From SFS Benthos News

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has released the new National Global Change Research Plan 2012-2021: A Strategic Plan for the U. S. Global Change Research Program. This plan is mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to serve as the guiding document for the USGCRP for the next decade.

The Plan’s vision is “for a Nation, globally engaged and guided by science, meeting the challenges of climate and global change.”

The Plan is focused on four strategic goals:

1. Advance Science: Promote understanding of integrated natural/human aspects of science
2. Inform Decisions:  Provide scientific basis for adaptation and mitigation decisions
3. Conduct Sustained Assessments:  Build assessment capacity to respond to climate change
4. Communicate and Educate:  Broaden public understanding of global change

In addition to these four goals, the Plan emphasizes the importance of national and global partnerships that maximize financial investments and program results.  The Plan builds on the Program’s strengths in combined observations, modeling, and data management for science that supports the requirements of society.

A special session in memory of Emeritus Professor Richard Norris (1951-2011) will be held at the next Society for Freshwater Science in Louisville, Kentucky.  This session, entitled “Bioassessment of river health: where are we now and where to in the future?” will reflect on Richard’s early work on bioassessment, discuss the state of monitoring today, and focus on the future of biological assessment in streams and rivers, including the ‘reference condition approach’, predictive modeling methods, and user needs.

Professor Richard Norris lost his battle with cancer on 19 September 2011 in Canberra, Australia.  Richard will be sadly missed by family, friends and colleagues in Australia and around the world. He had officially retired as Professor of Freshwater Ecology at the University of Canberra (UC) in May 2011.  Richard was the former director of the Institute for Applied Ecology at the UC and leader of the eWater Education and Training Program.  His particular research interest was in biological assessment using benthic macroinvertebrates and has published extensively in this area and on issues associated with the management of river systems, including sewage discharge, agricultural effects, heavy metal effluent, siltation, and environmental flows. . Richard was strongly committed to undergraduate teaching and postgraduate training (Richard supervised 28 BSc Honours students, 10 MSc students, and 13 PhD students, with three in progress), but also to the development of online training courses that allowed flexibility and self-paced learning.

He was an enthusiastic advocate for collaborative research between researchers and agencies, resulting in strong ventures among UC and many governmental agencies.   For example, Richard played an important role in the development of bioassessment under Australia’s National River Health Program and the AUSRIVAS methods and software to standardize freshwater assessment.

His enthusiasm for science was mirrored by his athletic pursuits.  He was an accomplished sailor and had represented Australia in his age-class at the world triathlon championships in 2009.

For full obituary see Freshwater Science, 2012, 31(1):3–4.

From the AIBS Public Policy Report

From the AIBS Public Policy Reports

From the AIBS Public Policy Reports

Federal spending on environmental programs would be cut by $4.1 billion under the budget plan for fiscal year 2013 endorsed by the House of Representatives in late March. Environmental spending, including for the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other agencies, would collectively be reduced to the 2001 level if the House budget is maintained through the annual appropriations process.

Science would not fair as poorly, despite proposed reductions. The House-passed budget would cut funding for NASA, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, and other agencies to a level $300 million greater than in 2008.

The budget resolution passed in a largely partisan vote of 228 in support and 191 opposed. The House budget resolution does not have the force of law. Rather it sets the funding limits for the annual spending bills prepared by the House Appropriations Committee.

Senate leadership has criticized the low spending cap set by the House budget. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans on limiting 2013 spending to $1.047 trillion, $19 billion higher than the House proposal and the level set in the Budget Control Act of 2011.

From SFS Benthos News

This week’s NSF Science Nation video episode, titled “Threats to Freshwater
Mussels and the Consequences for Ecosystems,” features SFS member Caryn Vaughn from the Aquatic Research Facility at University of Oklahoma. Vaughn is the PI on a current grant from the National Science Foundation Population and Community Ecology Program (DEB/BIO) which investigated the links between the loss of freshwater mussels and effects on ecosystems.

Link to video: http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/index.jsp

Wading for Bugs: Exploring Streams with the Experts

Edited by Judith L. Li and Michael T. Barbour

“The intent of this book is fun and original—particularly so since the topic of aquatic invertebrates is relatively unexplored and uncelebrated.”
—Sharman Apt Russell, author of An Obsession with Butterflies

Wading for Bugs invites readers to experience—through the eyes of scientists—the wonders of studying stream insects. Nearly two dozen biologists share their memorable encounters with aquatic bugs in this lively and informative volume.

