• HELP YOURSELF (your company, organization)! -  Publicize your company, agency or organization to the world and at the same time help support FIU. Place a small ad in the next issue of FIU. The fees are small and they go to covering the expenses of putting FIU together. If interested, please contact me at gklund@worldnet.att.net . Thanks, Gyde

MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE -  Alexander Buck points out "In the list of resource inventory and monitoring webpages accessible via your Forest Information Services website you inter alia provide a link to the webpages of the Ministerial Conference on the Protection on Forests in Europe. Unfortunately, the url indicated in the list is incorrect. Therefore I kindly ask you to replace it by the correct address of the MCPFE webpages: http://www.minconf-forests.net." Done - Gyde

FREE IMAGE PROCESSING SOFTWARE - The SILVICS (Satellite Image Land Vegetation Integrated Classification System) software provides state-of-the-art, robust image processing tools for the preprocessing, spatial analysis,  and classification of medium resolution, optical satellite imagery. SILVICS is a FREE Win95/NT software for satellite-based forest mapping. For more information or to download, go to: http://www.egeo.sai.jrc.it/forecast/f_publications.html, then SIVICS. [For some reason I dropped the URL from the posting last week - alert reader Nel Johan picked this up - thanks Nel!]

PROCEEDINGS SOON AVAILABLE - Mark Hansen reports that the proceedings of the conference "Integrated Tools For Natural Resources Inventories In The 21st Century" held in Boise, August, 1998 is currently at the printer and should be available at the end of July.  The 743 page proceedings is being published as a North Central Research Station GTR NC-212 (Mark Hansen & Tom Burk editors) and will be available upon request through our normal publication distribution process this fall and can be obtained by contacting the Forest Products Lab in Madison Wisconsin, USA. Contact: E-mail: jgodfrey/fpl@fs.fed.us, Tel. +1- 608-231-9237. Persons who attended the conference will be mailed a copy as soon as they are available.

NEW PARTHENIUM WEB SITE - Pankaj Oudhia announces the launching of a new web site titled 'International Parthenium Research News Group(IPRNG)' to establish an effective network among the scientists, researchers, students and progressive farmers working on Parthenium management. This is world's first web site on Parthenium management. An obnoxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus ,commonly known as Congress weed, Gajar ghas, White top, Fevefew etc., is one of the ten worst weeds of the world. Parthenium is harmful to human beings, crops and animals. The address of this web site is www.celestine-india.com/pankajoudhia/IPRNG. You are invited to participate actively in this network and encourage other scientists. Also, please give your valuable suggestions about this web site. Contact Pankaj at pankaj.oudhia@usa.net.

• RAPID RURAL APPRAISALS - Shivanand Balram writes, " I am interested in finding out more about the state of use of qualitative research techniques in forestry studies. My specific interest is in the use of rapid rural appraisals, structured questionnaire surveys and the Delphi Technique.  I would greatly appreciate more information from members about their experiences and/or research in this area, any relevant academic contacts, publications, web sites, or resources of a general nature in qualitative  research." Please contact Shivanand at shiv.balram@physics.org
• PLOT DESIGNS - Sam Otukol is looking for leads on sample plot designs for permanent sample plots. In particular, he is looking for plot systems where concentric or nested plots are used to collect tree growth information. If you have any information to share, please contact Sam at Email:  sam.otukol@gems6.gov.bc.ca  Tel: +1-250-387-3592. Fax: +1-250-387-5999.
• LOW FOREST COVER RESEARCH REQUEST - Val Kapos writes,  "If you are doing research of relevance to countries with low forest cover, the next issue of ETFRN News can provide you with an ideal way to disseminate information about your project and its results and to identify others working on common themes.  ETFRN News is the quarterly publication of the European Tropical Forest Research Network (ETFRN), and has a distribution of over 3,600 copies world-wide.  It is also available online at http://www.etfrn.org/etfrn/resource/news.html   I am acting as guest editor for the next issue of the ETFRN News, which will focus on research in countries with low forest cover. I am looking for contributions on ongoing, planned or completed research projects dealing with tropical and subtropical forests in such countries. ETFRN News articles are quick to write (between 200 and 1000 words) and should be easy to read (not too much technical jargon, please). They should present a (project) summary, including objectives or preliminary results, and contain a contact address for readers requiring further information.  Research co-operation requests and announcements of up to 200 words on international meetings, job or funding opportunities will also be considered for publication. These do not necessarily need to deal with the newsletter theme.  Please send your contributions or questions email, (val.kapos@wcmc.org.uk) or to the ETFRN coordination unit (etfrn@iac.agro.nl), or on diskette, by 21June.
• NUMERIC MODELS OF ANNUAL RINGS - Georg Wendland is looking for numerical models of density distribution, also of cell diameters in annual rings, especially of spruce (picea abies). He is very interested in those investigations and needs information for modeling cell tissue with Finite Elements. If you can help, please contact Georg at wendland@mhp.mw.tu-dresden.de.
• SNAKE REPELLENTS/ATTRACTANTS - Pankaj Oudhia writes "Last week I visited the tribal regions of  Chattisgarh (India). The tribals are using many plants to repel the poisonous snakes like Vitex , Leucas, Cocculus etc. They are using many of these plants in cases of snakebite. I have seen a tree which attracts the snakes and it is general belief in the region that snakes came here to commit suicide. Unfortunately I am unable to identify the tree." If there is any information on this aspect or any scientist is working on this aspect, please contact Pankai (pankaj.oudhia@usa.net) for interaction.

