The latest issue of Zwazo – Nature Seychelles bi-annual conservation magazine – is out! This issue that covered the period between July – December 2009 took a looking glass to the marine realm in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). We were seeking to find out what was going on with species, habitats, coral reefs, protected areas, and people. Several thought provoking articles with news and issues from this region are the result.
See it and Download a copy at http://issuu.com/natureseychelles/docs/zwazoissue20
admin New publications, News
Closing Date: 30 December 2010
Applications for IFS Research Grants are welcome from young scientists in developing countries to do research on the sustainable management, use or conservation of biological or water resources. This broad statement covers natural science and social science research on agriculture, soils, animal production, food science, forestry, agroforestry, aquatic resources, natural products, water resources, etc.
Applications are accepted all year and are to be made on an IFS Application Form. Read more detail in the links below:
http://www.ifs.se/Programme/eligibility.asp
http://www.ifs.se/Forms/how_to_apply.asp
http://www.ifs.se/Forms/list_of_all_forms.asp
Application Procedure
Please go to: http://www.ifs.se/Forms/list_of_all_forms.asp
Contact Details
Please go to: http://www.ifs.se/Forms/how_to_apply.asp
Eligibility Criteria:
http://www.ifs.se/Programme/eligibility.asp
admin Events, News
Including the temperature changes of the Indian Ocean in forecasting models could greatly increase the predictability of El Niño and La Niña events, helping farmers and planners prepare for droughts, say researchers.
Together, El Niño and La Niña — the periodic warming and cooling, respectively, of the Pacific Ocean — account for around a third of the variability in Indian monsoon rainfall and affect rainfall in parts of Africa, Latin America and South-East Asia as part of the climate phenomenon known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
ENSO occurs every three to seven years. El Niño and La Niña events cannot be predicted with any certainty before the Northern Hemisphere Spring, nine months before the height of their effects — too late for farmers needing to prepare for heavier or lighter rainfall.
Read the full article from: http://www.scidev.net/en/news/researchers-find-way-to-boost-el-ni-o-prediction.html
admin Environment in the Media, New publications, News
Tackling recent controversies about climate change data requires a robust partnership between the natural and social sciences.
The natural and social sciences have never been comfortable bedfellows. Physicists and chemists have long distrusted the apparent lack of ‘hard facts’ in what they too often dismiss as the ’soft sciences’.
Read the full article from: http://www.scidev.net/en/editorials/two-cultures-but-one-message-for-climate-change.html
admin Environment in the Media, Events, News
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Level 1 ~ Marine Field Operations Certification
Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa
Deadline for Applications: 15 March 2010
The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) in partnership with the Coastal Resources Center at the University of Rhode Island USA and WWF-SA is pleased to announce the first offering of Level 1~Marine Field Operations Certification for Marine Protected Area Professionals to be held in Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa from 7-13, May 2010. The language of assessment for this offering will be English and some Afrikaans.
The WIO-COMPAS programme assesses and certifies MPA professionals in the WIO region based on recognised standards of excellence. This is not a training course but rather a certification programme based on already proven performance on the job. Achieving certification signals that an individual has reached a standard level of performance and skills related to a specific set of competences. These competences are based on practical experience and application. After achieving certification and being given the title of MPA PRO, individuals agree to adhere to a set of professional standards of conduct or code of ethics. Therefore, this programme will admit only those who already meet a certain level of knowledge, skills, and performance standards within core competence areas.
For more details on the Application, please visit: http://www.wio-compas.org/files/L101_Call_Applications.pdf and download the application form from: http://www.wio-compas.org/files/L101_Application_Comps_Final.pdf
admin Events, News, People