Mass. Nature Conservancy research opportunity on invertebrates and ecological restoration

[Bruce Hammond]

Dear Leps List,

The Nature Conservancy's Massachusetts Islands Program is planning a ten
year project to restore rare shrubland and savanna habitat, and we are
interested in supporting research on the impacts of restoration on
invertebrates.  Please see the RFP below.  Thank you!
__________________________________________________
Bruce Hammond
Islands Ecologist
The Nature Conservancy

Wakeman Center
RFD 319-X
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
(508) 693-6287
(508) 693-4891 (FAX)
e-mail:  bhammond at tnc.org

Request for Proposals to Research the Impact of Savanna/Shrubland
Restoration Methodologies on Invertebrate Communities

January, 2000

The Nature Conservancy’s Massachusetts Islands Program (TNC) is requesting
proposals to research the impacts of a planned major ecological restoration
project on invertebrate diversity and invertebrate habitat quality.

Background on the ecological restoration project
TNC, in collaboration with the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), is
planning a study/demonstration project to evaluate various methods for
restoring rare shrubland and savanna habitats.  The restoration work will
take place on a 75-acre site on the sandplain of Martha’s Vineyard that is
currently oak woodland.  Five different management units have been
delineated at the site, and alternative restoration treatments will be
implemented in each unit as follows:

- summer controlled burning (3 different units)
- spring controlled burning combined with partial tree removal and mowing
- spring controlled burning combined with complete tree removal and mowing
- control (no treatments).

In addition, seeding with native species from open sandplain habitats will
be undertaken on approximately half of each unit.

Baseline monitoring for the project will be undertaken during summer 2000.
TNC will coordinate monitoring on the impacts of the various restoration
treatments on vegetation, invertebrate, and bird communities, while MBL will
monitor impacts on hydrology and biogeochemistry.  Implementation of the
restoration treatments will begin early in 2001, and intensive restoration
work will proceed for approximately 5 years.  Ecological monitoring will be
undertaken, at a minimum, during 2000, 2005, and 2010.

Invertebrate research needs
TNC requests proposals from researchers to study the impacts of the various
restoration treatments on invertebrate communities.  Questions of interest
include:

- impacts of restoration treatments on rare invertebrate species (G1-G3
species or state-listed species), and particularly species identified as
targets under TNC’s North Atlantic Coast (NAC) Ecoregional Plan;

- the identification and tracking of indicator invertebrate species that may
suggest changes in vegetation community types or habitat quality under
different restoration treatments;

- impacts of restoration treatments on total species diversity and
population densities of three or more species groups;

- development of an invertebrate monitoring protocol that can be used to
assess the effectiveness of future restoration work at this and other sites.

Proposals
TNC is requesting proposals from experienced entomologists or graduate
students to undertake invertebrate research at this site.  Graduate students
should have identified an experienced advisor for this project.  Up to
$25,000 for the project is available to offset research costs or provide
stipends, as well as affordable housing for researchers at TNC’s Hoft Farm
Field Station on Martha’s Vineyard.  Proposals that include or expect
matching funds from other sources will be preferred.   In addition,
proposals that cover the project’s 10-year life will also be preferred, but
proposals for shorter research projects will be considered provided they
include a detailed protocol for follow-up invertebrate monitoring at the
site.  Proposals should include:

- a research plan, not to exceed 10 single-spaced pages;

- Curriculum Vitae(s) for the principal investigator and any advisors or
collaborators;

- a cover letter describing the candidates background, interest in
conservation, research focus, and interest in this project;

- at least one recent publication;

- names and contact information for three references who can attest to the
applicant’s research credentials.

Proposals must be received by March 15, 2000.  Proposals and any questions
should be directed to:

  Bruce Hammond
  Islands Ecologist
  The Nature Conservancy
  Wakeman Center
  RFD 319X
  Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

  (508) 693-6287 (phone)
  (508) 693-4891 (FAX)
  bhammond at tnc.org (e-mail)