EcoFocus

Quinn Emmerling

A more elaborate form
of behavior-modulating
eavesdropping is taking
place on the grounds
of the Institute of
Ecosystem Studies.
Beneath a forest
canopy of oaks and
sugar maples, IES
scientists have revealed
that small mammals
shift their day-to-day
activities based on the
vocalizations of their
avian neighbors.

Led by Dr. Kenneth
Schmidt, an avian
ecologist and IES visiting
scientist, two different
studies captured this
phenomenon. One
looked at grey squirrels
and blue jays, the other
at chipmunks and
eastern tufted titmice.
Both shed light on how
mammals eavesdrop
on birds to gain insight
about environmental
conditions.

EAVESDROPPING ON
YOUR NEIGHBORS

When making decisions about how to
navigate the world, many of us take cues
from the people sharing our environment.
If your neighbor departs on his morning
commute carrying an umbrella, you
might reconsider your choice of footwear.
Similarly, overhearing your neighbor in a
heated argument would probably thwart
you from asking to borrow a cup of sugar
or some pruning shears.

The act of eavesdropping and responding
to the cues set out by neighbors is not
unique to humans, nor is it species
specific. Many of us have engaged in
cross-species eavesdropping when we
hear a barking dog and wonder what
is eliciting such a reaction — a human
intruder, a stray cat, or a garbage-
plundering bear?

In preparation for
winter, grey squirrels
collect and store food.
Blue jays are known to
pilfer squirrel pantries,
consuming their hard-
earned caches. This
phenomenon is called kleptoparasitism.
Through a series of audio playback
experiments, Schmidt and IES animal
ecologist Dr. Richard Ostfeld found that
squirrels equate blue jay vocalizations
with the loss of stored food.

When subjected to a range of bird calls,
squirrels spent considerably less time
storing nuts when blue jays were heard
near their foraging site. Instead, they
focused their efforts on eating food.
Conversely, when calls from cardinals
and goldfinches were broadcast, or when
blue jay calls were perceived to be far
away, squirrels allocated more time to
burying nuts for future consumption.

Chipmunks also alter their feeding
behavior based on bird calls. In this case,

the birds in question are announcing the
presence of a shared predator. Titmice are
small grey songbirds that are vigilant and
vociferous. When they identify a threat,
they engage in high-pitched alarm calls.

When Schmidt and colleagues exposed
foraging chipmunks to several titmouse
vocalizations, they were able to discern
day-to-day banter from alarm calls. When a
mobbing call communicating a low flying
hawk was heard, chipmunks abandoned
foraging sooner than during non-alarm calls.

Mammals eavesdrop on
birds to gain insight into
environmental conditions.

Remarkably, the titmouse mobbing call
conveyed more risk to chipmunks than
an actual hawk call. This may be because
the titmouse call signals that hawks are
both present and on the prowl. This study
was one of the first to document how
avian alarm calls regulate the behavior of a
mammalian eavesdropper.

Results of the squirrel study will be
published in American Naturalist; the
chipmunk research has been submitted to
Behavioral Ecology. Schmidt and his team
will continue investigating information
transfer between mammals and birds; this
interface has the potential to reveal the
evolution of communication systems.

HIGHLIGHTS

2 :

3:

4:

5 :

6 :

7:

From the President's Desk

Lessons from the River:

The Changing Hudson Project

IES Spotlights

Where We Work
A Small Lawn is a Good Lawn

Development Happenings
Aldo Leopold Corner

Event Calendar

INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES

2 f

ECO/OCUS

Ecofocus is published by the Institute of
Ecosystem Studies, a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to understanding the natural world.
Our community of more than 1 20 scientists, edu-
cators, and support staff is investigating the ways
that air, water, soil, plants, and animals interact.
From predicting how global change will influ-
ence forests to assessing air quality, IES research
is critical to environmental management.

