Managing
Editor
Barbra Gonzalez
Editor
Christian Howard
Production
Hunter Augustus
An innovative research tool, designed by UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, division of Applied Marine Physics Assistant Professor, Dr. Claire B. Paris and Senior Research Associate Cedric Guigand is making the task possible on younger larvae as they move with currents. Dubbed the OWNFOR (Orientation With No Frame Of Reference) system, this drifting observational device, right, which resembles a kite, allows researchers to observe marine larvae naturally influenced by factors in the open ocean. The floating chamber is designed to detect and quantify the orientation of larval coral reef fish in the pelagic environment; an often pitch black void with little or no frame of reference to navigate. The OWNFOR system is deployed at sea and drifts while videotaping the movement of a larva placed within a clear, circular arena. It will also be possible to change their immediate environment and manipulate orientation cues, such as acoustic, chemical, or magnetic fields that larvae may use to navigate. This new system will be equipped with an infrared camera that can verify the larvae's orientation at night. Through a research grant from The Hermon Slade Foundation and a fellowship from the Australian Museum, she will be putting her new larval monitoring system to the test in early 2008. Paris and colleagues are interested in gathering data on the successful identification of larval abilities to orientate as they mature. Working at the Lizard Island Research Station, a satellite-facility of the Australian Museum on the Great Barrier Reef, Paris will directly compare her research methods with those of Lizard Island researcher, Dr. J.M. Leis, who published his results diving and following larval fish. Researchers hope that OWNFOR will provide minimal interference in the natural migration of organisms, helping to understanding just what influences these organisms to settle on a final reef home after days or weeks in a relatively featureless open ocean landscape. Paris earned her master's degree in biology and living resources from the Rosenstiel School, and her Ph.D. in coastal oceanography from SUNY Stony Brook's Marine Sciences Research Center. Her current research is also funded by the National Science Foundation's division of Ocean Science (OCE). SOUNDINGS IS FOR...
What
attracted you to working at the Rosenstiel School? Do
you have any hobbies? What
is your favorite food? Name
something that you absolutely could not live without. If
you became a millionaire, what would you do next? If
we spend over 10 hours per day with you, what should we know
about you? AGU HONORS AMY CLEMENTRosenstiel School Associate Professor of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, Dr. Amy Clement, was honored at the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting in San Francisco, CA this past December, alongside two of the author's of the Nobel Peace Prize winning IPCC report. During a black tie gala, the AGU acknowledged Clement's unique approach to climate change theories with one of their most prestigious awards, the 2007 James B. Macelwane Medal, an award reserved for outstanding young scientists in recognition of their significant contributions to geophysical sciences. Providing new insights into how Earth's climate system operates, Clement's research studies what climate changes of the past can teach us about the future. Focusing on the tropical climate, Clement challenged previously held ideas about the driving forces behind climate change. By using computer models, she has shown that changes in El Niño were essential aspects of dramatic changes in the climate that occurred in the past. She has also extended these ideas about the role of the tropics in climate change to include variations that occurred during the 20th century, and possible future changes as well. In January 2007, Clement was also awarded the American Meteorological Society's Meisinger Award in recognition of "research achievement that is, at least in part, meteorological in character and concerns the observation, theory, and modeling of atmospheric motions on all scales. The award is given to young promising atmospheric scientists who have recently shown outstanding ability." Clement has also been recognized by the National Science Foundation with an Early Career award, as a contributor to the IPCC 4th Assessment Report, and has served on several national and international panels. Clement, originally from Huntington, NY, earned her bachelor's degree in physics from Columbia College at Columbia University, and doctoral degree in geological sciences also from Columbia University. Her research in recent years has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation paleoclimate program, NASA, and NOAA.
