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N ICHOLAS S CHOOL OF THE E NVIRONMENT AND E ARTH S CIENCES<br />
dukenvironment Spring<br />
species in trouble<br />
Seeking out <strong>the</strong> ‘Hottest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hot Spots’<br />
2003<br />
An <strong>Environment</strong> for Solutions
dukenvironment is a publication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> and Earth Sciences at <strong>Duke</strong> University.<br />
Administration<br />
William H. Schlesinger, Dean<br />
Richard B. Forward Jr., Chair, Division <strong>of</strong> Coastal Systems Science & Policy<br />
Peter K. Haff, Chair, Division <strong>of</strong> Earth & Ocean Sciences<br />
Curtis J. Richardson, Chair, Division <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al Sciences & Policy<br />
Michael K. Orbach, Director, <strong>Duke</strong> University Marine Laboratory<br />
Peggy Dean Glenn, Associate Dean, External Affairs<br />
James Haggard, Associate Dean, Finance and Administration<br />
Laura Turcotte, Administrative Assistant to <strong>the</strong> Dean<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> External Affairs<br />
Peggy Dean Glenn, Associate Dean<br />
Scottee Cantrell, Director <strong>of</strong> Communications<br />
Anita Brown, Director <strong>of</strong> Advancement<br />
Krista B<strong>of</strong>ill, Director <strong>of</strong> Alumni Affairs and <strong>the</strong> Annual Fund<br />
Eric Miller, Director <strong>of</strong> Foundation and Corporate Relations<br />
Carol Dahm, Assistant Director <strong>of</strong> Alumni Affairs and <strong>the</strong> Annual Fund<br />
Rita M. Baur, Office Manager and Director <strong>of</strong> Special Events<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Visitors<br />
Simon B. Rich Jr., Edenton, NC (Chair)<br />
Marshall Field V, Old Mountain Company, Chicago, IL (Vice Chair)<br />
Lawrence B. Benenson, The Benenson Capital Company, New York, NY<br />
Richard H. Bierly, Morehead City, NC (Ex Officio)<br />
Ann Douglas Cornell, Wallace Genetic Foundation, Washington, DC<br />
Timothy J. Creem, Bridgton, ME<br />
Michael C. Farrar, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC<br />
F. Daniel Gabel Jr., Hagedorn & Company, New York, NY<br />
Harvey Goldman, Syska Hennessy Group Inc., New York, NY<br />
Lyons Gray, Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, Winston-Salem, NC<br />
Gilbert M. Grosvenor, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC<br />
John S. Hahn, Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, Washington, DC<br />
Richard G. Heintzelman, Janney Montgomery Scott, Allentown, PA<br />
George C. Hixon, Hixon Properties Inc., San Antonio, TX<br />
Christian R. Holmes IV, Shell Center for Sustainability, Houston, TX<br />
Richard E. Hug, <strong>Environment</strong>al Elements Corporation, Baltimore, MD<br />
(Emeritus)<br />
Thomas C. Jorling, International Paper, Stamford, CT<br />
Sally S. Kleberg, Kleberg/ESPY Interests, New York, NY<br />
Juanita M. Kreps, <strong>Duke</strong> University, Durham, NC (Emerita)<br />
James B. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC (Ex Officio)<br />
Bettye Martin Musham, GEAR Holdings Inc., New York, NY<br />
J.K. <strong>Nicholas</strong>, Northpoint Domain, Boston, MA<br />
Patrick F. Noonan, The Conservation Fund, Arlington, VA<br />
Elizabeth B. Reid, Bedford Hills, NY (Emerita)<br />
John C. Reid, Curtis Reid Enterprises, LLC, Larchmont, NY<br />
Douglass F. Rohrman, Lord, Bissell & Brook, Chicago, IL<br />
Truman T. Semans, Brown Investment Advisory and Trust Company,<br />
Baltimore, MD (Emeritus)<br />
Truman T. Semans Jr., GLOBE-USA, Charlotte, NC<br />
Bartow S. Shaw Jr., American Forest Management Inc., Sumter, SC<br />
Thomas A. Shepherd, MFG Inc., Fort Collins, CO<br />
Ronald J. Slinn, Slinn & Associates, Princeton, NJ (Emeritus)<br />
Wayne F. Wilbanks, Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas Asset Management, LLC,<br />
Norfork, VA (Ex Officio)<br />
Robert L. Wood, Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI<br />
George M. Woodwell, The Woods Hole Research Center, Woods Hole, MA<br />
Marine Lab Advisory Board<br />
Wayne F. Wilbanks, Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas Asset Management, LLC,<br />
Norfolk, VA (Chair)<br />
Elsa Ayers, Greensboro, NC (Vice Chair)<br />
James H.P. Bailey Jr., Cape Lookout Marine Inc., Atlantic Beach, NC<br />
Richard H. Bierly, Morehead City, NC<br />
Charles F. Blanchard, Blanchard, Jenkins, Miller & Lewis PA, Raleigh, NC<br />
David S. Brody, Kinston, NC<br />
F. Nelson Blount Crisp, Blount & Crisp, Greenville, NC<br />
Hugh Cullman, Beaufort, NC<br />
Sylvia A. Earle, Deep Ocean Exploration & Research, Oakland, CA<br />
Robert W. Estill, Raleigh, NC<br />
John T. Garbutt Jr., Durham, NC<br />
Cecil Goodnight, Wake Forest, NC<br />
C. Howard Hardesty Jr., Vero Beach, FL<br />
Robert G. Hardy, Cornerstone Ventures LP, Houston, TX<br />
Mary Price Taylor Harrison, Raleigh, NC<br />
Susan Hudson, Wilson, NC<br />
Sandra Taylor Kaupe, Palm Beach, FL<br />
William A. Lane Jr., The Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation Inc., Coral Gables, FL<br />
Henry O. Lineberger Jr., Raleigh, NC<br />
J. Thomas McMurray, Washington, DC<br />
Stephen E. Roady, Earthjustice, Washington, DC<br />
Ka<strong>the</strong>rine Goodman Stern, Greensboro, NC<br />
Elizabeth Thrower, Vero Beach, FL, and Nantucket, MA<br />
Stephen A. Wainwright, <strong>Duke</strong> University, Durham, NC<br />
Alumni Council<br />
James B. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC (President)<br />
William E.S. Cleveland, Shreveport, LA<br />
D. Jefferson Dye, Jefferson Dye & Associates, LLC, New Orleans, LA<br />
Peter C. Griffith, Goddard Spaceflight Center, Greenbelt, MD<br />
Lynne Hawkes, MEM '88, Natural Resource Ecology, Alumni Council<br />
Robert Beerits Lyon Jr., The Link Oil Company, Tulsa, OK<br />
Daniel Markewitz, Daniel B. Warnell <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Forest Resources,<br />
A<strong>the</strong>ns, GA<br />
Nancy Ragland Perkins, Office <strong>of</strong> Sen. Judd Gregg (NH), Washington, DC<br />
James A. Spangler, Spangler <strong>Environment</strong>al Consultants Inc., Raleigh, NC<br />
Lori A. Sutter, NOAA Coastal Services Center, Charleston, SC<br />
Michael Dechter, MEM '03, Resource Economics and Policy<br />
(Student Ex Officio)<br />
Alexis Kingham, MEM '04, Coastal <strong>Environment</strong>al Management<br />
(Student Ex Officio)<br />
Editorial Board<br />
Judson (Judd) Edeburn, Resource Manager, <strong>Duke</strong> Forest<br />
Peter K. Haff, Chair, Division <strong>of</strong> Earth & Ocean Sciences<br />
Patrick N. Halpin, Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Practice <strong>of</strong> Landscape Ecology<br />
Lynne Hawkes, MEM '88, Natural Resource Ecology, Alumni Council<br />
Karen Kirch<strong>of</strong>, Director <strong>of</strong> Career Services<br />
Randall A. Kramer, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Resource and <strong>Environment</strong>al Economics<br />
Michael K. Orbach, Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> University Marine Laboratory,<br />
and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Practice <strong>of</strong> Marine Affairs and Policy<br />
Cynthia Peters, Director <strong>of</strong> Enrollment Services<br />
Donna Picard, Staff Assistant, Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Dean<br />
Clair Twigg, MEM '03, Water & Air Resources<br />
Rachel Strader, MEM '04, Coastal <strong>Environment</strong>al Management
dukenvironment Contents<br />
2 Species in Trouble<br />
Stuart Pimm and His Students Seek Out <strong>the</strong> ‘Hottest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hot Spots’ in Their Efforts to Stem Global Loss <strong>of</strong> Biodiversity<br />
12 Loggerhead Crisis Brewing?<br />
Surprising Study Results Show More Females Than Males Hatching in Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Population<br />
15 Secret Life <strong>of</strong> Waves<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> Researchers Are Finding That <strong>the</strong> Waves We Never See May Play a Big Role in Shaping <strong>the</strong> Planet<br />
6 The Log: <strong>School</strong> News<br />
18 Forum: Dean’s Page<br />
19 Action: Student News<br />
Living a Double Life: For Six Months <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year, Grad Student Luke Dollar Trades Number<br />
Crunching in Durham for a Chance to Track <strong>the</strong> Elusive Fossa in Madagascar<br />
22 Scope: Faculty & Staff Notes<br />
25 Sightings: Alumni News<br />
28 Nature & Nurture: Campaign & Annual Fund News<br />
32 Monitor: Upcoming Events<br />
Produced by <strong>the</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> Creative Services & Publications,<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Health System, MCOC 3206<br />
Copyright © <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> and Earth Sciences, 2003<br />
Photography contributed by Scott Taylor, Scott Taylor Photography, Beaufort, N.C.;<br />
Luke Dollar, <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>; Jim Wallace and Chris Hildreth, <strong>Duke</strong> University Photography;<br />
Judson Edeburn, Office <strong>of</strong> The <strong>Duke</strong> Forest; Lisa Dellwo Schlesinger, Durham, N.C.; Stuart Pimm, <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>;<br />
Col. Bob Powell; and Jimmy Wood, Jimmy Wood Photography, Sumter, S.C.
COVER STORY<br />
species in trouble<br />
Stuart Pimm and His Students Seek Out <strong>the</strong> ‘Hottest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hot Spots’ in Their Efforts to Stem Global Loss <strong>of</strong> Biodiversity<br />
by Monte Basgall<br />
As he bustles through <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s<br />
corridors carrying papers and files,<br />
or hunches over his computer doing<br />
sophisticated modeling, or begins yet<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r trouble-shooting, problem-solving<br />
trip with his students to Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa,<br />
Brazil, Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia, Central America,<br />
Florida’s Everglades, or Washington, D.C.,<br />
Stuart Pimm telegraphs <strong>the</strong> feeling that<br />
he’s in <strong>the</strong> right place at <strong>the</strong> right time.<br />
“I think <strong>Duke</strong> affords such a wonderful<br />
opportunity,” said Pimm, <strong>the</strong> school’s<br />
peripatetic Doris <strong>Duke</strong> Chair <strong>of</strong><br />
Conservation Ecology. “I’m in <strong>the</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>, and that’s very much<br />
<strong>the</strong> way I want it to be. We’re not just<br />
interested in doing science for science’s<br />
sake,” he said in one <strong>of</strong> several interviews.<br />
“The hottest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hot spots are <strong>the</strong> places<br />
we work. We are looking for places that are<br />
tough and difficult, where we, as hopefully<br />
smart scientists, can bring some important<br />
ideas to <strong>the</strong> table.”<br />
Pimm is sitting in his high-ceilinged<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice, a converted sunroom where<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> students used to ga<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Students still parade in and out, only<br />
<strong>the</strong>y’re now his own graduate students, a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> whom have followed him to<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> from Columbia University, some<br />
even from his previous years at <strong>the</strong><br />
dukenvironment<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Tennessee. On Pimm’s <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
wall, across from a potted palm tree that<br />
thrives in <strong>the</strong> ample light, is a special world<br />
map. It highlights places, mostly in <strong>the</strong> tropics,<br />
where species are considered to be in trouble,<br />
mostly from <strong>the</strong> actions <strong>of</strong> humans. These,<br />
he says, are <strong>the</strong> “hot spots” — “not just <strong>the</strong><br />
places where species are born, but also<br />
where species are dying.”<br />
His <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Web site (http://www.<br />
env.duke.edu/faculty/bios/pimm.html)<br />
notes that his expertise “lies in species<br />
extinctions and what can be done to<br />
prevent <strong>the</strong>m.” He likewise “studies <strong>the</strong> loss<br />
<strong>of</strong> tropical forests and its consequences to<br />
biodiversity.” You can read lots more about<br />
his approach to population biology in his<br />
2001 book, The World According to Pimm, published<br />
a year before he arrived at <strong>Duke</strong>. Its<br />
285 pages take readers on a worldwide hot<br />
spot tour and also measure <strong>the</strong> world’s<br />
assets. Readers may be startled by how many<br />
assets are being diverted to human use.<br />
His book’s final page, “About <strong>the</strong><br />
Author,” notes that he’s written more than<br />
150 scientific papers, numerous articles for<br />
general audiences, and a total <strong>of</strong> three<br />
books. It also notes his extensive media<br />
exposure. For many scientists, “being an<br />
2<br />
advocate is really a dirty word,” he said. But<br />
Pimm believes that talking to reporters as<br />
well as politicians is a crucial part <strong>of</strong> his<br />
efforts to save <strong>the</strong> natural world from<br />
deforestation and land conversion, overhunting<br />
and overfishing, excessive extraction<br />
<strong>of</strong> water resources and air and water<br />
pollution. “Am I being an advocate when I<br />
go to Capitol Hill and talk to <strong>the</strong> media?<br />
The answer is no!” he exclaims in his<br />
Derbyshire, England accent. “I think <strong>the</strong><br />
severity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ecological crises that we face<br />
requires us to do that.”<br />
Pimm hails from “<strong>the</strong> countryside <strong>of</strong> All<br />
Creatures Great and Small,” he said. “It was a<br />
wonderful place to grow up as a naturalist,<br />
with lots <strong>of</strong> hiking trails. His parents<br />
included camping in every holiday. And<br />
“my interests in <strong>the</strong> outdoors, which I<br />
shared with my parents, really came through<br />
watching birds,” he said. Sick at home on<br />
his 12th birthday, Pimm viewed a television<br />
show on birdwatching. When he got better,<br />
“The idea is to use elephants to choose corridors that<br />
are not only politically but ecologically viable”<br />
he sleu<strong>the</strong>d out birds with a classmate and<br />
“was completely hooked,” he said.<br />
His youthful hobby grew into a lifelong<br />
avocation as he was introduced to ecology<br />
during undergraduate years at Oxford<br />
University and graduate school at
New Mexico State University. He chose<br />
New Mexico for graduate study because two<br />
summers in Afghanistan had piqued an<br />
interest in desert ecology. After graduating<br />
he was ready for research experiences in a<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> settings — be <strong>the</strong>y deserts, mountains<br />
or remote tropical rain forests — as<br />
long as <strong>the</strong>y were pristine. I felt as an<br />
ecologist that was where I would learn<br />
how nature should work,” he said. “So<br />
I definitely remember thinking I would<br />
never go to Hawai`i, because it had been<br />
so severely damaged.”<br />
Although tourists may think o<strong>the</strong>rwise,<br />
Hawai`i has been so ecologically manipulated<br />
by humans that much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original ecology<br />
has been extirpated. But, at a crucial<br />
moment, he went <strong>the</strong>re anyway, as an<br />
extension <strong>of</strong> a research project studying<br />
organizational patterns <strong>of</strong> southwestern<br />
U.S. hummingbird communities. A fellow<br />
researcher told him <strong>of</strong> several species <strong>of</strong><br />
Hawaiian honeycreepers that were organized<br />
<strong>the</strong> same way. So Pimm went to<br />
Hawai`i, and it changed his life.<br />
Back in <strong>the</strong> 1970s, “I don’t think we had<br />
a word yet for ‘conservation biology,’” he<br />
said. “Conservationists were advocates,<br />
something o<strong>the</strong>r people did.” But in<br />
Hawai`i “I realized that 50 years from now<br />
people would not look back on my papers<br />
in Science and Nature. They would say, ‘Pimm<br />
you were on duty in Hawai`i when those<br />
species went extinct. You let it happen!’<br />
It touched on ethical and religious<br />
concerns, <strong>the</strong> idea that as a scientist not<br />
only did I have a responsibility, but that<br />
<strong>the</strong>re was something I could do about it.”<br />
The Society <strong>of</strong> Conservation Biology was<br />
finally founded in <strong>the</strong> early 1980s. “From<br />
that meeting on, I knew what I was,”<br />
he said.<br />
After previous stints on <strong>the</strong> faculties <strong>of</strong><br />
Clemson and Texas Tech universities,<br />
Pimm went to <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Tennessee,<br />
Knoxville in 1982 as an assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
in <strong>the</strong> department <strong>of</strong> ecology and evolutionary<br />
biology. He would stay in Knoxville<br />
for 17 years, rising to full pr<strong>of</strong>essor and<br />
seeing his department reorganized as an<br />
ecology department in its own right. But in<br />
<strong>the</strong> end, Pimm was getting restless.<br />
“I really wanted to work in a more<br />
explicitly interdisciplinary group, recognizing<br />
that we also had to speak <strong>the</strong> language<br />
<strong>of</strong> economics, had to understand social<br />
sciences, had to have remote sensing skills,<br />
and had to understand <strong>the</strong> geological background<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> areas we are working in,” he says.<br />
So Pimm relocated to Columbia University<br />
in 1999 as a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> ecology at <strong>the</strong><br />
Center for Research and Conservation,<br />
taking some <strong>of</strong> his graduate students with<br />
him. “I expected to stay at Columbia for a<br />
long time,” he said. “My reasons for<br />
coming to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> have an<br />
enormous amount to do with how attractive<br />
<strong>the</strong> program here is.”<br />
photo captions are from left to right, top to bottom: 1. Jaguar in water 2. and 3. Deforestation in North Sumatra 4. Madagascar buzzard (Buteo brachypterus)<br />
5. Stuart Pimm in his <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice 6. Rain forest frog 7. Slash and burn agriculture<br />
Last summer, Pimm’s group was formally<br />
introduced to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> at<br />
an outdoor barbecue, his international<br />
team <strong>of</strong> graduate students blinking in <strong>the</strong><br />
bright sunlight. “It’s an incredible mix,” he<br />
says. “I have some students from Columbia.<br />
I have some who went from Tennessee<br />
to Columbia and are now here. One<br />
man and his family moved three times in<br />
three years.”<br />
Mariana Vale has been working with<br />
Pimm for two years and is now beginning a<br />
doctoral research project in <strong>the</strong> Brazilian<br />
Amazon. “I love working with Stuart,” she<br />
said. “He’s always been very supportive <strong>of</strong><br />
me, and he’s an amazing scientist. He’s my<br />
endless resource for everything.” A native<br />
<strong>of</strong> Rio de Janeiro who finished her master’s<br />
degree when Pimm was at Columbia, Vale<br />
is starting to study how human alterations<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Amazon’s delicate environment are<br />
affecting <strong>the</strong> distribution and conservation<br />
<strong>of</strong> perching birds.<br />
“He has one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most incredible<br />
minds that I've ever encountered,” said<br />
Luke Dollar, who studies <strong>the</strong> fearsome<br />
fossa, Madagascar’s major predator (see<br />
Action/Student News, page 19), as well as uses<br />
remote sensing to document changes in<br />
that environmentally beleaguered nation.<br />
“He does so many different things, and<br />
he does <strong>the</strong>m all much better than <strong>the</strong> next<br />
guy. He’s never had a graduate student he’s<br />
not been in <strong>the</strong> field with. He’s not so
COVER STORY<br />
much a boss or a teacher as he is an<br />
academic fa<strong>the</strong>r figure.”<br />
Dalia Conde, ano<strong>the</strong>r doctoral student<br />
who followed Pimm to <strong>Duke</strong> from<br />
Columbia, said “I’m really happy to work<br />
with him because I think he is open about<br />
working with international students and<br />
understanding different cultures.” A<br />
native <strong>of</strong> Mexico City, Conde spent<br />
previous years doing conservation projects<br />
for a non-government organization<br />
(NGO) in Mexico.<br />
She and ano<strong>the</strong>r Pimm Group international<br />
doctoral student, Fernando<br />
Colchero, recently joined an experienced<br />
team that captures and attaches radio collars<br />
to jaguars. With <strong>the</strong> collars, <strong>the</strong>y can<br />
track <strong>the</strong> jaguars by satellite along jungle<br />
corridors in <strong>the</strong> Yucatan Peninsula. “One<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most exciting things is to have eye<br />
contact with a wild animal such as a jaguar<br />
in a tree in its natural ecosystem,” Conde<br />
said. “When we went on <strong>the</strong> jaguar capture<br />
he (Pimm) stayed with us <strong>the</strong> whole time<br />
to see how well we were doing on our<br />
work project.”<br />
Conde will soon go to sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa<br />
to do elephant-related research. She will<br />
visit a “peace park” within several contiguous<br />
nations to search for ecologically friendly<br />
corridors that <strong>the</strong> pachyderms can<br />
negotiate without interfering with or<br />
being harmed by humans. “The idea is to<br />
use elephants to choose corridors that are<br />
dukenvironment<br />
not only politically but ecologically<br />
viable,” she said.<br />
Elephant conservation is a special<br />
challenge, says Pimm, who spends enough<br />
time in Africa to teach at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong><br />
Pretoria. (He isn’t paid a salary, but some<br />
<strong>of</strong> his expenses are covered.) “If you get<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir management right, you have<br />
elephants. If you get it really right, you<br />
have far too many,” he quips, “and <strong>the</strong>y<br />
destroy <strong>the</strong> habitat.” On his first day<br />
teaching his Applied Population Ecology<br />
class at <strong>Duke</strong>, Pimm was still jet lagged<br />
from attending <strong>the</strong> World Summit on<br />
Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.<br />
So he showed <strong>the</strong> students a “very opinionated,<br />
very controversial” movie on <strong>the</strong><br />
problems <strong>of</strong> elephant-human relations.<br />
“At <strong>the</strong> end, I said, ‘Two weeks from now<br />
I want you to tell me what your solution<br />
is.’” he said.<br />
Pimm and his students pick such<br />
“sentinel” species to address broad issues<br />
<strong>of</strong> people versus animals and preservation<br />
versus environment in <strong>the</strong> growing<br />
numbers <strong>of</strong> places that <strong>the</strong>y work. Besides<br />
Pimm and his students pick such “sentinel” species to address broad<br />
issues <strong>of</strong> people versus animals and preservation versus environment<br />
elephants in South Africa, jaguars in<br />
Mexico, birds in <strong>the</strong> Amazon, and fossas<br />
in Madagascar, <strong>the</strong>re are sooty terns on<br />
<strong>the</strong> Dry Tortugas <strong>of</strong>f south Florida. “Until<br />
about seven or eight years ago my program<br />
was largely U.S.-based,” he said. “Then I<br />
began to realize that just working in <strong>the</strong><br />
richest country in <strong>the</strong> world was not <strong>the</strong><br />
4<br />
right way to do conservation. So I began<br />
looking for opportunities to work<br />
internationally.”<br />
Pimm says he uses birds “as a window<br />
into what is happening to <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
environment, and with o<strong>the</strong>r kinds <strong>of</strong><br />
species. We really look at whole ecosystems,<br />
but we tend to do this through <strong>the</strong><br />
window <strong>of</strong> studying birds, because we<br />
know birds so well.”<br />
A major sentinel species he studies in<br />
Florida’s Everglades is <strong>the</strong> small, brown<br />
Cape Sable Sparrow, which he describes as<br />
“about as uncharismatic and unlovely a<br />
bird as you can imagine. The work that we<br />
do involves <strong>the</strong> fact that poor water management<br />
decisions have caused <strong>the</strong> sparrow<br />
to be flooded out <strong>of</strong> part <strong>of</strong> its range, and<br />
burned out <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r part where it’s too<br />
dry.” Pimm might “not mention its name<br />
for hours” as he meets with <strong>of</strong>ficials with<br />
<strong>the</strong> U.S. Army Corps <strong>of</strong> Engineers,<br />
National Park Service and U.S. Fish and<br />
Wildlife Service. “What we may talk about<br />
are <strong>the</strong> issues <strong>of</strong> restoring Florida’s natural<br />
ecosystem dynamics,” he said. “If <strong>the</strong>y get<br />
those right, <strong>the</strong> sparrow will come back.”<br />
Pimm’s goals include building a “really<br />
good” conservation biology program at <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>, and training an international<br />
cadre <strong>of</strong> specialists, both PhDs and<br />
Masters <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al Management<br />
