PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN

Manuscripts Submissions Moving Totally Online.

Incoming Editor in Chief of the American Journal of Botany, Dr. Judy Jernstedt, incoming Production Editor, Dr. Beth Hazen and BSA Executive Director Bill Dahl spent two days visiting our printer, Allen Press in Lawrence Kansas in October. Over the coming months Judy and Beth will further evolve the online manuscript submission system (Allen Track) adopted by Karl Niklas and move manuscript submissions to a totally online process. They were presented with an overview of the steps involved with printing the journal, as well as a detailed description of further applications available in the use of the Allen Track system. By enhancing the AJB's use of Allen Track they hope to realize the concept of a paper-free process. It is envisioned that one result of doing so will be a reduction in the time-to-print for each manuscript. We look forward to these developments as the journal moves forward in the online age.

Image: John Nichols, Associate Director of Operations,  Beth Hazen Incoming AJB Production Editor and Judy Jernstedt Incoming AJB Editor in Chief discussing AJB workflow processes.

Personalia
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Names Dan Shepherd as New Director of Botanic Garden Conservation International (U.S.)

Brooklyn, New York_August 24, 2004_Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) announced the appointment of Dan Shepherd to Director of the Botanic Garden Conservation International - US office. BBG is a partner with BGCI in housing and overseeing the BGCI-US office.

Shepherd brings a commitment to plant conservation and a remarkable set of abilities that will support BGCI-US in developing and implementing conservation initiatives around the country.  In his most recent position as Resource Conservation Coordinator at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Shepherd managed resource and plant conservation programs.

"We are delighted to welcome Dan Shepherd to the Garden as Director of BGCI-US," said Dr. Steven Clemants, Vice President of Science at BBG.  Clemants had assumed the additional responsibilities as the Acting Director of BGCI-US while BBG sought to fill the position. "Dan contributes an outstanding wealth of experience, talent, and devotion that will lead BGCI-US in its mission to serve botanical gardens across the nation."

In addition to his strong background in conservation efforts, Shepherd possesses a diverse blend of talent and leadership experience. From running an edible flower business to co-founding Allrecipes, the leading online meal-planning website, Shepherd has developed a broad business background that will support his leadership role with BGCI-US. He is particularly proud of his volunteer work in community and youth gardening as a Master Gardener in the Seattle area. Shepherd holds an International Diploma in Plant Conservation from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew and a B.A. in Japanese from the University of Oregon.

Botanists Elected as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Erin Irish - Yale University
Elizabeth A. Kellogg - University of Missouri, St. Louis
Christorpher Somerville, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford University.

In Memoriam:

Neil Campbell, Biology Educator 1946-2004

It is with great sadness that I convey the news that my friend and collaborator of 26 years, Neil Campbell, passed away last night in Redlands, California. Neil died as a result of a massive coronary event that occurred at his home early Wednesday morning. Over the next 36 hours the complications proved too severe to allow any possibility of recovery. His wife of 37 years, Rochelle, and his daughter, Allison, were at his bedside when he died.

There was absolutely no warning. Neil was in good spirits and appeared to be in good health. In fact, he had passed two stress tests in the last year and had actually begun to achieve a more favorable work/life balance, his Herculean work ethic notwithstanding. He and Rochelle had recently moved into a new home in Redlands and were busy with all the work of settling in. He had just completed work on Biology, 7e.

Neil was just 58 years old and had so much more to live for and so much more he wanted to accomplish. Ever the visionary, he had numerous plans for new projects in the works. While the world will not benefit from his unfinished works, it's staggering to consider his past accomplishments.  If one's life can be measured by its impact on other people, the positive impact of Neil's life and work is almost immeasurable. Millions of students and thousands of educators have benefited from his books. Two-thirds of all the medical doctors under the age of 35 around the world began their study of biology with Neil's textbook, including some
of the doctors who attended him this week.

A couple of years ago, Neil asked me to write a letter of recommendation for him for the National Medal of Science within the University of California system. The last thing on my mind at the time was that my letter could be useful in crafting an obituary. I've attached a copy of that letter for those of you who might wish to learn more about the professional side of this extraordinary man.

But there were other sides as well. Husband. Father. Brother. Friend. Those of us who have had the honor of working closely with Neil are
feeling a particularly strong sense of loss today. Neil was a source of inspiration for all of us, and we are all better for having worked, lived, and laughed with him. We were his most fortunate, if not his best, students.