In addition to the personal narratives, a general summary introduces each insect order. Insect drawings accompany each account, along with morphological, life history, and habitat information for each group. Insights into conducting field and experimental research, and details about aquatic insect groups, can also help introduce students to the fascinating study of streams.

Contributors include: Norman H. Anderson, Michael T. Barbour, Christopher Beatty, Fred Benfield, Michael Bogan, Rob Cannings, Lynda D. Corkum, Gregory W. Courtney, Deb Finn, Donna Giberson, Judith Li, David A. Lytle, Richard W. Merritt, Mark P. Miller, Marilyn Myers, Dave Penrose, Vincent Resh, John Richardson, Michael C. Swift, Mark Vinson, John R. Wallace, David Wartinbee, and John Woodling

2011 • Paperback, $19.95 • ISBN 978-0-87071-608-9

On Tuesday, February 21, ASLO hosted a trio of experts on climate change communication at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Salt Lake City. A lively discussion followed, with questions going long past the scheduled 7:30 endtime. Inspired by the discussion, panelist Dan Kahan wrote on his blog about fellow panelist Max Boykoff’s book regarding the imbalance of media coverage when it comes to climate change. He writes:

“Boykoff’s own take — and that of pretty much everyone I’ve heard comment on this phenomenon — is negative: there is something wrong w/ norms of science journalism or the media generally if scientifically weak arguments are given just as much space & otherwise treated just as seriously as strong ones.”

Kahan goes on to explain that while he agrees the end result is negative, he believes the cause of this phenomenon is “evidence of the expressive rationality of public opinion on climate change.” Noting that papers have to print news that sells, he says that the real climate change story right now is that there is controversy over whether it is occurring, not climate change itself:

“The aspect of the climate change story that’s most consequential for ordinary members of the public is that there’s a bitter, persistent, culturally polarized debate over it. Knowing that has a much bigger impact on ordinary individuals than knowing what the science is.”

While Dan’s research is often interpreted as meaning there’s no hope for changing people’s minds about climate change, looking at the issue from this perspective offers a different approach to solving the climate communication crisis.

“The answer, however, isn’t to try to change the norms of the media. They will inevitably cover the story that matters to us.

What we need to do, then, is change the story on climate change. We need to create new meanings for climate change that liberate science from the antagonistic ones  that now make taking the “wrong” position (any position) tantamount to cultural treason.”

Check out Dan’s full post here.

Miss the panel in Salt Lake City? Never fear!! The event was recorded and will be posted online soon.

S-Factor 2 – Ocean Sciences 2012 Film Analysis Workshop

HOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS PANEL WILL ANALYZE VIDEOS

 S-Factor 2 will take place on Sunday afternoon, February 19 (2-5 PM) in Ballroom I of the Salt Lake City Salt Palace Convention Center.

Film and video is a language. Everyone can “read” it. Traditionally only a few can “speak” it. But that’s now changing thanks to new technology. Soon EVERYONE will be “speaking” the language of film. But will they speak it well?

Interest in public outreach is growing within the marine sciences community. However, most of us need to learn more about how to use popular media, and to make our messages interesting and compelling to a non-technical public. This workshop is the next installment in the on-going collaboration between scientist-turned-filmmaker Randy Olson (writer/director of, “Flock of Dodos,” author of, “Don’t Be Such a Scientist”) and the ocean sciences community, which began in 2008 at the Orlando Ocean Sciences meeting, then continued at Portland Ocean Sciences (2010), Puerto Rico ASLO (2011), and San Francisco AGU (2011). The purpose of these workshops is to help scientists become more fluent in “the language of film.” These workshops also help scientists with communication to the public using other media.

The event is now expanded to include a trio of Hollywood filmmakers (the “S Panel”) consisting of Randy Olson, actress/script consultant Dorie Barton (who appeared in such movies as, “Meet the Fockers,” “Bewitched”), and actor/improv instructor Brian Palermo (seen in “The Social Network,” “Thank You for Smoking”). They will present, analyze, and discuss with the videomakers 10 videos selected from submissions.