PRESIDENT:

Dr. William H. Schlesinger

WRITER & EDITOR:

Ms. Lori M. Quillen

Address newsletter correspondence to:
Communications Office
Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Box AB

Millbrook, NY 1 2545
E-mail: QuillenL@ecostudies.org

IES BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dr. Paul G. Risser, Chair
Dr. Rodolfo Dirzo, Vice Chair
Dr. Carolyn O. Mattoon, Vice Chair
Dr. William H. Schlesinger, President
Mr. Edward A. Ames, Secretary
Mr. Charles H. Collins, Treasurer
Ms. Holly A. Talbot, Assistant Treasurer &
Assistant Secretary

Mr. Steven M. Benardete
Dr. Stephen R. Carpenter
Dr. Sallie W. Chisholm
Mr. Geoffrey W. Dann
Mr. Bradford S. Gentry
Mr. Lionel Goldfrank III
Mrs. Anne A. Hubbard
Mrs. Edith W. Kean
Dr. Patricia A. Loew
Ms. Gretchen Long,

Past Chairman & Honorary Trustee
Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy
Mr. Robert Quinlan
Mr. John E. Rorer
Mrs. Elizabeth Farran Tozer
Mrs. Julia Harte Widdowson

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

"There has never been
a greater need for
unbiased ecological
science. It is at the
heart of effective
environmental policy."

Four months ago, I left my position
as Dean of Duke University's Nicholas
School of the Environment and Earth
Sciences to become the President of the
Institute of Ecosystem Studies (IES). In my
short tenure at IES, I have been impressed
by both the strength of the research
program and the welcoming nature of the
community.

In today's changing world, society is
being confronted with a range of seri-
ous environmental problems. Open any
newspaper, and you will see stories about
global change, polluted waters, forest
diseases, and degraded air quality. At
the end of the day, many environmental
issues are also issues of human health and
economics.

The research being conducted by IES
can make a difference in the world. Our
staff of highly regarded scientists has
expertise in air, land, water, and disease
ecology, with a special emphasis on how
human actions are causing environmental
change. This unbiased science has the
power to inform effective management
strategies.

In the coming years, I look forward to
connecting IES expertise with decision
makers, educators, media, and the public.

By taking on this role, IES research will
help shape the world we leave for the
future.

An'elevated communications platform
will necessitate shifting organizational
priorities, most notably at our public
interface. While our campus resides on
an arboretum, the future of IES is in its
scientific output. As such, we will begin
de-emphasizing horticultural functions
and strengthening programs that foster
science outreach.

History has shown us that people value
things more when they understand them.
The Changing Hudson Project, detailed on
the following page, is just one example of
how IES science can help inform the next
generation of environmental stewards. The
biodiesel conference described on page 4
and the Where We Work column on page
5 illustrate how IES can help educate policy
makers about environmental issues.

Stay tuned as we continue to use our
scientific expertise to address environ-
mental issues of local, regional, and
national importance.

Dr. William H. Schlesinger, President

FALL 2007

LESSONS FROM THE RIVER

THE CHANGING HUDSON
PROJECT

BRINGING ECOLOGY INTO THE CLASSROOM

For over two decades, IES scientists
have been paying close attention to
conditions in the Hudson River. Through
collaboration and perseverance, they have
amassed world-class datasets on invasive
species, aquatic food webs, and nutrient
pollution. While this information is
essential to effective management of the
river, it is also a rich resource for educators
who want to bring real ecology into the
classroom.

Learning is enhanced when students can
apply lessons to the world that they live
in. The Changing Hudson Project seeks to
engage students in ecology by connecting
them with current research about the
Hudson River. By using an important local
resource, and drawing on the expertise of
practicing scientists, lessons come to life.

Initiated in the fall of 2006, the Changing
Hudson Project is a collaboration among
IES scientists, IES educators, and classroom
teachers. Directed by Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz,
Head of the IES Education Program, the
target audience is students from 9 th grade to
community college. What began as a pilot
project has expanded to include fourteen
teachers throughout the region.

Ms. Janine Guadagno, a biology teacher at
Christian Tabernacle Academy, comments,
"The Changing Hudson Project allows
students to engage in inquiry-based
learning. Instead of being led by textbook
examples, they are coming up with their
own conclusions by manipulating actual
measurements. They are closer to doing
real science because they are using real
data."