(L
to R: Dr. Robert Burgman (MPO), Fiona McGinty, Dr. Amy Clement (MPO),
WHITE MARLIN NEITHER THREATENED NOR ENDANGEREDNOAA has just published their determination regarding the status of white marlin as a possible endangered or threatened species, and has resolved that based on the best available scientific and commercial information on the biological status of the species and the threats it is facing, white marlin are neither endangered nor threatened. The decision comes after a decision in 2002 by the NOAA Fisheries Service that determined that an ESA listing for the species was not warranted. Prevailing concerns over the fish population led NOAA to consider white marlin a Species of Concern. Rosenstiel School investigators Drs. Beth Babcock, Bob Cowen and David Die were part of the team of national researchers invited to provide information to the NOAA review team, which aided them in making their determination. NOAA Fisheries Service committed to conducting a new status review for the white marlin after the conclusion of the 2006 ICCAT stock assessment, at which time the white marlin showed a population increase great enough for NOAA to determine that Atlantic white marlin are not in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, nor likely to become so in the foreseeable future. White marlin are billfish of the Family Istiophoridae, which includes striped, blue, and black marlin; several species of spearfish; and sailfish. White marlin inhabit the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. Atlantic white marlin are important apex predators, feeding at the top of the food chain. Recreational fishers seek Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish as highly prized species in the United States, Venezuela, Bahamas, Brazil, and many countries in the Caribbean Sea and west coast of Africa.
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| Ebanks examines sub-lethal sampling of snail hemolymph from Lymnaea. |
In a recent paper in the Journal of Experimental Biology, Ebanks and associate professor of marine biology and fisheries, Dr. Martin Grosell, report how Lymnaea recovered hemolymph after full retraction into its shell. Composed of extra cellular fluid (ECF) and solutes, hemolymph is essential to normal cellular function. After full retraction, a process that not only excretes 40-60% of the snail’s ECF, but also tends to immobilize it for extended periods of time, the snail must reabsorb solutes to its circulatory system from the freshwater environment.
By taking samples of the hemolymph secreted during retraction, Ebanks and Grosell determined the recovery time - the period of time during which the snail is regaining its lost solutes/osmolytes in the extracellular fluid to return to the initial concentrations of the ions or osmolytes before full withdrawal – and characterized the mechanisms involved in recovering sodium ions (Na+); the primary cationic osmolyte in this snail. What they found was that Lymnaea activate a Na+ uptake system increasing uptake rates up to 5-fold and are dependent upon a transport protein that is unique to invertebrates, and allows electrogenic sodium proton exchange for recovery after ECF loss.
Ebanks received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in marine science from Savannah State University in Georgia. Her research is currently funded in part by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Environmental Cooperative Science Center.
Corals are among the most important animals in the sea. Revered for their beauty and crucial role in providing safe areas for the growth of countless organisms, they are also among the most sensitive and threatened of all marine life. Which is why Dr. Andrew Baker, assistant professor of marine biology and fisheries at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science is teaming up with Too Precious to Wear, a program of SeaWeb, working in collaboration with the fashion industry to create a demand for coral conservation.
Launching in New York City on January 23, Too Precious to Wear raises awareness about the threats to global coral species and works to create stronger coral protection policies. The Tiffany & Co. Foundation is the program's founding partner and is joined by actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus and other fashion leaders such as designers Lela Rose of Lela Rose, Sophie Buhai and Lisa Maycock of Vena Cava, cosmetics innovator Sylvia Chantecaille, and metalsmith designer Michael Aram of Michael Aram.
As providers of food, reproduction grounds, and safe havens from predators, corals are vital for a healthy ocean. Reef-forming corals provide habitat for 25 percent of marine fish species, and other corals offer sustenance for marine life in the deepest parts of the sea. But these beautiful creatures are in crisis. Corals are threatened by a number of diverse factors like overfishing, oil and gas exploration, invasive species, pollution and climate change.
Consumer demand has also placed corals at risk. Popular products include coral jewelry, home decor items and live animals used in home aquaria. The precious corals used in jewelry - black, blue and red corals - have suffered greatly from overfishing to meet demand for this fashion item. Corals grow so slowly that it can take decades for them to recover, if at all. At almost 3,000 years old, some individual coral animals are among the oldest living creatures on earth. Some reefs have been forming their hard structures for 40,000 years.
