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Organization for Tropical StudiesJanuary 2015
In This Issue
NY Times Article
Internships
Grant Competition
Graduate Changes
Faculty-led Groups
New Bird Species
Field Ecology
Book Translation
Garden Renovations
Call for Posters
Fundamental Courses
Employment
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Picture of the Month  

A crocodile (Cocodrylus acutus) rests on a fallen tree trunk on the Bebedero River in Guanacaste. The individuals that reside in the T�rcoles River attain the largest size in the country. Photo by Karla Kruse.

FY 14 Annual Report   

The FY 14 Annual Report is now available online. Click the image to open the document. 

La Selva Researcher Featured in NY Times 


Dr. Robin Chazdon
(U. Connecticut), a longtime researcher at OTS' La Selva Biological Station, has studied secondary forests surrounding La Selva for decades.  Her work exemplifies OTS' goal to coordinate and stimulate innovative, interdisciplinary, and globally relevant research. As highlighted in The New York Times article, Restored Forests Breathe Life Into Efforts Against Climate Change, by Justin Gillis and published online December 23, 2014,  Robin Chazdon has become a leading voice in the establishment of secondary forests to conserve biological diversity and pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.  

 

"In the battle to limit the risks of climate change, it has been clear for decades that focusing on the world's immense tropical forests - saving the ones that are left, and perhaps letting new ones grow - is the single most promising near-term strategy." 

One the photos used in the NY Times slideshow depicts La Selva employee Bernal Paniagua Guerrero measuring a tree at the Cuatro Rios forest plot for Dr. Chazdon's  research. Photo By Adriana Zehbrauskas for the NY Times.  Click on the image to view the whole slideshow.

Congratulations Robin!

Undergraduate Internships Available  

    

Thanks to the generous support of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation at NSF,  OTS is pleased to offer research internships for two of our 2015 summer programs: Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at La Selva and the Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience (NAPIRE) for undergraduates at Las Cruces.

The REU Program is open to undergraduate U.S. citizens and permanent residents of ethnic groups underrepresented in the sciences who are enrolled in LSAMP institutions in the United States and who have taken at least 2 semesters of upper-level biology (beyond introductory courses) or can explain in an essay how they are sufficiently qualified to conduct independent research in field ecology.
Application deadline: January 31, 2015.
Click here more information: http://bit.ly/1Crd2rV

The NAPIRE Program is open to U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents who are undergraduate students enrolled in accredited institutions in the United States. Incoming freshmen and graduating seniors are not eligible. Students must attend LSAMP institutions. Native American; Alaskan Natives and Pacific Islander students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: February 15, 2015.
Click here for more information: http://bit.ly/1CrdlCZ


If you need to check if your institution is enrolled in LSAMP, please go to this link.

 

OTS Grant Competition - Call for Proposals
Proposal deadline is February 2, 2015. 

The OTS program on "Emerging Frontiers in Tropical Science" identifies emerging issues in tropical science and draws together scientists across a range of disciplines, institutions, and geographies to holistically address these issues. Through this program, OTS aims to advance multi-disciplinary, multi-scale efforts working on cutting-edge issues that have the ability to transform tropical science and education. This program seeks to catalyze research conducted in and around OTS research stations in Costa Rica.

Emerging Frontiers in Tropical Science- Working Groups competition funds workshops for the collaborative development of proposals to test cutting-edge theories or for conducting analyses of existing data. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, global climate change impacts on tropical ecosystems, water sustainability and governance, restoration and adaptation, and biosafety related to invasive species and emerging diseases.

Expected products are research proposals to the US National Science Foundation or similar funding organizations, curricular materials for field courses, and manuscripts and synthesis papers to be published in peer reviewed journals.

EFTS-WG grant typically will support a workshop of 8-10 scientists or educators to work collaboratively for 4-5 days at one of OTS research stations. Researchers of all nationalities working on tropical issues may apply for an EFTS-WG grant.  

Click here for more information.
 
Barbara Lewis: A Quarter of a Century of Service to OTS 

After almost a quarter of century dedicated to OTS graduate courses, Barbara Lewis has initiated a transition process that will culminate with her retirement in 2017. Her schedule will change to part-time as her responsibilities move to Andr�s Santana, who previously coordinated the Specialty Courses of the Graduate Program.  