(MEMs), to address complex problems in<br />
various countries. A major conference he<br />
organized with Intel founder Gordon E.<br />
Moore and Harvard biologist Edward O.<br />
Wilson produced a paper, “Defying<br />
Nature’s End,” that recognized <strong>the</strong> “need<br />
to train a lot more people to tackle <strong>the</strong>se<br />
issues,” he said. “Just like politics is local,
conservation is local. So a great part <strong>of</strong><br />
what I do involves being with my group in<br />
different parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world and showing<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y’re working with <strong>the</strong> local<br />
communities. In all <strong>the</strong> places we work,<br />
we have immediate, direct ties to <strong>the</strong><br />
policy makers and managers.”<br />
While <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s MEM<br />
program “is clearly <strong>the</strong> best pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
masters program in environmental sciences<br />
in <strong>the</strong> country, its students are predominantly<br />
young American women and<br />
men,” he said. “We need to have students<br />
coming in from o<strong>the</strong>r countries to get<br />
training and go back to <strong>the</strong>ir countries.”<br />
“That can’t happen without some<br />
serious scholarship support,” stressed<br />
Pimm, who recalls a recent Christmas card<br />
bearing a $2,500 check for his program.<br />
Donations that size have historically kept<br />
<strong>the</strong> Pimm Group going, he said. “We will<br />
probably raise $50,000 this year, <strong>the</strong><br />
biggest grants <strong>of</strong> which might be $5,000.<br />
That’s something I’d like to change.” The<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> has “a wonderful group<br />
<strong>of</strong> fund-raisers,” he says. “I’d like to build<br />
up an endowment for getting students into<br />
<strong>the</strong>se areas each year, so that we don’t have<br />
to live such a hand-to-mouth existence.”<br />
All <strong>the</strong>se goals explain why Pimm<br />
always seems to be bustling. “There will be<br />
many days this year when I’ll be up before<br />
dawn out in <strong>the</strong> field,” he said. “There<br />
will be o<strong>the</strong>r days when I’ll be in front <strong>of</strong><br />
congressmen trying to get <strong>the</strong> message<br />
across.” An ecological <strong>the</strong>oretician early<br />
in his academic career, he also logs plenty<br />
<strong>of</strong> time in front <strong>of</strong> a computer keyboard<br />
“as far from <strong>the</strong> forests and <strong>the</strong> jungles as<br />
you can imagine.” Both Pimm and his<br />
students relish <strong>the</strong> specialized technical<br />
help available at <strong>Duke</strong>, such as <strong>the</strong> remote<br />
sensing expertise <strong>of</strong> Dean Urban, associate<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> landscape ecology, and<br />
Patrick Halpin, assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> landscape ecology.<br />
“The <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers a wonderful<br />
opportunity for us to pick up a broad<br />
range <strong>of</strong> necessary skills,” he said.<br />
It is perhaps no surprise, <strong>the</strong>n, that<br />
it took him five years to write The World<br />
According to Pimm. Describing himself as<br />
“a measurer <strong>of</strong> biodiversity,” Pimm said<br />
<strong>the</strong> book is in part a way <strong>of</strong> explaining<br />
what he does. After initially envisioning<br />
a book for scientists, “I realized that <strong>the</strong><br />
state <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> planet is a hugely important<br />
subject that every educated person ought<br />
to know about,” he said. Then he told<br />
himself that “auditing <strong>the</strong> planet is<br />
about as dull a subject as you could<br />
possibly imagine.<br />
“Yet it isn’t dull,” he finally decided.<br />
“We have <strong>the</strong> most amazing adventures while<br />
we’re doing it all over <strong>the</strong> world.” So he<br />
ended up “telling it as an adventure story.”<br />
Pimm’s book appropriately begins<br />
aboard a helicopter, where he is being<br />
whisked up <strong>the</strong> precipitous, vertigoinducing<br />
slopes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hawaiian volcano<br />
Haleakala to reach a cold and rainy<br />
research camp at 6,000 feet. Readers later<br />
learn <strong>the</strong> pros and cons <strong>of</strong> working in an<br />
Amazon rain forest. The cons range from<br />
“<strong>the</strong> thundershowers that drench you in<br />
minutes” to “<strong>the</strong> shots against yellow fever;<br />
<strong>the</strong> nauseating taste <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lariam pills<br />
that ward <strong>of</strong>f malaria; <strong>the</strong> threat <strong>of</strong><br />
leishmaniasis; and <strong>the</strong> ghastliness <strong>of</strong> its<br />
treatment if you contract it.”<br />
With <strong>the</strong> entertainment also comes<br />
some stark math.<br />
Earth now has six billion humans.<br />
Land that covers an eighth <strong>of</strong> it generates<br />
99 percent <strong>of</strong> our food. Humans already<br />
use up about 40 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> global<br />
production <strong>of</strong> plant material. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
plants we use come from tropical places<br />
where forests are shrinking by 10 percent<br />
per decade. About 90 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
ocean is a “biological desert,” and we use<br />
up one third <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> annual production<br />
from <strong>the</strong> remaining 10.<br />
There are probably 10 million kinds <strong>of</strong><br />
animals and plants, about 10 <strong>of</strong> which<br />
should go extinct each year according to<br />
past “natural” attrition rates. Extinctions<br />
are now accelerating to between 1,000 and<br />
10,000 times <strong>the</strong> natural rate.<br />
Monte Basgall is a senior writer with <strong>Duke</strong>’s Office<br />
<strong>of</strong> News and Communications and specializes in<br />
science coverage.<br />
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web sites to note<br />
Review <strong>of</strong> The World According to Pimm:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/faculty/pimm/<br />
pimmlabhtml/world.html<br />
Research Group Web site:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/faculty/pimm/<br />
Stuart Pimm’s Bio:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/faculty/bios/<br />
pimm.html<br />
photo captions are from left to right, top to bottom: 8. Pimm in <strong>the</strong> halls <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Levine Science Research Center 9. Rain forest frog 10. Aerial <strong>of</strong> Madagascar plateau<br />
11. Indonesian deforestation 12. Rain forest frog 13. Deforestation 14. Rain forest 15. White-throated Spadebill (Platyrinchus mystaceus) 16. Lesser Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes<br />
fuscus) 17. Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) Photos 2-4, 6&7, 9-14 by Luke Dollar; photos 5 & 8 by Jim Wallace, <strong>Duke</strong> Photography; photos 15 & 16 by Stuart Pimm; and photo 17 by Col. Bob Powell
S CHOOL N E W S <strong>the</strong><br />
Soon Midcareer Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
Can Go Online to Get MEM Degree<br />
Even though it might advance <strong>the</strong>m up <strong>the</strong><br />
career ladder, environmental pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
may find it too daunting a task to leave<br />
a job and family to go back to school for<br />
a master’s degree or for a certificate program.<br />
Now, through a “first <strong>of</strong> its kind”<br />
program at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>, <strong>the</strong>y can<br />
get what <strong>the</strong>y need largely while sitting at<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir home computers.<br />
Beginning this fall, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> will begin taking applications<br />
for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al Leadership<br />
(DEL) Program, which will <strong>of</strong>fer a variety<br />
<strong>of</strong> online and site-based educational<br />
opportunities<br />
for midcareer<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
with an emphasis<br />
on interdisciplinary<br />
<strong>the</strong>mes,<br />
strategic<br />
approaches to<br />
environmental<br />
management,<br />
communication<br />
and effective<br />
leadership.<br />
The program<br />
will revolve<br />
around <strong>the</strong> 30credit<br />
Master <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Management<br />
option (DEL-<br />
MEM), but <strong>the</strong><br />
Camille Heaton MEM’98<br />
poses for DEL brochure<br />
web sites to note<br />
Rob Jackson’s op-ed:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/news/jacksonsaddamshivers.html<br />
Orbach’s Revelle presentation:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/news/Freedom<br />
<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>Seas.<strong>pdf</strong><br />
dukenvironment<br />
log<br />
school also will <strong>of</strong>fer a variety <strong>of</strong> 10-credit<br />
certificate programs and one-to threecredit<br />
short courses. Classes are scheduled<br />
to begin in mid-2004.<br />
“Accessibility is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most<br />
daunting challenges to mid-career<br />
environmental training,” said Norman L.<br />
Christensen Jr., DEL executive director.<br />
“Through <strong>the</strong> DEL program <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> will <strong>of</strong>fer its comprehensive<br />
environmental management program to<br />
those potential students who may not be<br />
able to spend two years in residence to get<br />
a degree and will provide continuing<br />
education for those that can’t leave home<br />
to get it.”<br />
Admission to <strong>the</strong> 30-credit DEL-<br />
MEM program will be based on undergraduate<br />
performance, GRE scores and<br />
work experience. Five years <strong>of</strong> relevant<br />
work experience is a prerequisite for <strong>the</strong><br />
program. Students will be expected to<br />
complete a one-week orientation session<br />
at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> campus; a series <strong>of</strong> threecredit<br />
core and focused modular courses<br />
or short courses; and a masters project<br />
that should allow students to pursue<br />
problems directly related to <strong>the</strong>ir current<br />
employment, said Sara Ashenburg, director<br />
<strong>of</strong> continuing and executive education.<br />
Proposed modular core courses —<br />
available in written and electronic formats<br />
— include Ecosystems Science and<br />
Management, <strong>Environment</strong>al and Natural<br />
Resource Economics, <strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Policy and Law and Program Management<br />
for <strong>Environment</strong>al Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.<br />
6<br />
With <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> orientation<br />
course, core courses and <strong>the</strong> masters<br />
project, all DEL courses will be available<br />
for single course enrollment by students<br />
with an appropriate bachelor’s degree and<br />
who meet any course pre-requisites,<br />
Ashenburg said. Students enrolling in<br />
three courses (10 credits) in particular<br />
focal areas will qualify for certificates.<br />
Certificate areas might include conservation<br />
biology, water quality assessment or<br />
natural resource economics.<br />
The DEL faculty team includes<br />
Christensen, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> ecology and<br />
former dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>,<br />
Patrick Halpin, assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> landscape ecology, Robert<br />
Healy, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> resource economics,<br />
Randall Kramer, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> resource<br />
economics, Lynn Maguire, associate<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> environmental<br />
science and policy, and Dean Urban,<br />
associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> landscape ecology.<br />
The program is supported by an<br />
$800,000 grant from <strong>the</strong> Henry Luce<br />
Foundation.<br />
For enrollment information,<br />
contact <strong>the</strong> DEL program <strong>of</strong>fice at<br />
(919) 613-8063 or del@duke.edu.<br />
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web sites to note<br />
Check out <strong>the</strong> program Web site at<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/del.<br />
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Web Notes<br />
Check out Rob’s Jackson’s Op-Ed<br />
In an op-ed for <strong>the</strong> News & Observer in Raleigh, Rob Jackson talks about what war in Iraq<br />
and an ice storm in North Carolina have in common. Jackson, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
biology, is director <strong>of</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> University’s Program in Ecology in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong> and Earth Sciences and author <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new book The Earth Remains Forever.<br />
You can read “Give Saddam <strong>the</strong> shivers and save, too” online at http://www.env.duke.edu/<br />
news/jackson-saddamshivers.html
S CHOOL N E W S<br />
Former CEO Tackles Teaching for <strong>the</strong> First<br />
Time; Seeks Solutions to Questions about<br />
Energy and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong><br />
Former CEO Simon Rich has never stood<br />
at <strong>the</strong> head <strong>of</strong> a classroom before, but<br />
when he was asked to teach a course in <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> on energy and <strong>the</strong><br />
environment, a topic he’s been pondering<br />
since he began his own career, he couldn’t<br />
resist <strong>the</strong> challenge <strong>of</strong> taking what he<br />
sees as some critical concerns before<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> students.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> years, as Rich has gained<br />
experience in agriculture and energy<br />
products, he has grown increasingly aware<br />
<strong>of</strong> and concerned about <strong>the</strong> limits on oil<br />
and gas production and what those limits<br />
might mean to a country whose food chain<br />
is so dependent on petroleum products.<br />
Rich began his career as manager <strong>of</strong> a<br />
family commercial farm and last served as<br />
chairman <strong>of</strong> Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas.<br />
“I began to understand <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> sustainability<br />
<strong>of</strong> our global energy program,”<br />
he said. “But I didn’t have <strong>the</strong> answers.”<br />
Teaching <strong>of</strong>fered him an opportunity<br />
to continue a search for <strong>the</strong>m. “It is<br />
intriguing, because I thought if I could<br />
prompt people to ask <strong>the</strong> questions —<br />
people a lot smarter than I am and a lot<br />
younger than I am — hopefully we will<br />
come up with answers,” he said.<br />
Tackling questions about energy and<br />
<strong>the</strong> environment this spring semester are<br />
15 graduate students from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>’s Masters in <strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Management program, <strong>Duke</strong> Law <strong>School</strong>,<br />
and Fuqua <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Business, and three<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> undergraduates.<br />
Rich is very pleased with <strong>the</strong> mix <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> class because he feels <strong>the</strong> diversity <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> students will add to <strong>the</strong> richness <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> debate.<br />
“I purposely picked <strong>the</strong> time period<br />
for <strong>the</strong> class to be three hours at one sitting<br />
because what I want to do is introduce<br />
<strong>the</strong>m to what I’m calling catalysts — topics<br />
where you can take one side or <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> issue,” he said. “I’ve broken <strong>the</strong><br />
class up into small groups and very frequently<br />
<strong>the</strong>y are going to be giving presentations<br />
that will trigger discussions.”<br />
Guest speakers have included Matt<br />
Simmons, president <strong>of</strong> Simmons & Co.<br />
International, who discussed “Oil & Gas:<br />
The Supply Demands Facts”; Ronnie<br />
Irani, executive vice president <strong>of</strong><br />
Dominion Exploration, who discussed<br />
“Finding Oil and Gas”; and Susan Ruth,<br />
director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> environmental division <strong>of</strong><br />
CERA (Cambridge Energy Research<br />
Associates), whose presentation followed<br />
<strong>the</strong> week after <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Dean<br />
William H. Schlesinger’s; both talked on<br />
aspects <strong>of</strong> climate change.<br />
“The course itself is going to follow <strong>the</strong><br />
rise <strong>of</strong> what I’m calling <strong>the</strong> petroleum<br />
interval in our history as humans,” said<br />
Read Orbach’s Revelle presentation online<br />
Michael K. Orbach, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> marine affairs and policy and director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Marine Laboratory, presented <strong>the</strong> 2002 Roger Revelle Memorial Lecture in<br />
November 2002, “Beyond <strong>the</strong> Freedom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Seas: Ocean Policy for <strong>the</strong> Third Millennium.”<br />
The lecture is sponsored by <strong>the</strong> National Academy <strong>of</strong> Science’s Ocean Studies Board. You<br />
can read his report in PDF format. Go to http://www.env.duke.edu/news/Freedom<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>Seas.<strong>pdf</strong><br />
Simon Rich<br />
Rich. “And <strong>the</strong> object is to bring<br />
everybody face-to-face with <strong>the</strong> fact<br />
that <strong>the</strong> petroleum interval has been<br />
a very short one in our history, and<br />
it’s going to be over while <strong>the</strong>se students<br />
are in <strong>the</strong> prime <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir lives.”<br />
Rich said he hopes to expose <strong>the</strong> students<br />
to issues <strong>the</strong>y haven’t thought about,<br />
and he wants <strong>the</strong>m to leave <strong>the</strong> class asking<br />
questions as <strong>the</strong>y continue on <strong>the</strong>ir educational<br />
and career tracks. “As I told <strong>the</strong>m<br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir first class, <strong>the</strong> answer probably<br />
lies in <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> an entirely new<br />
paradigm. I think we need one as we come<br />
out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> this petroleum interval<br />
to survive as a human society. It’s a big<br />
vision, but that’s what I’ve challenged<br />
<strong>the</strong>m with.”<br />
Rich, who is chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Visitors, said he thinks<br />
board members and o<strong>the</strong>rs who are not<br />
necessarily in <strong>the</strong> academic world would<br />
benefit from <strong>the</strong> rigors <strong>of</strong> preparing to<br />
teach a class. “It will make <strong>the</strong>m appreciate<br />
what <strong>the</strong> academic world goes through. But,<br />
I also think <strong>the</strong>y’ll learn at <strong>the</strong> same time,<br />
plus <strong>the</strong>y have a lot to teach, to impart.”<br />
w w w.<br />
web sites to note<br />
Hear Simon Rich talk about his new classroom<br />
venture at<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/dukenvironment/spring2003/richaudio.html<br />
Jim Wallace photos
S CHOOL N E W S <strong>the</strong><br />
Second <strong>Environment</strong>al Leadership Forum<br />
Brings Toge<strong>the</strong>r More Than 65<br />
Organizations and Individuals to Talk<br />
About Disasters<br />
Dow Chemical, IBM, Occidental<br />
Permian, <strong>the</strong> Texas Medical Center and<br />
<strong>the</strong> International Red Cross were among<br />
<strong>the</strong> 65 organizations and individuals<br />
ga<strong>the</strong>red at <strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
on Nov. 20-21 to explore<br />
“Dealing With Disasters:<br />
Prediction, Prevention<br />
and Response.”<br />
This was <strong>the</strong> second in a<br />
series <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Leadership Forums sponsored<br />
by AIG <strong>Environment</strong>al,<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> Center for<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Solutions,<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong><br />
University<br />
<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Law,<br />
The Fuqua<br />
<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Business and<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong><br />
and Earth<br />
Sciences.<br />
Funding was provided by The Starr<br />
Foundation, which makes possible a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> educational programs at <strong>Duke</strong>.<br />
The forum’s seven sessions included<br />
an opening overview, three sessions focusing<br />
on disaster prediction, prevention and<br />
response, two sessions focusing on chemical<br />
facilities and ecosecurity, and a closing<br />
web sites to note<br />
Column by <strong>Nicholas</strong> Board Member:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/news/rohrman.<br />
html<br />
http://www.frontiersinecology.org/<br />
<strong>Duke</strong>’s Annual report<br />
http://www.yearinreview.duke.edu/<br />
dukenvironment<br />
log<br />
John Koskinen, Deputy Mayor and City<br />
Administrator,Washington, D.C.<br />
(from left) Ken Cornell, AIG <strong>Environment</strong>al;William H. Schlesinger, Dean,<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>; Richard Meserve, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission;<br />
and Douglas Breeden, Dean, Fuqua <strong>School</strong><br />
summary session. It considered disasters<br />
that are accidental and/or “natural” as<br />
well as those that are purposeful, such as<br />
terrorist acts.<br />
Norman L. Christensen, founding<br />
dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> and a member<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical<br />
Review Board, dissected <strong>the</strong> 1976 failure <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Teton Dam, citing<br />
missed signals, arbitrary<br />
cost containment, and<br />
failure to communicate as<br />
contributing factors.<br />
Christensen made <strong>the</strong><br />
point that a disaster is<br />
rarely a single event, but<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> cumulative<br />
8<br />
result <strong>of</strong> a series <strong>of</strong> systemic<br />
failures. William H.<br />
Schlesinger, dean<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>, described<br />
some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
correlations<br />
between human<br />
disease transmis-<br />
sion rates and<br />
global changes in<br />
sea surface temperature.<br />
Keynote speakers were Richard A.<br />
Meserve, chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Nuclear<br />
Regulatory Commission, and Michael D.<br />
Brown, deputy director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Federal<br />
Emergency Management Agency, who<br />
described <strong>the</strong> lessons learned from <strong>the</strong><br />
World Trade Center disaster.<br />
Issues and questions discussed included:<br />
• What have we learned from recent natural<br />
and human-caused disasters that can<br />
help in dealing with future disasters?<br />
• What are <strong>the</strong> roles <strong>of</strong> science, law and<br />
business in predicting, preventing and<br />
responding to disasters?<br />
• How should we define leadership<br />
regarding disaster prediction,<br />
prevention and response?<br />
• What new models are needed?<br />
• What is <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> information<br />
disclosure in preventing and mitigating<br />
disaster impacts?<br />
• How much regulation is too much?<br />
The next <strong>Environment</strong>al Leadership<br />
Forum is being planned for March 8<br />
and 9, 2004, and will focus on <strong>the</strong> many<br />
issues surrounding energy production<br />
and use. For information on how your<br />
company can be included, contact<br />
Laura Turcotte at (919) 613-8081 or<br />
ljturco@duke.edu.<br />
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web sites to note<br />
Check out <strong>the</strong> forum Web site for a complete<br />
list <strong>of</strong> speakers and topics<br />
http://www.env.duke/forum02<br />
Video <strong>of</strong> forum sessions is available on <strong>the</strong><br />
agenda page at<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/forum02/<br />
agenda.html<br />
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Read New Column by <strong>Nicholas</strong> Board Member Doug Rohrman<br />
Board Member Doug Rohrman looks at wetlands and <strong>the</strong> law in <strong>the</strong> Ecological Society <strong>of</strong><br />
America’s new magazine Frontiers in Ecology and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>. You can read it in PDF<br />
format at http://www.env.duke.edu/news/rohrman.html. Preview <strong>the</strong> magazine online at<br />
http://www.frontiersinecology.org/. Rohrman will have a regular column in each issue.
