UPCOMING BIOCURSOS
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Pura Vida OTS!Tropical Biology student Tiff Shao (Duke '12) will be heading to Costa Rica in one month as a member of the Tropical Biology program. She has agreed to keep an online blog of her OTS experience in Costa Rica.
To follow her journey, click here: http://puravidaots.blogspot.com/
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OTS/PASI Workhop Analyzes Impact of Climate Change on the Tropics
Scientific studies reveal more dramatic changes
in tropical biodiversity than originally expected
Professionals from a dozen
countries in Latin America and the United States discussed the effects of climate change in the tropics during a three week
workshop, entitled Global Change and Tropical Ecosystems. The workshop was held from April 22 to May 14 at La Selva.
"The goal of this workshop was to analyze the challenges currently being faced by
research and conservation in tropical ecosystems in the face of global change.
Along with this, the long-term research results from La Selva Biological
Station were compared with the results obtained at other stations such as
Monteverde, Palo Verde and Las Cruces that also were visited as part of the
course," explained the assistant Coordinator of the course, Delphine K.
Farmer, University of Colorado. Long-term scientific
studies, accomplished at field stations throughout the tropics, show that
relatively small climate changes (even less than 1�C increase in average annual
temperature) and slight changes in precipitation patterns can have profound effects
on the biodiversity of tropical ecosystems.
American researchers David and Deborah Clark, two of many presenters for the
course, demonstrated that the growth of large trees in the forest at La Selva
is reduced during warmer years. Other researchers in Costa Rica and on Barro
Colorado, Panama, have documented that the number of individuals and species of
animals, such as frogs, lizards, and birds, have also declined over the past 4-5 decades.
These changes surprised the scientific community, because it was expected that
the increase in the average temperature of the world would affect mainly cold
regions of the world, countries in temperate zones and polar caps, but it was
not anticipated that relatively small changes in temperature and precipitation
could have these effects on the tropics. While most of these changes appear to
be related to climate change, it is possible that other factors, such as
deforestation and environmental pollution, may also contribute.
As part of this
international workshop, OTS hosted a symposium, sponsored by the National Science Foundation - Research Coordination Network, on April 26th and 27th,
2009 at La Selva. Invited guests
presented talks on the importance of climate change and the challenges of
presenting complex information to students at all levels, educators,
policymakers, people from different
cultures and the general public.
"Presentations in the symposium were exceptional and occasionally
controversial. Based on these
presentations, and additional research, the participants are preparing detailed
analyses to be published at the end of the course on the web site of the course",
said Deedra McClearn, Director of the La Selva Biological Station and coordinator
of the event.
An additional, and perhaps most valuable, benefit of
this course is the creation of long-lasting networks of young researchers
throughout the Americas
who will carry on the work of researching and educating the public about our
changing world.
OTS/PASI Website
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OTS Weather Data Now on Google Earth
Thanks to the hard work of several members of the OTS Information Management Team, a summary of the current weather data for our stations can be seen via Google Earth. 1. If you have not done so already, install Google Earth on your computer. 2.Click on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/meteoro-kmz (a screen will appear asking you if you want to open it with Google Earth, click OK) 3. Google Earth will open. 4. Look on the left side of the screen and check the boxes next to Meteorlogical Data and the three stations. To see updated data for each station, click on the station name.
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The Luis Diego G�mez Herbarium Opens
During the fire of
November 1994, the facilities at the main academic building in Las Cruces were completely
lost. Reconstruction efforts were
successful, but some needs could not be met--namely, it proved difficult to
build a new herbarium (a collection of catalogued samples of plants from the
surrounding forest, which require special environmental conditions for
preservation). No existing structures
proved suitable for such a purpose, but the dream of such a place stayed in our
minds for several years. Finally, this
dream is coming true.
We are proud to
introduce the LUIS DIEGO GOMEZ HERBARIUM
(HLDG) at the Las Cruces Biological Station. A room in the Library has been modified with air
conditioning, double glass windows, and rubber lining in the door frame. It is equipped with five old cabinets -
survivors of the 1994 fire that were repaired and repainted-, working tables
and shelves, dissecting scopes and magnifying glasses, mounting materials,
appropriate literature and a computer.