   

"Barbara has been fundamental to the OTS graduate courses for almost a quarter of century. She has facilitated education to a complete generation of tropical biologists from United States and Latin America," stated Liana Babbar, OTS Director for Costa Rica.  


Colleagues, professors, and students who know Barbara all agree that her dedication, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm for the OTS graduate courses have been great assets to the students of OTS. One of her most important legacies is the implementation of a scholarship program, which allowed students to access OTS courses regardless of economic means, thus creating life-changing experiences for many young biologists.

 

Barbara arrived to OTS as a student of the Tropical Biology course in 1974, returned in 1976 to live in Costa Rica, and in 1991, she joined the OTS Education Department. With a wide and proud smile, she expressed that she feels most proud "to have succeeded in maintaining the quality of our education programs over the years."

 

As Andr�s Santana begins to take over Barbara's role, Barbara will offer advice, continue to strengthen the program, and support the courses during the transition. "For me it represents a big opportunity and a privilege to coordinate one of the most important OTS programs. Barbara has been an excellent mentor and I count on her support", stressed Andr�s.

 

OTS welcomes Andr�s into his new role and offers its immense gratitude to Barbara for her years of service!  

La Selva Solar Project - An Update 

In an effort to advance OTS'  institutional goals of achieving ecological and financial sustainability, the La Selva Biological Station has undertaken a series of ambitious measures to reduce electricity consumption which is one of its most significant monthly costs. These efforts, as of 2014, have already created a 25% reduction in electricity consumption since 2011.

 

Now, La Selva is poised to take a giant leap forward, hoping to generate as close as possible to 100% of its electricity with the installation of the most technologically advanced solar panels.  

 

The proposal and initial quote from Solar Ing, a long-time partner and donor in the installation of solar water heaters,  covers 100% of the station�s needs through the installation of state-of-the-art photovoltaic panels. The announcement of this proposal generated a great deal of excitement. The OTS staff and Board of Directors are now reviewing it and proposals from additional companies.   

 

Adopt a Panel Today!
While negotiations continue, OTS has launched a campaign to raise the needed funds and take advantage of new legislation on clean energy rates established by the Costa Rican Government. A tax-deductible contribution of $1,000 will cover the installation cost of one panel, plus one year of maintenance. All gifts of $1,000 or more will be listed on our new Solar Friends wall at La Selva. Contributions of any amount will help us reach this goal. This is a great opportunity for the La Selva community to leave a legacy for future generations!
Logistics Staff Help Faculty and Researchers

Sonia Lopez, Pablo Richard, Gabriela Vargas (pictured below from left to right), and Patricia Carrillo (not pictured) stand ready to help faculty members conduct research at the OTS field stations and/or bring their students to Costa Rica. 

 

"We are working right now on reservations for Spring Break this coming March," said Pablo Richard, the newly designated head of the reservations staff.  "Groups interested in coming in May and June are not far behind in getting our attention.  If you are interested in bringing your students or conducting research at our stations this summer, do get in touch with us." 

 

The OTS academic logistics staff has assisted hundreds of faculty members throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and even, Costa Rica itself, enhance their course trips by arranging everything from hotel reservations, to transportation, to meals, to day activities, to research permits.   With three full-service research stations in which to conduct field-training, a dedicated staff in San Jose as well as at Las Cruces, La Selva, and Palo Verde, and decades of experience with our own courses traveling throughout Costa Rica, they are perfectly suited to help faculty members create memorable courses.

 

"We can be of assistance to researchers too!  If a faculty member is interested in visiting our stations during the next academic calendar year, 2015-2016, he or she definitely should contact us."  Pablo Richard added.  "We hope to be booked solidly next January, and the rates are good right now too!"      

 

Click here for more information or email Pablo Richard directly at pablo.richard@ots.cr

 

Credit: Martin Lindop &
Ticiana Jardim Marini
OTS Alumnus Confirms New Bird Species
 
Bert Harris '05, a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton's Program in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy, along with his research team have confirmed the discovery of a new bird species more than 15 years after the elusive animal was first seen on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

The Sulawesi streaked flycatcher (Muscicapa sodhii), whose discovery has just been confirmed 15 years after the first sighting in Indonesia, is distinguished by its mottled throat and short wings.