Neil's family plans to hold a memorial service at UC Riverside next month and also intends to establish a scholarship fund in Neil's name. I'll share information on the memorial service and the scholarship fund as soon as the details are worked out. In the meantime, if you'd like to express your condolences to Rochelle and Allison (no flowers please), you can write to:

Ms. Rochelle Campbell
602 Wooden Bridge Lane
Redlands, CA    92373

The sun rose on a different world this morning, but it's a far better world for all the works and deeds of Neil Campbell.

Jim Behnke
22 October 2004

editors note: As many of you know, Neil received his PhD in Plant Science and attended BSA meetings early in his career. He was last with us as the Forum Speaker during our first Botanical Society Education Forum at BOTANY 2002 in Madison, WI.

Announcements

Hunt Institute Publication Sale
The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation is offering a number of publications for the price of shipping and handling in the U.S. A complete list with descriptions, images and prices is available on our Web site (http://huntbot.andrew.cmu.edu/HIBD/Publications/HI-Pubs/Pub-SalePubs.shtml) . For orders outside the U.S., contact the Institute via email (huntinst@andrew.cmu.edu) for new shipping estimates. Associates and quantity discounts do not apply to this offer. Contact the Institute at 412-268-2434 to place an order. MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

NY Plant Genomics "Dream Team" Wins $5 Million NSF Grant
Genomics Consortium Brings Together Expertise from NYU, The New York Botanical Garden, American Museum of Natural History, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

A consortium of four of New York's top science institutions?New York University, The New York Botanical Garden, The American Museum of Natural History, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory?has been awarded a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to create a "Virtual Center for Plant Evolutionary Genomics." The grant will support the creation of cutting-edge genomic DNA analyses and bioinformatics tools to understand the evolution of seeds and other traits of ecologically and economically important plants in an effort to ultimately improve seed quality.

The four institutions comprise the New York Plant Genomics Consortium, which combines the strengths of each partner: NYU in plant genomics and bioinformatics (the development of computer databases and algorithms for biological research), The New York Botanical Garden in plant diversity expertise and access to living and preserved plant collections, The American Museum of Natural History in DNA-based methods for species classification, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in genomics and plant molecular genetics.

"This grant is certainly a welcome recognition of our collaborative efforts in comparative functional genomics in plants, as well as a significant investment in the future potential of this unique genomics consortium," said Gloria Coruzzi, the Carroll and Milton Petrie Professor and chair of the biology department at NYU and the principal investigator on the grant. "I believe it's just the first step in realizing NYU's and New York City's potential in this increasingly important area of comparative genomic research."

The co-principal investigators and lead researchers of the project include: Dr. Dennis Stevenson, Vice President for Botanical Science at The New York Botanical Garden; American Museum of Natural History Curator Robert DeSalle, who is also a distinguished professor in residence at NYU's biology department; W. Richard McCombie, director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's Genome Research Center; Professor Rob Martienssen of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; and Dennis Shasha, a professor at NYU's Courant Institute for Mathematical Science.

"As scientists, we came together to learn about the diversity of approaches to evolutionary biology and from that came a multi-faceted approach to biodiversity, which has been recognized as unique by the community through this funding," added Stevenson.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the American Museum of Natural History to collaborate with NYU, The New York Botanical Garden, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, especially as it will offer an enhanced interchange of ideas among faculty and students at the these four institutions," said DeSalle, curator in the Museum's Division of Invertebrate Zoology and a co-principal investigator on the grant. "The project also is a perfect fit for our existing programs and laboratories in molecular systematics, including our Institute for Comparative Genomics, Ambrose Monell Collection for Molecular and Microbial Research, and Lewis and Dorothy Cullman Program in Molecular Systematics."

"This collaboration will give us the chance to take state-of-the art technology, which was developed to study the human genome, and apply it to understanding the evolution and biodiversity of seed plants," said Martienssen of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. "It is a rare opportunity for some of New York's best-known institutions to come together in a common program of research and education."

"The enormous diversity of biological data in our New York institutions offers a rainforest of opportunities for data analysis, experimental design, and computational infrastructure," added Shasha of NYU Courant. "Our research should lead to new insights into the evolution and extinction of plants, the primary food source of our planet."