• TWO USAID POSITIONS - The U.S. Agency for International Development has announced two new direct hire positions to serve as the Executive  Director and Deputy Executive Director of the new Secretariat to the President's Enterprise for the Americas Board, which oversees the programmatic operations of both the new Tropical Forest Conservation Act and the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative. These positions are high level Civil Service appointments at the GS-15 and  GS-14 level respectively, and are open to all U.S. citizens who wish to  apply.  While these enjoy the responsibilities and benefits of U.S. Civil Service appointments, both are limited to 4 years.  The following links to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will take you to the job descriptions:  http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/IL1831.HTM  and  http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/IL1875.HTM
• GRANT OF THE FOUNDATION FOR EUROPEAN FOREST RESEARCH - The Foundation for European Forest Research will give out a Research Grant of 5,000 EUR for a senior forest researcher for independent research  work (minimum 1 month) at European Forest Institute (EFI) headquarters in Joensuu, Finland. The topic of the research work should fit in EFI priority areas in research: (i) forest ecology  and management (ii) forest products markets and socio-economics (iii)  policy analysis and (iv) forest resources and information. More information  on the research priorities is available at EFI's website at http://www.efi.fi/research. The selection criteria are the applicant's  previous merits in research and the research plan's scientific quality and relevance to EFI's scope and activities. The deadline for the applications is 30 June 2000. Further information can be obtained from http://www.efi.fi/efinews/open_posts/2000/ferf_grant.html or  the EFI Secretariat (efisec@efi.fi).
• PROFESSORSHIP IN FOREST ECONOMICS - Institute of Forest Economics and Forest Management Planning, in the Faculty of Forest, Geo and Hydro Sciences, Dresden University of Technology, Germany. The position will become vacant on 1st October 2000. The duties will entail teaching and research on scientific concepts and practical applications in economy and the organization of forest enterprises and timber industries. Priorities are expected to be oriented towards methods of accounting, management analysis, controlling, investment planning, operations research and marketing as well as the valuation of forests and non wood goods and services. Experience in the application of mathematical tools of forest economics and a sound knowledge of econometrics are required.  The teaching duties include the subject-specific lecturing specified in the Faculty’s Bachelor and Master courses. Lectures need to be presented in the German and English language. Preparedness for interdisciplinary cooperation and establishing of international contacts are expected. Applications with curriculum vitae, presentation of accomplishments including teaching, complete lists of publications and teaching activities as well as attested copies of certificates and documents should be sent before 15th July 2000 to the following address: Dresden University of Technology, Dean of the Faculty of Forest-, Geo- and Hydro-Sciences, Prof. Dr. W. Killisch, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
• YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD - The Foundation for European Forest Research will give the Tim Peck Young Scientist Award to a young scientist who has made, or is making, a significant contribution to research in the field of forestry and forest industries. The criteria and the selection process of the Award are described in http://www.efi.fi/efinews/open_posts/2000/tim_peck_award.html  and its amount is 1,000 EUR.  If you have a suitable candidate for the Tim Peck Award.  Deadline for proposals: 30 June 2000. Further information can be obtained from the EFI Secretariat - efisec@efi.fi.
• SCHOLARSHIP IN FIRE MODELING SOUGHT - Andreia de Souza is a Master in Meteorology. She has worked in United Nations Development Programme in Brazil with "Bushfire Monitoring in the Amazon Region". Now, she is living in Melbourne and she needs a scholarship to develop her proposal ("Mathematics model for Bushfire Prediction") together The University of Melbourne and The Bureau of Meteorology. Australia Government has a Specially Programme for Bushfire Prediction (Project Vesta) but Andreia does not have sponsor for her enrollment and annual fees at The University of Melbourne. She would like to apply to an International Organization or anywhere for to support her scholarship. If you have any information about this, please contact Andreia c/o m.souza@civag.unimelb.edu.au.
• FORESTRY PROGRAM HEAD - The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) delivers information and analysis on global biodiversity issues affecting the quality of life of future generations. Our highly successful Forest Programme provides assessment of the status and trends in forest ecosystems worldwide in support of policy and management, working in collaboration with other international conservation agencies. WCMC has a vacancy for a highly motivated person to lead the further development of this programme. The successful candidate will:  Lead the expansion and  strategic development of the Forest programme; Identify opportunities and turn ideas into winning projects that produce key information on forests and biodiversity to support policy and decision-making on forests worldwide; Develop and manage multidisciplinary projects from concept to completion; Maintain and raise the profile of WCMC’s Forest Programme in the international arena through product generation and promotion, and participation in relevant international meetings; Improve WCMC’s data holdings on the management and use of forest resources for biodiversity conservation and other purposes. You will be an experienced professional with a higher degree or equivalent in natural resources policy or management, forestry, ecology, geography or related field, with a strong interest in conservation issues. You will be confident in interpreting data from varied sources and in collaborating with GIS analysts to deliver map-related products. You will be used to managing projects and have had international experience, preferably in developing countries and with conservation organisations. You will also have good communications skills, fluency in English, and be a flexible team player. Direct experience in the Asia-Pacific region will be an advantage as would experience with vegetation classification and mapping.  Further information may be obtained from http:// www.wcmc.org.uk . Please send your applications by CV and covering letter to Denise Rowllings, Head of Personnel, WCMC, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, fax: 44 1223 277136 or email denise.rowllings@wcmc.org.uk;   to arrive no later than 19th  June 2000.  1st  interviews will be  held during week beginning 10th July 2000.

