• ELECTRONIC DATA SOLUTIONS AND TAYLOR CONSULTING - They are proud to bring you http://www.geoposition.com, an on-line mall of geospatial products and resources. You will find pricing and information for Trimble GPS for mapping, ESRI ArcView and ArcPad products, All Topo Maps by iGage, Laser Tech. rangefinders, Juniper Systems Field Computers, DataPlus software, Hydrolab water quality instrumentation, and Calitech water quality calibration solutions.

• HANDHELD SYSTEMS, INC. - providing rugged handheld computers and data collection software to the forest products industry. Many field crews currently use our products to electronically record tree inventory, cruising, log scale, and wildlife data. To find out more about our products and services, visit our web site at www.handheldsystems.com , or email us at sales@handheldsystems.com

• David Boshier - Senior Research Associate, Oxford Forestry Institute. www.plants.ox.ac.uk/boshier.html
• John Palmer - Manager of DFID's centrally-funded Forestry Research Programme (FRP), Natural Resources International Limited. http://www.nrinternational.co.uk
• Karsten Uhd Plauborg - Research assistant at the Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute in the field of forest growth modeling. KPL@FSL.DK
• Mairtin Siurtain - mairtin.macsiurtain@ucd.ie.

NATIONAL FOREST INVENTORY FOR IRELAND AND NEW PUBLICATIONS - The National Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD) and the Irish Forest Service are planning to start a national forest inventory of Ireland this year. While there has been an inventory of private lands in 1973 and state lands in 1996, an inventory of all forest lands in the Republic has not been carried out in recent years. I had the honor of attending the first stakeholders meeting last week - and presented a list of suggested questions that one should consider answering before designing a national inventory. For those that are interested in my paper, please send me an email and ask for "Irish Quiz." Following the stakeholders meeting, Minister Hugh Byrne (Minister of Marine and Natural Resources) launched two new COFORD publications: (1) Forecast of Roundwood Production from the Forests of Ireland - compiled by Gerhardt Gallagher and Joe O’ Carroll. This presents a roundwood production forecast for the island of Ireland for the period 2001-2015. It is the first time that a production forecast has been produced that includes the private sector. It is a timely report given the current activity of the Timber Industry Development Group in developing a national strategy for the processing sector. (2) COFORD Connects - This publication should by a priority purchase for all forest and nursery owners and managers. It consists of a purpose made binder that will hold practice and information notes relating to COFORD funded projects and activities. These, and other COFORD publications, are available from the COFORD office, and are also downloadable from http://www.coford.ie.

My wife and I were able to do some touring in Ireland afterwards. (Now you know why this issue of FIU) is a day late. Even though Ireland is taking preventative measures against Foot and Mouth Disease, we were able to see quite a bit of the country. This is a good time to tour this beautiful country.

A small consultancy, an opportunity to visit a wonderful country, the companionship of my lovely wife, warm friendly people, a pint of Guinness, Shepard's pie and Irish coffee - - Ah - life could not be sweeter. To all my friends in Ireland - Go raibh maith agat! - Thanks, Gyde

THE SCIENTIST - The Scientist - an electronic magazine, is now available online. If you want to be added to the list, please register at THE SCIENTIST Web site at: http://www.the-scientist.com/memberlogin.htm Go to Web Registration, and check the option to join THE SCIENTIST List server. If you have any comments on The Scientist list server, please send an e-mail to mailinglist@the-scientist.com

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - Note: If you can help with any of the requests below, please take the time to do so. Do not assume others will respond - they are assuming the same. Your kind assistance will be appreciated and rewarded. Thanks, Gyde

• LINKING INVENTORY DATA - From the GAOF list - Ronald Cordero writes, "I just want to put a question regarding growth modelling, and I really hope to get some answers from some of you. Is it actually suitable to join data from Permanent Plots and data from other kind of Inventory, I mean just the average value for the stands (i.e. BA) with two or more measurement in time for fitting projection growth models (using increments) are they incompatible?" You may contact Ronald at ronald.cordero@fmontea.cl

• AERIAL PHOTO QUESTIONS - Gregg Stallings writes " I have a few questions about aerial photography for forestry work please. What is the largest scale possible and still maintain accuracy for acreage calculations with a computer program such as AutoCAD, IntelliCAD or even with a planimeter ? Ideally, I could get large scale photos that would enable me to see the SMZ's very clearly and the thickly planted areas where there is good survival. The pines were planted in 6 x 10 rows and in some areas they are very thick and are about 8 or 10 feet high. The planting was done in January of 1997. Approximately 60 to 80 acres that was clearcut were not planted right next to the good survival and I was thinking it should show up like night and day with the right photo. The size of the land is about 400 acres and it is roughly in the shape of a square. I have some old 1"= 400' pictures before the area was planted but I need some now at that scale or even smaller such as 1"=330' or smaller. Do you know someone with a helicopter or plane that could take some still or and video camera shots and coordinate them with a GPS ? No site prep was done (regrettably) and in some places it is a jungle. It is too thick to walk though and if you hack through it, it is impossible to get an idea of the size and location of the areas that need a release spray and the areas that need a site prep spray, a fire lane and prescribed burning in order to start over. There are some patches of yupon and privet bushes. I need to contact someone to take some large scale clear color pictures of a 5 year old (planted Feb 97) hand planted cut over pine plantation as soon as possible. I was up in the woods yesterday and remarkably hardly any leaves are out yet and I think an aerial photo would still help me. The location is lower Crenshaw county in Alabama. Please provide the names, phone numbers and email addresses of someone that possibly take such pictures for me if you can. " You may contact Gregg at gstallings@zebra.net.

