March 2015 Newsletter

News and upcoming events related to the Southeast Climate Science Center. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter here.

—— SE CSC NEWS: ——————————————————
New Publication – A comparison of hydrologic models for ecological flows and water availability: Just published in the journal of Ecohydrology, this article was funded by the SE CSC to help resource managers decide which hydrologic model to use in forecasting streamflow in the southeast. Read more.
Tom Doyle’s Webinar: Doyle’s Handbook is due to be published as a USGS report in late spring. Read more.
Save the Date! Global Environmental Change Symposium: August 28, 2015 from 9 am – 3 pm. This event will be held in the Talley Student Union on NCSU’s campus.
Scientists Work to Understand Conservation Decision Making in the Face of Sea-Level Rise: What happens to the value of coastal habitat and wildlife as shorelines continue to be lost to rising sea levels and increasingly frequent extreme weather events? This question is particularly important for coastal National Wildlife Refuge managers serving on the front line of global change impacts to our nation’s natural resources. Read more.
New Publication – Projected Impacts to the Production of Outdoor Recreation Opportunities Across State Park Systems in the US Due to the Adoption of a  Domestic Climate Change Mitigation Policy: Numerous empirical and simulation-based studies have documented or estimated variable impacts to the economic growth of nation states due to the adoption of domestic climate change mitigation policies. Published in the journal of Environmental Science & Policy. Read more.
SE CSC Researcher, Mitch Eaton, Contributes to New Book on Crocodiles: Mitchell Eaton, research ecologist with the SE Climate Science Center, is a contributor to a new book, Biology and Evolution of Crocodylians, a comprehensive review of current knowledge about the world’s largest and most famous living reptiles. This book will be a benchmark reference work for crocdylian biologists, herpetologists and vertebrate biologists for years to come. Read more.
—— FEATURED RESOURCE: ——————————————
In December 2014, NESP published The Federal Resource Management Ecosystem Services Guidebook, an online resource that provides a framework and methodology to enhance the credibility and consistency of ecosystem services approaches to planning and management. This guide also explains the legal basis for these approaches, describes how federal agencies are exploring or applying them, and presents 13 case studies.
—— RESOURCES: ——————————————————–
National Academies release two reports on climate intervention: Climate intervention, also known as “geoengineering,” refers to deliberate, large-scale manipulation of Earth’s climate intended to counteract human-caused climate change. Read more.
New Coastal Defense Website and App: Coastal Defense is an application for examining how coastal habitats such as oyster reefs, coral reefs, tidal marshes, mangroves, beach dunes, and seagrass help protect coastal areas by reducing wave energy hitting the shore. Coastal Defense is a part of a collection of apps that help identify nature-based solutions. Main functions are: identifying areas that may be at risk of coastal erosion and inundation from wave action and storm surge, examine the role of coastal habitats in attenuating wave height and energy, and determine appropriate adaptation strategies that incorporate green and gray infrastructure trade-offs. Read more.
Climate Change, Keep it in the Ground: The Guardian Newspaper is starting a new series, “Climate Change, Keep it in the Ground,” which will highlight climate change every Friday front and center of the paper. Read more.
NOAA Coral Reef Watch Satellite Monitoring: Newly released by NOAA and the Coral Reef Watch is the new Daily 5-km Coral Reef Bleaching Thermal Stress Monitoring Product Suite. This website gives color coordinated maps showing satellite images of coral reefs and their at risk alert level. Read more.
National Academies Release Two Reports on Climate Intervention: Climate intervention, also known as “geoengineering,” refers to deliberate, large-scale manipulation of Earth’s climate intended to counteract human-caused climate change. The National Academies Press has released two reports that assess the potential impacts, benefits, and costs of two different proposed classes of climate intervention: carbon dioxide removal, and reflecting sunlight. Read more.
Tracking Earth’s Energy Flow: How on Earth is our planet’s energy flow measured? Is it possible to determine its balance and where excess energy resides? And what are the implications for understanding and predicting future climate? That is the focus of the new research coming out of UCARConnect. Read more.
Earth Month Events Calendar At NCSU: An online calendar resource of Earth and environmental based seminars and events being hosted at NCSU. View it here.
—— WEBINARS: ———————————————————-
Federal Resource Management and Ecosystem Services Guidebook: March 25, 2015. 12-1pm. This webinar will touch on the impetus for the guidebook, describe how agencies are using it, and walk participants through its contents. With guest speaker, and one of the guidebook’s creators, Lydia Olander. Read more.
Using Existing Socioeconomic Data to Understand Vulnerability: March 25, 2015 12-1 pm. With guest speakers Neelam Poudyal, Cassandra Gaither, Zack Walton, and Jeff Hepinstal-Cymernam. Read more.
Urban Forest as Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management: March 25, 2015. 12-1 pm. Stormwater runoff is a pressing environmental problem in cities across the US. Many green infrastructure approaches to stormwater management focus on infiltrating stormwater into the ground. Trees compliment infiltrating technologies through the process of canopy interception and evapotranspiration. Read more.
