TITLE: AMNH training workshop: Species Distribution Modeling March 30 - April 3, 2009
Applications are now being accepted for the training workshop Species Distribution Modeling, to be held at the American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Station, Arizona, MARCH 30 - APRIL 3, 2009. Models that predict species' potential distributions by combining observed occurrence records with digital data layers of environmental variables have great potential for application across a range of biogeographical analyses. Applications include guiding field surveys to detect unknown populations, projecting potential impacts of climate change, predicting species' invasions, supporting reserve planning, and investigating niche evolution. The course focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of this approach (sometimes termed 'ecological niche' or 'bioclimate envelope' modeling) and is designed for students, researchers and practitioners of conservation biology. Using a mixture of lectures, hands-on computer lab applications, discussions, and case studies, course participants will learn to: . Obtain and process data necessary for species distribution modeling; . Run distribution models using a variety of approaches; . Validate and interpret model results; . Apply these techniques to a range of applications. Each participant is encouraged to develop an idea for a project they would like to work on during the week, so techniques learned can immediately be applied to an example of interest. These projects can be discussed with the course organizers in advance to ensure they are appropriate. Places on the course are limited to 15 and each participant is assigned a desktop computer for the week. The course will be taught by Drs. Richard Pearson (AMNH) and Steven Phillips (AT&T). There is a course fee of $1,000 for each participant, which includes accommodation and meals for the week. Participants need to provide their own transportation to and from the Research Station. Unfortunately, scholarship funds to defray course expenses are not available. APPLICATION: Places on the course are limited to 15 and previous courses have been significantly oversubscribed. Those interested in participating in the course should send an application with the following information: name, contact details, current position (student, academia, government, etc.), and a brief statement (maximum one side of paper) on why you want to take the course, what prior modeling or GIS experience you have (if any), and what project you would like to work on during the week. Please email your application to Richard Pearson ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). The application deadline is 12 December 2008. Applications will be acknowledged on receipt and you will be notified if a place is available by December 19th 2008. Payment of the course fee for those offered a place will be required by January 30th 2009 *. For further information, including programs from previous workshops, see the course website at: <http://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org/index.php?section_id=82&content_id= 140> http://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org/index.php?section_id=82&content_id=1 40 * Cancellation policy: no refunds will be available unless we are able to fill the cancelled place at late notice. If a replacement is found, then $750 will be returned. Dawn S. Wilson Director, Southwestern Research Station P.O. Box 16553 Portal, Arizona 85632 Ph: 520-558-2396 Fax: 520-558-2018 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: http:research.amnh.org/swrs/