• Anon. 1996. Proceedings ESA Workshop on Applications of ERS SAR Interferometry 30 September to 2 October 1996 . Remote Sensing Laboratories, University of Zurich, Switzerland. Online at http://www.geo.unizh.ch/rsl/fringe96/
• Bakema, R.J.; Iyango, L. 2000. Engaging local users in the management of wetland resources: The case of the National Wetlands Programme, Uganda. WP No. 3. Contact IUCN at: mail@iucnearo.org.
• Barrow, E., et al.  2000. Summary and key lessons from a comparative review and analysis of community conservation in Eastern Africa. WP No. 2. Contact IUCN at: mail@iucnearo.org.
• Cedfeldt, Paul T., et al. 2000. Using GIS to Identify Functionally Significant Wetlands in the Northeastern United States. Environmental Management 26(1):13-24
• FAO 1999. Global Forest Cover Map. FRA Working Paper. 19. http://www.fao.org/forestry/fo/fra/docs/wp19_eng.pdf
• FAO 2000. Actes de l'Atelier Sous-Regional pour les Pays du Bassin du Congo + Madagascar sur la Collectie et Analyse des Donnees Forestieres - Perspectives pour le Secteur Forestier en Afrique. Lambarene, Gabon. 27 September-1 October 1999. FAO, Rome, Italy. 256 p.
• FAO 2000. Proceedings of Sub-Regional Workshop on Forestry Statistics and Outlook Study for Africa/FOSA ECOWAS Sub-Region. Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire 13-18/12/99. FAO, Rome, Italy. 309 p.
• Fleishman, Erica et al. 2000.  A New Method for Selection of Umbrella Species for Conservation Planning. Ecological Applications 10(2):569–579. Abstract at: http://esa.sdsc.edu/esapubs/Applications_main.htm
• Garratt, Keith et al. 1997.  Maintaining Biodiversity In Pakistan With Rural Community Development - http://www.un.org.pk/pakist~1.htm
• Hawks, Michelle M. et al. 2000. Demonstration of GIS Capabilities for Fisheries Management Decisions: Analysis of Acquisition Potential Within the Meramec River Basin. Environmental Management 26(1): 25-34
• Hinchley, D. et al.  2000. Review of collaborative management arrangements for Mt. Elgon National Park. WP No. 4. Contact IUCN at: mail@iucnearo.org.
• Koutsoyiannis, Demetris. 2000.  Broken line smoothing: a simple method for interpolating and smoothing data series. Environmental Modelling & Software 15(2):139-149
• Lewis, Jack. 2000. The potential for error in sampling. Water Environment Laboratory Solutions 7(2): 10-11. http://www.rsl.psw.fs.fed.us/projects/water/Lewis00.pdf
• Matiru, V., 2000. Forest cover and forest reserves in Kenya: Policy and practice. Contact IUCN at: mail@iucnearo.org.
• Nurse, M.;  Kabamba, J.2000. Defining institutions for collaborative mangrove management: A case study from Tanga, Tanzania. Working Paper No. 1 Contact IUCN at: mail@iucnearo.org.
• Schönenberger, Walter; Frey, Werner. 1999.  Structure of Mountain Forests - Assessment, Impacts, Management, Modelling. Abstracts of papers presented at symposium held 6-10 September 1999 , Davos, Switzerland - http://www.wsl.ch/forest/waldman/mfe/iufro1999-en.ehtml
• Ziemer, Robert R. 1998. Monitoring watersheds and streams. In: Ziemer, Robert R., technical coordinator. Proceedings of the conference on coastal watersheds: the Caspar Creek story, 1998 May 6; Ukiah, California. General Tech. Rep. PSW GTR-168. Albany, California: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 129-134. http://www.psw.fs.fed.us/Tech_Pub/Documents/gtr-168/15ziemer.pdf