Understanding Risk and Exposure in an Urban Case Study: April 8, 2015 12-1 pm. With guest lecturers Patricia Winter and Pamela Padgett. Read more.
Fire, Bugs, and Humans: Modeling Interacting Disturbances in Anthropogenic Landscapes: April 15, 2015. Begins a 3:30 pm. This presentation overviews the speakers program investigating fire and insect disturbance and their interaction with human activities shaping landscapes. With guest speaker Brian R. Sturtevant of the US Forest Service. Read more.
Assessing the Relative Resilience Potential of Coral Reefs to Inform Management in the Northern Mariana Islands: April 16, 2015 beginning at 11 am. Jeff Maynard from the Marine Applied Research Center in Wilmington, NC will give this webinar presentation on his project assessing the resilience potential of coral reefs. Read more.
Changes in Forest Composition and Structure Under Alternative Climate in the Northeastern US: April 29, 2015. Beginning at 3:30 pm. Changes in regional forest composition in response to climate change are often predicted using a niche-based, or biophysical process models that either do not account for or greatly simplify processes such as successful dispersal, and tree harvest. This seminar explains how this research method has been modified, with guest speaker Frank R. Thompson of the US Forest Service. Read more.
A GIS Approach to Assessing Population Vulnerability to Smoke in the Southeastern US: April 29, 2015 12-1 pm. With guest speakers Cassandra Gaither, Bryn Murphy, and Scott Goodrick. Read more.
—— SEMINARS at NC State, unless otherwise noted: ———
Coffee & Viz Seminar Series: March 20, 2015. 9:15-10:30 am, Teaching and Visualization Lab, James B. Hunt Jr. Library. Dr. Gary Lackmann, “Hurricane Katrina: Before, During, and Ten Years After.” Coffee and light refreshments will be served starting at 9:15 am, program begins at 9:30 am. Read more.
Faculty in Action Seminar Series: March 25, 2015. 5:15-5:55 pm in 301 Riddick Hall. Dr. Sandra Yuter, “Planets, Computers, and Precipitation.” Pizza reception to follow in the Riddick Hearth. Read more.
Dino-Mite: A Science Cafe at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences: March 26, 2015 at 7 pm. Dive into NCSU’s work in the wild and wonderful world of science at this Science Cafe event. Public scientists Rob Dunn, Holly Menninger, and Lindsay Zanno will discuss how they engage the public to learn more about everything from dinosaur teeth to face mites. This even will be held in the Daily Planet Cafe at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Read more.
Swimming upstream, flowing downstream: Where does your science fit?: March 26, 2015. 12-1 pm in Williams Hall room 1404. This brown bag will begin with highlights from a set of interdisciplinary research programs linking biology and watershed science approaches, then move into a facilitated group discussion on opportunities to apply the water science and extension expertise in the room to consider the research needs from multiple angles.
Conservation in the Trenches – A Vet’s eye view from 30 years with Asian Elephants: April 1, 2015. 3:30-4:30 pm in Jordan Addition room 1216. This Global Environmental Change Distinguished Seminar will welcome Kushal Sarma, professor and head of the department of Zoology Maharshi Dayand Sarawati (MDS) University Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. Read more.
2015 Harrelson Lecture featuring Fabien Cousteau: April 6, 2015. 2:30-5 pm in the Talley Student Union Ballroom. Fabien Cousteau, grandson of the legendary ocean explorer, Jacques Cousteau, and star of the acclaimed PBS series Ocean Adventures, will speak on “Oasis In Space: The Great Ocean Adventure.” Cousteau takes audiences on a three-generation journey of contemporary ocean exploration, starting with his grandfather’s first fin steps diving into the “Silent World”, underwater camera housings, and subaquatic habitats. Read more.
Socio-Ecological Land and Water Issues of the NC Coast: April 9, 2015. 12-1 pm in Talley 3285. A panel of 4 to 5 speakers will begin this brown bag to discuss coupled and natural dynamics at the interface of freshwater and saltwater systems in coastal environments and is organized by Ryan Emanuel, Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources and Erin Seekamp, Department of Recreation & Tourism Management.
Nutrient Source Attribution: April 16, 2015. 12-1 pm in Williams Hall room 1404. This lunch will have short presentations by multiple faculty on methods and results regarding the sources of nutrient loads/pollution in rivers and streams, followed by an open discussion. This brown bag is organized by Walt Robinson, Department of Marine, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences.
The Genius of Earth Day – How a 1970 Teach-In Created the First Green Generation: April 20, 2015. 5:30-7 pm in Park Shops 201. Acclaimed historian Adam Rome offers a compelling account of the rise of the environmental movement. Drawing on his experience as a journalist as well as his expertise as a scholar, he explains why the first Earth Day was so powerful, bringing one of the greatest political events of the twentieth century to life. Read more.