Catches of precious red corals, the most valuable of all coral species, provide a striking example of how demand for a fashion item can decimate a species. Red coral populations have plummeted 89 percent in the past two decades. Conscientious companies such as Tiffany & Co. removed real coral from their product lines over five years ago.
If consumer pressure on these animals is reduced, scientists believe corals will have a better chance at surviving climate change and other threats. Companies currently using real coral should remove it from their product lines and consider coral alternatives. There are many products that celebrate the beauty of the ocean without harming it, including Tiffany & Co.'s sterling silver coral motif jewelry, cultured pearls from the South Pacific, and coral-inspired home décor items from Michael Aram and the Pottery Barn. Many consumers are choosing lifestyles and products that are environmentally friendly, making it fashionable to save our ocean planet. By simply avoiding purchases of red and other corals, consumers and the fashion industry can play an important role in the ocean's recovery.
The results are in and for those of you who missed the Dean's Holiday Party late last year. The 2007 Rosenstiel School Employee of the Year Award winners are:
Adele Tallman, MBF
Mike Rebozo, AMP
Mark Graham, MPO
Robert Jones, MPO
Marva Loi, MAC
The University of Miami and the Rosenstiel School are proud to recognize the following people for their outstanding commitment to the success of our institution. Their longetivty and dedication are an example to us all.
40
Years Harry DeFerrari Christopher Harrison Adele Tallman |
25
Years Hersy Basham Michael Brown |
20
Years Miguel Izaguirre Miguel McKinney Teresita Villamor |
15
Years Alan Buck Annabelle Carney Kimberly Miller Edward Ryan |
10
Years Manuel Collazo Ajoy Kumar Jiangang Luo David Powell |
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Mark Graham and Robert Jones with Otis Brown |
Mike Rebozo and |
The board of directors for the Society of Environmental Journalists recently visited the Rosenstiel campus as part of the University of Miami's bid to host the group's 2011 conference. The conference would bring more than 1,400 reporters from all over the country to UM.
The group's visit began with a tour of main campus and the Knight Center for International Media. The journalists enjoyed a screening of the critically acclaimed documentary, "One Water" at the home of local philanthropist Lacey Hoover. The group also enjoyed a cruise aboard a mega-yacht, which included a handful of Rosenstiel School and Pew Institute researchers, who shared information about their research with the group. After the cruise, guests dined at President Shalala's house with several representatives from campus, as well as Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
The SEJ's board meeting, which wrapped up the group's visit to Miami, was held at RSMAS in the Dean's Conference Room. On the way to the Rosenstiel School the delegation stopped briefly to talk to OHH investigators who were doing field work on Hobie Beach.
Thanks to everyone's hard work and participation, the SEJ board selected the University of Miami as the site of their 2011 meeting. Final negotiations are still pending.

Rosenstiel
scientists share their research with
SEJ members during an informal cruise.
WHAT'S UP DOCK?
We are pleased to inform you that the pier reconstruction
has begun. To keep the pier operational the project will
be done in two phases. During the
first phase the East Side (bridge side) half of the main deck will be cut
and replaced. Once this is completed, the West side of the main pier (bay
side) will be replaced. As part of the first phase a new dock for the Walton
Smith will be constructed adjacent and North of the existing dock. Once
this is completed, the old dock will be removed. Rosenstiel School staff
will relocate the temporary utility services to the ship as necessary and
will coordinate the required temporary supports for the saltwater intakes.
Although the pier will remain open for the ship's activities, we ask that you stay away from the active construction area. This is a hardhat area and safety glasses are required. Please avoid crossing any of the warning tape areas and do not park in the area designated for contractor use. We expect the project to be completed within six months.
The University of Miami NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Florida Department of Health are compiling information for their Beach Environmental Assessment and Characterization Human Exposure Study (B.E.A.C.H.E.S.). They are trying to find out to what extent people are affected by microorganisms found in bodies of water where people regularly swim and play. The purpose of the study is to find out if bathers in marine waters experience any health effects after entering the water. Similar studies have been done in Great Britain, Spain and Hungary.