S CHOOL N E W S<br />
Schlesinger Notes Evidence <strong>of</strong> Global Warming on Antarctica Trip<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Dean William H. Schlesinger and his wife, Lisa<br />
Dellwo Schlesinger, represented <strong>Duke</strong> University on an Alumni<br />
Affairs excursion to Antarctica in mid-January. Schlesinger was<br />
invited to speak on issues <strong>of</strong> global environmental change,<br />
including ozone depletion, global warming, and <strong>the</strong>ir impacts<br />
on Antarctic ecosystems.<br />
Embarking from Ushuaia, Argentina, on Jan. 15, <strong>the</strong><br />
excursion first visited <strong>the</strong> Falkland Islands before continuing<br />
to explore <strong>the</strong> Antarctic Peninsula to 65° S latitude. Traveling<br />
on <strong>the</strong> MS Hanseatic, <strong>the</strong> Schlesingers were host to 10 <strong>Duke</strong> alumni<br />
among more than 150 passengers aboard.<br />
The group recorded seven species <strong>of</strong> penguins, some seen in<br />
rookeries <strong>of</strong> up to a million birds, and a variety <strong>of</strong> whales and seals<br />
that frequent waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Ocean. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most<br />
advanced “ice-class” vessels in <strong>the</strong> world, <strong>the</strong> 400-foot Hanseatic<br />
easily plied iceberg-filled waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Antarctic Sound and<br />
negotiated 40-foot waves in <strong>the</strong> crossing <strong>of</strong> Drake Passage.<br />
Five Join <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Visitors<br />
The <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Visitors<br />
welcomes five new members to its ranks:<br />
Ann Douglas Cornell is a 1975 graduate<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Duke</strong>’s Trinity College and vice president<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Wallace Genetic Foundation in<br />
Washington, D.C. She has a special interest<br />
in pesticides and children’s environmental<br />
health issues and has been instrumental in<br />
assisting <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s Children’s<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Health Initiative.<br />
Michael C. Farrar <strong>of</strong> Washington, D.C.,<br />
rejoins <strong>the</strong> board after a two-year absence.<br />
In a career that spans private industry and<br />
government service, he has held high-ranking<br />
environmental positions in <strong>the</strong> pulp,<br />
paper and forestry industry, including its<br />
national trade associations and a wellknown<br />
company and at <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Protection Agency (EPA).<br />
During EPA’s start-up, he was instrumental<br />
in banning DDT from <strong>the</strong> U.S. market.<br />
He is currently a judge with <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />
While marveling at <strong>the</strong> pristine<br />
conditions at <strong>the</strong>ir Zodiac (inflatable<br />
boat) landing sites, Schlesinger noted<br />
some unsettling indications <strong>of</strong> human<br />
impact even in <strong>the</strong>se most sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
lands. Using hand-held instruments,<br />
he found that ultraviolet light comprised<br />
6.4 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total in<br />
Buenos Aires, but more than 9.1 percent<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Falkland Islands, which<br />
clearly feel <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “ozone<br />
hole” over <strong>the</strong> South Pole.<br />
Huge icebergs derived from last<br />
spring’s breakup <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Larsen-B ice shelf<br />
were a constant reminder that human<br />
activity in <strong>the</strong> temperate zone extends<br />
global warming to even <strong>the</strong> most remote<br />
reaches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> planet, he said.<br />
<strong>Duke</strong>’s Annual Report is Now Online Only<br />
If you want a glimpse <strong>of</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> during <strong>the</strong> year 2002, <strong>Duke</strong>’s annual report is now an online<br />
publication. Be sure and click on <strong>the</strong> environment section under school reports. The interactive<br />
publication has links to all <strong>the</strong> schools as well as headlines during <strong>the</strong> year. Go to<br />
http://www.yearinreview.duke.edu/<br />
Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Atomic<br />
Safety and Licensing Board.<br />
John S. Hahn is a partner at Mayer<br />
Brown Rowe & Maw in Washington, D.C.,<br />
specializing in environmental law. He is a<br />
1974 graduate <strong>of</strong> <strong>Duke</strong>’s Trinity College and<br />
received his law degree from Yale. His special<br />
environmental interests include habitat conservation,<br />
brownfield development, coastal<br />
and flood plain development, and science in<br />
regulatory decision-making.<br />
Lyons Gray, after representing <strong>the</strong> 39th<br />
District in <strong>the</strong> North Carolina General<br />
Assembly for 14 years, is president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Downtown Winston-Salem (North Carolina)<br />
Partnership and chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EPA<br />
Lisa Dellwo Schlesinger photos<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Finance Advisory Board. His<br />
daughter, Charlotte Gray, is a 1999 graduate<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s MEM program.<br />
Robert L. Wood is a business group<br />
president for Dow Chemical Co. with<br />
responsibility for five business units:<br />
polyurethanes, epoxy products and intermediates,<br />
propylene oxide assets, polyurethanes<br />
systems, and automotive. While based in<br />
Indianapolis as vice president <strong>of</strong> marketing<br />
for DowBrands Household Products in 1989,<br />
he served as senior deputy mayor and chief<br />
operating <strong>of</strong>ficer for <strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> Indianapolis.<br />
He was a featured speaker at <strong>Duke</strong>’s first<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Leadership Forum.<br />
Cornell Farrar Hahn Gray Wood
S CHOOL N E W S <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Duke</strong> Students Launch Campus Greening<br />
Effort With Talk By Architect<br />
Internationally renowned architect William<br />
McDonough encouraged <strong>Duke</strong> to embark<br />
on a plan to go beyond <strong>the</strong> current<br />
standards and become a leader in green<br />
initiatives in a Feb. 27 talk kicking <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Greening Initiative.<br />
“<strong>Duke</strong> has a unique opportunity in this<br />
country right now,” McDonough told <strong>the</strong><br />
audience <strong>of</strong> 400 ga<strong>the</strong>red in Geneen<br />
Auditorium at Fuqua <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Business.<br />
Hailed by Time Magazine in 1999 as a “Hero<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Planet,” McDonough is founding<br />
principal <strong>of</strong> William McDonough and<br />
Partners, a team <strong>of</strong> some 40 architects<br />
practicing ecologically, socially and<br />
economically intelligent architecture in<br />
<strong>the</strong> United States and abroad.<br />
McDonough’s talk was <strong>the</strong> first major<br />
event <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> Greening Initiative, <strong>the</strong><br />
brainchild <strong>of</strong> undergraduates Justin Segall<br />
and Anthony Vitarelli. Their group, which<br />
ParksWatch Ga<strong>the</strong>rs Directors for First<br />
Conference in Guatemala<br />
ParksWatch, a program <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>’s Center for Tropical Conservation<br />
(CTC), held its first conference at Tikal<br />
National Park in Peten, Guatemala, in<br />
December.<br />
ParksWatch is a watchdog and monitoring<br />
organization that conducts on-<strong>the</strong>ground<br />
inspection <strong>of</strong> national parks<br />
and equivalent protected areas in Latin<br />
America. It operates through partnerships<br />
with individuals and organizations in each<br />
target country.<br />
web sites to note<br />
Schlesinger’s op-eds<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/news/<br />
bill-airqual.html<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/news/westnileschlesinger.html<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/news/schlesing<br />
er-eyes.html<br />
dukenvironment<br />
log<br />
includes graduate students from <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> and Fuqua, aims to produce<br />
a series <strong>of</strong> projects that will encourage<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> to become a national leader in<br />
sustainability and green building projects.<br />
Segall and Vitarelli began a green<br />
building effort in August as part <strong>of</strong> a public<br />
policy class on “Enterprising Leadership.”<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir studies <strong>the</strong>y met with<br />
university administrators and asked <strong>the</strong>m<br />
to adopt <strong>the</strong> Leadership in Energy and<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Design (LEED) standards<br />
developed by <strong>the</strong> U.S. Green Building<br />
Council in all <strong>Duke</strong> building and renovation<br />
projects.<br />
In November, with encouragement<br />
from <strong>the</strong>ir adviser, Simon Rich, chair <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s Board <strong>of</strong> Visitors,<br />
Segall and Vitarelli enlisted students in <strong>the</strong><br />
Masters <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al Management<br />
program to take <strong>the</strong> project beyond building<br />
standards. The project <strong>the</strong>n became<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> University Greening Initiative.<br />
This conference was <strong>the</strong> first opportunity<br />
for ParksWatch directors from each <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> five projects (Brazil, Guatemala,<br />
Mexico, Peru and Venezuela) to work with<br />
CTC-based staff to develop consistent<br />
protocols for conducting park inspections<br />
and processing <strong>the</strong> resulting information.<br />
The five-day conference included<br />
presentations by each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organization’s<br />
in-country partners, a methodology<br />
workshop, a presentation by ParksWatch<br />
founder and CTC co-director, John<br />
Terborgh, and a field trip to Laguna del<br />
Tigre National Park. It was made possible<br />
10<br />
The graduate students have started<br />
researching which o<strong>the</strong>r universities are<br />
meeting LEED standards and developing<br />
campus greening programs, and hope to<br />
see some students take on <strong>the</strong> greening<br />
effort as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir masters projects.<br />
“We want <strong>Duke</strong> to make greening part<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> natural order <strong>of</strong> life on campus:<br />
we want organic foods available on campus,<br />
recycled products used in <strong>the</strong> bathrooms,<br />
buses to run on biodeisel fuels, and ‘green’<br />
in <strong>the</strong> curriculum,” said Mandy Schmitt,<br />
a joint degree student in environment<br />
and law and a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> group’s<br />
executive committee.<br />
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web sites to note<br />
Keep up with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> University Greening<br />
Initiative online at<br />
http://www.duke.edu/greening<br />
by The Gordon and Betty Moore<br />
Foundation.<br />
As <strong>of</strong> January 2003, ParksWatch has<br />
audited 35 protected areas.<br />
web sites to note<br />
Find out more about ParksWatch at<br />
http://www.parkswatch.org<br />
Check out <strong>the</strong> Center for Tropical<br />
Conservation at<br />
http://www.duke.edu/web/ctc/<br />
William McDonough<br />
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Don’t Miss Dean Schlesinger’s Op-eds and Speech<br />
Check out Dean William H. Schlesinger op-ed “Relaxed standards threaten N.C. air quality<br />
EPA decision could undermine effectiveness <strong>of</strong> what state has done,” which appeared in <strong>the</strong><br />
Charlotte Observer in November, at http://www.env.duke.edu/news/bill-airqual.html<br />
“For Warming Up to Disaster — West Nile virus is only a wake-up call,” which appeared in <strong>the</strong><br />
Chicago Tribune early last fall, go to http://www.env.duke.edu/news/westnile-schlesinger.html<br />
And, if you missed his speech “Eyes Wide Shut” to <strong>the</strong> Episcopal Diocese <strong>of</strong> North Carolina<br />
about stewardship <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earth, go to http://www.env.duke.edu/news/schlesinger-eyes.html.
S CHOOL N E W S<br />
Ice Storm Marks Second Time in Six Years That Major<br />
Wea<strong>the</strong>r Event Damages <strong>Duke</strong> Forest<br />
In his 24 years at <strong>Duke</strong> University, Judson Edeburn has seen<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> Forest sustain only two major wea<strong>the</strong>r-related events that<br />
caused substantial forestwide damage, and both happened in<br />
<strong>the</strong> past six years.<br />
The early winter ice storm that began coating <strong>the</strong> trees and<br />
power lines in <strong>the</strong> Triangle area on Dec. 4, 2002 snapped <strong>the</strong><br />
tops <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> middle-aged pine trees with a bang and broke<br />
limbs over a large part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> almost 8,000-acre <strong>Duke</strong> Forest,<br />
closing all sections to <strong>the</strong> public through February. Cleanup<br />
costs will run at least $55,000 not including staff time, said<br />
Edeburn, <strong>Duke</strong> Forest resource manager.<br />
When Hurricane Fran roared over Durham in <strong>the</strong> early<br />
hours <strong>of</strong> Sept. 6, 1996, it uprooted hardwoods and blew down<br />
every tree in pockets <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Forest, closing <strong>the</strong> Forest across<br />
Durham and Orange counties for up to six months and causing<br />
some $200,000 in damages, said Edeburn.<br />
“We’ve never seen anything like this in <strong>the</strong> Forest — two severe<br />
wea<strong>the</strong>r events that cause substantial damage — that I know <strong>of</strong> from<br />
<strong>the</strong> people I’ve talked to. To have two such events in six years is<br />
unusual. A tornado hit a portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hillsboro Division <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Forest in 1993, but damage was confined to a small area.”<br />
Unlike Fran, which blew down hardwoods, <strong>the</strong> ice storm<br />
wreaked <strong>the</strong> most havoc among small pines, 15 to 30 years <strong>of</strong> age,<br />
over a wide area. The younger trees, six to nine inches in diameter<br />
and three to 10 years old, were flexible enough to bend without<br />
breaking, said Edeburn. Most trees older than 30 were generally<br />
strong enough to withstand <strong>the</strong> weight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ice, though some very<br />
large trees snapped or were uprooted.<br />
“But those trees in <strong>the</strong> middle range are growing vigorously and<br />
have a lot <strong>of</strong> green needles and surface area for <strong>the</strong> ice to build up.<br />
They snapped leaving snags 15 to 30 feet high throughout <strong>the</strong><br />
Forest,” said Edeburn.<br />
<strong>School</strong> Saddened at Death <strong>of</strong> Marine Lab Undergraduate<br />
The <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> was saddened by <strong>the</strong><br />
loss <strong>of</strong> Maggie Katharine Schneider, a<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> Marine Lab undergraduate, who died<br />
from injuries in a Thanksgiving weekend<br />
car wreck.<br />
Schneider, a junior biology major from<br />
St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, was<br />
returning to Beaufort from Nags Head on<br />
Nov. 30 with two o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>Duke</strong> juniors,<br />
Megan Leigh Mobley <strong>of</strong> Olive, Mont., and<br />
Melissa Madeline Smith <strong>of</strong> Sanford,<br />
Maine, when <strong>the</strong> car <strong>the</strong>y were riding in was<br />
hit head-on by a pickup truck. Schneider,<br />
who never regained consciousness, died on<br />
Dec. 4.<br />
The three friends, all attending <strong>the</strong> fall<br />
term at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> Marine Lab, had spent<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir Thanksgiving break at Nags Head visiting<br />
Schneider’s grandparents. The o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
two students were not seriously injured.<br />
A memorial service, attended by<br />
Schneider’s parents and bro<strong>the</strong>r, was held<br />
in <strong>Duke</strong> Chapel Dec. 10. Her friends ga<strong>the</strong>red<br />
and celebrated her life talking about<br />
what a vibrant and energetic person<br />
Schneider was and about <strong>the</strong> joy she<br />
brought to <strong>the</strong>ir lives.<br />
Judson Edeburn photos<br />
In stands <strong>of</strong> trees in two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Forest’s five divisions — <strong>the</strong><br />
Blackwood and Durham divisions — up to 40 to 50 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
trees were damaged and <strong>the</strong> entire stands may have to be cut down,<br />
he said.<br />
Ironically, <strong>the</strong> ice storm <strong>of</strong>fers <strong>the</strong> potential for new and continued<br />
research. Edeburn said that this spring a Master <strong>of</strong> Forestry<br />
student will begin a survey <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> species and size <strong>of</strong> trees that<br />
received <strong>the</strong> most damage to determine if <strong>the</strong>re is a correlation.<br />
On ano<strong>the</strong>r front, researchers at <strong>the</strong> Forest’s FACE (Free Air<br />
Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) site in Orange County, which lost<br />
30 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tree tops in its circle towers, hope that <strong>the</strong> damage<br />
will add a new angle to <strong>the</strong> research. The FACE experiment is<br />
unique in that it provides a large-scale, long-term experiment <strong>of</strong><br />
how forests will respond to <strong>the</strong> atmosphere <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> future. The ice<br />
storm damage will now afford researchers a chance to look at what<br />
happens when <strong>the</strong> tree cover is damaged, said Ram Oren, FACE<br />
co-principal investigator.<br />
Maggie Katharine Schneider
y Scottee Cantrell<br />
Scott Taylor photos<br />
S TUDY<br />
Marine biologist Larry Crowder stands<br />
beside a round concrete tub in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Marine Lab’s turtle ranch. Ten small<br />
loggerhead turtles, each splashing in a<br />
brightly colored surplus Easter basket,<br />
vigorously flap <strong>the</strong>ir front fins and open<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir mouths hoping to be fed.<br />
Crowder points to spots <strong>of</strong> fingernail<br />
polish on <strong>the</strong>ir shells that let him know<br />
<strong>the</strong>se turtles hatched on a beach in<br />
Georgia. Over <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> this past<br />
summer, volunteers caught 500 baby<br />
loggerheads for Crowder as <strong>the</strong> hatchlings<br />
emerged from <strong>the</strong>ir nests on four beaches<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Carolinas and Georgia. They were<br />
packed in wet beach sand and quickly<br />
transported by Crowder’s research team<br />
to <strong>the</strong> ranch on <strong>the</strong> Beaufort, N.C.,<br />
campus for one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest-scale<br />
projects <strong>of</strong> its kind aimed at preserving<br />
<strong>the</strong> threatened turtles.<br />
Crowder and Jeanette Wyneken from<br />
Florida Atlantic University (FAU), who<br />
studied ano<strong>the</strong>r 700 turtles that hatched<br />
Loggerhead Crisis Brewing?<br />
Surprising Study Results Show More Females Than Males Hatching<br />
in Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Population<br />
1 2 3 4<br />
dukenvironment<br />
on six beaches as far south as Miami, are<br />
ga<strong>the</strong>ring information about how many<br />
males and females are hatching in <strong>the</strong><br />
nor<strong>the</strong>rn and sou<strong>the</strong>rn loggerhead turtle<br />
subpopulations.<br />
Their early results show a surprisingly<br />
small percentage <strong>of</strong> males among <strong>the</strong><br />
turtles that Crowder’s team collected in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Carolinas and Georgia, which may<br />
have serious implications for <strong>the</strong> future<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entire Sou<strong>the</strong>astern population.<br />
(The Florida population alone makes up<br />
about a third <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s total loggerhead<br />
population.)<br />
The researchers expected that <strong>the</strong><br />
males would dominate in <strong>the</strong> north, and<br />
instead <strong>the</strong>y found that <strong>the</strong> “girls” had <strong>the</strong><br />
advantage: for every two males <strong>the</strong>re were<br />
three females.<br />
“The results we have seen so far<br />
are surprising and even alarming,”<br />
said Crowder, who is Stephen Toth<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Marine Biology in <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
1., 2., and 3. Laparoscopies were conducted to determine each turtle's gender: Jeanette Wyneken, Florida Atlantic University, is in scrubs<br />
12<br />
The project to study <strong>the</strong> gender ratios<br />
began in earnest last summer (2002)<br />
under Crowder’s direction at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Marine Lab, and under Wyneken’s direction<br />
at FAU in Boca Raton and <strong>the</strong> Mote<br />
Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Fla. It is<br />
part <strong>of</strong> a three-year research study funded<br />
mainly by a $350,000 grant from <strong>the</strong><br />
U.S. <strong>Environment</strong>al Protection Agency.<br />
This is <strong>the</strong> first time so many loggerhead<br />
hatchlings have been raised and studied<br />
so intensely.<br />
They began by enlisting volunteer<br />
turtle watchers who monitored <strong>the</strong> nests<br />
along <strong>the</strong> Atlantic, checked nest temperatures<br />
and alerted <strong>the</strong> research teams when<br />
<strong>the</strong> 2-inch hatchlings were getting ready to<br />
make a break for <strong>the</strong> ocean.<br />
Once <strong>the</strong> calls started rolling in that<br />
<strong>the</strong> baby turtles were on <strong>the</strong> move, <strong>the</strong><br />
research teams hit <strong>the</strong> road to collect <strong>the</strong><br />
hatchlings and bring <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong>ir temporary<br />
homes at <strong>the</strong> three research facilities.<br />
At Beaufort <strong>the</strong> turtles were housed in a
converted fish shed in several water-filled<br />
