Hi again
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for the Cleft Stick, the Game Ranger magazine and to be posted on the web site. These are your magazine and website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail address to keep the database up to date.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to e-mail, pass their address along to me.
Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534 Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562 E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za.
If you do not wish to receive this e-mail newsletter please send a blank e-mail to me at the above address with the word “unsubscribe C~S ” as the message heading.
GRAA AGM
As time marches on, towards the date of our AGM, 17 to 21 February 2008, at Hlalanathi. Your organizers are trying all avenues looking for donations or sponsorships for meals and drinks for the AGM to try and keep costs down for you, our members. If any reader can contribute or knows of a contact who would be willing to contribute, we would be very grateful to hear from you.
Booking forms will be going out soon so please put the date in your diaries now.
There will be a variety of field outings on offer including a birding outing with a renowned ornithologist and there are many magnificent walks & climbs in the area.
Global warming
Interesting to note in this months Car Magazine in an article entitled “Demonising the car” it ends with the comment “And, as the Car tech ed Jake Venter points out, if you really want to get serious about cutting CO2 emissions, then look no further than birth control – for all mammals. Humans and animals breathe out billions of tons of CO2 every day
If you get the opportunity to see the Al Gore film “An Inconvenient Truth” it has some very good graphics and footage of the polar ice caps and glaciers melting.
Dear BIOPLANNERS,
Fred Pearce of New Scientist has been covering climate change issues for almost 20 years. Recently, he has become much more concerned that we are not doing enough and that we are not taking tipping points (points of no return) seriously enough.
His article from New Scientist (see below) is based in part on a special issue of the Proceeding of the Royal Society (Volume 365, Number 1857/August 15, 2007) on ‘Ensembles and probabilities: a new era in the prediction of climate change’
A 14 page overview paper of the proceedings, which covers some of the strengths and weaknesses of different models and methods for generating predictions, is available for free download at: http://www.journals.royalsoc.ac.uk/content/u0106636v6g14764/fulltext.pdf
And below that I am pasting another New Scientist piece of the growing debate about whether any of the proposed biofuel options being promoted can really deliver on their promise.
Climate tipping points loom large -16 August 2007 - NewScientist.com news service - Fred Pearce
SOME climate tipping points may already have been passed, and others may be closer than we thought, it emerged this week. Runaway loss of Arctic sea ice may now be inevitable. Even more worrying, and very likely, is the collapse of the giant Greenland ice sheet. So said Tim Lenton of the University of East Anglia, UK, speaking on Monday at a meeting on complexity in nature, organised by the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge.
Lenton warned the meeting that global warming might trigger tipping points that could cause runaway warming or catastrophic sea-level rise. The risks are far greater than suggested in the current IPCC report, he says.
Yet climate modellers are in a quandary. As models get better and forecasts more alarming, their confidence in the detail of their predictions is evaporating.
The IPCC says the Greenland ice sheet will take at least 1000 years to melt. But Lenton's group - whose members include John Schellnhuber, the chief scientist on climate change at the recent G8 meeting in Germany - says the sheet could break up within 300 years, raising sea levels by 7 metres. This would flood hundreds of millions of people or more out of their homes. "We are close to being committed to a collapse of the Greenland ice sheet," Lenton says. "But we don't think we have passed the tipping point yet." The calculations show the Greenland collapse could be triggered by temperatures 1 °C warmer than today's, of which 0.7 °C is already "in the pipeline", held up by time lags in the system. "We are close to being committed to a collapse of the Greenland ice sheet, but we don't think we have passed the tipping point"
Lenton's study has identified eight dangerous tipping points that could be passed this century. Several could have a cascade effect, with each triggering the next, he says. The tipping points include a collapse of a global ocean circulation system known as the thermohaline circulation. Besides shutting down the Gulf Stream, this could also "switch off" the Asian monsoon and warm the Southern Ocean, perhaps destabilising the West Antarctica ice sheet. This would cause a further 7-metre rise in sea levels. Likewise, warming may cause a near-permanent El Niño in the Pacific, which would hasten a runaway burning of the Amazon rainforest and its disappearance by mid-century.
The existence of potential climate-change tipping points should dramatically alter economists' assessments of how much climate change we should prevent, said Lenton. The trouble is, the discovery of tipping points has also unmasked growing uncertainty about the reliability of conventional climate models.
At the Cambridge meeting Lenny Smith, a statistician at the London School of Economics, warned about the "naive realism" of current climate modelling. "Our models are being over-interpreted and misinterpreted," he said. "They are getting better; I don't want to trash them per se. But as we change our predictions, how do we maintain the credibility of the science?" Over-interpretation of models is already leading to poor financial decision-making, Smith says. "We need to drop the pretence that they are nearly perfect."
