New ForestGEO Seminar Series

The ForestGEO seminar series is underway at the CTFS-ForestGEO headquarters at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. The first scientist to present under the new series was Yves Basset, the scientific coordinator for the CTFS-ForestGEO arthropod initiative. As the first guest speaker, Yves had an interesting and detailed talk on the diversity of bugs in rainforests, entitled "The CTFS Arthropod Initiative: monitoring rainforests arthropods". A few weeks later, the next presenter was Dr. Nathan McDowell, Staff Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratories who presented a talk about his research, entitled "Accelerating global forest mortality". Both talks drew many ears, and generated many converstaions and collaborations on their respective topics.

The next talk will be hosted by Dr. Jennifer Baltzer from Scotty Creek Forest Dynamics Plot in Canada. Her talk is entitled "Boreal forests on permafrost: responses to climate warming". She will speak June 24th at 10am at the National Museum of Natural History.

An Aerial view of Scotty Creek Forest in Canada.

Are you traveling to Washington DC in the future and want to host a talk on forestry science? Email Delaney Rakosnik (ForestGEO Program Assistant) at rakosnikd@si.edu with a talk topic and title. If you are in the Washington DC area and would like to know the ForestGEO Seminar Series schedule, also contact rakosnikd@si.edu.  


Learn more about CTFS-ForestGEO, visit www.ForestGEO.si.edu.

CTFS-ForestGEO database workshop in Singapore

CTFS-ForestGEO hosted a workshop in Singapore May 2nd - May 8th for a number of plot database managers. The workshop was organized around documentation developed to enable sites to fulfill a large part of the data management role locally with support from the CTFS-ForestGEO Systems Group. Among the plots represented at this workshop are Brunei, Hong Kong, Lambir, Pasoh, Palanan, Wanang, Bukit Timah, Sinharaja, Mo Singto, Doi Inthanon, and Huai Kha Khaeng. This workshop will focus on actively working with each plots own datasets wherever possible.

Workshop organizers Shameema Esufali and Suzanne Lao worked to introduce more advanced concepts to prepare data managers to screen and correct datasets in an organized manner.  They plan to go through the steps necessary for deriving location data from field maps using PointPicker and ImageJ, and show the latest versions of their toolkit including the dataentry system CTFSWEB, the generic form builder CTFSGDE, and the tool for correcting species allocation, TaxonEd. Some of the participants are brand new to MySQL so Shameema and Suzanne started off with a refresher (see Sandra's comments below). 

Fairoz kicks off the blog series with a recap of day 1 of the workshop in Sunny Singapore:

 

"Playing host to the participants from the various plots, I dropped by the Robertson Quay Hotel where they are staying to welcome them over breakfast. Saw many familiar faces and some new ones as well. Counted heads and found one to be missing.. Sandra! Found out she’ll be flying in late and will come directly to the workshop venue.

 

The bus took us to the west side of Singapore where the National Institute of Singapore (NIE) is located, and the venue for the workshop. Setting up individual workstations were less challenging this time round with many of us carrying our own universal adaptors and sharing around with those whose cables could not fit into the power points.

The venue for the workshop

 

 

Next came the installation of XAMPP, the latest ctfsweb version and a text editor to get us ready to start stringing together queries on our consoles. Morning was spent getting mysql running on the various operating systems on individual laptops. What a relief if was after lines and lines of sourcing and finally seeing the ‘mysql>’ line appear in the command prompt.

After a short recap on the need for database setup and simple commands, we were all punching scripts; SELECT-ing trees and JOINing tables, GROUP-ing census and ORDER-ing them alphabetically. But don’t forget to LIMIT those scripts or you might have rows and rows of data streaming down window.

So I will SELECT ‘participants’ FROM ‘various plots’ and welcome them to the country and the workshop."

Sandra Yap shares a recap of day 2:
 

"I'm not the best person to describe how Day 1 went. I came in late but directly from the airport so I hope to be forgiven. I can say, however, that a few people worked late into the night on the exercises Shameema and Suzanne tested us on. Those exercises were quite a challenge especially for those who don’t regularly use mysql.  Unused muscles (in the mysql parts of our brain) had to stretch and warm up.

 

As I said, warming up followed us through to Day 2. We got quizzed as soon as we opened our computers :) But I think we passed with flying colors.

 

It’s 11:30 am and everyone is trying to set up their systems to input census data. Small groups huddled around a laptop and heads whipping right and left throwing puzzled looks seem commonplace. PCs on Windows 7 or 8 or Unix and Macs combined with capital/small letter issues are presenting a challenge this time for Shameema and Suzanne."

Dr. Sandeep Pulla provided the pictures and commentary for day 3 of the workshop:

"On day 3, folks who already had their data in the CTFS database worked on executing MySQL statements to check and fix common problems with raw data files that could not be uploaded into the database as is. They also devised clever ways to check data correctness and consistency, exercising their newly acquired MySQL skills. The rest (from Mudumalai, Hong Kong, etc.) worked on uploading their own data into staging tables. This was followed by screening and uploading these tables into the final database. Suzanne conducted a "spot the SQL error" quiz to liven things up."