To be a participant you should be in good health, a resident of Florida, at least 18 years of age, and an individual who enters marine waters for recreational purposes. That means you routinely access beaches in the area for swimming or other water-related activities (not just sunbathing).
You will be asked to complete a consent form, and a baseline health questionnaire over the phone. On one of the beach research days you will be asked to come to Hobie Beach, on Virginia Key, between 8:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. on one of the dates listed below. Participants will be randomly chosen to either: a) enter the water or b) remain on the beach (15 minutes). Individuals selected to enter the water for 15 minutes and will be asked to submerge their entire body three times (including head) and collect a water sample. Researchers will then schedule a time, seven days later, to call and ask a few more questions about how you feel.
There is no cost to be in this study. Individuals can expect to be at the beach for a period of approximately one hour (questionnaires take 10-15 minutes on the phone). We will pay you $75 for any costs you might have from being in our study. If you would like to participate, please call 305-421-4671 or email Jonathan Kish at jkish@rsmas.miami.edu . Please leave a message with your name, phone number with area code, and best times to call you back. Space is limited to 80 people per session.
Study
Days
(others being added throughout the next 4-6 months)
2/16/08
2/23/08
3/08/08
3/29/08
4/12/08
5/10/08
Spring 2008 Course Reserves
Students: Spring course reserve materials are available at the circulation
desk and online. Contact Annie Campbell (5-4060; libcirc@rsmas.miami.edu)
if you have questions.
Faculty: Contact Annie Campbell if you have additional reserve material needs for your courses.
Global Scan in the Library
Can old scientific papers gain mobility and fly? They can when you use
Global Scan in the library. Our photocopy machines enable you to scan
articles and email the resulting PDFs to yourself. The scanning feature is
free of charge (photocopies are 10 cents per page).
Pardon our Dust!
The Library staff is currently shifting the book collection to make room for
growth. We have also consolidated the print journals. Don't
hesitate to ask us for help in finding items.
Upcoming
Watch for announcements later this month for electronic access to the back
runs of your favorite Springer and AGU journals.
A new graduate fellowship in marine conservation has been established in honor of past Rosenstiel School student, Steve Berkeley MS '72, MBF (see remembrance of Steve in September '07 Soundings), to give current graduate students the opportunity for fisheries related research through the American Fisheries Society.
As Berkeley's final wish the fellowship will be administered by the American Fisheries Society via the Marine Fisheries Section. It is open to all graduate students conducting relevant fisheries research, however the project does not have to involve fish. It is a no-strings-attached award of $10,000, and graduate students at any stage of their studies can apply. The deadline for this year's application is March 1, 2008. For more information on The Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship please refer to the link below.
Application for The Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship.(PDF format)
Submitted by: Susan Sogard MS '82, MBF
Joel Cline, MS '03, MPO, recently relocated from Hawaii to Washington, DC where he is now the Program Coordination Officer for the National Weather Service, NOAA. Cline and his wife are also the proud parents of a new little boy.
"The aim of science is
to seek the simplest explanation of complex facts. We are apt
to fall into the error of thinking that the facts are simple
because simplicity is the goal of our quest. The guiding motto
in the life of every natural philosopher should be 'Seek simplicity
and distrust it'."
Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947) English mathematician and philosopher.Concepts
of Nature, p.163.
This issue of Soundings brought to you by..
Managing
Editor
Barbra Gonzalez
Editor
Christian Howard
Production
Hunter Augustus
Ray
Alfonso Laura Bracken Amy Clement Sue C. Ebanks Lisa Fish |
Sarah
Goff-Tlemsani Martin Grosell Jonathan Kish Monica Lara Claire Paris-Limouzy Ted Morton |
Xinrong
Ren Marlen Sotolongo Nancy Voss Karen Wilkening Susan Sogard |

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