tanks. Since no one had ever raised this<br />
many turtles, <strong>the</strong> teams were kept busy<br />
figuring out how much and what to feed<br />
<strong>the</strong>m, Crowder said. In Beaufort, <strong>the</strong>y got<br />
a menu <strong>of</strong> mostly shrimp, laced with extra<br />
vitamins and minerals.<br />
The hatchlings grew rapidly, and at<br />
about three months, <strong>the</strong>y were big enough<br />
for a small surgical procedure to determine<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir gender. Wyneken conducted<br />
<strong>the</strong> laparoscopies, which involved making<br />
a small incision and briefly inserting a tiny<br />
scope to examine <strong>the</strong> babies’ gonads.<br />
“These turtles have very small gonads<br />
at this age and are difficult to identify,”<br />
said Wyneken, an expert on sea turtle<br />
anatomy and turtle conservation and<br />
an FAU assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> biological<br />
sciences. “By relying on several different<br />
criteria, we were able to get <strong>the</strong> information.”<br />
The babies, as big as your hand at that<br />
point, took two weeks to recover, and <strong>the</strong>n<br />
were ferried out from shore to begin <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
5 6 7 8<br />
lives at sea in <strong>the</strong> warm waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gulf<br />
Stream. The Beaufort turtles hitched a<br />
ride on a Coast Guard cutter to make <strong>the</strong><br />
25-mile journey.<br />
The charismatic adult loggerhead is a<br />
reddish brown reptile with powerful jaws<br />
and a head as big as a log. As adults, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
weigh between 150 and 400 pounds and<br />
sport shells that are as long as a yardstick<br />
or bigger. They swim <strong>the</strong> Atlantic with five<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r species <strong>of</strong> sea turtles and enjoy<br />
hanging out in fairly shallow coastal waters<br />
to eat crabs and mollusks. Shallow water<br />
can be a dangerous place for <strong>the</strong>se turtles,<br />
which were classified as threatened in<br />
1978 in <strong>the</strong> United States. In <strong>the</strong> past,<br />
commercial fishermen trawling for shrimp<br />
have inadvertently caught and drowned<br />
loggerheads.<br />
People and beach development are<br />
among <strong>the</strong> turtle’s biggest threats. The<br />
30-year-old female turtles returning to<br />
<strong>the</strong> beaches where <strong>the</strong>y were born to dig<br />
a nest and lay hundreds <strong>of</strong> eggs may find<br />
beach renourishment or development<br />
have made <strong>the</strong>ir beaches unsuitable.<br />
Hatchlings, blinded by artificial lighting,<br />
may head toward death instead <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
water. It’s a tough life. Only one in<br />
1,000 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hatchlings will live long<br />
enough to reproduce.<br />
As a result <strong>of</strong> research by Crowder<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r scientists, <strong>the</strong> National Marine<br />
Fisheries Service now requires commercial<br />
fishermen to install devices called turtle<br />
excluder devices (TEDs) on <strong>the</strong>ir nets,<br />
which allow <strong>the</strong> smaller turtles to escape.<br />
These seem to have reduced <strong>the</strong> number<br />
<strong>of</strong> juvenile and young adult loggerhead<br />
deaths, Crowder said.<br />
In fact, <strong>the</strong> TEDs and o<strong>the</strong>r conservation<br />
measures appear to have helped reverse <strong>the</strong><br />
decline <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> adult female loggerhead<br />
population between Jacksonville, Fla.,<br />
and Miami. This subpopulation is now<br />
increasing by 4 percent annually.<br />
While this is good news for <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
turtles, <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn turtles aren’t as<br />
4., 5., 6., 7.Turtles were deployed from a Coast Guard cutter into <strong>the</strong> Gulf Stream; Marine Lab research technician Jim Wicker is wearing a red suit and white cap 8. Some 500 hatchlings were raised<br />
at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> Marine Lab
S TUDY<br />
fortunate. The loggerhead numbers from<br />
Jacksonville through North Carolina are<br />
still dropping at about 2 percent annually,<br />
said Crowder. When you combine this fact<br />
with <strong>the</strong> surprising results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gender<br />
study, it is cause for major concern.<br />
As strange as it may seem, it is <strong>the</strong> nest<br />
temperature that determines whe<strong>the</strong>r a<br />
boy or a girl turtle hatches out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> egg.<br />
Scientists have believed that if <strong>the</strong> nest is<br />
no warmer than 84 degrees Fahrenheit —<br />
as you would expect in <strong>the</strong> Carolinas and<br />
Georgia — <strong>the</strong>n most <strong>of</strong> babies will be<br />
boys. If <strong>the</strong> temperature is warmer — such<br />
as you might find on <strong>the</strong> Florida beaches<br />
— you get girls.<br />
Based on this <strong>the</strong>ory, Crowder said, he<br />
and Wyneken expected to find that <strong>the</strong><br />
nor<strong>the</strong>rn beaches provided more males to<br />
mate with <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn females that<br />
hatched on <strong>the</strong> Florida beaches.<br />
When Wyneken started putting toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
<strong>the</strong> results from <strong>the</strong> laparoscopies, she<br />
found just what she expected from <strong>the</strong><br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn population: <strong>the</strong> hatchlings were<br />
85 percent female and 15 percent males.<br />
But she got a shock when <strong>the</strong> numbers<br />
started rolling in from <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
group: initial findings showed that <strong>the</strong><br />
females outnumbered <strong>the</strong> males 60<br />
percent to 40 percent.<br />
“What we’re seeing is very few males<br />
being produced in <strong>the</strong> north,” said<br />
9 10 11 12<br />
Crowder. “So <strong>the</strong> situation is we have a<br />
large and recovering adult loggerhead<br />
population in <strong>the</strong> south that is increasing<br />
at 4 percent a year but is producing almost<br />
90 percent females. And we have a nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
population that is still in decline and<br />
“By seeing those really skewed sex ratios, we may be looking at a crisis that is not<br />
going to show up for 20 years when <strong>the</strong>re aren’t enough males to go around”<br />
isn’t producing nearly <strong>the</strong> percentage<br />
<strong>of</strong> males as we thought it was.<br />
“So if we lose this nor<strong>the</strong>rn subpopulation,<br />
which is still in decline despite all<br />
we’ve done, it has potential ramifications<br />
for <strong>the</strong> entire regional population.”<br />
“There may simply not be enough<br />
males,” said Wyneken. “Additionally,<br />
<strong>the</strong> genetic diversity that this nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
group contributes to both <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
and sou<strong>the</strong>rn subpopulations should not<br />
be lost.”<br />
Crowder and Wyneken are just beginning<br />
to sort through all <strong>the</strong> implications<br />
and questions that <strong>the</strong>se results raise. They<br />
hope to bring ano<strong>the</strong>r round <strong>of</strong> baby<br />
loggerheads to <strong>the</strong> Beaufort and Florida<br />
facilities this summer to start building on<br />
<strong>the</strong> data <strong>the</strong>y are now compiling.<br />
“By seeing those really skewed sex ratios,<br />
we may be looking at a crisis that is not<br />
going to show up for 20 years when <strong>the</strong>re<br />
aren’t enough males to go around,” Wyneken<br />
said. “Or we may be looking at a really<br />
interesting mating system — if it is normal<br />
— to have one male for every 10 females.”<br />
So, <strong>the</strong>y need to verify <strong>the</strong>ir results.<br />
9. Hatchling project coordinator, Jesse Marsh, takes one <strong>of</strong> many measurements on a baby loggerhead in Beaufort 10.Yuka Higashino, a student in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Marine Lab summer program, holds hatchling 11. Hatchling 12. Larry Crowder, <strong>Duke</strong> Marine Lab, shows <strong>of</strong>f baby loggerheads<br />
dukenvironment<br />
14<br />
Crowder said that <strong>the</strong>re are several<br />
avenues that this type <strong>of</strong> research can take.<br />
One possibility, Crowder said, is “we’ll<br />
have to start thinking about global warming<br />
and climate change. There are a whole<br />
string <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r possibilities that we are<br />
going to consider.”<br />
Scottee Cantrell is director <strong>of</strong> communications for<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Monte Basgall, <strong>Duke</strong> News<br />
and Communications, contributed to this article.<br />
w w w.<br />
web sites to note<br />
Video on Turtle Project:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/news/crowder<br />
movie.html<br />
Larry Crowder Bio:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/faculty/bios/<br />
crowder.html
R ESEARCH<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> Researchers Are FindingThat <strong>the</strong> Waves We Never See May Play a Big Role in Shaping <strong>the</strong> Planet<br />
Waves help define<br />
<strong>the</strong> ocean. They mark <strong>the</strong> boundary<br />
between land and sea, shape <strong>the</strong> beach and<br />
warn <strong>of</strong> approaching storms. But, beyond <strong>the</strong><br />
swells familiar to beachcombers and surfers,<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r, less visible waves also give form to <strong>the</strong><br />
sea. Offshore and deepwater waves sweep up<br />
sand and o<strong>the</strong>r forms <strong>of</strong> sediment as <strong>the</strong>y<br />
churn with <strong>the</strong> tide. Now, <strong>Duke</strong> scientists are<br />
taking a closer look at this interplay between<br />
sand and sea. In two separate labs, researchers<br />
are exploring <strong>the</strong> relationship between<br />
<strong>of</strong>fshore waves, <strong>the</strong> shoreline and <strong>the</strong><br />
continental slopes. In <strong>the</strong> process, <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
turning up some surprising clues to coastal<br />
sedimentation patterns that have not been<br />
well understood up to now.<br />
Work by a team including geologist<br />
Lincoln Pratson found that “internal” or<br />
underwater waves — in addition to earthquakes<br />
— play a role in forming <strong>the</strong> inexplicably<br />
shallow gradient <strong>of</strong> continental slopes<br />
in ocean basins. Also based in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>’s Earth and Ocean Sciences Division,<br />
A. Brad Murray analyzes wave angles and<br />
sediment transport, but from <strong>the</strong> nearshore<br />
perspective. Ra<strong>the</strong>r than relying on traditional<br />
simulation models, he’s brought a new<br />
tool to <strong>the</strong> field. Using <strong>the</strong> principles <strong>of</strong><br />
chaos <strong>the</strong>ory and nonlinear dynamics,<br />
Murray and his team discovered that <strong>the</strong>y<br />
could explain shoreline changes based on <strong>the</strong><br />
angle between <strong>of</strong>fshore waves and <strong>the</strong> beach.<br />
While Murray’s<br />
work takes him just beyond<br />
breaking waves, Pratson’s takes him far out to<br />
sea, to <strong>the</strong> continental margin. A Columbiatrained<br />
geologist, Pratson spent much <strong>of</strong><br />
his career studying <strong>the</strong> evolution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
submarine seascape that marks <strong>the</strong> transition<br />
from shallow to deep water. Once <strong>the</strong> edge<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continent’s waterfront, <strong>the</strong> margin’s<br />
plains give way to a gradual slope. There,<br />
Pratson said, a thick accumulation <strong>of</strong><br />
sediment contains “<strong>the</strong> most complete record<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earth’s history.” In addition to holding<br />
clues to <strong>the</strong> earth’s past, <strong>the</strong> slope also feeds<br />
its future by storing and recycling <strong>the</strong> ocean’s<br />
vital nutrients. Much <strong>of</strong> Pratson’s work has<br />
revolved around <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> sedimentary<br />
processes that shape this important<br />
underwater terrain.<br />
“One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> things I’m interested in is<br />
<strong>the</strong> stability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continental slope and what<br />
controls it,” he said. “And a big indicator <strong>of</strong><br />
its stability is its gradient.”<br />
The quest to understand this deep-sea<br />
landscape has some practical implications.<br />
Oil companies involved in <strong>of</strong>fshore drilling<br />
need to know whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> shelf and <strong>the</strong><br />
waters above can support <strong>the</strong>ir structures.<br />
And instability, in particular landslides and<br />
earthquakes, can have devastating consequences.<br />
The 1998 tsunami that killed 3,000<br />
people in Papua New Guinea was most likely<br />
generated by a submarine landslide.<br />
secret life <strong>of</strong> waves<br />
by Tinker Ready<br />
But<br />
ultimately, <strong>the</strong><br />
slope research was driven by<br />
“scientific curiosity,” Pratson said. “The<br />
slope should be on <strong>the</strong> order <strong>of</strong> 10 degrees<br />
steeper than it is. The question <strong>the</strong>n becomes<br />
— why is it so low?”<br />
There was quite a bit <strong>of</strong> evidence supporting<br />
<strong>the</strong> existing <strong>the</strong>ory — that underwater<br />
earthquakes and avalanches knock sediment<br />
down and keep <strong>the</strong> slopes from becoming<br />
steep, Pratson said. That is one reason <strong>the</strong><br />
role <strong>of</strong> underwater waves and tides had not<br />
been explored in <strong>the</strong> past. Still, <strong>the</strong> avalanche<br />
<strong>the</strong>ory fails to fully answer <strong>the</strong> question <strong>of</strong><br />
why <strong>the</strong> slopes are so gradual, he said.<br />
Submarine avalanches will lower <strong>the</strong><br />
angle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continental slope, Pratson said.<br />
“However, <strong>the</strong>y generally require that <strong>the</strong><br />
continental slope achieve a steep gradient<br />
before it becomes unstable and avalanches.<br />
On average, <strong>the</strong> slope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continental<br />
slope is much less than this critical or threshold<br />
angle.”<br />
That unanswered question has always<br />
intrigued Dr. David Cacchione, a consultant<br />
and former U. S. Geological Survey scientist.<br />
Cacchione met Pratson when <strong>the</strong> two worked<br />
on <strong>the</strong> STRATAFORM (Strata Formation<br />
on Margins) project. This Office <strong>of</strong> Naval<br />
Research collaboration brought toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
scientists in <strong>the</strong> mid-1990s to study <strong>the</strong><br />
evolution <strong>of</strong> sedimentary deposits in <strong>the</strong><br />
continental margin. While not <strong>the</strong> main
R ESEARCH<br />
focus <strong>of</strong><br />
his career research,<br />
<strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> internal waves<br />
on <strong>the</strong> continental slope has always<br />
intrigued Cacchione, who was <strong>the</strong> lead<br />
author on a paper <strong>the</strong> researchers published<br />
last year in <strong>the</strong> journal Science.<br />
“I’ve done sort <strong>of</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> envelope<br />
calculations on this for years,” he said. “I’ve<br />
always had this idea that <strong>the</strong> slope is somehow<br />
in equilibrium with <strong>the</strong> shear and <strong>the</strong> energy<br />
in <strong>the</strong> internal tides.”<br />
The STRATAFORM project brought <strong>the</strong><br />
two scientists toge<strong>the</strong>r, but it also made <strong>the</strong><br />
research possible in ano<strong>the</strong>r way. Data<br />
collected for STRATAFORM allowed <strong>the</strong>m<br />
to fur<strong>the</strong>r explore <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> tide-driven<br />
internal waves on <strong>the</strong> slope. What <strong>the</strong>y found<br />
was that, under <strong>the</strong> right conditions, internal<br />
waves have <strong>the</strong> capacity to keep sediment<br />
from settling on <strong>the</strong> slopes at a steeper angle.<br />
“When <strong>the</strong> slope is very low — less than a<br />
couple <strong>of</strong> degrees — <strong>the</strong> energy <strong>of</strong> internal<br />
waves basically gets reflected up,” Pratson<br />
said. “If <strong>the</strong> slope is very steep, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong><br />
internal wave energy is deflected back out in<br />
to <strong>the</strong> ocean. But when <strong>the</strong> continental slope<br />
is at an order <strong>of</strong> 2 to 4 degrees, <strong>the</strong> internal<br />
waves break and create a bore that moves up<br />
<strong>the</strong> slope surface.”<br />
The relationship between wave angle and<br />
slope, “could be a coincidence,” Pratson<br />
said. But, at <strong>the</strong> very least, it suggests that this<br />
is a mechanism that should be considered as<br />
a factor in <strong>the</strong> formations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> slopes.<br />
While Pratson did much <strong>of</strong> his work on<br />
<strong>the</strong> computer, <strong>the</strong> third co-author <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
paper, Andrea Ogston <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong><br />
Washington in Seattle, was <strong>the</strong> one who got<br />
her feet wet. She collected data on internal<br />
wave motions from buoy-bound instruments<br />
that reached to <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir California<br />
Jim Wallace photo<br />
dukenvironment<br />
study site.<br />
Her observations<br />
confirmed <strong>the</strong> researcher’s<br />
<strong>the</strong>oretical work.<br />
In a sense, new data allowed Pratson’s<br />
team to do its work. For Brad Murray, it was<br />
a new approach to modeling that led him to<br />
his cutting-edge research. Murray’s work<br />
focuses on <strong>the</strong> applications <strong>of</strong> chaos and<br />
complex systems <strong>the</strong>ory to geology. The<br />
approach is based on <strong>the</strong> tendency <strong>of</strong><br />
complicated systems with seemingly irregular<br />
behavior to develop from simple interactions.<br />
Complex systems <strong>the</strong>ory applies to a range<br />
<strong>of</strong> scientific endeavors, as evidenced by <strong>the</strong><br />
faculty who staff <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> Center for<br />
Nonlinear and Complex Systems. They<br />
come from math, physics, engineering and<br />
neurology, to name a few.<br />
Prior to turning his attention to <strong>the</strong> sea,<br />
Murray used complex systems <strong>the</strong>ory to study<br />
river and landscape pattern formations.<br />
So he was not part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shoreline change<br />
crowd when he turned his attention to <strong>the</strong><br />
beach. But when it comes to systems, you<br />
can’t find many that get more nonlinear<br />
or complex than <strong>the</strong> processes that drive<br />
shoreline change.<br />
Traditionally, coastal scientists and<br />
engineers use numerical simulation-style<br />
modeling to analyze shoreline change. With<br />
that approach, <strong>the</strong>y try to create formulas<br />
that mimic natural systems as accurately as<br />
possible, including all <strong>the</strong> details <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
processes and inputs that might impact <strong>the</strong><br />
system, Murray said.<br />
“I come from outside this particular<br />
community,” Murray said. “I studied<br />
patterns on <strong>the</strong> earth’s surface looking for<br />
simple explanations for <strong>the</strong>se complex<br />
patterns. We try to throw out all <strong>the</strong> detail<br />
16<br />
and find out<br />
what are <strong>the</strong> possible<br />
simple interactions that would cause this or<br />
that to happen.” Many researchers in <strong>the</strong><br />
coastal science don’t believe you can learn<br />
much without those details, he said. But<br />
Murray saw his approach to modeling as a<br />
new way <strong>of</strong> solving an old puzzle. It also lends<br />
itself particularly well to shoreline change.<br />
Instead <strong>of</strong> studying change in an isolated surf<br />
zone for a short period <strong>of</strong> time, Murray’s<br />
model was designed to consider long-range,<br />
large-scale change.<br />
Working as a team that included graduate<br />
student Andrew Ashton and <strong>the</strong>n-visiting<br />
scientist Olivier Arnoult <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> École Normal<br />
Supérieure, <strong>the</strong> work began not on <strong>the</strong><br />
beach, but as a physical insight in Murray’s<br />
head. Laying in bed on vacation, Murray said<br />
he realized that <strong>the</strong>re must be a fundamental<br />
instability in alongshore sediment transport.<br />
From that, he deduced that waves in deep<br />
water approaching <strong>the</strong> shoreline from high<br />
angles (between <strong>the</strong> wave crests and <strong>the</strong><br />
shoreline) would make bumps grow. These<br />
are <strong>the</strong> same waves that break on <strong>the</strong> beach,<br />
but “at different stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir journey,”<br />
Murray said. They have not yet hit shallow<br />
water, where <strong>the</strong>y refract, or bend when <strong>the</strong>y<br />
“feel <strong>the</strong> bottom.” Murray said.<br />
“If <strong>the</strong> wave crests are parallel to shore,<br />
<strong>the</strong>re can't be any transport, and if wave<br />
crests in deep water are perpendicular to<br />
shore, <strong>the</strong>y don't even move toward <strong>the</strong><br />
shore, so approximately nothing happens,”<br />
he said. “Moving away from ei<strong>the</strong>r extreme,<br />
<strong>the</strong> transport increases, until you reach a<br />
maximum somewhere in <strong>the</strong> middle.”<br />
Drawing a line from sediment transport<br />
patterns to <strong>the</strong> angle between <strong>the</strong> wave and<br />
1. A. Brad Murray 2. &3. Satellite images showing naturally occurring large-scale shoreline features:The Sea <strong>of</strong> Azov, Ukraine; and <strong>the</strong> Carolina Coast, USA<br />
4. As a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> basic instability, shoreline perturbations grow in <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> high-angle waves
<strong>the</strong><br />
shore allowed<br />
<strong>the</strong> team to create a<br />
computer model that<br />