Day 3 in pictures:

Participants worked very hard and ate well



MySQL expert Musalmah shares a few tips with Dr. Kamariah.



Kenneth stares at an error in phpMyAdmin hoping it would go away. He fixed it subsequently (figure not shown).

Anuttara and a guest share a light moment.

Mohaziah and Suzanne discuss the finer points of relational databases.

Something clearly blew up on Jinlong’s computer. We capture this tense moment with Shameema, Komgrich, Witchaphart, and Jinlong.

Brain fuel was in ample supply.

From their happy expressions, one would think Nik and Fairoz were playing a computer game (they were not).

Shirley in a troubled moment. Her biscuit fell down.

The bananas and other snacks were supplied by kind courtesy of Dr. Lum.

Jonathan re-emerges from his laptop (after apparently being swallowed by MySQL).

Anutarra shares day 4:

"Today the class started with the demonstration of “ctfsgde” which is about generic data by Suzanne. Then we moved on to the very important part of database management“data screening” to find errors of our plot data. However we did some practice using the database called “green” instead of “blue”. We had “cleangreen” for sql to check the errors. Coming to this step, some people started to frown. This is only searching for errors. We haven’t begun fixing them. Come on guys. We can do it. Before fixing those errors, scripts must be written. Please keep this sentence in mind. When all sql statements run successfully, data screening on ctfsweb will be done for the next step. I’d better not go to more details.

In the afternoon we went to the Southern Ridges for a field trip, starting at Mt. Faber where we could see Sentosa and the sea. We began walking from here to Henderson waves where the wave-pattern bridge locates. This bridge is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. Besides you can see the height above mean sea level on the floor at several points. We kept walking until arriving the forest walk. At this point many people started to shoot a lot of photos. The forest walk is an elevated steel walkway through the secondary forest. Let’s take a look of photos from the field trip. Clear your head and mind to get ready for the next day."

Photos from the forest walk. Passing a secondary forest.



A shot from the Henderson wave bridge

At Henderson wave, the wave-pattern bridge

Group Photos

 

 

 

CTFS-ForestGEO Research Grants Program 2014

The Research Grants Program of the Center for Tropical Forest Science - Forest Global Earth Observatory (CTFS-ForestGEO) supports research associated with the CTFS-ForestGEO network of Forest Dynamics Plots.  A new round of research grants will be awarded in 2014. The majority of the CTFS-ForestGEO research grants will fall in the $2,000-$15,000 range.

The program is intended to provide opportunities for senior researchers, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students to utilize existing Forest Dynamics Plots and to conduct research with scientists associated with these plots. Anyone working directly in a CTFS-ForestGEO plot, analyzing plot data, or generating complementary data that strengthens CTFS-ForestGEO programs is eligible to apply. Projects can be field-oriented, herbarium- or laboratory-based, or analytical, and either basic or applied in nature. Funding is restricted to expenses directly related to field research, laboratory research, and data analysis. Examples of eligible expenses include travel, living expenses during fieldwork, supplies, and research assistance. Funds are not available for salary and/or fringe benefits of the applicant, tuition, non-project personnel, or travel to meetings. In addition, the grants program will NOT support indirect costs for institutional support. Priority will be given to early career researchers, researchers with less access to other institutional funds, and to projects that include multiple sites. Social scientists and natural scientists are encouraged to apply

 

The deadline for applications is Friday, June 20, 2014.

 

For more information, please go to the website: http://www.ctfs.si.edu/group/Grants+%26+Training/Grants. Applications MUST follow grant requirements as outlined at that website.

Yosemite Forest questions long-term effects of wildfires

Researcher Jim Lutz stands next to a smoldering log

In September 2013, the Rim Fire – a wildfire that began from an illegal campfire in the Sierra Nevada Mountains - burned through 1,041  sq. kms. of the Yosemite National Park, including the Yosemite Forest Dynamics Plot (YFDP). While the entire plot burned, most of the plot was spared the full force of the wildfire, burning at intensities lower than needed to kill the larger trees.  However, many trees did die.  Patches of the forest remained unburned yet some patches had considerable tree mortality. Estimates are that about 12,000 out of a total of 36,000 trees being monitored since 2009 died in the fire – mostly trees less than 10 cm in diameter.

How will this effect research at YFDP? Researchers will re-measure the plot this May, prior to the 2014 growing season to record exactly what changes the fire caused. The team will record changes in diameter of trees since the plot was established, as well as the way fire killed trees.  They will also measure changes in surface fuels and in the cover of low shrubs. Gathering this fire-related information will help answer important questions such as:, what were the relationships between trees, fuel accumulation, and tree death? How does fire affect biodiversity?  How does fire change the structure of the forest used by birds and mammals?  YFDP researchers already perform annual mortality checks, so they will be able to monitor the long terms effects of the fire as well as the immediate effects of forest changes. The results should provide a unique understanding of how fire affects these old-growth forests.