Click here to read more. 
 
Field Ecology: Skills for Science and Beyond
(Dec 29, 2014 - Jan 24, 2015) - Open Enrollment

 

This fundamental OTS field course has trained tropical biologists since the 1960s. At its heart lies the highly regarded OTS "field problems." Students will take away advanced skills in research design, data analysis, writing, science communication, modeling, and collaborative research - all in the breath-taking tropical setting that is Costa Rica. Long days and late nights, filled with science.

Learn More...       
Monteverde Book Now Available in Spanish

One year ago Nalini Nadkarni and Nat Wheelwright launched a Kickstarter campaign to update and translate  their book on the ecology and conservation of Monteverde's cloud forests into Spanish and make it available online and free to Spanish-speaking educators, students, guides, decision-makers, naturalists and ecotourists around the world.

 

Thanks to the support of the tropical community, "Monteverde: ecolog�a y conservaci�n de un bosque nuboso tropical" (Wheelwright, N.T., and Nadkarni, N.M., editors, 2014) has just been published as Book 3 in the Bowdoin's Scholars' Bookshelf (digitalcommons.bowdoin.edu/scholars-bookshelf/3). The English version of the book is also now available free online (digitalcommons.bowdoin.edu/scholars-bookshelf/1/).

 

Congratulations to the whole team! 

 

Wilson Botanical Garden Renovations    

 

In recent months, the Wilson Botanical Garden has undergone some renovations in the state and presentation of its plant collections. The images show sections of the garden before and after these renovations. Leading the effort for these changes is horticulturist David Janas, who is working diligently to improve the presentation and the taxonomy of the collections. The renovations include relocation and replacement of plants, pruning of excessive shade, improvements in the materials used as soil cover, and weed management, among others.  

 

Stay informed about these and
other changes on the Garden's
Facebook page! 

 

Call for Posters & Videos

The Center for Latin American Studies is pleased to announce their 64th Annual Conference at the University of Florida.  This year's conference, "Envisioning a Sustainable Tropics", is organized by the graduate students in the Tropical Conservation and Development Program.

 
The conference will take place in Gainesville, FL from March 25 to 28, 2015. Abstracts for poster and video contributions are welcome from researchers at any stage of their careers, as well as practitioners and others dedicated to studying sustainability in the tropics.  Deadline: Monday, January 26, 2015  

Click here for more information.
Systematics, Ecology, Evolution and Uses of PalmsMay 25- June 7, 2015
February 3, 2015
Sistematica de Plantas Tropicales

Payment for Ecosystem Services: Putting Theory into Practice in Costa Rica
May 25- June 8, 2015
February 3, 2015
 Telling Stories About Science: Science communication in the digital age
July 21 - August 3, 2015
March 3, 2015
Tropical Conservation & Sustainable Development: Law, Policy & Professional Practice
May 30 - June 30, 2015
March 15, 2015
Ecology and Evolution of Coleoptera (Beetles)June 5-24, 2015
February 3, 2015
Tropical Biology: An Ecological Approach
June 8 -July 19, 2015

June 9 - 26, 2015
February 3, 2015
Inquiry in Rainforests: an in-service program for teachers July 8 - 21, 2015
March 1, 2015
Biodiversity Conservation through the Lens of Indigenous Communities
July 21 - Aug 6, 2015
DATES CHANGED!
March 1, 2015

 * for priority consideration, followed by rolling admission until fully enrolled. 

 
Employment Opportunities

The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) is seeking applicants for several
positions. Qualifications vary by position and application instructions can be found on our website.
External Notices
Postdoctoral Research Associate position Washington University in St. Louis is available in the research group of Jonathan Myers. For more information, click here and search for Job ID 29354. 

OTS includes external listings as a service to our community. If you would like to post an announcement or job opportunity here, please email us.
Contact Us
Website: www.ots.ac.cr
General Questions: ots@duke.edu
Specific Questions: Click here
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