This fall, under the guidance of Project
Coordinator Ms. Cornelia Tutschka,
participating teachers will be fine-tuning
curriculum materials and improving
methods of working with IES data in the
classroom. Ensuring that teachers are
comfortable navigating the large data is
essential to effective instruction.

"Students are closer
to doing real science
because they are
using real data."

from the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation, the
Hudson River Estuary Grants Program,
and the Berkshire Taconic Community
Foundation. Educators can access lesson
plans and background readings by visiting
the Changing Hudson Project website at
www.ecostudies.org/chp.html.

A Call for Science Teachers!

Educators who are interested in participating in the Changing Hudson
Project are encouraged to attend introductory evening workshops. To
learn more, please contact Cornelia Tutschka at (845) 677-7600
x233 or e-mail tutschkac@ecostudies.org.

Several times a year,
workshops are held to
train teachers in data
manipluation tools
such as Excel.

By sharing materials
on the web, the project
strives to reach out to
a broader audience of
educators. Modules
have been developed
about invasive species,
land use, pollution,
extreme weather, and
the Hudson River
ecosystem. Created by
educators and reviewed
by IES scientists, these
materials draw on
current research to
stimulate inquiry and
understanding.

Lessons are tailored to
support New York State
learning standards,
making them easy to integrate into
existing curriculum frameworks.

Funding realities mean that many
students are unable to do hands-on
research in the river, but the streams and
creeks that form the river's watershed
make perfect outdoor laboratories. These
small-scale systems, such as Wappinger
Creek (as seen above), can illuminate
processes that are taking place in the
river ecosystem. A number of lessons
can also be performed using schoolyard
study ponds and indoor tanks.

The Changing Hudson Project is made
possible through grant support

Cornelia Tufschka

INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES

4 ,

SPOTLIGHTS

WEATHERS AWARDED
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
FELLOWSHIP

b

IES Senior Scientist Dr. Kathleen Weathers
was recently selected as a Marie Tharp
Fellow by the Earth Institute at Columbia
University. The distinction recognizes her
contributions to the study of the natural world.
For more than two decades, Weathers has
been investigating how fog — a source of
water, nutrients, and pollutants — influences
ecosystem function.

Weathers is one of four fellows selected
for the 2007-2008 term. During her
fellowship, she will be collaborating with
faculty in Columbia's Department of Ecology,
Evolution and Environmental Biology and
with researchers at the Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory. The opportunity will enrich both
her research program and her professional
commitment to the creation and maintenance
of a diverse ecological profession.

"Opportunities to collaborate are essential to
advancing science," Weathers commented. "I
look forward to sharing ideas with colleagues
at the Earth Institute. Given the breadth of
expertise the organization encompasses, I
am sure it will be an intellectually rewarding
experience."

Named in honor of Marie Tharp, a co-
creator of the first map of the ocean floor,
the National Science Foundation-funded
fellowship was created to acknowledge and
advance outstanding female scientists.

CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON BIOFUELS

Based on renewable resources such as corn, biofuels have been touted as an alternative
to non-renewable fossil fuels. But is a landscape awash in a monoculture of genetically
modified crops really a boon for the future? What will the lack of diversity and increase
in agrochemicals mean for the health of the natural environment? And how will it im-
pact food systems? It is estimated that the grain needed to fill a standard SUV tank with
ethanol could feed a person for an entire year. Will biofuels ever be sustainable?

This November, the Institute of Ecosystem Studies will host an invitation-only confer-
ence exploring the sustainability of biofuel production. Attention will be given to bio-
fuels created using both agricultural crops and managed natural ecosystems. Biofuels
based on native plant material offer an attractive alternative to corn-based ethanol.
Instead of planting a sea of corn, this technique relies on the harvest of managed
existing ecosystems. During their growing period, the plants in these systems provide
valuable ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and water purification.

Conference proceedings will be used to provide recommendations to the National
Science Foundation on methods of fostering sustainable biofuels. They will also be
communicated to decision makers and public audiences that need to understand both
the promise and the limitations of current biofuel models.

ECOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING
SECOND EDITION RELEASED

When discussing the philosophy of science as it relates
to ecology, few books step outside of the realm of Karl
Popper and Thomas Kuhn. Originally released in 1994,
Ecological Understanding was the first book to integrate
ecology within the context of contemporary philoso-
phy of science.

A number of unique lessons can be gleaned from
modern philosophy of science. Unlike older models,
which focus on logic and individual truth as pathways
to objectivity, modern philosophy acknowledges that
social issues color perception. In this view, true objectiv-
ity arises from a diverse community that functions in
an open way.

Written for ecologists by ecologists, the book is useful
to researchers who are grappling with interdisciplinary
problems that require integration and synthesis. While
the classic examples from the first edition are retained,
the second edition contains illustrative diagrams,
additional examples, and an accessible writing style.

"This book is a fresh breeze
that is destined to help move
philosophy of ecology out of
the doldrums of neglect and
reliance on outdated philo-
sophical ideas."

Gregory Cooper,
Ecology

Ecological Understanding: The Nature of Theory and the Theory of Nature

Second Edition, Elsevier

by Steward Pickett, Jurek Kolasa, and Clive Jones

The Nature ol Theory and the Theory el Nature

FALL 2007

5

'I

I

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Dr. Gary Lovett, IES Ecosystem Ecologist
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING: WHO NEEDS IT?

I have spent many years unraveling how
invasive species and air pollution influence
forest ecosystems. This research has taken me
deep within New York's Catskill Forest and
New Hampshire's White Mountains — places
of amazing natural beauty. Lately, however,
I've found myself pounding the pavement in
Washington, D.C.

Long-term monitoring data are essential
to understanding our forests. Without this
information, we are unable to assess how
changes in things like air quality impact
forest growth or adjacent streams and lakes.
Unfortunately, our nation's long-term
monitoring programs are under the constant
threat of losing their funding.

Monitoring programs are quiet efforts in good
science. Their low profile makes them easy
targets for bureaucrats struggling to cope with
reduced budgets, or for politicians who may

not want to know the answers that these data
provide.

In addition to air and water quality, there are
programs that track trends in climate, forest
productivity, atmospheric carbon dioxide,
and many other variables. This information
provides a foundation for creating sound
resource-management policies.

Working with colleagues at the Northeastern
Ecosystem Research Cooperative and the
Ecological Society of America, I have made it
a priority to educate decision makers about
the importance of sustained investment in
long-term monitoring programs. Because
ecosystems change slowly, long-term data are
needed to observe trends, identify problems,
and assess policies. The resources that we
depend on, and often take for granted, are
at stake.

IES Ecologist Dr. Gary Lovett (right) and
Dr. Charlie Driscoll of Syracuse
University (left) working to educate
policy makers on Capitol Hill.

A GOOD LAWN IS A
SMALL LAWN

Brad Roeller

IES Grounds Manager

The great American lawn is about as far
from a natural ecosystem as one can
get. These artificial landscapes require
an inordinate amount of resources to
keep them in the green and manicured
condition Americans have come to expect.

j

Eighty percent of U.S. households have
lawns that average about 1/5 of an acre in
size. More than $10.4 billion is spent an-
nually on lawn products; billions more are
paid to commercial lawn care businesses.
The petrochemical industry produces tons
of pesticides to maintain lawns free of pests,
diseases, and weeds.

All of the 32 popular lawn pesticides
pose risks to our water supplies, aquatic
organisms, and nontarget insects. According

to the Environmental Protection Agency,
over half are listed as carcinogens and
one in five is a reproductive toxin.
Almost half of the lawn pesticides
sold in the U.S. have been banned or
restricted by European countries.

Making a conscientious effort to
minimize the amount of lawn in one's
landscape is a wise decision. If you
reduce the size of your lawn, you can
trade in your noisy, carbon-emitting
gas mower for a human-powered push
mower. It's a win-win situation: doing
something for the environment and
getting some exercise at the same time.

