STRI newsleHer
Julyt.l994 SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE - Apartado 2072. Ba1boa, Panama No. 25TUPPER CENTER SEMINARS Tue, Jul S, noon seminar speaker will be Simon Haberle, STRI Postdoctoral Fellow from the Australian National University.
T1lt Paleoecology of New Cuinea:
An Antipodean View of Equatorial Environmental History
Abstract The talk will outline the status of Qua- ternary paleoecologIcal research in New Guinea, an equatorial island lying some 15,500 Km west of Panama. The di.so!S- sian wiU cover climate change~\human
impacts and the applicaHor: of new techniques, such as stabl~isotope anal- ysis, to the study of equatoriai vegeta- tion change.
PEOPLE Arrivals
• Walter Carson, University of Minneso- ta, Jul 2-15 Jul, to work with Steve Hubbell on a community experimental test of the control that mammals and insects have on tropical forest diver- sity. on BCI.
• Wayne Sousa, Betsy MHchell and two d5sist;,nts, University of ('..alifornia, Jul 2-Dp.c '94, te. study the light gap re- generation in a Caribbean Mangrove Forest. at Caleta.
• Robert Pearcy, Mellon Seni( r Fellow from the University of Califomia, Jlt15- 12, to start integrative studies of photo- syslhesis and whole plant performance in the understory at OCL
• Hector Guzman, Jul7, to start his new appointment at STR.I
The Newsletter is to keep the STRl community informed on matters of general interest. We appreciate con- tributions. Send your news to the Office of Education,c/ 0 Marla Luz Calderon
••• El Newsletter
stpublico "'''! eI
fillde
Ifumte:ner Ja comunidad de STRl in[armada sobre asuntos de inlerfs gtneral.
Mande
susno/ieWs a Ja Oficina de Educaci6n, c/o Maria Luz Calder611.
Robert Corell (rigIJt), Chairman of the Implementation Committee for ti,e Inter-American Institute for Global Change, visited STRI on Thursday, June 14, to present his work to tire STRI community •••
Robert Corell (derecha) directivo del Comiti de Desarrollo dellnstituto Inter- Americano de Camhios Globales, tJisito STRl ef jueves 14 de junio para presetrtar ut/a illtroducdon de su trabajo a /a comunidad de STRl.
(f.ato: M.A. Guemr)
Departures
• Georgir.a d~ Alba, to Washington D.C, JuJ 2-9, on offidal business at 51.
• Alejandro Arze, to Washington D.C., Ju12-9, on official business at 51.
• Carlos Urbina, to WaShington D.C., }uJ 4-9, on official business at 51.
Wedding Bells
Connie Kolman, former STRl postdoctoral fellow and John Mullingan were married at St. Thomas More, in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, May 29. Our congrahllations.
Condolencias
Nuestro sentido pesame a Alberto ''Tito'' y Gloria Maggiori, asi como a Adem G6mez, por la muerte de Alberto Maggiori, padre de '''lito'' y cunado de la Sra. G6mez.
Reminder •••
Recorderis
MondaYr 4th of July is the celebration of Independence Day at the Uniled States, and a STRI holiday··· EllulIes 4 de julio st aJebra e:l dia de indepetldencia de los Estados Unjdos, y es un dla [eriado para STRI.
1
July 1.1994 SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INS"ITIUI1i. Aputado 2072. Balboa. Panama No. 2S
Special VISitor
Donald Worster, Hall Distinguished Professor of Ameri- can History at the University of Kansas, will visit Panama invited by Fundad6n NAlURA from 9-12 August Worster Is the director of the Nhture, Culture and Tech- nology Program at the University of Kansas and is one of the found ... and principal rerresentatives of the US.
Environmental Hlstory. Worstet has authored a number of important publications such as The W..Jth of Na/uTiC Erroironinental History and til. Eal/cgiaU Imaginal"""
published by Oxford University Press, Nature', Ealnmny:
a History of Eal/ogi"d Id=, published by Cambridge University Press and Rivers of ~mpire, Water, Aridity and til. Growth of til. Ameriam West, published by Oxford University Press at New York.. among others. At STRI, Or.
Worster will give a brief presentation of his work on environmental history, followed by a short question and answer period. for scientists and all interested. on Wedn- esday, August 10, 11 am, at the Tupper Center Luge Meeting R.oom. Please contact Mlmica Alvarado for more information and special meeting arrangements.
New Honor
Leonar Motta was recently elected president of the COABIN (Comit~ de Amigos (.e 1a Biblioteca National
"Emest'o
J.
Castillero).The Office of External and International Affairs donated $1(xx) to the National Library for the purchase o( boo~ and periodicals as an initial effort to offpr its users a more complete collection of publications.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW At the Tupper Center
Tue, Jul 5 . Noon seminar b) Simon Haberle, AUD.
Thu, Jul 7 . Programa de Ecologia pora eI Manejo de las Areas Silveslres J(UI'Ul Yala (PEMASKY), Large Meeting Room, Sam.