He singled out for criticism the British government's UK Climate Impacts Programme and Met Office. He accused both of making detailed climate projections for regions of the UK when global climate models disagree strongly about how climate change will affect the British Isles.
Smith is co-author, with Dave Stainforth of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in Oxford, of a paper published this week on confidence and uncertainty in climate predictions (Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2007.2074). It is one of several papers on the shortfalls of current climate models.
Some authors say modellers should drop single predictions and instead offer probabilities of different climate futures. But Smith and Stainforth say this approach could be "misleading to the users of climate science in wider society". Borrowing a phrase from former US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Smith told his Cambridge audience that there were "too many unknown unknowns" for such probabilities to be useful.
Policy-makers, he said, "think we know much more than we actually know. We need to be more open about our uncertainties." Meanwhile, the tipping points loom.
David Duthie
UNEP-GEF Biosafety Unit, Geneva, Email: david.duthie @ unep.ch
Herewith a request for information, please contact Paul directly if you can help.
"The BBC is currently developing a filming schedule on Baboons, their social, behavioral and eating habitats. One of their researchers asked whether I had any evidence of Papio spp. eating crabs, I assume marine and fresh water species. Although I've seen evidence of their presence on Mozambique beaches but no sighting of them partaking of this cordon bleu repast. I'd appreciate hearing from one of our conservation colleagues if they have witnessed beach foraging particularly for crabs. Cape Point Nature Reserve seems a likely area for this behaviour"
Thanks
Paul Dutton
i_dutton@tiscali.co.za
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
Exciting opportunity with the Botanical Society of South Africa
Biodiversity & Fiscal Reform - Coordinator (full time), R220 000 p.a. – negotiable
Biodiversity & Fiscal Reform
The Biodiversity & Fiscal Reform project (B&FR) is pioneering innovative approaches to supporting biodiversity management and conservation through fiscal policy. Funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism and the Botanical Society, it forms part of the scope of work of the C.A.P.E component 5.4 on Building the Biodiversity Economy. The goal is to develop a suite of proposals for incentives, policy reform and other fiscal or market based instruments for specific outcomes, building on the Environmental Fiscal Reform policy framework issued by National Treasury.
Job Description
The B&FR Coordinator will work with the Conservation Director of the Botanical Society, the C.A.P.E Resource Economist and a task team consisting of officials from DEAT, National Treasury, SANBI and selected experts. The role of the Coordinator will be:
Experience and qualifications required:
Terms and Remuneration
The position starts January 2008, likely based in Cape Town. Location in Gauteng may be considered. Salary commensurate with skills and experience.
Please send a covering letter, concise CV (no certificates) and contact information for three referees Mark Botha: email Mark@botanicalsociety.org.za or Fax 021 7615983. The Botanical Society promotes fair representation. Closing date is 15 September 2007. If applicants do not receive a response within four weeks of closing date, they can assume the application has been unsuccessful. Applicants may need to avail themselves for an interview in Cape Town. The Botanical Society reserves the right not to make the appointment.
Appendix: Detailed Terms of Reference for Coordinator – Biodiversity & Fiscal Reform
Available from me on request – ed
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Bioregional Programmes and Policy Directorate, (Three years contract), Cape Town
It has come to the Human Resources Directorate’s attention that some applications submitted were not received. This position is therefore being re-advertised. We would like to request that any applicant who has not received confirmation from our HR Department, re-apply. New applicants are also welcome to apply. SANBI apologises for any inconvenience caused.
The primary purpose of this position is to support the projects in the SANBI Marine Programme. The main focus areas are the management of marine biodiversity data and information, research to support the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment and providing support to the Offshore Marine Protected Area Project (a collaborative initiative aimed at establishing a network of Offshore Marine Protected Areas).
The successful candidate will establish a well-managed data archive to support the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment and other Habitat & Species assessments, provide summarised marine biodiversity information and will undertake novel research in the marine biodiversity field.
This will include: • collating and managing marine biodiversity information to support projects within the SANBI Marine Programme, Marine & Coastal Management and the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism • analysing data and summarising information to support the marine programme • attending meetings and report-backs • co-ordinating workshops & meetings and assisting with administration • conducting field research to support spatial biodiversity assessments • building relationships with marine industries.