14 June 2000. Climate Warming of the 20th Century in the Context of Historical and Geological Records of Past Climate Changes. U.S. Global Change Research Program Seminar 3:30-4:45 PM, Dirksen Senate Office Bldg., Room G-11, Washington, DC Contact:Anthony D. Socci, Ph.D., USGCRP Program Office, 400 Virginia Ave., SW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20024 USA. Tel: +1-202-314-2235; Fax: +1-202-488-8681. E-Mail: TSOCCI@USGCRP.GOV. URL: http://www.usgcrp.gov.

17-18 July 2000. Introduction to GIS. Ruston, Louisiana, USA.  Contact: Marta Braves. Tel: +1-318-257-3714. Email: mgraves@lans.latech.edu.

19 July 2000. Integrating GPS into GIS. Ruston, Louisiana, USA.  Contact: Marta Braves. Tel: +1-318-257-3714. Email: mgraves@lans.latech.edu.

20 July 2000. GIS applications for natural resource managers. Ruston, Louisiana, USA.  Contact: Marta Braves. Tel: +1-318-257-3714. Email: mgraves@lans.latech.edu.

5-8 October 2000. Unicum Cup 2000 - International Forestry Students' Competition. Sopron, Hungary.  The biggest meeting and competition of forestry (and related sciences) students will be held in Sopron, Hungary. The event is organised by the local group of IFSA (International Forestry Students' Association). They invite a team of four students from every university, provided they bring at least one female member. The aim of the Competition is making friendships, maintaining international contacts and discussing international issues concerning forestry and higher education.. The secondary goal is having some fun in comparing our knowledge in forestry related sciences. Your stay in Hungary is free of charge, you only have take care of travelling. The official language will be English, but there will be translations available from several languages. The organizers kindly ask you to inform them about your application as soon as possible, so they can send you a detailed description of the competition. Workshop applications should be submitted before September 20, 2000. Please inform the students from your University, and send this information to everyone who might be interested. The web page of the competition is not yet finished, but check it for new updates regularly: http://w3.swi.hu/unicum99/. For more information contact Aron Haulik at Unicum Cup 2000, 9401 Sopron, P.O.Box: 342, HUNGARY. Tel.: + 36 309 088 491. Fax.: + 36 60 314 974. Email: vd@efe.hu

IUFRO Task Force on Global Forest Information Service - http://iufro.boku.ac.at/iufro/taskforce/hptfgfis.htm

Bibliography of peer-reviewed and gray literature on the impacts of climate change on flora and fauna species and supporting ecosystems -  http://www.pacinst.org/wildlife.html

Coordinating Traditional Values, Scientific Research and Practical Management to Enhance Conservation and Development Objectives in the Andringitra Mountains, Madagascar; Lessons Learned! - http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/v3/v3i2a16.htm

Precious Earth - From Soil and Water Conservation to Sustainable Land Management - http://www.giub.unibe.ch/cde/auxil/isco/earth.htm

Dendrochronology links - http://www.valdosta.edu/~grissino/ and http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/