would explore shoreline change <strong>of</strong><br />
over hundreds <strong>of</strong> miles and thousands<br />
<strong>of</strong> years.<br />
“It turns out that rich, complex, fascinating<br />
behaviors come from that relationship.”<br />
He said. “If you start with a shoreline that is<br />
more or less straight and has small bumps on<br />
it, everyone assumes that <strong>the</strong>se bumps would<br />
be smoo<strong>the</strong>d. But that’s not true when <strong>the</strong><br />
waves approach shore at high angle.”<br />
His simulations found that, eventually,<br />
<strong>the</strong>se high angle waves can create “flying spits”<br />
and various o<strong>the</strong>r landforms, including capes<br />
similar to those spanning most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Carolinas. He also found that sandy<br />
coastlines continually reshape <strong>the</strong>mselves,<br />
and that changes on one beach can impact<br />
distant beaches.<br />
“The details <strong>of</strong> how <strong>the</strong>y interact and<br />
what you end up with probably depend on<br />
<strong>the</strong> wave climate,” he said.<br />
From that, an immediate, practical<br />
application emerged from <strong>the</strong> work. Wave<br />
angles may very well help explain why some<br />
“hot spots” along <strong>the</strong> beach erode so readily,<br />
he said.<br />
These simulations are not designed<br />
to describe what a specific stretch <strong>of</strong> beach<br />
looks like. Instead, <strong>the</strong> computer work takes<br />
“a much longer term and abstract view <strong>of</strong><br />
things,” Murray said. Still, it turned out<br />
<strong>the</strong> team’s hypo<strong>the</strong>tical scenarios strongly<br />
resemble actual coastal morphology and<br />
patterns <strong>of</strong> change. That suggests <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
findings are relevant to shoreline behavior in<br />
nature and adds credence to <strong>the</strong>ir modeling<br />
Jim Wallace photo<br />
approach.<br />
The team published<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir findings<br />
in <strong>the</strong> journal Nature last year.<br />
Murray may work in <strong>the</strong> realm <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
abstract, but he doesn’t spend all his time in<br />
<strong>the</strong> lab. “I get out to <strong>the</strong> beach as much as I<br />
can,” he said. “In general you don’t discover<br />
anything new when you’re sitting at your<br />
computer. You’re not likely to come up with<br />
any new ideas unless you are looking at <strong>the</strong><br />
natural system.”<br />
Rob Holman, a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> oceanic<br />
and atmospheric sciences at Oregon State<br />
University, first learned <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor’s work when Murray was doing his<br />
post-doctoral work at Scripps Institution <strong>of</strong><br />
Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Holman is<br />
considered a key researcher in <strong>the</strong> area<br />
<strong>of</strong> beach processes and large-scale coastal<br />
behavior.<br />
“In many ways this is a new frontier in<br />
science and no one really knows how to<br />
proceed,” Holman said. “Brad is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
new generation striking out to attack <strong>the</strong>se<br />
difficult problems.”<br />
Both Murray and Pratson are testing<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir findings in larger arenas. Pratson’s<br />
team is working on a global analysis looking<br />
at <strong>the</strong> continental slope and <strong>the</strong> characteristic<br />
angle <strong>of</strong> internal waves. They are also looking<br />
at <strong>the</strong> role internal waves may play in<br />
nutrient storage and climate modulation.<br />
“I think what we are going to get out <strong>of</strong><br />
this type <strong>of</strong> thing is a better understanding<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ocean and <strong>the</strong> evolution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se beds<br />
and how one interacts with <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r,”<br />
Pratson said.<br />
Murray<br />
also seems poised to<br />
answer some important questions.<br />
The shoreline change research<br />
community “is realizing that <strong>the</strong> larger scale<br />
and longer term stuff is important. It’s scientifically<br />
interesting, but it’s not clear how<br />
you study it,” Murray said.<br />
Bill Birkemeier <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army Corps<br />
<strong>of</strong> Engineers is <strong>the</strong> head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> agency’s Field<br />
Research Facility in Duck, on <strong>the</strong> Outer<br />
Banks in North Carolina. He agrees with<br />
Murray that researchers should — literally —<br />
take a longer look at shoreline change.<br />
“We’re still working on a basic understanding<br />
<strong>of</strong> small scale, but many <strong>of</strong> our<br />
requirements require predictive capabilities<br />
for many miles and our models don’t handle<br />
big scales very well, ” he said. “I think<br />
(Murray) is going to have an impact on this<br />
field. He already has.”<br />
Tinker Ready is a health and science writer based in<br />
Cambridge, Mass.Her work has appeared in Nature<br />
Medicine, The Boston Phoenix,<strong>the</strong> Utne Reader,<strong>the</strong> Los<br />
Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, Esquire,and Parents.<br />
web sites to note<br />
1. Lincoln Pratson 2. An image <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continental slope <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> East Coast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States 3. A breaking internal wave in <strong>the</strong> laboratory<br />
4. A depiction <strong>of</strong> internal-wave energy impacting <strong>the</strong> sea bed (middle panel) or reflecting away from it (top and bottom panels)<br />
w w w.<br />
Brad Murray Bio:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/bios/murray.html<br />
Lincoln Pratson Bio:<br />
http://www.env.duke.edu/bios/pratson.html
D EAN’ S P AGE forum<br />
by William H. Schlesinger<br />
Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> public thinks<br />
academic scientists are<br />
fuzzy-haired (or baldheaded)<br />
geeks,<br />
happy in window-less laboratories, discovering<br />
things that most people don’t understand,<br />
and publishing <strong>the</strong>ir findings in deep<br />
prose that can’t be read by anyone outside <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> ivory tower. We may not understand<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir science but we expect <strong>the</strong>ir methods to<br />
be pure and honest. And, so long as <strong>the</strong>se<br />
scientists work on questions such as <strong>the</strong> age<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> universe, we do not expect <strong>the</strong>ir findings<br />
to affect <strong>the</strong> political process, at least<br />
anytime soon.<br />
But, for environmental scientists, daily<br />
reality is quite different. The subject usually<br />
is a problem—<strong>the</strong> health <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> environment—for<br />
which <strong>the</strong> public and policy makers<br />
want a solution. The public expects <strong>the</strong><br />
best opinions that science can <strong>of</strong>fer on how<br />
to avoid direct risks to humans or to <strong>the</strong> natural<br />
ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.<br />
The debate about what to do—<strong>the</strong> costs and<br />
benefits <strong>of</strong> actions—is <strong>of</strong>ten acrimonious.<br />
Forget Politics:<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Scientists Need to Speak Up and Be Heard<br />
dukenvironment<br />
How far should environmental scientists<br />
venture outside <strong>the</strong> laboratory to <strong>of</strong>fer an<br />
opinion about what should be done about<br />
environmental problems?<br />
For one, I am on record as an activist.<br />
When our research speaks to an issue, I<br />
believe that academics should make every<br />
effort to translate <strong>the</strong>ir findings, and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
best interpretation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> state <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> science,<br />
so that <strong>the</strong> public can understand it. We have<br />
every right to speak out against a toxic impact<br />
to our environment, just as we would expect<br />
a physician to speak against a carcinogenic<br />
substance that might contaminate our food.<br />
Indeed, when taxpayer money has supported<br />
our research investigations, one can argue<br />
that we have <strong>the</strong> responsibility to go public<br />
with our findings.<br />
Within <strong>the</strong> current political environment<br />
in <strong>the</strong> United States, during <strong>the</strong> past few<br />
months, I have been accused <strong>of</strong> being “partisan”<br />
when I have spoken out on global<br />
warming, air pollution, or logging in our<br />
national forests. Far from it! Academics are<br />
not responsible for <strong>the</strong> clear differences<br />
between <strong>the</strong> political parties in <strong>the</strong>ir support<br />
<strong>of</strong> environmental issues. It is <strong>the</strong>se differ-<br />
18<br />
ences, ra<strong>the</strong>r than factual, public statements<br />
by environmental scientists, that have politicized<br />
<strong>the</strong> debate on environmental policy.<br />
So long as environmental scientists have<br />
no conflict <strong>of</strong> interest in <strong>the</strong> outcome <strong>of</strong> an<br />
issue, we should be vocal in what our<br />
research says about human environmental<br />
impacts. Subsequent debate about what to do<br />
may be political, but it should be informed<br />
by our science. And if we are asked what to<br />
do about a problem, we have a right to speak<br />
out without feeling that we have compromised<br />
<strong>the</strong> integrity <strong>of</strong> our science.<br />
In my first year as dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>, I added a section to <strong>the</strong> form on<br />
which faculty report <strong>the</strong>ir accomplishments<br />
each year. The form now asks <strong>the</strong>m to list<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir efforts in public outreach, education,<br />
and media. I hope to see <strong>the</strong> entries in this<br />
section grow. We have information that <strong>the</strong><br />
public needs to know, and we have <strong>the</strong> right<br />
and responsibility to convey it.<br />
Schlesinger is dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> and<br />
James B. <strong>Duke</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Biogeochemistry
S TUDENT N E W S action<br />
Living a Double Life:<br />
For Six Months <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year, Grad Student Luke Dollar Trades Number Crunching in Durham for a<br />
Chance to Track <strong>the</strong> Elusive Fossa in Madagascar<br />
by Margaret L. Harris<br />
Dressed in his Sunday best and fresh from singing tenor in<br />
<strong>Duke</strong>’s Chapel Choir, Luke Dollar doesn’t look much like a field<br />
biologist. The floppy fringe <strong>of</strong> hair around his clean-shaven face<br />
is neatly combed, he doesn’t exude strange jungle odors, and<br />
nothing about his amiable grin suggests tropical diseases, pith<br />
helmets, or man-eating crocodiles.<br />
But Dollar, it seems, lives a double life. When <strong>the</strong> doctoral<br />
student in ecology is in Durham, work with adviser Stuart Pimm<br />
in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> and Earth Sciences<br />
means chugging through data and sipping wine on Sunday<br />
afternoons with <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> Pimm’s group — a tight-knit crew he<br />
lovingly calls “The Family.”<br />
For six months <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> year, though, Dollar’s life takes him to<br />
Madagascar, an island <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa and home<br />
to some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> strangest and least-understood animals on Earth.<br />
At <strong>the</strong> field station he and Pimm established in <strong>the</strong> Ankarafantsika<br />
dry forest, Dollar is principal investigator for several projects,<br />
including a groundbreaking study <strong>of</strong> Madagascar’s largest predator<br />
and a systematic survey <strong>of</strong> Malagasy conservation efforts. It’s a<br />
world away from Durham, and by <strong>the</strong> time he reaches <strong>the</strong> station,<br />
Dollar’s ties and fine food are long gone, traded for wildlife<strong>the</strong>med<br />
t-shirts and a steady diet <strong>of</strong> rice and beans.<br />
Not that he’s complaining. Dollar estimates he has traveled to<br />
Madagascar “10 or 11 times,” and he relishes each opportunity to<br />
step outside <strong>the</strong> Western mainstream.<br />
“Living <strong>the</strong>re teaches you what you really need to survive, to be<br />
happy,” he said. “It’s not things-based. We take a lot for granted.”<br />
Dollar, a 1995 <strong>Duke</strong> graduate, made his first trip to <strong>the</strong> island<br />
nation in <strong>the</strong> Indian Ocean when he was still an undergraduate.<br />
He spent <strong>the</strong> summer before his senior year working on a <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Primate Center project in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>astern Ranomafana rain<br />
forest. On that trip, he studied lemurs — cuddly vegetarian<br />
ancestors <strong>of</strong> monkeys and apes. But he found his true calling after<br />
a mysterious signal from a long-dead transmitting collar led him<br />
to wisps <strong>of</strong> lemur fur, a mangled radio collar, and very little else.<br />
The collar-chomping culprit, his Malagasy guide explained in<br />
hushed tones, was a fossa (pronounced FOO-sa), Madagascar’s<br />
largest predator. Pound-for-pound, <strong>the</strong> elusive, bobcat-sized<br />
fossa is among <strong>the</strong> world’s fiercest creatures. At <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dry<br />
season when prey is in short supply, Dollar says, <strong>the</strong>y’ve been<br />
photo captions from left to right (top to bottom): 1. Madagascar sunset 2. Betsileo village child in Madagascar 3. Ring-tailed mongoos (Galidia elegans) 4. Namorona River in Madagascar<br />
5. & 6. Ranomafana National Park 7.Three-day hike into Zahamena National Park
S TUDENT N E W S<br />
known to “do really amazing stuff,” including<br />
making successful solo attacks on cows and<br />
pigs. For decades after its discovery, though,<br />
<strong>the</strong> elusive fossa remained a scientific<br />
mystery. Even its place in <strong>the</strong> animal<br />
kingdom had to be pencilled in. The fossa<br />
looks something like a cat-dog hybrid, with<br />
its long tail, pointed snout and sharp claws;<br />
and DNA evidence linking it to <strong>the</strong><br />
mongoose family was a long time coming.<br />
Now, thanks in large part to <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong><br />
Dollar and his team, <strong>the</strong> veil <strong>of</strong> mystery<br />
around <strong>the</strong> fossa is lifting. Early observers<br />
had assumed it must be nocturnal because<br />
<strong>the</strong>y rarely saw it, but now scientists know<br />
that <strong>the</strong> fossa is ca<strong>the</strong>meral, or equally<br />
active day and night. When it comes to<br />
food, fossas regard “anything with a heartbeat”<br />
as potential prey, but lemurs make up<br />
a large part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir diet. This might seem<br />
like an ecological Catch-22 — what should<br />
conservation-minded scientists do to help<br />
an endangered predator whose chief prey is<br />
itself endangered? But <strong>the</strong> actual relationship<br />
is considerably healthier, Dollar said.<br />
By keeping more common varieties <strong>of</strong><br />
lemur in check, fossa predation prevents<br />
<strong>the</strong>se better-adapted lemurs from outcompeting<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir endangered cousins. Take away<br />
dukenvironment<br />
<strong>the</strong> fossa, Dollar said, and rare lemurs like<br />
<strong>the</strong> sifaka would likely die <strong>of</strong>f, too.<br />
The threat to fossa survival is two-fold.<br />
As with thousands <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r species in<br />
Texas-sized Madagascar, slash and burn<br />
agriculture is rapidly consuming <strong>the</strong> fossa’s<br />
natural habitat. Worse, many Malagasy<br />
people fear and loa<strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong> fossa and will<br />
shoot it on sight.<br />
“Killing a sifaka [lemur] is taboo,<br />
but <strong>the</strong> fossa is like <strong>the</strong>ir big bad wolf,” he<br />
explained. “They’re told from childhood<br />
that if <strong>the</strong>y’re bad, <strong>the</strong> fossa will come and<br />
get <strong>the</strong>m. And if <strong>the</strong>ir chickens disappear,<br />
it’s always <strong>the</strong> fossa’s fault.”<br />
Fossas do eat chickens — in fact, Luke’s<br />
team uses <strong>the</strong>m to bait live-traps — but Dollar<br />
believes local fear has a much deeper cause.<br />
When humans arrived in Madagascar about<br />
1,500 years ago, <strong>the</strong> fourth largest island in<br />
<strong>the</strong> world had twice as many species as it<br />
does now. Among <strong>the</strong> ranks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nowextinct<br />
is an animal Dollar describes as<br />
“<strong>the</strong> fossa’s big bro<strong>the</strong>r,” a predator large<br />
and fierce enough to hunt and kill<br />
humans. Although <strong>the</strong>re are no reliable<br />
reports <strong>of</strong> modern fossas attacking humans,<br />
Malagasy animosity may stem from a time<br />
when a “fossa” attack was a very real threat.<br />
20<br />
Dollar figures <strong>the</strong> best way to change<br />
misperceptions is through education, so<br />
community programs form an important<br />
part <strong>of</strong> his group’s work. Usually, after<br />
team members sedate a trapped fossa with a<br />
dart from a blowpipe, <strong>the</strong>y transport <strong>the</strong><br />
slumbering animal back to <strong>the</strong> station for<br />
tests — measurements, blood work, and<br />
tissue samples. Sometimes, during <strong>the</strong>se<br />
sessions, <strong>the</strong> once-feared creature becomes<br />
a goodwill ambassador for <strong>the</strong> entire team,<br />
as many villagers have a chance to see,<br />
touch, and even hold a fossa for <strong>the</strong> first<br />
time in <strong>the</strong>ir lives. Afterwards, Dollar said,<br />
villagers will <strong>of</strong>ten greet members <strong>of</strong> his<br />
group with shouts <strong>of</strong> “Arovny ny fossa!” —<br />
“Save <strong>the</strong> fossa!”— in Malagasy.<br />
Fossa visits aren’t <strong>the</strong> team’s only<br />
community outreach program. O<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
include attending village ceremonies,<br />
helping <strong>the</strong> Peace Corps build a conservation-<strong>the</strong>med<br />
basketball court (complete<br />
with a slam-dunking lemur on <strong>the</strong> backboard),<br />
and vaccinating domestic animals<br />
against rabies. The team itself includes<br />
many native Malagasy, both local helpers<br />
and full-time graduate students from<br />
Antananarivo University in <strong>the</strong> capital.<br />
The long-term goal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir efforts,<br />
8. Slash and burn agriculture hillside in Madagascar 9. Madagascar capital city, Antananarivo; rice paddies in foreground 10. Fossa (Cryptoprocia ferox) 11. Black and white ruffed lemur (Varicea variegata<br />
variegata) 12. Slash and burn agriculture; hand-terraced rice paddies 13. &14. Luke Dollar in <strong>the</strong> field (Photos 1-12 by Luke Dollar;and photo 14 by Chris Hildreth, <strong>Duke</strong> University Photography)
‘Anybody There Do Carnivores?’<br />
Twenty years ago, only about 30 Florida pan<strong>the</strong>rs survived in<br />
<strong>the</strong> wild, and most carried genetic defects from inbreeding.<br />
Today, thanks to a controversial program that improved pan<strong>the</strong>r<br />
viability by crossbreeding <strong>the</strong>m with <strong>the</strong>ir Texas cousins,<br />
<strong>the</strong> situation has improved. But <strong>the</strong> heated political atmosphere<br />
surrounding <strong>the</strong> pan<strong>the</strong>r made it impossible for local<br />
groups to do objective science. Who, <strong>the</strong>n, could take years <strong>of</strong><br />
data and write papers on <strong>the</strong> pan<strong>the</strong>r?<br />
Dollar said, is to empower <strong>the</strong> Malagasy<br />
people to understand and manage <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
own resources.<br />
That might seem like a tall order,<br />
even for a man whose enthusiasm seems<br />
undimmed by hazards ranging from<br />
political instability to malaria (despite<br />
taking prophylactic anti-malarial drugs,<br />
he’s had <strong>the</strong> disease four times). However,<br />
Dollar believes his ambitious, activist<br />
approach is <strong>the</strong> only way to ensure longterm<br />
survival <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> animals and ecosystems<br />
he studies.<br />
“If researchers aren’t paying attention<br />
to <strong>the</strong> conservation implications, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
shouldn’t be doing research,” he said,<br />
leaning forward to emphasize <strong>the</strong> point.<br />
“And if <strong>the</strong>y don’t have policy implications,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y shouldn’t be <strong>the</strong>re ei<strong>the</strong>r.”<br />
Dollar acknowledges that his views may<br />
seem harsh to some <strong>of</strong> his fellow scientists.<br />
The spectre <strong>of</strong> extinction, however, is very<br />
real, and he takes it seriously. A committed<br />
animal lover — he answers his telephone<br />
with a cheery “Hello, animal house!” —<br />
Dollar is <strong>the</strong> only biologist in Madagascar<br />
who keeps a full-time veterinarian on staff.<br />
The extra expense has paid <strong>of</strong>f: no research<br />
animals have died under <strong>the</strong> team’s care.<br />
At times, Dollar even gives <strong>the</strong><br />
impression that <strong>the</strong> fossa’s survival is a<br />
matter <strong>of</strong> personal scientific pride, and an<br />
experience early in his career explains why.<br />
When he joined Pimm’s team, “The<br />
Family” was based at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong><br />
Tennessee. There, Dollar worked next door<br />
to <strong>the</strong> man who had been <strong>the</strong> world’s expert<br />
on ivory-billed woodpeckers. But <strong>the</strong> last<br />
ivory-bill had perished years before, leaving<br />
<strong>the</strong> scientist with only stuffed specimens<br />
and reams <strong>of</strong> data to show for his life’s work.<br />
“I realized pretty quickly that if I didn’t<br />
want to know a lot about an extinct species<br />
when I retired, I had to look towards<br />
conservation as well as pure science,”<br />
Dollar said, noting that one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first<br />
fossas he ever trapped was later killed.<br />
So, by utilizing Pimm’s expertise with<br />
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)<br />