Your appointment requires at least an Honours degree in Natural Sciences, Conservation Biology or a related field, enhanced by a minimum of one year’s experience in data management. You also need to boast excellent scientific research and analytical skills, computer application skills, as well as well-developed communication and writing skills. Furthermore you should be a competent individual who works well within a team and who is willing/available to spend time in the field, including time at sea. Possession of a valid Code B driver’s licence with at least one year’s practical driving experience is compulsory.
This position offers an opportunity for personal development in the marine biodiversity field and is earmarked for a person who is willing to learn and grow with the programme.
SANBI offers an all-inclusive salary of R145 678.95 per annum.
Further details available on request – ed
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Marine Biodiversity & Policy Co-ordinator
Bioregional Programmes and Policy Directorate , (three year contract) , Cape Town
It has come to the Human Resources Directorate’s attention that some applications submitted were not received. This position is therefore being re-advertised. We would like to request that any applicant who has not received confirmation from our HR Department, re-apply. New applicants are also welcome to apply. SANBI apologises for any inconvenience caused
.
This position calls for a qualified, dynamic and highly motivated person to join the newly established Marine Programme. The primary purpose of the position is to contribute to assessments of marine biodiversity, provide biodiversity advice, contribute to marine biodiversity monitoring programmes and to comment on relevant policies. The four main focus areas will be National Marine Biodiversity Assessments, Species & Ecosystem Listing, Marine Monitoring Initiatives and Marine Protected Areas
The appointee will contribute to marine biodiversity assessments, support marine policy and legislative developments, and make a significant long-term contribution to the conservation of marine biodiversity in South Africa. This would include: • collating and curating current marine biodiversity information • reporting on the status of marine biodiversity • commenting on policies and contributing to legislation developments • mentoring the project officer
.
Appointment requires at least an MSc or higher postgraduate university degree in Natural Sciences with demonstrated expertise and enhanced by a minimum of three years’ marine research or conservation experience, as well as a proven publication record.
Knowledge of the policy and legal environment for marine biodiversity planning and the key institutions in the sector, as well as in-depth understanding of marine biodiversity and conservation concerns, is essential. Excellent conceptual, analytical and communicative skills are prerequisites. This post is specifically suited for a disciplined, competent individual with initiative, but who also works well within a team. Availability to spend time in the field, including time at sea, will enhance an application.
If you comply with all our criteria, can maintain sound interpersonal relations, and are equipped to build capacity and mentor colleagues, you should not hesitate to apply. Candidates must be in possession of
a valid Code B driver’s licence and have at least one year’s practical driving experience.
SANBI offers an all-inclusive salary of R269 636.55 per annum.
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The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Membership & Communication Officer, Pretoria, South Africa, Starting date: Immediately.
Reporting to the Regional Director, the Membership and Communications Officer will support the Office of the Regional Director in organisational and marketing activities as well as building the image of IUCN ROSA while maintaining its corporate identity. He/she will employ journalistic and writing skills to develop IUCN ROSA communication products and communicating IUCN ROSA to wider audiences in the region and beyond.
Specific duties: Projects and programmes: •Support managers in their information and communications initiatives •Promote and market scientific knowledge generated by different IUCN
ROSA projects programmes •Support teams in capturing of information from projects in order to maximise learning from the IUCN projects in the region and ensure that the lessons are published.
Internal Communication: •Maintain website content, manage a range of publications and produce marketing materials, including annual reports and flyers •Edit our monthly e-newsletter, compile press releases when appropriate and provide internal communications support.
Membership services: •Act as the Regional Membership Focal Point and communicate information/activities to members in the region, which includes working closely with country office membership co-ordinators and regional chairs •Update and liaise with HQ on membership issues and keep an updated membership contact database •Provide assistance to members and link them with projects, organise meetings and take minutes for members at national and regional level.
Skills and competencies: •Degree/Diploma in Communications, Social Sciences or related field •Minimum two years' experience in related work •Proven written, proofreading, editing and verbal communication skills in English •Good interpersonal skills •Knowledge of IUCN procedures or the capacity to acquire this knowledge •Capable of working under pressure and meeting deadlines.
To apply, please email your Curriculum Vitae and a supporting letter of motivation in English to irene.hungwe@iucn.org by 31 August 2007.
--- Vacancy: Marion Island Field Assistant
Research Assistant, Marion Island, 2008/2009
The Percy FitzPatrick Institute Centre of Excellence, UCT, is placing a PhD student on Marion Island in April 2008 to investigate individual-level variation in reproductive output among albatrosses. The student, Genevieve, has already spent a year on the island and has plenty of experience working on seabirds. She needs a field assistant to accompany her in the field and work with albatrosses. The position requires the incumbent to attend two weeks of team training in March 2008 and then go to Marion Island from April 2008 to early May 2009.