The name of the herbarium honors Luis Diego, our former director for
more than 18 years, and a man dedicated to research and understanding of
tropical forest diversity.
The herbarium aims to
build a reference collection of the native plant species of the forest
protected by Las Cruces
and surrounding areas of interest. During
this past year we began our own collecting phase with forays into the
environments around Las Cruces. Currently, the herbarium collection has more
than 1100 samples catalogued and several thousand more that need processing.
We also have a database containing digital information about each sample, including scanned images. CLICK HERE to view the digital herbarium online now.
Federico pressing a plant in the field. Photo
Rodolfo Quir�s.
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H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Update for Costa Rica
According
to the latest information from the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica, from May 9th there are
8 confirmed cases of AH1N1 virus. Costa Rica has also
reported the death of one chronically ill 53-year-old man, with Diabetes and
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
The World Health
Organization (WHO) is not
recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza
A(H1N1) virus. The official WHO statement is that individuals who are ill should delay travel
plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical
care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of
many communicable diseases, including influenza.
Costa Rica�s Ministry of Health
launched a full epidemiological control campaign since the early stages of the
outbreak, taking advantage of the nationwide distribution of health services.
CDC officials have praised the quality of this campaign and urged Costa Rica to
help neighboring countries with its expertise.
Jorge
Benavides, MD is the lead coordinator for the newly established OTS Global
Health Program said, " We are continuing
to monitor the situation daily along with Duke University. Everyone should wash their hands frequently
and avoid contact with individuals who have flu-like symptoms. We have placed antibacterial hand sanitizer
throughout our stations and will monitor all visitors in conjunction with local
health authorities."
Dr.
Benavides is an M.D. from the University
of Costa Rica, and is
currently finishing an M.S. in Project Management (UCI). His background
includes clerkships in Clinical Genetics at the Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), in Infectious Diseases at the MA
General Hospital/ Harvard University, and in Infectious Diseases and Tropical
Medicine at Tulane
University Hospital.
He has been an attending physician, a professor for national and international
programs, and a clinical researcher for several different institutions. |
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Two Alumni Surveys Launched
Survey #1: ALUMNI UPDATES
OTS
is currently in the process of updating our alumni database and we want to hear
from you! We'd love to hear about your whereabouts and where you are currently
working.
Thank
you for your cooperation and we hope to hear from you soon. Know we look forward
to providing you with the latest happenings at OTS.
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Survey #2: FACTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED THE CAREERS OF OTS STUDENTS
OTS alumni are also invited to
participate in a new survey, which will help us track various factors that have
influenced their careers.
The survey will help OTS gain a better idea of the current issues facing
our graduates. Your completed questionnaire is important even if you are no
longer involved in science.
The questionnaire has 44 multiple-choice questions and
should take between 10 and 20 minutes. The Survey Monkey software we use will
fully protect the confidentiality of your responses. If you do not feel
comfortable answering a question or feel the question does not apply to your
situation, just leave the response blank. There is a space at the end of the
survey for your name and e-mail address, if you are willing to talk further
with one of the researchers about the issues addressed in the survey or if you
would like us to send you a copy of the final report or the previous reports.
We hope to receive all
completed questionnaires by June 1. To participate in the survey, please click
on the link below. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx This study was approved by the UCI's Office of Research
Administration. If you have any concerns, please contact their office by phone,
(949) 824-6662, by e-mail at [email protected]
or at University Tower - 4199 Campus Drive, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92697-7600.
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Cuisinart Supports OTS
Multiformas, the company that represents the Cuisinart brand in Costa Rica,
has shown their support of OTS in a very public manner. In conjunction with the
launch of their new line of eco-friendly cookware, GreenGourmet,
Multiformas, Hogar Cemaco and Sabores donated 5,000 dollars to OTS.
Not
only did this campaign generate much needed funds, but it gave OTS the
opportunity to provide educational materials to consumers through informational
stands at the Cemaco stores, with public lectures, and with printed materials
inside Cuisinart products. The funds will support general operations of Las Cruces and the Environmental
Education Program.
OTS also provided consulting services to these companies on how to reduce their
ecologic footprint. Congratulations Las Cruces!
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