• INVENTORY FORESTRY CREWS - Announcement Number: EAZ-084-D-200. 1GS-0460-05; $23,633 per year, $11.32 per hour. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis, Knoxville, Tennessee. These positions involve FULL-TIME Continuous Travel Status AWAY FROM YOUR OFFICIAL DUTY STATION, (with no required weekend return to Duty Station), with work assignments through-out 13 Southern states and Puerto Rico; moving from town to town as the work dictates, conducting a continuous forest inventory. TOUR OF DUTY: Up to Twelve (12 MAXIMUM) Permanent, full-time, 40 hours per week position. ROMOTION POTENTIAL: GS-09. If position is filled below the highest level indicated above, then selected applicant may be non-competitively promoted after one year with satisfactory performance. Applicants MUST BE Citizens of, or owe permanent allegiance to, the United States. Major Duties: As a trainee Forester GS-5, performs duties which are designed to provide experience and training in the application of basic scientific forestry principles and theories to a variety of well defined forestry work situations, and to provide orientation in agency policies and procedures. Some assignments may be similar to those assigned to non-professional employees, but they are performed primarily for training purposes. Receives on-the-job training in all aspects of forestry, as needed to supplement formal education to perform the duties of this position. Makes surveys to collect various types of forest and non-timber resource information requiring the application of judgment. Locates designated sample plots by interpreting maps and aerial photographs; running compass lines; and, chaining distances. Conducts timber survey to locate and estimate the quantity of timber on a given area, according to species, size, quality, cull, and other characteristics of sample trees; classifies ownership, forest type, stand size, stocking, condition, and other items. For more information contact: rquick@fs.fed.us. Subject: EAZ-084-D-2001

• INVENTORY PROGRAM MANAGER - USDA Forest Service, Ogden, Utah. ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: RM-D046-01. GS 14/15 position, open both internally as well as externally U.S. Citizens. The incumbent serves as program manager of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Research Work Unit, in Ogden Utah. Provides leadership to a staff of staff of approximately 70 employees, which include foresters, ecologists, computer specialist, statistician, forestry technicians, biological technicians and business management support. This particular unit has requested an additional 70 + positions, which are currently being advertised. Advises on formulating, establishing and executing resource inventory, monitoring and evaluation policies and programs for the Interior West and the nation as a whole. Serves as a consultant and Authoritative expert on complex resource analysis problems. Serves as the recognized authority in the field on resource inventory, monitoring, and evaluation and provides expert advise and assistance to the Chief's Office. Serves as Forest Service spokesperson on FIA issues and is the primary contact with cooperators. Responsible for maintaining regular close contacts with State Foresters, high level industry officials, heads of other Federal agencies and heads of agencies from other countries to develop, recommend, and defend long ranges goals, policies, and guidelines. Negotiates formal agreements and ensures the needs of cooperators are included in ongoing program activities. The vacancy announcement closes on April 12. For more details, please visit the USA Jobs web site at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/IS7324.HTM. CONTACT: Heather Nichols - Tel: +1-970-498-1344. Email: heathernichols@fs.fed.us