This will require considerable time in the field working under often cold and strenuous conditions. It will be pretty intensive at some times of the year, but less so at others, and there may be some scope to initiate additional studies. It must be emphasised, however, that collection of data towards Gen's project is the first priority.
Researchers will be based on Marion Island for 13 months from April 2008 until May 2009, and will be part of the South African National Antarctic Programs Marion Island team, which operate the weather base throughout the year. The candidate will be working closely with another biologist on the specific project.
The most important requirements for this position are:
Determination, physical fitness and the ability to work under harsh environmental conditions subject to extremes of weather;
Desire to work with animals, including handling adult and chick albatrosses (requires empathy for the birds);
Scientific skills: BSc (Honours) preferred; attention to detail and meticulous data collection and entry;
Ability to conduct scientific research to a high standard;
Ability to work in an isolated environment and to spend many hours and many consecutive days working with another field worker;
An ability to function as part of a small team, far from "civilisation" for an extended period.
It would be an added advantage if the candidate has:
Experience in handling birds
Experience or knowledge of sub-Antarctic environments
Experience or knowledge of the Prince Edward Island group
Experience or knowledge of seabird research and monitoring techniques
Remuneration: The contract will run from mid March 2008 to early May 2009. Salaries are paid on a relevant Department of Environmental Affairs scale and SANAP will provide protective clothing plus board and lodging on Marion Island.
Application
Additional information on Marion Island:
The island is very isolated. The only way to get there is by boat, and apart from the takeover voyage in April, the only other people visiting the island during the 14 months may be a large team from the Dept of Public Works, currently busy building a new research base. There is telephone and email communication, but this is limited and erratic.
Strict measures are in place to prevent the introduction of alien plants and animals to the island, and one of these is that no fresh fruit or vegetables are allowed onto Marion. Apart from the main research base, there are also various field huts around the island.
Accommodation and food on the island will be provided by SANAP. The salary will be according to the SANAP salary scale.
For more information about Marion Island and the South African National Antarctic Program, see http://marion.sanap.org.za/
POSITION(s) Wanted
Professional Work Experience
Email: heels2551@yahoo.com , Phone: (703) 321-9745 Cell: (703) 835-6440
Tailpiece-
Matter of Fact
Applications from previously disadvantaged individuals, especially women, will be welcomed. Applicants please send a brief letter indicating why you are the ideal candidate for this position, a copy of your Curriculum Vitae and 2-3 contactable referees (email or phone) to Genevieve Jones, Percy FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701 or email
Genevieve.Jones@uct.ac.za
Marion Island is a cold (average annual temperature about 6 degrees), windy(gale force winds common) and wet (about 2 m of rain a year)sub-Antarctic island, situated about 2000 km southeast of Cape Town. The island is 290km2 in area, with about 72 kms of coastline. It is extremely rugged and the only method of transportation around the island is on foot. Each year in April, an overwintering team of about 10-12 scientists, meteorologists and support personnel travels down to the island on the SA Agulhas (a journey of 5 days), to spend 14 months on the island. About a month prior to sailing, all team members go to Pretoria for 2 weeks of team-training.
Accommodation is in prefab buildings at the base, which is extremely crowded during the takeover period and when the construction teams are on the island.
Chris Mahoney is a police officer in the US of A who is looking for an opportunity in conservation in Africa.
Here is an excerpt from his very detailed CV
December 2005 – Present Fairfax County Police Dept.
Fairfax, VA
Patrol Officer - Franconia District Station/ Fair Oaks District Station
Master Police Officer who enforces traffic and criminal laws, investigated accidents, criminal investigation, and provide general response to community concerns regarding public safety. Assisted Supervisors in conducting role call, checking paperwork and handling incidents on the street that may arise. Conducted role call training for the squad. Guest Instructor at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy as needed. Field Training Instructor, training new recruits to the Department which Graduated from the FCCJA.
Laptop Bag Experiment
A group of Interpol employees conducted the following experiment to ascertain how long a laptop bag could be left unattended at a variety of airports before being stolen.
The results were as follows:
Brussels - 4 minutes 37 seconds
Paris - 3 minutes 49 seconds
London 2 minutes 15 seconds
New York - 1 minutes 2 seconds
Johannesburg – they were going to conduct this experiment at Johannesburg international as well but the team were hijacked on their way there.
This is an electronic newsletter of the Game Rangers' Association of Africa. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association, nor of the Editor. This is intended to be an exchange of news snips, ideas and communication between members. Newsletter content may be copied and re-distributed without authorisation. Correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at dyunnie@xsinet.co.za