This panel has over 80 years of film knowledge and experience that they will be bringing to bear in examining the videos, pointing out their strengths, and quizzing the videomakers about ways in which the storytelling can be strengthened. Whether or not you have experience making videos, the panel invites you to join the discussion as each video analysis turns into a creative session in the endless search for better and more powerful telling of stories. The event will be a lot of fun as well as productive in helping everyone learn the elusive language of film.

We have received 26 videos and all are posted below so you can view them. The 10 selected for presentation and discussion at the meeting are noted with an asterisk and are also highlighted in the trailer below.  NOTE: The videos selected for discussion are not the best ones in technical detail or for communication of message, they are selected because they will provide the most interesting discussions, with advice from the Hollywood experts with pros and cons on how to make better videos.

Please view the videos and make comments.  The workshop and this blog are an iterative process for more of us to better understand the efforts and needs for better communication of environmental science to the public. Links to the videos are here; please comment on the individual film pages here rather than on YouTube.

This workshop is supported by a grant from the Ocean Sciences Division of NSF.

A trailer about the S-Factor 2 can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmuGt_4XvNY

All submitted videos will be posted for comments. Those selected for discussion during the workshop are designated by number and have been posted.

The Dead Zone. A description of the bottom water hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico adjacent to the Mississippi River outflow. By Anthony Reisinger, a graduate student at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.

The story of a MIT/WHOI graduate student who studies ice in a warming climate. By Ari Daniel Shapiro, Independent Producer and science commentator for NPR, PRI, and other outlets.

A story of jellyfish research by Dr. Claudia Mills of Friday Harbor Laboratories. By Colleen Durkin, a University of Washington graduate student.

A playful story introducing children to IODP research. Produced by Dan Brinkhuis of Science Media (Netherlands) and presented by Leslie Peart, Director, Deep Earth Academy.

A description of the history and future of oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. By University of Maryland (Horne Point Environmental Laboratory) professor Elizabeth North.

Explanation of a student intern program run by NASA to get student involvement with environmental problems. By Jason Jones of the NASA Education Office, primarily the work of intern Katrina Laygo.

A description of hydrographic research in Antarctic waters. By Juan Botella, a science teacher from Monona Grove High School (Wisconsin) working with researchers on a cruise.

The story of AUV research looking for penguins under the ice in Antarctica. By University of Delaware (School of Marine Science and Policy) professor Matt Oliver.

A silent video of a deep water white octopus near the Juan de Fuca hydrothermal vents in the North Pacific. By Nancy Penrose of the University of Washington Ocean Observatories Initiative.

A tale of coral genetics research.  Presented by Sue Cook, Director of the Florida COSEE program.

A video clip about masses of bryozoans collected in a study of the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon crude oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. By University of Louisiana faculty member, Suzanne Frederiq.

A video clip of non-corrline algal crusts and other macro-algae in waters of Panama. By University of Louisiana faculty member, Suzanne Frederiq.

A description of finding heavily oiled materials from a biological dredge in the Gulf of Mexico in a cruise evaluating the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. By University of Louisiana faculty member, Suzanne Frederiq.

A report about exploration of bioluminescent organisms in the deep sea. Made for Telemundo 51 TV by Sarah Frias-Torres, a post-doctoral researcher from the Ocean Research and Conservation Association.

A report about the potential demise of goliath groupers being overfished during spawning aggregations. Made for Telemundo 51 TV by Sarah Frias-Torres, a post-doctoral researcher from the Ocean Research and Conservation Association.

The story of a group of Santa Monica high school students working to persuade the city council to ban plastic bags. From Lynne Cherry, a writer of children’s books and head of Young Voices for the Planet.

A video of exploration under the ice in the Arctic. By Lollie Garay, a teacher from Redd School, a middle school in Houston, TX, working with researchers to develop curricular units.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fluywQk_nbA

A story about returning oyster shells to the Gulf of Mexico waters to restore oyster reefs. By Lauren Hutchison, a graduate student at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christie.

A description of finding a current mooring that had been lost for 10 years. By Juan Botella, a science teacher from Monona Grove High School (Wisconsin) working with researchers on a cruise.

Discussion of deploymente of current moorings for study in the Agulhas Current. Made by James Campbell from Alive Media Productions.