, and (right) a single shoot (height 1 cm) of the widespread biocrust moss Syntrichia caninervis. Photo credits: left, K. K. Coe; right, Lloyd Stark.

View the recommendation here:

Collins S: F1000 Prime Recommendation of [Coe KK et al., Ecology 2012, 93(7):1626-36]. Faculty of 1000, 18 Oct 2012; DOI: 10.3410/f.717955503.793460788. f1000.com/prime/717955503#eval793460788

Dryland Biological Soil Crust Cyanobacteria Show Unexpected Decreases in Abundance Under LongTerm Elevated CO2 Steven Environmental Microbiology Wiley Online Library

Dryland Biological Soil Crust Cyanobacteria Show Unexpected Decreases in Abundance Under LongTerm Elevated CO2 Steven Environmental Microbiology Wiley Online Library

Feb. 12-14, Las Vegas: BLM biocrust training course

Recently annouced to me by Roger Rosentreter. I believe he and Jayne Belnap are teaching:

Biological Soil Crust Ecology and Management (1730-41)

 Feb. 12-14, Springs Preserve, Las Vegas, NV 

 Early Registration Requested! 

This 2.5 day course describes biological soil crusts, how to identify and recognize the different types of soil crusts, what factors control the distribution of soil crusts and why they are ecologically important. Included are field exercises that will reinforce classroom discussion topics, such as identification, monitoring, ecological roles, and management techniques. The facility requires a 60-day notice of cancellation. If enrollment is too low by December 10, the course will be relocated, if possible, or cancelled.

Course Name: Biological Soil Crusts: Ecology and Management Status: Active Description: Describes the types of soil crusts and their importance in maintaining rangeland and soil health. * Identifying soil crusts * Importance of soil crusts. * Effects of management actions on soil crusts.

LENGTH: 2 1/2 days

Objectives:

Overall Course Objectives: To educate land management personnel and public land users about biological soil crusts and why biological soil crusts are an integral part of the ecosystem. As a result of attending this class and field exercises, the trainee will be able to: (1) Identify the major components of Biological soil crusts; (2) Distinguish biological soil crusts from physical or chemical soil crusts; (3) Determine what soil types and plant communities have high potential for biological soil crusts; (4) Identify the ecological and hydrological roles filled by biological soil crusts; (5) Assess impacts of different types and intensities of activities on biological soil crusts; (6) Develop management alternatives and guidelines that maintain ecological functions of biological soil crusts; and (7) Integrate biological soil crusts assessment into routine monitoring procedures.

Tuition: $200.00 tuition for non-BLM participants Target Audience: Ecologists, biologists, range specialists, and botanists. Prerequisite Courses: None Delivery Type: Instructor Led Course Code: BLM-TC-1730-41 Vendor: BLM National Training Center CEU: 0 Duration: 20 hours

Biological Soil Crusts Course: October 6, Desert Institute, Joshua Tree National Park, California

Course registration link below, this one is taught by Dr. Nicole Pietrasiak.  Contact the Desert Institute for more information.

Biological Soil Crusts