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Developer positions available at GBIF
by Éamonn Ó Tuama (GBIF) 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Two Developer Positions available at GBIF The GBIF Secretariat is seeking motivated and experienced software developers for a 3-4 month consultancy under the overall supervision of the Head of Informatics. GIS Services The appointed consultant will develop geospatial services for species related data. To provide geospatial services, content from various sources will be integrated into a spatial database and offered as OGC web services provided by GeoServer along with custom search, browse and discovery services to be developed in Java. Spatial data will be in the form of point data, polygon data and raster formats, and integration of these spatial data-types will be required to provide coherent services. Further information on the position is available on the GBIF news site (http://www.gbif.org/communications/news-and-events/showsingle/article/job-o pening-gbif-software-developer-gis-services/) together with instructions for submitting an application. GIS Client The appointed consultant will develop a web-based, extensible GIS client that can be customised for different uses and distributed freely. The primary use case is a means of visualising information about biodiversity data from disparate sources delivered through standards-based web services (e.g., Open Geospatial Consortium). A second use case is as a client to a transactional OGC Web Feature Service, enabling updates to a geospatial data store. Several datasets and services relating to African Protected Areas will be used to develop a demonstration case. An important aspect of the work will be preparing/packaging a toolkit, documenting its use, and developing a tutorial. We are particularly interested in hearing from those with experience in GeoExt, OpenLayers, Flex or other comparable toolkits/platforms. Further information on the position is available on the GBIF news site (http://www.gbif.org/communications/news-and-events/showsingle/article/job-o pening-gbif-software-developer-1/) together with instructions for submitting an application. The closing date for applications is Sunday 25 April 2010. _______________________________________________ Éamonn Ó Tuama, M.Sc., Ph.D. (eotuama(a)gbif.org) Senior Programme Officer, Inventory, Discovery, Access (IDA), Global Biodiversity Information Facility Secretariat, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, DENMARK Phone: +45 3532 1494; Fax: +45 3532 1480

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Scratchpad training course (Brussels)
by Dave Roberts 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Training course for Scratchpads (basic level). A one-day training course will be given in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels on Monday 14th June. The course is intended for those new to Scratchpads or those thinking about giving them a try. No previous knowledge is assumed, but a familiarity with databases and data structures is an advantage. The course is free, starting at 11:00, finishing at about 17:00 and lunch will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own data to upload into your own, new Scratchpad or come for so help if you're just starting out with a new site. You should bring your own wireless-enabled laptop with the Firefox browser. To register please go to: http://scratchpads.eu/scratchpad-training-courses Cheers, Dave -- Dr D.McL. Roberts, Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5086 European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy Project, Coordinator WorkPackage 6 (Unifying Revisionary Taxonomy), Dept. Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD Great Britain Email: dmr at nomencurator dot org Web page: http://scratchpads.eu Web page: http://www.editwebrevisions.info/ -- "You can't just ask customers what they want and then try and give it to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new." [Steve Jobs, quoted in The Guardian, Technology Section, 25 June 09]. --

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Doctoral studies programme in ecology at the Jagiellonian University
by ECOLOGY 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

Institute of Environmental Sciences at the Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland (www.eko.uj.edu.pl) Is opening applications for: ► 4-year interdisciplinary doctoral studies programme in ecology in English, with net-scholarships 2200 PLN per month, offering research in Poland and half-year placements in academic centres outside Poland and a choice of 4 out of 8 courses from different scientific disciplines conducted by eminent Polish and foreign specialists Application deadline: 10 June 2010 Detailed information, containing the list of research topics proposed for PhD students, profile of the applicant and the application instructions are available at: www.eko.uj.edu.pl/ecology Project co-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund Katarzyna Kolasa Manager of the admistration and promotion of the project Institute of Environmental Sciences Jagiellonian University Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow Poland phone: (48 12) 664 6715

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Post-doctoral fellowship programme at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University
by ECOLOGY 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

Institute of Environmental Sciences at the Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland (www.eko.uj.edu.pl) Is opening applications for: ► 20-month fellowship programme for strongly motivated scientists with a PhD degree in Biology, Ecology or related field, with net-fellowship 3200 PLN per month plus social benefits, realized in one of the research groups at the Institute of Environmental Sciences and a monthly internship at the universities in Europe and the U.S. Candidates are required to contact IES Staff to discuss potential research project prior to the application. Application deadline: 30 April 2010 Detailed information are available at: www.eko.uj.edu.pl/ecology Project co-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund Katarzyna Kolasa Manager of the admistration and promotion of the project Institute of Environmental Sciences Jagiellonian University Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow Poland phone: (48 12) 664 6715