Larger trees mostly survived

During the fire the research team worked with park fire and resource managers to provide assistance with fire planning and safeguarding park resources. The YFDP research team works with Yosemite National Park on a variety of science and management issues. This summer, the re-measurement will be carried out by a core team of four technicians - all with previous experience in the western ForestGEO plots - as well students from Utah State University, University of Montana, Washington State University, and University of Washington. Volunteers will also play a key role – just as they have in every year since 2009. The broad mission of this project is to build a science-based management of Yosemite forests through long-term research and capacity strengthening.

YFDP Research Team: Jim Lutz (Utah State University), Andrew Larson (University of Montana), Mark Swanson (Washington State University), and James Freund (University of Washington).

Click here to learn more about Yosemite Forest Dynamics Plot.

 

Camera traps capture images of elusive forest life

Camera traps are the latest research tool used by CTFS-ForestGEO researchers to monitor the growth and life of forests worldwide. Developed by Bart Kranstauber and Yorick Liefting, under supervision of Patrick Jansen of STRI and Roland Kays of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, camera traps are able to capture pictures of rare forest animals and birds in a non-invasive way. 

How does it work? Infrared cameras are secured to a random tree in the forest. When the camera detects a warm blooded animal is close, it begins to rapidly snap pictures. Those photos are then uploaded to a server.  Photos that are taken close to each other are automatically grouped together as they likely have the same animal or group of animals in them. A user-friendly interface then allows researchers to process these groups and identify the animals in them.  After the groups are processed, the data is available for use by researchers all over the world.

This technology has brought a new beginning to the research of various animals in the worlds forests.  The cameras work 24 hours a day. One camera can stay in the forest for 2-3 months, which rapidly increases the chance of capturing photos of the rarest species. These camera traps have even taken photos of the critically endangered Black Rhino.  To see pictures of different species photographed around the world by camera trappings, visit Smithsonian Wild.

Watch the YouTube video to see the cameras actually attached to trees in the forest.

To learn more about this innovative network, visit the Camera Trapping Database site.

New 'Nature' article receiving lots of media coverage

The paper, entitled "Rate of tree carbon accumulation increases continuously with tree size" by a group of researchers including several CTFS scientists has inspired news reports from Nature, Archangel Ancient Tree Archives, csi-fm.org, foresteurope.org, Science Daily and The Conversation, just to name a few. The article has even been mentioned on numerous scientific blogs and discussion boards. It was posted online on January 15, 2014, and has already sparked a lot of discussion about forest management, and the future of the world's forests. The original paper highlights that, contrary to popular belief, tree growth does not slow down with age. In fact, the growth of a tree often speeds up with maturity.

 

Both Tropical and Temperate trees
showed no signs of slowing growth

Both Tropical and Temperate trees were included in the long-term study, which collected data from 403 species of trees from around the world.

According to Sci-News.com “Rather than slowing down or ceasing growth and carbon uptake, as we previously assumed, most of the oldest trees in forests around the world actually grow faster, taking up more carbon. A large tree may put on weight equivalent to an entire small tree in a year,” said co-author Dr Richard Condit from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Authors of the original report include: N. L. Stephenson, A. J.Das, R. Condit S. E. Russo, P. J. Baker, N. G. Beckman, D. A. Coomes, E. R. Lines, W. K. Morris,N. Ruger, E. A´ lvarez, C. Blundo, S. Bunyavejchewin, G. Chuyong, S. J. Davies, A´ . Duque, C. N. Ewango, O. Flores, J. F. Franklin, H. R. Grau, Z.Hao, M. E. Harmon, S. P. Hubbell, D. Kenfack, Y. Lin, J.-R. Makana, A. Malizia, L. R. Malizia, R. J. Pabst, N. Pongpattananurak, S.-H. Su, I-F. Sun, S. Tan, D. Thomas, P. J. van Mantgem, X.Wang, S. K.Wiser & M. A. Zavala

The original PDF can be found here.

                                                   

 

New CTFS - ForestGEO post-doc researcher joins The Winter Lab at STRI

Martijn Slot is a plant ecophysiologist currently working as CTFS - ForestGEO post-doctoral researcher in Klaus Winter’s lab at STRI.  Martijn obtained his PhD from the University of Florida, Gainesville, in the summer of 2013. His research focuses on understanding responses of tropical woody plants to climate change, and the consequences of climate change in the tropics.

Before coming to STRI, Martijn studied plant responses to environmental conditions in a wide range of environments and ecological ways, using a range of techniques. He evaluated Scots pine seedlings in central Siberia, analyzed species differences of lowland tropical forest species in Bolivia, and used dendrochronology of oak stems and roots in the Swiss Alps.
 

In the past several years, Martijn has primarily worked on temperature effects on tropical trees and lianas. As an experiment, Martijn warmed leaves in a tropical forest canopy to evaluate the capacity for thermal acclimation of leaf respiration. By collaborating with biogeochemists and modelers, results of his research have been used to improve the capacity of global models to simulate the carbon cycle under realistic climate change scenarios.

Martijn is now addressing questions regarding the responses of growth, photosynthesis and respiration of tropical tree species to increased temperatures, and how these responses are affected by source-sink relationships.

Click here to learn more about the researech being done at the Winter Lab.