Choosing a lower-maintenance grass
seed can also make your lawn a little
easier on the environment. While
Grade-A Kentucky bluegrass produces a
thick weed-free carpet, to remain lush it
requires fertilizer, lime, pesticides, and a
copious amount of water. 1 learned this
lesson the hard way by running the

Gifford House well dry irrigating this
water-hungry turf.

With water restrictions becoming more
and more frequent, tall turf-type fescues
are a much better choice. Not only does
this type of turf have significantly lower
water and fertility needs compared to
Kentucky bluegrass, it also stands up
extremely well to foot traffic.

When shopping for grass seed, it is easy
to get confused by the plethora of brands
and mixes stocked on the shelves. See
what your local stores carry, but before
making a purchase visit the National
Turfgrass Evaluation Program website
(www.ntep.org) to see how your selection
scored in rigorous regional tests.

Remember, the best lawn is a small lawn!
For more information on green lawn
care, visit: www.ecostudies.org/gardens_
&_grounds.html and look under
"Successful Lawn Care."

INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES

6 1

DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE CORNER

Dear Friends,

In five short months, the Institute's new
president, Dr. William H. Schlesinger, is
beginning to leave his mark. An expert
in climate change, Dr. Schlesinger
comes to IES after serving as the Dean
of Duke University's Nicholas School of
the Environment and Earth Sciences. He
is deeply committed to strengthening
our ties with policy makers and resource
managers.

Many Aldo Leopold Society members
have had the opportunity to welcome
Dr. Schlesinger at receptions hosted this
summer. His experience and enthusiasm
will help lead IES into the future.

At the top of Dr. Schlesinger's agenda
is ensuring that the Institute is fiscally
sound. While we are rich in intellectual
capital, monetary resources are crucial
to maintaining our world-class programs
and increasing our outreach capacity.
Now, more than ever, we need to be
sure that decision makers are equipped
with unbiased information about the
ecosystems that support life.

Help us shape the environment that is
left for the next generation; consider
joining the Aldo Leopold Society. Already
a member? Give the gift of member-
ship to a friend or loved one. I can be
reached at (845) 677-7600 xl20 or
salsbergd@ecostudies.org.

All the best,

Diana Salsberg
IES Development
Officer

AN ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER: THE GALAPAGOS

In May 2007, IES sponsored a trip to the
Galapagos Islands to honor the founding
President and Director Dr. Gene E. Likens
for twenty-four years at the helm. Hosted by
Lindblad Expeditions and held aboard the
Islander , the trip was a fascinating journey
for forty participating guests. Each day pas-
sengers explored one of the islands (eight
in all) with an experienced staff of natural-
ists, enhanced by the expertise of the IES
scientists in attendance. The islands that
inspired Charles Darwin's groundbreaking

theory of evolution provided a truly unique
adventure of a lifetime. Buoyed by the
success of this inaugural trip, which was a
collaborative fund-raising effort, the Institute
is organizing another expedition for the fall
of 2008. Those interested in a memorable
adventure to the Panama Canal and Costa
Rica should contact Claudia Rosen to be
added to the event distribution list. She can
be reached at (845) 677-7600 xl71 or by
e-mailing rosenc@ecostudies.org.

Thanks to IES Trustee and ALS Member Zibby Tozer for hosting Cocktails in the Conservatory. The well-
attended event helped welcome IES' new President, Dr. William H. Schlesinger, into the community.

FALL 2007

I '

CALENDAR

Public Education Programs

Our family-friendly public education
programs immerse participants in
ecological exploration. The full winter
schedule will be available on-line shortly.
For additional information, visit www.
ecostudies.org/public.html.

Life in the Fall: An Interpretive Hike
November 11,1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join IES educators for a
hike investigating the
ecological changes that
take place during the fall
in forests and streams on
the IES campus. This leisurely hike will
begin at the Carriage House, located at
181 Sharon Turnpike in Millbrook, NY.
Interested in learning more? Contact
Kim Notin at (845) 677-7600 ext. 303
or notink@ecostudies.org.