data-managing s<strong>of</strong>tware, <strong>the</strong> team launched<br />
a broad survey <strong>of</strong> Madagascar’s protected<br />
areas. Using images taken by LANDSAT<br />
Earth-mapping satellites, <strong>the</strong> group tracked<br />
10-year deforestation rates in and around<br />
seven protected regions. Such satellitebased<br />
tracking, Dollar said, is an “easy,<br />
cheap and effective” way <strong>of</strong> monitoring<br />
and quantifying <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> conservation<br />
efforts. By quantifying conservation,<br />
scientists can hold ineffective managers<br />
accountable. He cited <strong>the</strong> Ankarafantsika<br />
Integrated Natural Reserve as an example;<br />
under kleptocratic local management, <strong>the</strong><br />
reserve actually lost habitat faster than<br />
nearby unprotected areas — a phenomenon<br />
Dollar compared to “a conservation Enron.”<br />
On a more encouraging note, parks<br />
with tourism or research development<br />
did significantly better at keeping forest<br />
cover than undeveloped parks or surrounding<br />
areas. The reason, Dollar said,<br />
is that <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> outsiders cuts down<br />
on poaching and illegal habitat destruction,<br />
and jobs in research or tourism <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
local Malagasy better-paid alternatives<br />
to farming.<br />
“Stuart Pimm’s group had been in <strong>the</strong> Everglades doing<br />
bird research for over a decade,” graduate student Luke<br />
Dollar explained. “So <strong>the</strong> Florida people called up and asked,<br />
‘Anybody <strong>the</strong>re do carnivores?’”<br />
Three days and 15,000 photocopies later, Dollar had all<br />
<strong>the</strong> Florida pan<strong>the</strong>r data in hand and was ready to start mining<br />
it for papers. He presented <strong>the</strong> first at Cambridge in<br />
March, and he says <strong>the</strong> pan<strong>the</strong>r data displays some parallels to<br />
<strong>the</strong> fossa that he is studying in Madagascar.<br />
“The pan<strong>the</strong>r 20 years ago was in <strong>the</strong> shape that fossa will<br />
be in 20 years from now if we don’t continue our work,” he<br />
said. “I hope <strong>the</strong> fossa population never reaches those levels,<br />
but if it does, we have a road map.”<br />
— Margaret Harris<br />
“In <strong>the</strong> absence <strong>of</strong> some o<strong>the</strong>r way to<br />
survive, <strong>the</strong>y’re going to do what <strong>the</strong>y can,<br />
which is slash and burn agriculture,” Dollar<br />
said. “But growing rice is hard work, and if<br />
people have options, <strong>the</strong>y’ll take <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Someone who’s just worried about survival<br />
hasn’t necessarily put toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> fact that<br />
if <strong>the</strong>y keep cutting down forest, <strong>the</strong>y’ll<br />
ruin <strong>the</strong> watershed. And <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y’ll starve<br />
to death. Since I care about people as much<br />
as I care about habitat, I want to help <strong>the</strong>m<br />
strike a balance.”<br />
Fortunately, for a man who lives in two<br />
cultures, life is all about balance. “I have<br />
<strong>the</strong> best <strong>of</strong> both worlds,” he says, grinning.<br />
“And I love going to Madagascar. But it’s<br />
still nice to be eating something besides<br />
rice and beans.”<br />
Margaret Harris T'03 is a physics major with a<br />
medieval/renaissance studies minor and a side<br />
interest in science writing. She will enter physics<br />
graduate school in <strong>the</strong> fall.<br />
w w w.<br />
web sites to note<br />
Want to know more about Luke Dollar and fossa?<br />
http://www.earthwatch.org/expeditions/<br />
dollar_02.html<br />
http://www.pulseplanet.com/archive/Nov<br />
02/2791.html<br />
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/<br />
madagascar/dispatches/20000525.html<br />
http://www.nwf.org/internationalwildlife/2000/fossa.html
F ACULTY & STAFF N OTES scope<br />
Presentations and Conferences<br />
At <strong>the</strong> Fall 2002 Meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American<br />
Geophysical Union, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> geology<br />
Paul Baker presented <strong>the</strong> papers<br />
“Geochemical and Diatom Records <strong>of</strong><br />
Hydrologic Variability in <strong>the</strong> Tropical<br />
Andes During <strong>the</strong> Late Quaternary From<br />
Drill Cores <strong>of</strong> Lake Titicaca” (with S.<br />
Fritz, G. Seltzer, K. Arnold, P. Tapia),<br />
and “Oxygen<br />
Isotopes and<br />
Ring Widths in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Tropical<br />
Tree Species<br />
Polylepis tarapacana<br />
as Proxies <strong>of</strong><br />
Past<br />
Paul Baker<br />
Precipitation in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Tropical<br />
Andes <strong>of</strong> South America” (with A.<br />
Ballantyne, R. Jackson, M. Silman, M.<br />
Evans, and S. Leavitt).<br />
Larry Crowder, Stephen Toth<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Marine Ecology, was a participant<br />
in <strong>the</strong> talk, “Bycatch from Different<br />
Fishing Gears: Impacts from Populations<br />
to Ecosystems,” and organizer for<br />
“Rethinking <strong>the</strong> Management <strong>of</strong> Oceanic<br />
Pelagics: Forging a Future for Sea Turtles”<br />
during <strong>the</strong> annual meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
American Association for <strong>the</strong><br />
Advancement <strong>of</strong> Sciences (AAAS) held in<br />
Denver, Colo., in February.<br />
In November, Peter Haff, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
geology and civil and environmental engineering<br />
and chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Division <strong>of</strong> Earth<br />
and Ocean Sciences, gave an invited talk<br />
on “The Future <strong>of</strong> Landscape – Does<br />
Nature Bat Last?” for <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Geological Sciences at Florida State<br />
University, and again in December for<br />
<strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Geography and<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Engineering at Johns<br />
Hopkins University.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Geology Jeffrey Karson<br />
begins a research cruise aboard <strong>the</strong> R/V<br />
Atlantis this April for an investigation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Lost City Vent Field in <strong>the</strong> Mid-Atlantic<br />
Ridge with <strong>the</strong> Alvin submersible.<br />
In October, at <strong>the</strong> Annual Meeting <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Geological Society <strong>of</strong> America held in<br />
Denver, Colo., Karson participated in <strong>the</strong><br />
dukenvironment<br />
Integrated Tectonics Forum, sponsored by<br />
<strong>the</strong> National Science Foundation.<br />
In September, he made two poster<br />
presentations for <strong>the</strong> Inter-Ridge<br />
Theoretical Institute on Thermal Regime<br />
<strong>of</strong> Ocean Ridges and Dynamics <strong>of</strong><br />
Hydro<strong>the</strong>rmal Circulation in Pavia, Italy:<br />
“Geologic Setting <strong>of</strong> Serpentinite-Hosted<br />
Hydro<strong>the</strong>rmal Vents at <strong>the</strong> Lost City,<br />
Atlantis Massif, Mid-Atlantic Ridge,<br />
30°N” (with E.A. Williams, D.S. Kelley,<br />
D.K. Blackman and <strong>the</strong> MARVEL Cruise<br />
Participants), and “Outcrop-Scale<br />
Structure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Atlantis Massif with<br />
Implications for its Evolution” (with E.A.<br />
Williams).<br />
Karson also attended <strong>the</strong> Fall 2002<br />
Meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American Geophysical<br />
Union in San Francisco, Calif., in<br />
December and gave <strong>the</strong> following talks:<br />
“Proterozoic Blueschist-Bearing Mélange<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco:<br />
Implications for Pan-African Subduction”<br />
(with K.P. Hefferan, H. Admou, R Hilal,<br />
A. Saquaque, T. Juteau, and M. Bohn);<br />
“Internal Structure <strong>of</strong> Uppermost Oceanic<br />
Crust Created at Intermediate-to Fast-<br />
Spreading Ridges: Evidence <strong>of</strong> Subaxial<br />
Faulting, Tilting, and Subsidence from<br />
Vertical Crustal Sections”; and “The<br />
Ultramafic-Hosted Lost City Hydro<strong>the</strong>rmal<br />
Field: Clues in The Search for Life<br />
Elsewhere in <strong>the</strong> Solar System?” (with D.S<br />
Kelley, J.A. Baross, G.L. Früh-Green,<br />
and M.O. Schrenk).<br />
Lynn Maguire, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> environmental management,<br />
gave <strong>the</strong><br />
talk “What Can<br />
Decision<br />
Analysis Do for<br />
Invasive Species<br />
Management?”<br />
at <strong>the</strong> annual<br />
meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Lynn Maguire<br />
22<br />
Society for Risk<br />
Analysis in New<br />
Orleans, La., December 2002.<br />
A. Bradshaw Murray, assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>of</strong> geomorphology and coastal processes,<br />
gave several talks at <strong>the</strong> Fall 2002<br />
Meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American Geophysical<br />
Union held in San Francisco, Calif: “Rip<br />
Currents and Rip Channels on Non-<br />
Barred Beaches: A Secondary<br />
Morphodynamic Feedback? Field<br />
Evidence and Model Results”; “Self-<br />
Organized Evolution <strong>of</strong> Sandy Coastline<br />
Shapes: Connections with Shoreline<br />
Erosion Problems” (with A. Ashton);<br />
“Formation <strong>of</strong> Rip Currents Due to Wave-<br />
Current Interactions” (with J. Yu); and<br />
“Are There Connections Between<br />
Erosional Hot Spots and Alongshore<br />
Sediment Transport Along <strong>the</strong> North<br />
Carolina Outer Banks?” (with A. Ashton).<br />
John W. Terborgh, James B. <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al Science, was<br />
<strong>the</strong> invited keynote speaker for <strong>the</strong> annual<br />
meeting <strong>of</strong> Conservation International<br />
held in April at <strong>the</strong> Smithsonian National<br />
Museum <strong>of</strong> Natural History, Washington,<br />
D.C. The weeklong meeting had a technical<br />
focus with <strong>the</strong>mes <strong>of</strong> invasive species;<br />
land use change, pollution and global climate<br />
change; monitoring and evaluation<br />
<strong>of</strong> conservation outcomes; and centers for<br />
biodiversity conservation (CBCs): changing<br />
<strong>the</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> conservation.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Law and <strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Policy Jonathan B. Wiener presented<br />
“Comparing Precaution in <strong>the</strong> U.S. and<br />
Europe,” at <strong>the</strong> Sanford Institute <strong>of</strong> Public<br />
Policy, <strong>Duke</strong> University in January 2003.<br />
In December 2002, at <strong>the</strong> annual<br />
meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Society for Risk Analysis in<br />
New Orleans, La., he presented “Judicial<br />
Review <strong>of</strong> Risk Science in <strong>the</strong> U.S. and<br />
Europe: The Case <strong>of</strong> Antibiotics in<br />
Animal Feed.” Also in December, at <strong>the</strong><br />
Resources for <strong>the</strong> Future conference in<br />
Washington D.C., Wiener presented<br />
“International Experience with Competing<br />
Regulatory Approaches,” and was a discussant<br />
in a session on “Leaded Gasoline.”<br />
In November, Wiener co-organized<br />
<strong>the</strong> Second Annual <strong>Duke</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Leadership Forum, “Dealing with<br />
Disasters: Prediction, Prevention and<br />
Response,” held at <strong>Duke</strong> University, and<br />
was conference co-organizer for “The<br />
Malaria-DDT Dilemma: Science, Policy<br />
and Law,” also at <strong>Duke</strong> University.
F ACULTY & STAFF N OTES<br />
In Print<br />
Recent publications by <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> faculty or staff<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Geology Paul Baker<br />
• “Trans-Atlantic Climate Connections,”<br />
Science, 2002 (author)<br />
• “Early Warming <strong>of</strong> Tropical South<br />
America at <strong>the</strong> Last Glacial-Interglacial<br />
Transition,” Science, 2002 (coauthor)<br />
Peter Haff, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> geology and<br />
civil and environmental engineering and<br />
chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Division <strong>of</strong> Earth and Ocean<br />
Sciences<br />
• “Neogeomorphology,” Earth and Ocean<br />
Sciences, 2002 (author)<br />
Rob Jackson, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
botany and environment<br />
• The Earth Remains Forever: Generations at a<br />
Crossroads, University <strong>of</strong> Texas Press,<br />
2002 (author). This book has received<br />
favorable reviews nationally in newspapers<br />
such as <strong>the</strong> Boston Globe and <strong>the</strong><br />
newswire Associated Press and in local<br />
newspapers. Interviews have been aired<br />
on radio talk shows including National<br />
Public Radio’s “Tavis Smiley Show” and<br />
“Morning Edition.” Jackson has given<br />
two book readings to audiences at local<br />
bookstores, <strong>the</strong> Regulator Bookshop<br />
in Durham and Quail Ridge Books<br />
in Raleigh.<br />
• “Linking Molecular Insight and<br />
Ecological Research,” Trends in Ecology and<br />
Evolution, 2002 (coauthor)<br />
• “Positive feedbacks <strong>of</strong> Fire, Climate, and<br />
Vegetation and <strong>the</strong> Conversion <strong>of</strong><br />
Tropical Savanna,” Journal <strong>of</strong> Geophysical<br />
Research, 2002 (coauthor)<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Geology Jeffrey Karson<br />
• “Proterozoic Blue Schist-Bearing<br />
Mélange in <strong>the</strong> Anti-Atlas Mountains,<br />
Morocco,” Precambrian Research, 2002<br />
(coauthor)<br />
• “Geologic Structure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Uppermost<br />
Oceanic Crust Created at Fast- to<br />
Intermediate-Rate Spreading Centers,”<br />
Annual Review <strong>of</strong> Earth and Planetary Sciences,<br />
2002 (author)<br />
• “Comparison <strong>of</strong> Geologic and Seismic<br />
Structure <strong>of</strong> Uppermost Fast-Spread<br />
Oceanic Crust: Insights From a Crustal<br />
Cross Section at <strong>the</strong> Hess Deep Rift, in<br />
Small-Scale Crustal Heterogeneity,” in<br />
Heterogeneity in<br />
Crust and Upper<br />
Mantle: Nature<br />
Scaling and Seismic<br />
Proptery, edited<br />
by J. G<strong>of</strong>f and<br />
K. Holliger,<br />
Kluwer/Plenum<br />
Publishing,<br />
2002 (lead<br />
Jeff Karson<br />
author).<br />
• “Internal Structure <strong>of</strong> Uppermost<br />
Oceanic Crust Along <strong>the</strong> Western<br />
Blanco Transform Scarp: Implications<br />
for Subaxial Accretion and Deformation<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Juan de Fuca Ridge,” Journal <strong>of</strong><br />
Geophysical Research, 2002 (lead author)<br />
• “Magnetic Anisotropy <strong>of</strong> Serpentinized<br />
Peridotites from <strong>the</strong> MARK Area:<br />
Implications for <strong>the</strong> Orientation <strong>of</strong><br />
Mesoscopic Structures and Major Fault<br />
Zones,” Journal <strong>of</strong> Geophysical Research, 2002<br />
(coauthor)<br />
• “The Geochemistry <strong>of</strong> Dikes and Lavas<br />
from <strong>the</strong> North Wall <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hess Deep<br />
Rift: Insights into <strong>the</strong> Four-<br />
Dimensional Character <strong>of</strong> Crustal<br />
Construction at Fast-Spreading Mid-<br />
Ocean Ridges,” Journal <strong>of</strong> Geophysical<br />
Research, 2002 (coauthor)<br />
Prasad Kasibhatla, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>of</strong> environmental chemistry<br />
• “Top-Down Estimate <strong>of</strong> a Large<br />
Source Of<br />
Atmospheric<br />
Carbon<br />
Monoxide<br />
Associated<br />
with Fuel<br />
Combustion<br />
in Asia,” Journal<br />
<strong>of</strong> Geophysical<br />
Research, 2002<br />
Prasad Kashibhatla<br />
(lead author)<br />
A. Bradshaw Murray, assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>of</strong> geomorphology and coastal processes<br />
• “Contrasting <strong>the</strong> Goal, Strategies, and<br />
Predictions Associated with Simplified<br />
Numerical Models and Detailed<br />
Simulations,” Prediction in Geomorphology,<br />
Chapter 11, 2003 (author)<br />
• “Seeking Explanation Affects<br />
Numerical-Modeling Strategies,” Earth<br />
and Ocean Sciences, 2002 (author)<br />
Research Associate Jeffrey Pippen<br />
• Butterflies In Your Backyard, North Carolina<br />
Cooperative Extention Publication,<br />
December 2002 (contributor)<br />
William H. Schlesinger, James B.<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Biogeochemistry and<br />
dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
• “The Role <strong>of</strong> Overland Flow in<br />
Sediment and Nitrogen Budgets <strong>of</strong><br />
Mesquite Dunefields, Sou<strong>the</strong>rn New<br />
Mexico,” Journal <strong>of</strong> Arid <strong>Environment</strong>s, 2003<br />
(coauthor)<br />
• “Species Control Variation in Litter<br />
Decomposition in a Pine Forest Exposed<br />
to Elevated CO2,” Global Change Biology,<br />
2002 (coauthor)<br />
• “The Global Biogeochemical Cycle <strong>of</strong><br />
Boron,” Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 2002<br />
(coauthor with Haewon Park MEM ’01)<br />
• “Methane-Limited Methanotrophy in<br />
Tidal Freshwater Swamps,” Global<br />
Biogeochemical Cycles, 2002 (coauthor)<br />
• “Potential <strong>Environment</strong>al Controls on<br />
Nitrogenase Activity in Biological Crusts<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Chihuahuan Desert,”<br />
Journal <strong>of</strong> Arid <strong>Environment</strong>s, 2002 (coauthor)<br />
• “Hydrology-Vegetation Interactions in<br />
Areas <strong>of</strong> Discontinuous Flow on a Semi-<br />
Arid Bajada, Sou<strong>the</strong>rn New Mexico,”<br />
Journal <strong>of</strong> Arid <strong>Environment</strong>s, 2002 (coauthor)<br />
• “The Nitrogen Budget <strong>of</strong> a Pine Forest<br />
Under Free Air CO2 Enrichment,”<br />
Oceologia, 2002 (coauthor)<br />
• “Relationships Among Soil Carbon<br />
Distributions and Biophysical Factors at<br />
Nested Spatial Scales in Rain Forests <strong>of</strong><br />
Nor<strong>the</strong>astern Costa Rica,” Geoderma,<br />
2002 (coauthor)<br />
Craig Stow, visiting assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>of</strong> water resources<br />
• “On Monte Carlo Methods for Bayesian<br />
Inference,” Ecological Modelling, 2003<br />
(coauthor)<br />
P.V. Sundareshwar, research associate<br />
and instructor<br />
• “Phosphorus Limitation <strong>of</strong> Coastal Ecosystem<br />
Processes,” Science, 2003 (lead author)<br />
• “Response <strong>of</strong> Coastal Wetlands to Rising<br />
Seal Level,” Ecology, 2002 (coauthor)
F ACULTY & STAFF N OTES scope<br />
Jonathan B. Wiener, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> law<br />
and environmental policy<br />
• “Comparing Precaution in <strong>the</strong> United<br />
States and Europe,” Journal <strong>of</strong> Risk Research,<br />
2002 (lead author)<br />
Memberships, Appointments<br />
and Awards<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> Forest Resource Manager Judson D.<br />
Edeburn has recently been approved for<br />
status as Certified Forester joining <strong>the</strong><br />
ranks <strong>of</strong> more than 1,600 foresters<br />
nationwide. The certificate is a mark <strong>of</strong><br />
distinction within <strong>the</strong> forestry pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
and signifies <strong>the</strong> individual’s commitment<br />
to provide quality resource stewardship.<br />
The Certified Forester Program is administered<br />
through <strong>the</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> American<br />
Foresters (SAF) and was established in<br />
1994. The program is designed to assess<br />
academic preparation, pr<strong>of</strong>essional experience,<br />
continuing<br />
education, and<br />
adherence to<br />
standards <strong>of</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
practice for<br />
those pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
engaged<br />
in forestry. SAF<br />
members number<br />
16,000.<br />
Edeburn also has been named<br />
Judson Edeburn<br />
Appalachian Society chair elect for 2003.<br />
He will become chair in 2004 and past<br />
chair in 2005. The Appalachian Society is<br />
one <strong>of</strong> 33 multi-state/state societies that<br />
make up <strong>the</strong> national body <strong>of</strong> Society <strong>of</strong><br />
American Foresters.<br />
George Pendergraft, <strong>Duke</strong> Forest’s<br />
grounds and maintenance supervisor, and<br />
Michael Burke, forestry technician, have<br />
been awarded <strong>the</strong> 2002 <strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Impact Award by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Management Advisory<br />
Committee. Their work was instrumental<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Forest’s recent attainment <strong>of</strong><br />
certification by <strong>the</strong> Sustainable Forestry<br />
Initiative and Forest Stewardship Council<br />
(SmartWood) programs. Their efforts also<br />
help showcase <strong>the</strong> Forest and <strong>Duke</strong>’s com-<br />
dukenvironment<br />
mitment to environmental sustainability to<br />
<strong>the</strong> more than 250,000 visitors annually.<br />
John W. Terborgh, James B. <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>al Science, was<br />
<strong>the</strong> honoree at an award ceremony where<br />
he gave a talk to <strong>the</strong> environmental<br />
commission <strong>of</strong> Peru, a group under <strong>the</strong><br />
Peruvian congress. National congresswoman<br />
Fabiola Morales Castillo heads <strong>the</strong><br />
environmental commission that consists<br />
<strong>of</strong> 80 congress people. Terborgh was<br />
presented with a lifetime achievement<br />
award for his contribution to Peruvian<br />
environmental causes. Marcia Toledo,<br />
MEM/MS ’02, an assistant to Congresswoman<br />
Castillo, helped arrange <strong>the</strong> award<br />
ceremony and speech which was held in<br />
Lima, Peru in January.<br />
Grants<br />
(Grants <strong>of</strong> $50,000 or more awarded to faculty in<br />
<strong>the</strong> past six months)<br />
Paul Baker, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> geology,<br />
National Science Foundation (NSF)<br />
$140,592, “Holocene Geology and<br />
Anthropology: Paleoclimate, Landscape<br />
Evolution, and Human Occupation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Western Lake Titicaca Basin, Peru.”<br />
Duration: 2003-06.<br />
Celia J. Bonaventura, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
cell biology, Einstein University $147,276,<br />
“Functional Analysis <strong>of</strong> Engineered<br />
Hemoglobins.” Duration: 2002-03.<br />
Larry B. Crowder, Stephen Toth<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Marine Ecology, Florida State<br />
University $131,900, “PEW Study on<br />
Recreational Fisheries.” Duration: 2002-03.<br />
Gabriele C. Hegerl, associate research<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor, National Oceanic and<br />
Atmospheric Administration $81,897,<br />
“Connections Between Anthropogenic<br />
Changes in Climate Extremes and Large<br />
Scale Circulation.” Duration: 2002-05.<br />