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NSF - Program Solicitation - Dimensions of Biodiversity
by Lee Belbin 19 Mar '10

19 Mar '10

The following NSF Program Solicitations look like something that all TDWG members and friends should/must know about- http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10548/nsf10548.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_179 http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503473 <http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503473&org=BIO&from=home> &org=BIO&from=home Lee Lee Belbin TDWG Secretariat

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BBC now using 'Species' microformat
by Andy Mabbett 19 Feb '10

19 Feb '10

The BBC are now using the 'Species' microformat: http://microformats.org/wiki/species-strawman-01 on their BBC Wildlife Finder; for example, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/Banded_Mongoose You may remember that I've reported previously that it's already in use on Wikipedia. As the designer of that microformat, I'm happy to answer any questions; or receive any suggestions for its improvement. -- Andy Mabbett @pigsonthewing http://pigsonthewing.org.uk -- Andy Mabbett @pigsonthewing http://pigsonthewing.org.uk ** via webmail **

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(no subject)
by leebel＠netspace.net.au 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

The TDWG Executive Committee has approved the adoption of TDWG Access Protocol for Information Retrieval (TAPIR) - http://www.tdwg.org/standards/449/ as a TDWG standard. The committee acknowledges the excellent work of the TAPIR Task Group (http://www.tdwg.org/activities/tapir/) and particularly the leadership of Renato De Giovanni. Renato was assisted in writing the standards document by the late Charles Copp. TAPIR represents only one of many areas of Biodiversity informatics where the interest, enthusiasm and support of Charles is appreciated and valued. Thank you Charles. The TDWG Executive Committee appreciates the work of those who have contributed significantly to the development of TAPIR. In addition to Renato, these include Markus Döring, Anton Güntsch, Dave Vieglais, Donald Hobern, Franck Theeten, Javier de la Torre, John Wieczorek, Kevin Richards, Robert Gales, Roger Hyam, Stanley Blum and Steven Perry. The committee also greatly appreciates the work that Piers Higgs has done as the Review Manager for TAPIR. TAPIR specifies a standardized, HTTP transmittable, XML-based request and response protocol for accessing structured data that may be stored on multiple distributed databases in varied physical and logical structures. TAPIR combines and extends features of the BioCASe <http://www.biocase.org/products/protocols/> and DiGIR<http://digir.net/> protocols to create a generic means of communication between client applications and Internet data providers. Congratulations to the TAPIR team and many others who have contributed to the standard! Lee Belbin TDWG Secretariat ------------------------------------------------------------ This email was sent from Netspace Webmail: http://www.netspace.net.au

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LifeWatch Training and Capacity Building Programme - Stakeholder Consultation
by David Ludlow 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

Dear Sir/Madam, The LifeWatch ESFRI project (http://www.lifewatch.eu/) is currently in its preparatory phase. The project is preparing recommendations for the development of a research e-infrastructure to support the biodiversity research and policy making communities, with the objective to implement these specifications during the construction phase of the project in Spring 2011. The training and capacity building programme (TCBP) forms a core component of the specification for the future LifeWatch. This program, as with all components of the LifeWatch infrastructure, is being defined in close consultation with all relevant LifeWatch stakeholders. Engagement with the stakeholder community on the development of the Training and Capacity Building Programme is being facilitated by a social networking portal. As a relevant stakeholder in this community we would be most grateful if you could support our work in developing a Training and Capacity Building Programme that fully meets the needs of the biodiversity research and policy making communities. The following simple steps will allow you to offer your comments: Step 1- please click on the following link to the LifeWatch social networking portal http://lifewatch.nhm.ac.uk/drupal/lifewatch/; Step 2 - please register by creating a new account before you participate in the survey questionnaire and discussion forums. Only if you register will you be able to access the TCBP specifications, and participate in discussion forums Step 3 - to make your comments on the LifeWatch TCBP - download the draft specifications of TCBP from http://lifewatch.nhm.ac.uk/drupal/lifewatch/?q=node/37 - see document at bottom of questionnaire page Step 4 - provide your feedback on these specifications using the questionnaire You can also participate in the forum discussions available on the social networking portal. The objectives of all of the above are: i) obtain feedback on the training and capacity building programme; ii) engage in dialogue and identify missing training requirements; iii) identify potential thematic areas and topics for summer schools, workshops and conferences; iv) identify potential research areas which can be targeted for experienced researchers and PhD students; v) identify volunteers for the review process for sabbaticals and PhD student applications, summer schools, workshops and conference thematic areas. Please contact us at David.Ludlow(a)uwe.ac.uk<mailto:David.Ludlow@uwe.ac.uk> and Zaheer(a)cern.ch<mailto:Zaheer@cern.ch> for more details. David Ludlow BA (Hons), DipTP, MSc (Public Policy), MRTPI Member of EU Expert Group on the Urban Environment Centre for Research in Sustainable Planning and Environments Department of Planning and Architecture University of the West of England Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY Direct Line: +44 (0)117 32 83223 Mobile: +44 (0) 7818 095327 Institute for Sustainability, Health and Environment http://www.uwe.ac.uk/ishe This email was independently scanned for viruses by McAfee anti-virus software and none were found