Free Friday Scientific Seminars

Seminars are held at 1 1 a.m. in the IES
auditorium from September until early May.
For more information, including directions,
visit www.ecostudies.org/friday.html

October 19: Inducible defenses provided
by fungal endophytes: ecological and
molecular approaches, Dr. T.J. Sullivan,
Hope College

October 26: Linking landscape charac-
teristics, stream flow, and the dynamics of
dissolved organic matter in forested streams,
Dr. Paul Frost, Trent University

November 2: The interface between ecology
and economics: A review of the literature,

Dr. Ann Davis, Marist College

November 9: Moving students to the inner
circle: Authentic settings for learning science,
Dr. Barbara Crawford, Cornell University

November 16: The reorganization of
carbon cycling and trophic dynamics in
ecosystems exposed to elevated C0 2 , Dr.
Evan DeLucia, University of Illinois

November 30: Biodiversity loss and the
rise of pathogenic microbes, Dr. Richard
Ostfeld, Institute of Ecosystem Studies

December 7: Beneath two miles of
Antarctic ice: Are subglacial lakes museums
or ecosystems?, Dr. Robin Bell, Lamont-
Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia
University

HIRf!!

EcoFocus Online

Mf" t/ w d

IES scientists write a bi-weekly

column in the Poughkeepsie

Journal called Ecofocus. Past

articles are available at:

www.ecostudies.org/

ecofocus.html

Don't miss out on an ecological adventure!

Join the IES event e-mail distribution list to stay informed about our latest
offerings. Send your e-mail address to freemanp@ecostudies.org

Ways to Support the Institute

The Institute offers two membership levels. General members receive an Ecofocus
subscription, notification when IES holds open lectures and events, and enrollment
in a reciprocal admission program. Aldo Leopold Society Members are a special
part of the IES family. Exclusive Aldo privileges include access to invitation-only
lectures, galas, science updates, and dinner parties.

General Membership

Aldo Leopold Society Membership

□ $50 Individual

For those who want to invest in
understanding the natural world.

□ $60 Family

□ $250 Member □ $5,000 Leader

□ $100 Sponsor

□ $ 1 ,000 Patron □$ 1 0,000 Director

□ $250 Club/School

□ $2,500 Benefactor □ $25,000 Founder's Circle

Name:

E-mail:

Address:

Phone:

Payment Type: □ Check □ VISA □ Mastercard Credit Card #

Exp:

Bw?

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM
STUDIES

OUR RETURN ADDRESS:

IES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
BOXAB

MILLBROOK, NY 12545

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
PLEASE CALL
(845)677-7600 X203

For research, graduate opportunities,
administration, library, volunteer
opportunities, and general information:

IES Plant Science Building/IES Auditorium
Box AB (65 Sharon Turnpike)

Millbrook, NY 12545

Tel: (845) 677-5343 • Fax: (845) 677-5976

For school programs, ecology day
camp, REU/RET inquiries, and the
Gifford Garden:

IES Education Office/Gifford Garden
Box R (181 Sharon Turnpike)

Millbrook, NY 12545

Tel: (845) 677-5359 • Fax: (845) 677-6455

For those interested in visiting our
tropical greenhouse:

IES Greenhouse
4799 Route 82
Salt Point, NY 12578
Tel: (845) 677-5354

THE FERN GLEN
IN THE FALL

The Institute of Ecosystem Studies' Fern Glen
is open to the public. Situated on the banks
of Wappinger Creek, near a picturesque
stone bridge, the Fern Glen is home to an
array of native plants. While many people
might associate a Fern Glen with the spring,
the site is still vibrant in the fall. Sharp-
lobed hepatica and jack-in-the-pulpit seeds
color the landscape, and avian life bustles.
Meander awhile and you are sure to spot
white-throated sparrows, kinglets, and
red-breasted nuthatches. The IES grounds
are open to the public through October 31
(Mon-Sat, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun, 1 1 a.m.
to 6 p.m.). Be sure to plan a visit before
we close for the winter season. For more
information, visit www.ecostudies.org.

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