At the Culebra Marine Reserve Tut>, Jul 5 Academia Santa ]"furia Wed, luI 6 Escuela Kirk Patr",k Thu, Jul 7 EscueW Presidente Roosevelt Fri, luI 8 Escudo EI Prado
Sat, Jul9 Escuela Salom6n POlice Aguilar
At Barro Colorado Island
Sat, Jul 2 • [nstituto Profesumal
y
Tecnico de David• Asociaci6n de Proff!:Sbrf;s de Ia Universidad de Panamd (APUDEP.'
Tue, Jul 5 . Estudwntes de Ecoturismo de Panama
2
ANNOUNCEMENTS Diving Thlining Operation in Panama
The US. Navy will <any out a major diving training operation in Panama from Jul 26-6 Aug. 1994 and have offered SfRI the use of their ROV's (remotely operated underwater vehicle). 11tis vehicle has a depth range between ~300 fsw with a high resolution video camera installed (no collecting capabilities). It Is extremely usefuJ (or deep sea surveys and research. The whole system is going to be operated by their own staff free of charge, but you will need to provide an operating platform (at least 25' boat) and transportation to the site (or all the crew.
lbose interested in the use of the system, please contact Harry Barnes. For additional technical information, please contact Jose Carlos Espino, Diving Officer, at Naos.
Nottl de InteTis
Argelis Ruiz Guevara particip6, en representaci6n de STRl, en el Congreso General Kuna celebrado en Tubua- la del 10 al 12 de junio, donde se discutieron temas de interes mutuo para 5TR.I y Ia comunidad de Kuna Yala.
Esa misma semana, del 14 a116 de junio, Ruiz Guevara partidpO en el Taller "Normas para el Aprovechamiento Pesquero en Areas Protegidas", con una charla sobre las actividades cientificas marinas que realiza el Instituto Smithsonian. EI evento se llev6 a cabo en la Estaci6n Biol6gica. Parque NacionaJ Coiba.
Principios EcoI6gicos para el Desarrollo Sosteniblc La Organizaci6n para Estudios Tropicales. Costa Rica, anuncia el curse "Principios &:oJ6gicos para el Des2rro- 110 Sostenible en America Latina", dirigido a pro(esiona- les en puestos poHHcos. administrativos y tecnicos, cuyas decisiones afectan eI uso de los recursos naturales y la calidad ambiental. EI objetivo general del curso es el de me}orar el desempeiio de los participantes en los proce-
50S de toma de decisiones, y con este prop6sito se estudiarci el concepto de sost"enibilidad, la evaluaci6n de impacto ambientaL Ia valoraci6n de los costos ambienta·
les, y la evaluaci6n con junta de los aspectos ecol6gicos, tecnicos y econ6micos que deben ser tomados en cuenta en el proceso de desarrollo y en la definici6n de politi- cas. El cursa se llevan\ a cabo en varios Iugares de Costa Rica del 19 de noviembre al 3 de didembre de 1994.
Fecha limite de inscripci6n: 10. de agosto de 1994. Costa total del CUJSO $3,000, 10 que induye estadia, alimenta- ci6n, materiales, equlpo, transporte en Costa Rica y matrirula. No induye transporte internacional ni trnmi- tes migratorios. Hay un n\lmero limitado de becas. Para mayor informaci6n, (avor de visitar la Oficina de Educaci6n de SmI, en el Centro Tupper.
July 1. 199C SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL IUlSEARCH INSTITUI1!. Apartado 20'72. Balbo .. Panam' No. 25
"ra
Nino and Oimate Prediction"The Office of Interdisciplinary ~ Stud- ies. the University Corporation fur Atmo·
spheric Research, the Office of Global Programs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdrninistJation
annbunce
thatthe third publication in the from Reports to
the Nation on Our Changing Plane series "El Nino and Oimate Prediction" will be avail- able for distribution later this spring. These publications are designed to raise the level of public awareness of climate and global change issues, through responsible and timely reports written and edited by lead- ing scientists and science writers. "EI Nino and Oimate Prediction", by j.Jphn M.
Wallace and 5hawna Vogel exalnmes the causes and effects of EI Niflo, and the scientific quest to better unders':and and predict it. The monographs will'be accom- panied by a colorful and informative poster. At SfRl we have been 9ffered 12 copies of the docwnent, but
we
may askfor a larger number. If you are"interested in receiving the publication. please stop by the STRI Office of Education, before Fri- day, July 8th.