Rob Jackson, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
botany and environment, NSF $500,000,<br />
“Ecohydrology <strong>of</strong> Semiarid Woodlands:<br />
Role <strong>of</strong> Woody Plants in <strong>the</strong> Water Cycle.”<br />
Duration: 2002-05; NSF $388,000,<br />
“Continental Drying and Carbon<br />
Sequestration Along a Subambient to<br />
Elevated CO2 Gradient.” Duration:<br />
2002-05; Department <strong>of</strong> Energy<br />
24<br />
National<br />
Institute for<br />
Global<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Change<br />
$329,000,<br />
“Precipitation<br />
and Carbon<br />
Rob Jackson<br />
Storage with<br />
Woody Plant Encroachment into<br />
Grasslands.” Duration: 2002-05;<br />
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation<br />
$330,000, “Interactions <strong>of</strong> Water and<br />
Nutrient Cycling by Plants.” Duration:<br />
2002-05.<br />
Lincoln F. Pratson, assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>of</strong> sedimentary geology, Office <strong>of</strong><br />
Naval Research $92,979, “Modeling <strong>the</strong><br />
Impact <strong>of</strong> Seascape Evolution on <strong>the</strong><br />
Seismic Response <strong>of</strong> Shelf and Slope<br />
Strata.” Duration: 2002-04.<br />
Joseph S. Ramus, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> biological<br />
oceanography, Z. Smith Reynolds<br />
Foundation Inc. $50,000, “Bridge<br />
Funding for North Carolina FerryMon<br />
Project.” Duration: 2003-04.<br />
Daniel D. Richter, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> soils<br />
and forest ecology, Andrew W. Mellon<br />
Foundation $500,000 and National<br />
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<br />
$165,946, each for “Temporal and<br />
Spatial Reassembly <strong>of</strong> Soil Microbial<br />
Communities and Organic Matter in<br />
Post-Disturbance Forests.” Duration:<br />
2002-05.<br />
William H. Schlesinger, James B.<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Biogeochemistry and<br />
dean, Doris <strong>Duke</strong> Charitable Foundation<br />
$357,500, Doris <strong>Duke</strong> Conservation<br />
Fellowship Program. Duration: 2003-06.<br />
compiled by Donna Picard, <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Communications
A L UMNI P ROFILE<br />
Bo Shaw:<br />
Forestry– and generosity–<br />
are in his blood<br />
by Laura Ertel<br />
Bartow “Bo” Shaw F’64 grew up in <strong>the</strong><br />
forestry business. His great-grandfa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
started a lumber mill back in <strong>the</strong> late<br />
1800s, and as a child, Shaw visited <strong>the</strong><br />
family mill <strong>of</strong>ten. His fa<strong>the</strong>r and uncle<br />
sold forest products in <strong>the</strong>ir building supply<br />
business, and when his family acquired<br />
some timberland, young Shaw enjoyed<br />
working with <strong>the</strong> foresters each summer.<br />
So when it came time to choose his field <strong>of</strong><br />
study, <strong>the</strong> decision was easy.<br />
The South Carolinian earned a bachelor<br />
<strong>of</strong> science degree in forestry at<br />
Clemson University in 1963, <strong>the</strong>n came to<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> for <strong>the</strong> one-year master <strong>of</strong> forestry<br />
program. “I wanted to focus on forest<br />
economics. That’s <strong>the</strong> main reason I chose<br />
<strong>Duke</strong>,” he explains. “The <strong>Duke</strong> faculty was<br />
internationally known; a lot <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old<br />
American forestry textbooks were written<br />
by <strong>Duke</strong> faculty members.”<br />
Today, Shaw is chairman <strong>of</strong> American<br />
Forest Management Inc., a consulting<br />
firm that provides services to private and<br />
corporate timberland owners, primarily in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>ast and <strong>the</strong> Lake states, in forest<br />
and land management; also real estate<br />
brokering, investment and appraisal services,<br />
data management and technology and<br />
environmental management. One focus is<br />
helping a variety <strong>of</strong> timberland owners<br />
develop sustainable forestry systems.<br />
“I feel good to have assembled a group<br />
<strong>of</strong> really fine, highly competent people in<br />
a company culture that stresses integrity,”<br />
Shaw says. “Working toge<strong>the</strong>r with a common<br />
goal, we’ve not only provided service<br />
to a lot <strong>of</strong> people; we’ve also made an<br />
impact on today’s forestry landscape.”<br />
sightings<br />
Shaw and<br />
his wife <strong>of</strong> 36<br />
years, Vickey,<br />
have four grown<br />
children. It<br />
looks like <strong>the</strong><br />
Shaw family’s<br />
forestry lineage<br />
may end at this<br />
generation: as<br />
<strong>of</strong> now, none have followed in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r’s woodland footsteps. He is especially<br />
proud <strong>of</strong> what all four <strong>of</strong> his children<br />
have accomplished in <strong>the</strong>ir chosen<br />
career paths. They all retain a deep appreciation<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> outdoors, <strong>of</strong> what it can<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer when managed properly, and <strong>of</strong> what<br />
responsibilities we all have to practice good<br />
stewardship. The Sumter, S.C., resident<br />
has many interests — church, golf, hunting,<br />
fishing and flying (he has had a pilot’s<br />
license for 37 years) — but modestly<br />
claims, “I’m a master <strong>of</strong> none!”<br />
Shaw says <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>Duke</strong> has had on<br />
his career goes far beyond <strong>the</strong> year he<br />
spent earning his degree. “There’s no<br />
question that <strong>the</strong> people I was exposed to<br />
while I was at <strong>Duke</strong> broadened my thought<br />
process. I have maintained contact with<br />
people at <strong>the</strong> university ever since, getting<br />
input and going back for continuing education<br />
courses to enhance what I know and<br />
what I’m able to pass along. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
unique things about <strong>Duke</strong> is <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional schools <strong>the</strong>re and its interdisciplinary<br />
philosophy. It gives you different<br />
perspectives and broadens your view.”<br />
Much <strong>of</strong> Shaw’s ongoing connection<br />
with <strong>Duke</strong> has been maintained through<br />
his contributions as a<br />
volunteer. For 10 years,<br />
he represented <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong> and Earth<br />
Sciences on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Annual Fund Executive<br />
Jimmy Wood photo<br />
Committee, and he<br />
remains an active member<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school’s Board<br />
<strong>of</strong> Visitors. In 1999, Shaw and his family<br />
established <strong>the</strong> Bartow Shaw Family<br />
Fellowship to provide support for graduate<br />
students at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
“I’ve always felt that you can make an<br />
impact by enabling some really capable<br />
and bright young people to take advantage<br />
<strong>of</strong> what <strong>Duke</strong> has to <strong>of</strong>fer,” he says. “I<br />
know it’s a cliché, but I’ve always believed<br />
that you receive much more when you<br />
give. Through my involvement with <strong>Duke</strong>,<br />
I’ve met o<strong>the</strong>r people who are giving<br />
because <strong>the</strong>y love <strong>the</strong> university, and I’ve<br />
made some great friends.”<br />
In appreciation for all that he has<br />
given to this institution and to <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong><br />
forestry, on April 11 Shaw received <strong>the</strong><br />
Ralston Distinguished Alumni Award, <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s highest alumni honor.<br />
It was a small way that <strong>Duke</strong> could give<br />
back for all that <strong>the</strong> university has received<br />
from this generous gentleman.<br />
Laura Ertel is a freelance writer based in Durham,<br />
N.C. She writes regularly for programs and publications<br />
at <strong>Duke</strong> and o<strong>the</strong>r North Carolina universities,<br />
organizations, and companies.
Class Notes<br />
C LASS N OTES<br />
dukenvironment<br />
sightings<br />
Warren T. Doolittle MF’50 has stepped down after 18 years as president<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> International Society <strong>of</strong> Tropical Foresters, but he still<br />
volunteers to help <strong>the</strong> staff.<br />
Leigh R. Kerr MEM’75 was elected president-elect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Florida<br />
Planning and Zoning Association. Kerr is president <strong>of</strong> Leigh<br />
Robinson Kerr & Associates Inc., a land use, planning and consulting<br />
firm, which has been based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for<br />
<strong>the</strong> past 18 years.<br />
Chandler C. Smith F’75 is president <strong>of</strong> Summit Management<br />
Resources in Denver, Colo. His wife, Peggy, is a speech <strong>the</strong>rapist<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Brighton Public <strong>School</strong>s.<br />
Richard Early MF’84 has recently transferred from <strong>the</strong> Washington<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Plum Creek Timber Co. to <strong>the</strong> northwest region<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice in Columbia Falls, Mont. He was promoted to be Northwest<br />
Region GIS/Inventory Manager. He is responsible for <strong>the</strong> company’s<br />
activities in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.<br />
Sandra Postel<br />
MEM’80 has<br />
been named<br />
by Scientific<br />
American as<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
“Scientific<br />
American 50”<br />
in recognition<br />
<strong>of</strong> accomplishments<br />
that demonstrate a “clear, progressive view<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> technological future, and <strong>the</strong> leadership,<br />
knowledge and expertise needed to<br />
make that vision a reality.” Postel, who<br />
directs <strong>the</strong> Global Water Policy Project in<br />
Amherst, Mass., was honored in <strong>the</strong> magazine’s<br />
December 2002 issue as Policy<br />
Leader in Agriculture for advocating<br />
sweeping changes aimed at preserving <strong>the</strong><br />
world’s dwindling supplies <strong>of</strong> freshwater.<br />
“Few challenges loom as large as meeting<br />
<strong>the</strong> food and water needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
world’s growing population while at <strong>the</strong><br />
same time protecting <strong>the</strong> freshwater<br />
ecosystems that sustain life,” she said.<br />
“Meeting this challenge requires fundamental<br />
shifts in how we use, value and<br />
manage <strong>the</strong> earth’s finite freshwater.”<br />
In 1991, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> recognized<br />
Postel for her contributions to her<br />
field with <strong>the</strong> Ralston Distinguished<br />
Alumni Award.<br />
A leading authority on global freshwater<br />
issues, Postel speaks at conferences and<br />
universities and has published extensively.<br />
26<br />
John Warfield Simpson MF’86 recently published Yearning for <strong>the</strong><br />
Land: A Search for <strong>the</strong> Importance <strong>of</strong> Place. He also has authored Visions <strong>of</strong><br />
Paradise: Glimpses <strong>of</strong> Our Landscape’s Legacy. Simpson is a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
landscape architecture and natural resources at Ohio State. In<br />
2001, he was a visiting research scholar at Heriot-Watt University<br />
in Edinburgh, Scotland.<br />
Jonathan A. Moyer F’88 joined <strong>the</strong> Canon Capital Management<br />
Group <strong>of</strong> Telford, Penn., in July as an investment advisor for <strong>the</strong><br />
Investment Advisory business unit. Moyer and his family live in<br />
Franconia Township.<br />
Hsing-Yi Chang F’89 is now <strong>the</strong> assistant investigator in <strong>the</strong><br />
Division <strong>of</strong> Health Policy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Health Research<br />
Institutes in Taipei, Taiwan.<br />
spotlight<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Alum Named One <strong>of</strong> Scientific American 50<br />
Her new book on river conservation —<br />
which follows her Pillar <strong>of</strong> Sand: Can <strong>the</strong><br />
Irrigation Miracle Last? and Last Oasis — is due<br />
out this summer. She is a senior fellow at<br />
Worldwatch Institute and a visiting senior<br />
lecturer in environmental studies at<br />
Mount Holyoke College.<br />
“My <strong>Duke</strong> education was great preparation<br />
for <strong>the</strong> work I have been engaged in<br />
for <strong>the</strong> last 20 years. Water problems are<br />
inherently interdisciplinary — spanning<br />
science, technology, economics, policy,<br />
law and ethics. Thanks in no small part to<br />
my time and training at <strong>Duke</strong>, I am comfortable<br />
in this interdisciplinary zone.”<br />
— Laura Ertel
C LASS N OTES<br />
Stephanie Stansbury Dobbie T’94 was married to Jim Dobbie on<br />
Aug. 3, 2002. Stephanie and Jim live in Albuquerque where she<br />
serves as <strong>the</strong> program coordinator for a nonpr<strong>of</strong>it education<br />
reform organization, New Mexico Education Network Center.<br />
In November, Michael J. Zucchet MEM’94 was elected to represent<br />
District 2 on <strong>the</strong> City Council <strong>of</strong> San Diego, Calif. Zucchet has<br />
been working as <strong>the</strong> legislative and community affairs director for<br />
<strong>the</strong> San Diego City Fire Fighters since 1998.<br />
Marjut Hadisa Herzog MEM’96 has just returned to <strong>the</strong> United<br />
States after five years working with NGOs and <strong>the</strong> United Nations<br />
Development Programme in Venezuela. Herzog and her husband,<br />
Jonathan B’97, who was transferred to Florida, are now living in<br />
Aventura while Marjut looks for work in Miami.<br />
Lydia Breunig MEM’97 received a Fulbright grant for dissertation<br />
research in Mexico. She and her husband, Brian Stark, will spend<br />
nine months researching how <strong>the</strong> recent creation <strong>of</strong> natural<br />
protected areas are influencing rural people and resources.<br />
Tim Hanley MEM’97 and his wife, Wanda, announce <strong>the</strong> birth <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir third son, Sean Robert. Sean was born on Oct. 18.<br />
Cynthia Van Der Wiele MEM’98 is a doctoral candidate in environmental<br />
and community design at North Carolina State<br />
University College <strong>of</strong> Design. She is studying <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> sustainable<br />
natural resource management practices by Liberian smallholder<br />
farmers.<br />
Erika Nystrom Sasser PhD’99 and her husband, Fuller, are<br />
pleased to announce <strong>the</strong> birth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir son, James Fuller Sasser,<br />
on Sept. 22.<br />
Jean Lauer MEM’00 is living in Menlo Park in California and<br />
working for <strong>the</strong> Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), which manages<br />
open space and agricultural lands on <strong>the</strong> San Francisco<br />
Peninsula.<br />
This past summer Brad Rogers MEM’00 authored a play that was<br />
produced onstage in Baltimore. Entitled A Certain Mystery, <strong>the</strong> play<br />
concerns a murder at a highbrow college. Rogers wrote in <strong>the</strong> program<br />
notes that his play is conceived to work on two levels. At base,<br />
it’s a mystery: Dr. Randall Scott, Haverton University’s brash philosophy<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor, gets clocked over <strong>the</strong> head with a candlestick.<br />
The college hires psych major-cum-pricey private investigator Will<br />
Bartlett to investigate. Whodunit? You’ll have to see <strong>the</strong> play to<br />
find out!<br />
Jennifer E. Ryan T’00 is in her second year <strong>of</strong> grad school at<br />
Scripps Institution <strong>of</strong> Oceanography working on biochemical<br />
studies <strong>of</strong> bryostatin biosyn<strong>the</strong>sis. “I owe it all to Dr. Dan<br />
(Rittsch<strong>of</strong>) for getting me interested in marine natural products<br />
and chemical ecology.”<br />
Timothy O’Connor F’01 sends word that he is “fighting crime in<br />
San Francisco. I have a shiny badge and write BIG tickets to oil<br />
refineries that pollute <strong>the</strong> air. I started law school in January. I am<br />
getting my certification in hazardous materials management and I<br />
just got back from a Middle East peacekeeping tour.”<br />
John E. Terborgh F’02 is on a 10-month assignment in Amman,<br />
Jordan on a project supported by <strong>the</strong> U.S. Agency for<br />
International Development. He is working as a marketing adviser<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Royal Society for <strong>the</strong> Conservation <strong>of</strong> Nature.<br />
Susan Watts Chinn MEM’02 was married to Chris Chinn in June<br />
2002. Susan’s twin sister, Sarah Watts MEM’00, was her maid <strong>of</strong><br />
honor. Sue and Chris are now living in Cambridge, Mass.<br />
Dana Wusinich-Mendez MEM’02 is working at <strong>the</strong> Coastal<br />
Programs Division <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> Ocean and Coastal Resource<br />
Management (OCRM) on Coral Reef Task Force efforts in Puerto<br />
Rico, <strong>the</strong> Virgin Islands and Florida.
C AMPAIGN N E W S nature&<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Surpasses Campaign Goal,<br />
But ‘Buckets’ Still Need to be Filled<br />
The <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> surpassed its campaign goal <strong>of</strong> $60 million<br />
on Dec. 20 through <strong>the</strong> generosity <strong>of</strong> alumni and friends.<br />
“On behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entire <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> community, I want to thank<br />
each donor for his or her generosity<br />
to <strong>the</strong> campaign,” said Peggy Dean<br />
Glenn, associate dean for external<br />
affairs at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>. “The<br />
financial support <strong>of</strong> individuals and<br />
organizations enables <strong>the</strong> school to<br />
excel in <strong>the</strong> arena <strong>of</strong> environmental<br />
education where expectations are high<br />
and quality is paramount.”<br />
Sally Kleberg<br />
Help ‘Fill A Bucket’ and Imprint Your<br />
‘Signature’ on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Everyone hopes to leave his or her mark<br />
on <strong>the</strong> world. An innovative matching<br />
opportunity can assist donors who wish<br />
to imprint <strong>the</strong>ir “signature” on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> while helping to “fill <strong>the</strong> endowment<br />
bucket.”<br />
The Signature Venture Endowment<br />
is <strong>the</strong> brainchild <strong>of</strong> anonymous donors who<br />
wanted to assist o<strong>the</strong>r friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school<br />
in establishing endowments that would<br />
support <strong>the</strong> donor’s special interests. Designed<br />
to provide maximum flexibility for both<br />
<strong>the</strong> donor and <strong>the</strong> school, <strong>the</strong>se unique<br />
endowments may be designated for student<br />
support, faculty support or as venture capital<br />
for new programs, courses, and initiatives.<br />
For each $750,000 contributed by a<br />
signature donor, anonymous donors will<br />
contribute $250,000, creating a $1 million<br />
naming opportunity.<br />
dukenvironment<br />
nurture<br />
“In today’s competitive admissions<br />
environment, increasing our financial aid<br />
pool is vital,” said Cynthia A. Peters,<br />
director <strong>of</strong> enrollment services. “Establishing<br />
a Signature Venture Scholarship Endowment<br />
would fund multiple full-tuition scholarships,<br />
and scholars would forever carry <strong>the</strong><br />
name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> donor or honoree <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fund.<br />
For example, with a gift <strong>of</strong> $750,000 <strong>the</strong><br />
Smith family could establish <strong>the</strong> ‘Smith<br />
Society <strong>of</strong> Fellows’ for support <strong>of</strong> multiple<br />
students aided by a $250,000 contribution<br />
from our matching donors.”<br />
“The dean and <strong>the</strong> development staff<br />
will work closely with each donor to create an<br />
endowment that reflects his or her personal<br />
interests while meeting <strong>the</strong> greatest needs<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school,” said Anita Brown, director<br />
<strong>of</strong> advancement. “If a donor wishes, <strong>the</strong><br />
fund could provide both scholarship and<br />
28<br />
“We are thrilled to pass our dollar goal a full year before <strong>the</strong><br />
end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> campaign,” said Sally Kleberg, chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Campaign Committee. “What a wonderful holiday gift for<br />
our students, faculty, and staff. I would also like to add my thanks<br />
to all <strong>the</strong> donors, staff, board members and volunteers who made<br />
this dream a reality. It was a huge and unselfish effort on <strong>the</strong> part<br />
<strong>of</strong> everyone involved and our success demonstrates our dedication<br />
to <strong>the</strong> school and our belief in its mission. ”<br />
On <strong>the</strong> day that <strong>the</strong> goal was surpassed, <strong>the</strong> school received 17<br />
gifts to <strong>the</strong> Annual Fund and three restricted gifts. It is <strong>the</strong> men<br />
and women who have made <strong>the</strong> decision to continue to invest at<br />
every level in <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> who have made this<br />
feat possible, said Kleberg.<br />
Gifts from <strong>the</strong> campaign already are working to streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> by supporting endowed pr<strong>of</strong>essorships, student<br />
scholarships, faculty research, academic programs and o<strong>the</strong>r projects.<br />
programmatic support. A faculty fund could<br />
provide support for research and teaching<br />
for junior or senior faculty, to establish new<br />
research programs, or to underwrite marine<br />
operations at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> Marine Lab.”<br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al emergencies, such as<br />
those created by Hurricane Floyd or <strong>the</strong><br />
events <strong>of</strong> Sept. 11, could also be addressed<br />
with a Signature Venture Endowment. The<br />
fund could provide critical dollars to assist<br />
in <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> toxins released in <strong>the</strong> atmosphere<br />
after an explosion or <strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong><br />
flooding on estuaries, native animal, marine<br />
and plant life, or <strong>the</strong> coastline.<br />
If you would like additional information<br />
about Signature Venture Endowments or<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r funding opportunities, please contact<br />
Anita Brown, director <strong>of</strong> advancement, at<br />
919-613-8019 or anita.brown@duke.edu.