Department Seminar: April 20, 2015. 3:30-4:30 pm in 1216 Jordan Hall Addition. Dr. Paul Liu, MEAS-NCSU, Marine Science, “New Crisis: Recent Dramatic Changes of Global River Discharge to the Ocean – The Physical and Biogeochemical Implications”. Read more.
—— UPCOMING EVENTS: ———————————————–
Greg Fishel Town Hall: A Conversation with Dr. Kerry Emanuel: April 16, 2015 at 7:00 pm. WRAL’s Greg Fishel will interview prominent meteorologist Dr. Kerry Emanuel, a professor of atmospheric science at MIT. Emanuel conducts research on hurricanes, climate change, and the effects that climate change may have on severe weather. This event will be in the WRAL 3D Theater in the NC Museum of Natural Science. Read more.
Climate Science – Whom do you Trust? A Historian’s Perspective: April 18, 2015. Beginning at 10 am in 232A Withers Hall. Naomi Oreskes, professor and director of graduate studies at Harvard University Department of History of Science will be coming to discuss the documentary Disruption. Read more.
CoastGIS 2015: April 22, 2015. Cape Town, South Africa. Organized by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, University of Stellenbosch, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, and the International Program Committee for CoastGIS Symposia. Read more.
—— LCC NEWS: ————————————————————
Appalachian:
Midwest Fisheries Center Seeks New Director!: The Midwest Region of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking applicants for the Director of Midwest Fisheries Center in Onalaska, WI. Read more.
100 Case Studies Published Today Show How Communities are Preparing Our Roads, Airports, and Transit Systems for Climate Change: Read more.
New Study Looks at Future of Appalachian Energy Development: A new study and online mapping tool is intended to inform discussions among conservation agencies and organizations, industry, policy makers, regulators and the public on how to protect essential natural resources while realizing the benefits of increased domestic energy production. Read more.
Caribbean:
New! Caribbean Agriculture, Forestry, and Climate Governance Database: Agriculture and Forestry Governance Database is an outreach effort to identify “who is doing and producing what”. Read more.
Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozark:
Gulf Coast Prairie LCC Science Coordinator Position Open until March 23: Read more.
SEAFWA 2015 Annual Conference – Asheville, NC Nov 1-4, 2015: Read more.
Peninsular Florida:
South Florida Water Management District and USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service team up to restore wetlands for clean water, wildlife, and the Everglades: Read more.
International Bat Monitoring Research Group Receives “Wings Across the Americas” Awards: Read more.
South Atlantic:
Controlling Weeds in Conservation Tillage Systems: These are an important method for adapting to climate variability as they reduce erosion, soil water loss, and fuel use, while improving soil and water quality. Read more.
The State of the South Atlantic is Now Available: Read more.
—— OTHER NEWS: ——————————————————–
Evaluating the Coastal Landscape Response to Sea-Level Rise: A USGS and Columbia University team recently completed their study evaluating the effects of sea-level rise on the NE US. The project produced an approach methodology to distinguish coastal areas likely to inundate in response to sea-level rise from those likely to respond dynamically or by changing. Read more.
Building Bridges Between Tribes and Climate Scientists: Chris Caldwell and Marie Schaefer from the Sustainable Development Institute at the College of Menominee Nation hosted a Roundtable Discussion with the Five College Native American and Indigenous Studies Program and climate scientists in the New England region: “Tribal Interests and Resources, Federal and Academic Resouces, and Climate Change Science in the Northeast Region”. Read more.
The Rising Tide Within: From coastlines to the Everglades, researchers tackle sea level rise: The efforts are part of a university-wide initiative to study, better understand, and develop solutions for sea level rise. Plans are under way to create an institute dedicated to the interdisciplinary work being done at FIU, which includes collaboration among researchers from Arts & Sciences, Architecture and the Arts, Business, Law, Public Health, Engineering, Hospitality and Tourism Management, as well as Journalism and Mass Communication. Read more.
—— OPPORTUNITIES: —————————————————–
SC Sea Grant Consortium FY16-18 Request for Proposals: Requests for studies involving multi-disciplinary approaches with state/regional/national significance are especially desired. April 3, 2015 Concept Letters Due. Read more.
Lecturer in Community Ecology Position in School of Environmental and Rural Science: An exciting opportunity for a Community Ecologist Lecturer in Plant-Animal Interactions with an excellent postdoctoral record in relevant research areas, this role will contribute significantly to the new Natural History Museum at UNE. This will involve the design, coordination, and ongoing management of museum exhibition spaces, outreach programs, and building relationships with sponsors and researchers. Read more.
Postdocs Applying Climate Expertise (PACE) Postdoctoral Fellowships: The UCAR Visiting Scientists Programs (VSP) announces the 2015 call for applications to the PACE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. In this program postdoctoral scientists undertake research projects and develop tools that will apply climate prediction information to climate-impacted decisions. The work is conducted under the specification and direction of institutional mentoring partners. Application deadline is May 15, 2015. Read more.
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