Enfoque su Mundo D
EI Programa de las Naciones Unidas PC'1ta el Medio Ambiente (PNUMA) anuncia su conCUJSO fotogrM:ico intemadon.:11 "Enfoque Su Mundo U", patrocinado por Canon. El tema del concurso es el media ambiente, y la gente y especies que 10 habitan. Fotn- grafos de todas las edades, profe.":ionales y aficionados estan invitados a presentar sus fotografias tomadas entre el 1 d~ enero de 1994 y el 30 de abril de 1995, fECM limite del concurso. La inauguraci6n ofidal del concurso sera en octubre de 1994, despues de cuya fecha los formularios de inscrip- don (induyendo las reglas del concurso)
pod ran solicitarse en las oficinas del P!\1U·
MA Y en los Centros de lnfonnad6n de las Nacones Unidas. Tambien puede reservar un formulario de inscripd6n, ya disponibles, esoibiendo a FOC\.!S on Your World II, Information and Public Nfairs Branch, UNEp, P.O. Box 3055£ Nairobi, Kenya.
Pablo Amaris gave" training course on Cardiovascular Resuscitation to members of the STRI personnel 0" Friday, Tun 24, at the Tupper Center Conference Hall ••• Pablo Amnr{s dido U1/ curso prdctico de elltre1Ulmiento en re.;ucitacion cardiovascular a miembros del personal de STRI el vienles 24 de junio en el Sal6n de COllferencil1s del (erllro TUpper.
(Fota: M.A. GuetTa)
. JOB OPPORTUNITY
Mpala Research Center Laikipia Plateau, Kenya Applications are sought from active Ph.D. level researchers in ecOlogy, environmental science, behavior, evolutionary biology, or allied fields to direct a newly-established research and training centre in north·
central Kenya. The director will be responsible for preparing a draft master plan for the center which would require coordination of the gathering of basic environmental data and monitoring of animal and plant population/dynamics, coordination of field research and training activities, fundraising and administration of the centre. The candidate must be nuent in English and have experience and publications relevant to research in East African ecosystems and have managerial skills. The Mpala Research Centre is a collaborative activity of the Mpala Research Trust conSisting of the National Museums of Kenya, the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Mpala Wildlife Foundation, Princeton University and the Smithsonian Institution. Interested please send
c.v.,
three recent reprints and three letters of recommendation to Mpala Research Centre, c/o Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, 900 Jefferson Drive, Rm 2207/MRC 435, Washington D.C. 20560. Tel.
(202)786-2817.
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Julyl,1m SMnHSONIAN TROPICAL ~ESEAROIINSTIIU1l!. Apartado 'JJT72, Balbo., Panama No. 25
NEW STRI I'UIlLlCA nONS
Angler.. Natalie. 1994. ''Spiders Weave Crafty Web Signs, Saying to Prey, 'Open Sky"'. The New York Tunes Tuesday, April 19, 1994:
e13
Levins, R. and Adler, Gregory H. 1993. "Differential Diagnostics of Island Rodent Populations." Coenoses
8(3): 131-139.
Luoma, Jon R. 1993. ''Some Oil Spills Repeat Harm Again and Again." The New York Times "The Environ- m<nt-, Tuesday, December 21,1993: C4.
MISCF.I.I.ANF.OUS From the STRI Mini-Bookstore
Get • free greeting card with any purchase at the SI'RI Mini·Bookstore. Also, with the purchase of $20 or more, you get a free recyc1ed stationary paper and envelopes set. The bookstore is geUing ready for Christmas, so please bring your suggestions. This year the Mini·
Bookstore will have a Christmas Sale in October for your convenience. Great News! We accepl Visa and Mastercard.
Bocas Dive Shop
Bocas del Toro is a geologically diverse land with mountainous terrain, numerous cays and islands, rainforests, and marine and bini sanctuaries. Bocas Dive Shop, l()CUted on Isla Colon, offers tOLirs to several different dive locations in Olnd around Bastimentos Marine Park. If offers tours to the banana company plantations ill Changinola and rides on the banana train and water taxi. Abundant seafood. Canoeing, horseback riding and treks into the rainforest. Overnight package
$87 (rates based on double occupancy). Two day packa- ge $181.65. AU meals induded. Prices do not include air fare to Bocas. For reservations contact Vielka Verge!.
Agenda de Viajes Anita, tel 64-7646. Fax 64-6349. Bocas Dive Shop 78-9279.
Agenda dell.D.A.A.N_ en Diablo Heights ElI.D.A.A.N. ha abierto una nueva agenda de cobras en Diablo Hights, edificio 5553. Para cualquier informad6n lIamar al telelono 52-2879.
Don't miss Derby Day and 4th of July celebra- tion on Barra Colorado Island this Saturday, July 2. There will be Water Volley Ball in the morning (across the Island), BBQ and toad racing at 5:30. There will be a late boat for main·
landers. $2 each. Please contact Millan to reserve your sit on the boat ••• No se pierda la gmn celebracioll del 4 de julio y el "Derl'Y Day" el sdoodo 2 de julio en Ba"O Colorado. Habra Vofibol acwitico ell /a IIItulalla (del otro lado de la isla), barbacoa y carrera de sapos a las 5:30. Habrd UII bote de ,egre50 tarck en la noclle.
Costo por persona: $2. Favor poner5e en contado CO"
Dalliel Milld" para asegurar su puesto en el bole.
"Quit complaitlitl8 and tat it!... Nu.mber OtIt, d,icken soup is good