C AMPAIGN N E W S<br />
Kleberg said that raising $60 million, though a great accomplishment,<br />
will carry <strong>the</strong> school only so far toward its goal. “While<br />
we have raised more than we anticipated by this time, we have not<br />
yet accomplished what we have called ‘filling all <strong>the</strong> buckets,’<br />
which means funding every priority identified at <strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> campaign.”<br />
Through a strategic planning process, critical needs were<br />
identified and prioritized at <strong>the</strong> school, with fellowship support<br />
identified as <strong>the</strong> number one priority. In addition, completing<br />
<strong>the</strong> funding for <strong>the</strong> Ocean Sciences Teaching Center and<br />
continued growth in <strong>the</strong> annual fund and endowment are<br />
essential, said Kleberg.<br />
“We see this as a short intermission.” said Kleberg. “We’ve<br />
completed act one, now on to act two.”<br />
Campaign<br />
Total<br />
Endowment<br />
Goal $45.5 million<br />
Progress $38.3 million<br />
Campaign Progress<br />
and Goals<br />
as <strong>of</strong> 3/22/03<br />
Goal $60 million<br />
Progress $60.7 million<br />
Ocean Sciences<br />
Teaching<br />
Center<br />
Goal $1.5 million<br />
Progress $500,000<br />
Restricted<br />
Programs<br />
Goal $7.5 million<br />
Progress $9.03 million<br />
Endowed Pr<strong>of</strong>essorships Created or Enhanced During<br />
<strong>the</strong> Campaign for <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Doris <strong>Duke</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in Conservation Ecology<br />
Dan and Bunny Gabel Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in <strong>Environment</strong>al Ethics<br />
The Korstian Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in Forest Resource Management<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in Earth Systems Science<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in <strong>Environment</strong>al Economics and Policy<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in <strong>Environment</strong>al Quality<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in Natural Resource Ecology<br />
Truman and Nellie Semans /Alex Brown & Sons Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship<br />
Lee Hill Snowdon Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship<br />
Rachel Carson Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in Marine Conservation Biology<br />
Rachel Carson Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship in Marine Affairs and Policy<br />
Endowed Fellowships and Scholarships Created or Enhanced<br />
During <strong>the</strong> Campaign for <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Lawrence E. Blanchard Endowment<br />
Bookhout Scholarship Fund<br />
Whitney Lawson Chamberlin Memorial Endowment<br />
Norman L. Christensen Jr. Fellowship Endowment<br />
William Cleveland Fellowship Endowment<br />
Timothy J. and Anne G. Creem Scholarship Endowment<br />
Cummings Family Fellowship<br />
LeRoy George Scholarship<br />
Laura J. Grierson Memorial Scholarship<br />
Charlotte and Robert Hay Endowment<br />
Richard Heintzelman Family Fellowship Endowment<br />
Tim and Karen Hixon Wildlife Conservation Endowment<br />
Lawrence I'Anson Jr. Scholarship Fund<br />
Thomas W. Keesee Jr. Fellowship Endowment<br />
Kuzimer-Lee-Nikitine Endowment<br />
Thomas Vaclav Laska Memorial<br />
Melanie Lynn Memorial Scholarship Endowment<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> Fellowships in <strong>Environment</strong>al Sciences and Policy<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Alumni Fellowships Endowment<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Student Fellowship Endowment<br />
Orvis Fellowship Endowment<br />
Orrin Pilkey Fellowship Endowment<br />
Elizabeth Reid Endowment<br />
Nancy and Simon B. Rich Fellowship<br />
Gary H. Salenger Fellowship Endowment<br />
Bartow Shaw Family Fellowship Endowment<br />
Thomas and Anne Shepherd Endowment<br />
Edward and Joyce Sitz Endowment<br />
Harvey W. Smith Graduate Fellowship Endowment<br />
Deborah Susan Steer Scholarship Fund<br />
Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. Fellowship<br />
Yasuomi Tanaka Memorial Fellowship<br />
Wade Family Endowment<br />
John and Sue Wall Fellowship Endowment<br />
Dr. Larry R.Widell Memorial Fellowship Endowment
Joe Ramus<br />
A NNUAL F UND N E W S nature&<br />
Orvis Fellowship Endowment Fund Established<br />
The Orvis Fellowship Endowment Fund was established with combined<br />
gifts <strong>of</strong> $100,000 from The Perkins Charitable Foundation,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Orvis-Perkins Foundation, and <strong>the</strong> Leigh H. Perkins Charitable<br />
Lead Trust. The new fellowship will benefit students in <strong>the</strong> Masters <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong>al Management program.<br />
“My good friend, John D. Drinko, told me about <strong>the</strong> important<br />
work going on at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>. My own interest in <strong>the</strong> work<br />
<strong>of</strong> The Nature Conservancy and <strong>the</strong> challenges facing it and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
conservation organizations led <strong>the</strong> foundations to make this commitment,”<br />
said Leigh H. Perkins, president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Orvis-Perkins Foundation<br />
and a trustee <strong>of</strong> The Perkins Charitable Foundation.<br />
“Conservation organizations are having difficulty finding<br />
site-based generalists —individuals trained in natural resource management,<br />
communications, policy and law. These are precisely <strong>the</strong><br />
kind <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals trained in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> MEM program.”<br />
“The Orvis Fellowship is a wonderful addition to our program,”<br />
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc.<br />
Funds Coastal Projects<br />
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc. has<br />
awarded grants totaling $100,000 to <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> to benefit <strong>the</strong> FerryMon<br />
Project and The <strong>Duke</strong> Program for <strong>the</strong><br />
Study <strong>of</strong> Developed Shorelines (PSDS).<br />
“The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is<br />
delighted to be able to support <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> and <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> FerryMon<br />
Project and <strong>the</strong> Program for <strong>the</strong> Study <strong>of</strong><br />
Developed Shorelines. Both projects have<br />
great potential to assist efforts to protect and<br />
improve North Carolina’s unique and fragile<br />
environment,” said Tom Ross, executive<br />
director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> foundation.<br />
If you thought ferries were only used to<br />
transport vehicles across large bodies <strong>of</strong><br />
water, think again. Scientists also are using<br />
ferries to monitor water quality. The<br />
Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System<br />
(APES) is North America’s second largest<br />
estuary and provides critical habitat for <strong>the</strong><br />
Orrin Pilkey<br />
dukenvironment<br />
nurture<br />
sou<strong>the</strong>astern U.S. fishery. Presently, several,<br />
interrelated factors impact water quality in<br />
<strong>the</strong> APES including land use change in <strong>the</strong><br />
upland and coastal watershed, legislatively<br />
mandated basinwide nutrient management<br />
plans, intense storms (hurricanes and<br />
nor’easters), and global and local changes in<br />
sea level.<br />
Despite its importance as essential fish<br />
habitat, <strong>the</strong> APES has not been monitored as<br />
intensively or extensively for habitat impacts<br />
associated with decreased water quality as<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r estuaries, such as Chesapeake Bay. To<br />
support <strong>the</strong> sustainable use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se estuaries,<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> joined with <strong>the</strong><br />
University <strong>of</strong> North Carolina at Chapel Hill,<br />
<strong>the</strong> NC Department <strong>of</strong> Transportation Ferry<br />
Division, <strong>the</strong> NC Department <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong> and Natural Resources, and<br />
<strong>the</strong> AllTel Corp. to develop an automated<br />
water quality monitoring system aboard ferries<br />
that traverse <strong>the</strong> APES. The FerryMon<br />
program provides a unique, long-term and<br />
cost-effective monitoring system to evaluate<br />
status and trends in APES water quality.<br />
“Thanks to <strong>the</strong> generosity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Z.<br />
Smith Reynolds Foundation, <strong>the</strong> M/Vs Floyd<br />
Lupton, Carteret, and Governor Hyde will continue<br />
to provide important information on water<br />
quality in APES. We are extremely grateful<br />
for <strong>the</strong> foundation’s support,” said Joe<br />
Ramus, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> biological oceanography,<br />
former director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Marine Laboratory, and co-director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
FerryMon project.<br />
30<br />
stated Dean William H. Schlesinger. “I am not surprised that conservation<br />
organizations are having difficulty hiring <strong>the</strong> talent <strong>the</strong>y need.<br />
There is an extremely competitive market for our graduates. In fact,<br />
98 percent <strong>of</strong> our graduates are employed in <strong>the</strong>ir chosen field within<br />
six months <strong>of</strong> graduation. The solution to <strong>the</strong> problem is at <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pipeline — enabling more bright<br />
and talented young people to enter <strong>the</strong> environmental<br />
field. The Orvis Fellowship will<br />
allow <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> to <strong>of</strong>fer funding<br />
to a student who might o<strong>the</strong>rwise stay in<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r field because <strong>the</strong>y could not afford<br />
<strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> an environmental education.”<br />
If you would like additional information<br />
about fellowships or o<strong>the</strong>r funding opportunities,<br />
please contact Anita Brown,<br />
director <strong>of</strong> advancement, at 919-613-8019<br />
or anita.brown@duke.edu.<br />
Leigh H. Perkins<br />
Dr. Orrin Pilkey, James B. <strong>Duke</strong><br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Emeritus <strong>of</strong> Earth Sciences and<br />
director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Program for <strong>the</strong> Study <strong>of</strong><br />
Developed Shorelines (PSDS), agrees with<br />
Ramus. “The Z. Smith Reynolds<br />
Foundation not only supports <strong>the</strong> important<br />
work <strong>of</strong> PSDS, but has also provided us with<br />
an opportunity to expand and fulfill an<br />
exciting and important new role, that <strong>of</strong><br />
scientific advocate.”<br />
PSDS is dedicated to conserving, preserving<br />
and protecting <strong>the</strong> quality and longterm<br />
sustainability <strong>of</strong> North Carolina’s<br />
beaches and has established a scientific<br />
coastal advocacy initiative to ensure that state<br />
and local management decisions and actions<br />
that affect <strong>the</strong> health, viability and long-term<br />
sustainability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> state’s beaches are made<br />
in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> “good” science and are in<br />
<strong>the</strong> best interest <strong>of</strong> all North Carolinians.<br />
PSDS provides objective technical and<br />
scientific data to organizations around <strong>the</strong><br />
country working to preserve our nation’s<br />
beaches. According to Pilkey, “Scientific<br />
advocacy is very rare, and we are fortunate that<br />
<strong>the</strong> folks at Z. Smith Reynolds had <strong>the</strong> foresight<br />
to see <strong>the</strong> benefits in what we are doing.”<br />
PSDS was established in 1985 to examine<br />
<strong>the</strong> physical and scientific basis for managing<br />
developed shorelines in a time <strong>of</strong> rising sea<br />
level. Since its inception, PSDS has been an<br />
outspoken advocate for <strong>the</strong> responsible<br />
management <strong>of</strong> America’s shorelines and<br />
has made significant contributions in <strong>the</strong><br />
fields <strong>of</strong> coastal geology, policy and hazard<br />
mitigation.
A NNUAL F UND N E W S<br />
gift clubs<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Gift Club Levels<br />
William Preston Few Association<br />
President’s Executive Council<br />
$25,000 Minimum Gift<br />
President’s Council<br />
$10,000 Minimum Gift<br />
Few Associates<br />
$5,000 Minimum Gift<br />
Washington <strong>Duke</strong> Club<br />
Washington <strong>Duke</strong> Club Fellow<br />
$2,500 Minimum Gift<br />
Washington <strong>Duke</strong> Club Member<br />
$1,000 Minimum Gift<br />
Washington <strong>Duke</strong> Young Alumni Member<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University undergraduates 5-9 years<br />
post-graduation may join for $300. <strong>Duke</strong><br />
University undergraduates 0-4 years postgraduation<br />
may join for $100.<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Gift Clubs<br />
Clarence F. Korstian Society<br />
$500 or more to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong><br />
A.S. Pearse Society<br />
$500 or more to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> University Marine<br />
Laboratory<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Young Alumni Member<br />
Individuals who have graduated from <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> and Earth<br />
Sciences in <strong>the</strong> last four years may join <strong>the</strong><br />
Korstian or Pearse Society for $100.<br />
For additional information, contact <strong>the</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> Alumni<br />
Affairs & <strong>the</strong> Annual Fund at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong> and Earth Sciences<br />
P. O. Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708-0328<br />
919-613-8035 (phone) 919-613-8077 (fax)<br />
k.bolfill@duke.edu<br />
“<br />
Beaufort Experience Weekend<br />
July 25-27, 2003<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University • Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC<br />
Plan to Attend This Weekend <strong>of</strong> Adventure, Discovery and Fun!<br />
Join us for presentations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> latest faculty research, a cruise on <strong>the</strong><br />
R/V Susan Hudson, field trips to Cape Lookout and o<strong>the</strong>r ecologically<br />
important sites, a waterfront reception and an au<strong>the</strong>ntic seafood feast.<br />
There will be supervised educational activities for children and<br />
grandchildren — fun for <strong>the</strong> entire family.<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> or Marine Lab donors at <strong>the</strong> Korstian, Pearse, Washington<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> and William Preston Few Gift Club levels and <strong>the</strong>ir families are<br />
invited. Gift Clubs are for cumulative giving during <strong>the</strong> fiscal year<br />
2002-2003. Make your gift club level contribution by June 30 to<br />
receive your invitation.<br />
Annual Fund support from our alumni, parents and friends enables us to<br />
do many things that enrich <strong>the</strong> daily life <strong>of</strong> students at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
These include distinguished speakers, field trips, special hardware and<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tware, and <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> career skills. If you are ever tempted to<br />
think that your support is not important — please reconsider! Every gift to<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong>, regardless <strong>of</strong> its size, counts in a big way for our students<br />
and for <strong>the</strong> environment. William H. Schlesinger, Dean<br />
”
Mark your calendar for <strong>the</strong> following dates and monitor our Web site at<br />
www.env.duke.edu for additional events:<br />
Upcoming Events/Monitor<br />
May 3, 2003<br />
Book Signing<br />
Orrin H. Pilkey and Mary Edna Fraser will be<br />
signing A Celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World’s Barrier<br />
Islands at <strong>the</strong> annual meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NC<br />
Coastal Federation, signing is from 1:30-3 pm.<br />
A field trip will also start at 8:30 am to<br />
Bear Island.<br />
Hammock Beach State Park, Swansboro, NC<br />
Contact: Coastal Federation (252) 393-8185<br />
May 7-9, 2003<br />
Native Americans and <strong>the</strong> U.S. Government<br />
A course that will examine <strong>the</strong> historical and<br />
legal underpinnings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> government-togovernment<br />
relationship between <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />
government and American Indian tribes.<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: <strong>Nicholas</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> Continuing and<br />
Executive Education, (919) 613-8082<br />
May 11-14, 2003<br />
American Association <strong>of</strong> Petroleum<br />
Geologists Annual Meeting<br />
Salt Lake City, Utah<br />
Contact: AAPG, (800) 364-2274<br />
or convene@aapg.org<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Alumni Reception<br />
AAPG<br />
Salt Lake City, Utah<br />
Contact: Ron Perkins, (919) 684-3376<br />
or rperkins@duke.edu<br />
dukenvironment<br />
32<br />
May 10-11, 2003<br />
Commencement Weekend<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
May 28-30, 2003<br />
The Law <strong>of</strong> NEPA<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: <strong>Nicholas</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> Continuing and<br />
Executive Education, (919) 613-8082<br />
June 16, 2003<br />
Book Signing<br />
Orrin H. Pilkey and Mary Edna Fraser will be<br />
signing A Celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World’s Barrier<br />
Islands, sponsored by SC Coastal<br />
Conservation League<br />
Charleston, SC<br />
Contact: Hea<strong>the</strong>r Spires (843) 723-8035<br />
or hea<strong>the</strong>rs@scccl.org<br />
July 25-27, 2003<br />
Beaufort Experience Weekend for <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Gift Club members<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Marine Laboratory<br />
Beaufort, N.C.<br />
Contact: Carol Dahm, (919) 613-8001<br />
or cdahm@duke.edu<br />
Aug. 3-8, 2003<br />
Ecological Society <strong>of</strong> America (ESA)<br />
Savannah, Ga.<br />
Contact: ESA, (202) 833-8773 or<br />
www.esa.org<br />
monitor<br />
Aug. 6-8, 2003<br />
Making <strong>the</strong> NEPA Process More Efficient: Scoping<br />
and Public Participation<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: <strong>Nicholas</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> Continuing and<br />
Executive Education, (919) 613-8082<br />
September 2003<br />
National Geographic Society Dinner and Lecture<br />
For <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> and <strong>Duke</strong> Marine Lab<br />
members <strong>of</strong> William Preston Few Gift<br />
Club Association<br />
Washington, D.C.<br />
Contact: Office <strong>of</strong> External Affairs,<br />
(919) 613-8003<br />
Sept. 15-19, 2003<br />
Preparing and Documenting <strong>Environment</strong>al<br />
Impact Analyses<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: <strong>Nicholas</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> Continuing and<br />
Executive Education, (919) 613-8082<br />
Sept. 20, 2003<br />
New Student Day<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Marine Lab<br />
Beaufort, NC<br />
Contact: Belinda Williford, (252) 504-7508<br />
or bbw@duke.edu
Oct. 24-26, 2003<br />
Parents’ Weekend at <strong>the</strong> Coast<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Marine Lab<br />
Beaufort, NC<br />
Contact: Belinda Williford, (252) 504-7508<br />
or bbw@duke.edu<br />
Oct. 25-29, 2003<br />
Society <strong>of</strong> American Foresters (SAF)<br />
National Convention<br />
Buffalo, N.Y.<br />
Contact: Rita Baur, (919) 613-8003<br />
or rbaur@duke.edu<br />
Or www.safnet.org/calendar/natcon.htm<br />
Oct. 26, 2003<br />
Society <strong>of</strong> American Foresters (SAF)<br />
National Convention<br />
Alumni Social<br />
Buffalo, N.Y.<br />
Contact: Rita Baur, (919) 613-8003<br />
or rbaur@duke.edu<br />
eco audit<br />
Oct. 31, 2003<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> Prospective MEM/MF<br />
Students Visitation Day<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: Enrollment Services,<br />
(919) 613-8070, or envadm@duke.edu<br />
to reserve a place.<br />
Nov. 2-5, 2003<br />
Geological Society <strong>of</strong> America Annual Meeting<br />
Seattle, Wash.<br />
Don’t miss <strong>the</strong> <strong>Duke</strong> University Alumni event<br />
honoring Orrin Pilkey!<br />
Contact: Krista B<strong>of</strong>ill, (919) 613-8035,<br />
or kb<strong>of</strong>ill@duke.edu<br />
Nov. 3-7, 2003<br />
Implementation <strong>of</strong> NEPA on Federal Lands<br />
and Facilities<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: <strong>Nicholas</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> Continuing and<br />
Executive Education, (919) 613-8082<br />
March 8-9, 2004<br />
Third Annual <strong>Environment</strong>al Leadership Forum:<br />
Energy and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong>.<br />
R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: Laura Turcotte, (919) 613-8081<br />
or ljturco@duke.edu<br />
April 16-18, 2004<br />
Alumni Reunion Weekend<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: Krista B<strong>of</strong>ill, (919) 613-8035,<br />
or kb<strong>of</strong>ill@duke.edu<br />
April 17, 2004<br />
Field Day<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Contact: Krista B<strong>of</strong>ill, (919) 613-8035,<br />
or kb<strong>of</strong>ill@duke.edu<br />
How to contact us:<br />
<strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Environment</strong><br />
and Earth Sciences<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> External Affairs<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University<br />
Box 90328<br />
Durham, NC 27708-0328<br />
(919) 613-8003 phone<br />
(919) 613-8077 fax<br />
www.env.duke.edu<br />
<strong>Duke</strong> University Marine Laboratory<br />
135 <strong>Duke</strong> Marine Lab Road<br />
Beaufort, NC 28516-9721<br />
(252) 504-7503 phone<br />
(252) 504-7648 fax<br />
dukenvironment is printed with vegetable-based inks on<br />
100% recycled paper. Please recycle this magazine.
dukenvironment<br />
N ICHOLAS S CHOOL OF THE E NVIRONMENT AND E ARTH S CIENCES<br />
Spring 2003<br />
N ON- PROFIT O RG.<br />
U.S. POSTAGE<br />
PAID<br />
D URHAM, N C<br />
P ERMIT #60<br />
N ICHOLAS S CHOOL OF THE E NVIRONMENT AND E ARTH S CIENCES<br />
D UKE U NIVERSITY<br />
B OX 90328 DURHAM, N ORTH C AROLINA 27708