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Re: [tdwg] Bioblitz at TDWG 2010?
by joel sachs 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

Dear David, That looks awesome. All my wiki pages should be so cluttered! What you describe goes well beyond the level of effort we bandied about in Montpellier. (I know you're well aware of the this, but I think it will bear repeating a number of times. For the bioblitz to be successful as a TDWG event, it will need at least as much enthusiasm from TDWG attendess as from the local organizers.) I'll try to separate out those of your proposals that would apply to any venue (e.g. "submit all photos to the EOL Flickr group, and use the MRTG annotation tool to enhance the metadata"), from those that are Woods Hole specific (e.g. "snorkeling in the eelgrass meadow"). I'll add the "generic" ideas to the wiki, and also add a pointer to your Woods Hole page, together with a summary. Thanks for putting so much thought into this - I look forward to following up. Regards - Joel. On Sun, 6 Dec 2009, David Remsen wrote: > Dear Joel > > A BioBlitz is a fantastic idea. I understand that Woods Hole, MA is one of > the possible venues for the 2010 and, because it is my hometown I couldn't > help but think through the opportunity Woods Hole would present for holding a > TDWG associated BioBlitz. It could really be an event there and Woods Hole > offers a lot of reasons to host it. > > Rather than clutter up the wiki page I assembled some thoughts on a Google > Doc page at > > http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgmbb297_673gvb58nfg > > I could probably help organise this if TDWG is interested and, with enough > leeway, I could probably get the community really lined up behind it. As I > mention in the document I know many of the directors of the institutions > there, in fact we are hosting two at GBIF this week in Copenhagen. Gary > Borisy (MBL director) is on the Executive Board of EOL so I would imagine > they would really get behind it being at their doorstep. > > Anyhow, Id be really excited to get involved if there is interest so please > check out what I assembled and see if there is any followup. > > Best, > David Remsen > > On Nov 30, 2009, at 6:51 PM, joel sachs wrote: > >> Greetings TDWG, >> >> One of the outcomes of our citizen science working session in Montpellier >> is the idea of holding a mini-bioblitz near the conference center at TDWG >> 2010. We thought this would be fun, would bring communities together, and >> would be an opportunity to eat our own dog food, since so much TDWG >> technology could be brought to bare. I think we're going to do it. >> We've started discussion here: >> http://wiki.tdwg.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/BioBlitz2010 >> >> Please join the discussion by adding ideas, questions, and concerns. Also, >> if you have experience in, or enthusiasm for, bioblitz-type activities, >> please consider volunteering to help with planning and execution. >> >> Best to all - >> Joel. >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> tdwg mailing list >> tdwg(a)lists.tdwg.org >> http://lists.tdwg.org/mailman/listinfo/tdwg >

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Re: [tdwg] Bioblitz at TDWG 2010?
by Donald.Hobern＠csiro.au 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

Hi Jerry. My thinking/understanding is that this should be closer to the NZ-style Bioblitz but really something even less rigorous. The discussions I had with Joel in Montpellier were around simply using TDWG attendees to photograph as many species as they can in the vicinity of the venue, getting those images up with geolocations and then crowdsourcing (from the attendees and/or their friends anywhere else) identifications and other notes on the images. This would be a chance to play around collaboratively with image management, image metadata, annotations, etc. The final product could be a .kmz or something with all the images and associated data. Such an approach, if packaged, could work really well for schools. Donald Donald Hobern, Director, Atlas of Living Australia CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601 Phone: (02) 62464352 Mobile: 0437990208 Email: Donald.Hobern(a)csiro.au Web: http://www.ala.org.au/

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