• Berry, Joseph K. 2001. Integrate travel time into Mapping Packages. GEOWorld 14(3):24-25. http://www.geoplace.com.
• Blinn, Charles R.; Burk, Thomas E. 1999. Sampling and Measuring Timber in the Private Woodland. FO-3025-GO. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD3025.html#toc
• Bratkovich, Stephen M.; Heiligmann, Randall B. n.d. Measuring Standing Trees Determining Diameter, Merchantable Height, and Volume. Ohio State Univ. Fact Sheet F-35. http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/for-fact/0035.html
• Groombridge, B.; Jenkins, M. eds. 2000. Global biodiversity: Earth's living resources in the 21st Century. SMI Ltd., PO. Box 119, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 4TP, UK. Fax: +44-1438-748-844. URL: www.earthprint.com.
• Harrington, Andrew. 2001. Consider GPS Position Yield and Accuracy Requirements. GEOWorld 14(3):28-29. http://www.geoplace.com.
• Hershey, Rachel Riemann; Befort, William A. 1995. Aerial photo guide to New England Forest cover types. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-195. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 70p. Recently reprinted - Copies can be requested from: Art Francis in the publications office of the Northeastern Research Station (afrancis@fs.fed.us or Tel: +1-740-368-0127).
• Lee, Jay; Wong, David W.S. 2000. Statistical Analysis with ArcView GIS. 208 p. $89.95. www.industrybooks.com
• Magnussen, S., et al. 2000. Predictions of forest inventory cover type proportions using Landsat TM. Silva Fennica 34(4): 351–370. http://www.metla.fi/silvafennica/abs/sa34/sa344351.htm
• Mander, Ü.; Jongman, R.H.G. eds. 2000. Landscape perspectives of land use change. Vol. 6 in WIT Press Series Advances in Ecological Sciences. Computational Mechanics Inc., 25 Bridge St., Billerica, MA 01821 USA. Tel: +1-978-667-5841. Fax: +1-978-667-7582. URL: www.compmech.com.
• Reeves, Matthew C. et al. 2001. Mapping Weekly Rangeland Vegetation Productivity Using MODIS Algorithms. J. Range Manage. 54: A90-A105. http://uvalde.tamu.edu/jrm/remote/srm_modis_mapping.htm
• Ritchie, Jerry C. et al. 2001. Airborne laser technology for measuring rangeland conditions. J. Range Manage. 54: A8-A21. http://uvalde.tamu.edu/jrm/remote/srm-laser.htm
• Robertson, J.R. 2001. Feeding the Flames - Airborne Imagery Fuels GIS Growth. GEOWorld 14(3):36-38. http://www.geoplace.com.
• Seaman, Alastair. 2001. The Red Rose Forest: Surveying the Current Woodland Resource and Future Planting Potential. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 95(1):21-28.
• Siipilehto, J. 2000. A comparison of two parameter prediction methods for stand structure in Finland. Silva Fennica 34(4): 331–349 http://www.metla.fi/silvafennica/abs/sa34/sa344331.htm
• Steenkamp, C.J. et al. 1999. A non-destructive sampling method for dendrochronology in hardwood species. Southern African Forestry Journal 186: 5-8
• Tueller, Paul T.2001. Remote Sensing of Range Production and Utilization. J. Range Manage. 54: A77-A89. http://uvalde.tamu.edu/jrm/remote/srmremsens.htm
• Turner, David L;. Clary, Warren P. 2001. Sequential sampling protocol for monitoring pasture utilization using stubble height criteria. J. Range Manage. 54:132–137. http://uvalde.tamu.edu/jrm/mar01/turner.htm
• Vermeire, Lance T.; Gillen, Robert L. 2001. Estimating herbage standing crop with visual obstruction in tallgrass prairie.  J. Range Manage.54:57-60 http://uvalde.tamu.edu/jrm/jan01/vermeire.htm
• Walker, B. et al. (eds). 1999. The terrestrial biosphere and global change: implications for natural and managed ecosystems. Cambridge University Press, 40 W. 20th St., New York, NY 10011-4211. Fax: +1-914-937-4712. URL: www.us.cambridge.org.

25-27 April 2001. International Workshop on Mountainous Ecosystems: A Vision of the Future. Centro Bartolomé de las Casas. Cusco, Peru. Contact: Ing. Ana Maria Ponce, CONDESAN - InfoAndina, Nodo Regional del Foro de Montañas - América Latina. E-mail : InfoAndina@cgiar.org. URL: http://www.condesan.org

20-25 August 2001. Interpreting Global Bioscapes. Cooper River Delta, Alaska, USA. $1985. Contact: Earth Systems Institute, 1314 NE 43rd St., Seattle, WA 98105-5832 USA. Tel: +1-206-547-4050. URL: www.earthsystems.net.

23-24 October 2001. 2001 Seminar - Avoiding train wrecks in the use of "Science" in environmental problem solving and setting regulatory policy. Seattle, Washington, USA. Contact: Earth Systems Institute, 1314 NE 43rd St., Seattle, WA 98105-5832 USA. Tel: +1-206-547-4050. URL: www.earthsystems.net.

November 2001 (exact dates TBA). VII International Bamboo Workshop and Congress. India (city TBA). Contact: Dr. I.V. Ramanuja Rao, Branch Box 155, P.O. Box 9799, Beijing 100 101, China. Fax: +86-10-6495-6962/83; Email: rrao@inbar.org.cn.

5-7 November 2001. 3rd International Conference on Geospatial Information in Agriculture and Forestry. Denver, Colorado, USA. Contact: Veridian Systems International Conferences, P.O. Box 134008, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-4008 USA. Tel: +1-734-994-1200 ext. 3350. Fax: +1-734-994-5123. Email: wallman@erim-int.com.

3 December 2001. International Society of Tropical Foresters, Annual Conference. Washington, D.C. Contact: Dr. Warren T. Doolittle, President, ISTF, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814, U.S.A. Fax:+1-301-897-3690; Email: istfiusf@igc.apc.org; Web site: www.cof.orst.edu/org/istf

Benefits of Biodiversity - http://www.cast-science.org/biod/biod.htm

The Evolution of Plants - http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/5/80.05.01.x.html

Global Gazetteer - http://www.calle.com/world/index.html