The NSF grant will fund the consortium's Gymnosperm Genome project, where researchers examine the genetic make-up of plants over time. By doing this, the research seeks to gain insight into the genetic properties of seed evolution, which may be applied to "crop" genomes for agricultural and environmental purposes. The findings will have implications for improving seed quality, as much of today's agriculture, from food to textiles, depends on seed products.  In addition, the coupling of bioinformatics and the genomic methods for this project can be used for comparative genome and evolutionary analysis across any species.

The NY Plant Genomics Consortium was formed in 2000 in an effort to pool the abilities and resources of the various New York-based institutions. Scientists at NYU's Department of Biology establish the framework and methodology for specific plant genomics research; The New York Botanical Garden provides access to expertise in plant diversity and an unparalleled number of species of plants; scientists at the American Museum of Natural History are experts in developing new DNA based methods for species classification; Long Island's Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a leading center for genomics and plant molecular genetics; and, the NYU Courant Institute for Mathematical Science conducts cutting-edge research in developing algorithms for bioinformatics research.

The grant is part of NSF's Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP), now in its seventh year. The program's goal is to expand knowledge about the biology of the plant kingdom, especially plants that people around the world rely on for food, clothing and other needs.

American Society of Plant Taxonomists (ASPT) Issues Statement on the Importance of Herbaria.

On 24 August 2004, the American Society of Plant Taxonomists adopted the following statement expressing the continued importance of natural history collection facilities to modern biological research.

The American Society of Plant Taxonomists affirms the crucial role of natural history collections, and of plant collections in particular, in research, teaching, and public outreach. Collections of plant specimens (herbaria) are the foundation for all studies of plant diversity and evolution. Specimens provide enormous economic and scientific returns to society and are irreplaceable resources that must be preserved for future generations.

Specimens provide the foundation of nomenclature, the basis for identification, the common reference for communication, and the vouchers for floras, as well as for evolutionary and genomic studies. Molecular and morphological characters that allow us to reconstruct the history of life can be obtained from herbarium specimens. All fields of biological science from the level of molecular biology to ecosystem science are dependent on collections, not just for application of names, but as the basis for referencing al aspects of biodiversity.

Beyond their scientific importance, herbarium collections offer many benefits to society by providing data or reference materials for critical endeavors such as agriculture, human health, biosecurity, forensics, control of invasive species, conservation biology, natural resources, and land management. Herbarium collections provide a wealth of information on our natural heritage and extend back hundreds of years: thus they provide the only reliable, verifiable record of the changes to our flora during the expansion of human population.

Because natural history collections play such an important role in societal endeavors continued physical and financial support is absolutely critical. Collections are most valuable in their original institutional and geographical context. Because they are historical records linked to a time and place, lost collections cannot be replaced. Moreover, many populations documented in herbaria no longer exist and others are now protected. Furthermore, some specimens cannot be replaced due to the imposition of constraints on collecting. Therefore, ASPT strongly advises institutions to maintain their collections in perpetuity. Once an institution divests itself of a collection the institution can never regain the benefits associated with the collection.

It is imperative that minimum standards regarding environmental conditions and pest control be met so that specimens can be maintained indefinitely into the future. As a body of considerable expertise with regard to all aspects of herbarium curation, research, education, and outreach, the membership of the American Society of Plan Taxonomists hereby offers its expertise to help institutions develop management plans for maintaining collections and to integrate herbarium collections more effectively into research, education, and outreach activities.

Gilded Age Gardens at the Flagler Museum

Palm Beach, FL (through December 12, 2004). For centuries gardens have served as a metaphor for paradise. This fall, the Flagler Museum explores Florida's Gilded Age gardens in Gardens of Paradise, an exhibition of photographs, artifacts, historic promotional literature and fine art of the period. The exhibition will also serve as a conceptual framework for the restoration of the Courtyard garden at Whitehall, Henry Flagler's estate in Palm Beach.

Positions Available

Plant Systematist and Evolutionary Biologist.

The Department of Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (http://www.science.siu.edu/plant-biology/) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the areas of plant systematics and evolutionary biology. We are seeking qualified applicants whose research focuses upon cryptogams (algae, bryophytes, lycophytes, ferns) or fungi and who utilize morphological, developmental, and/or molecular methodologies. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. and a strong record of research accomplishments. Evidence of external grantsmanship and postdoctoral experience is expected. The successful candidate must be able to develop an externally funded research program. Teaching responsibilities include introductory courses and graduate courses(s) in his/her expertise. Application materials include a curriculum vitae, 3 representative reprints, statements of current and future research and teaching philosophy, and 3 letters of recommendation. Send these to Dr. Daniel Nickrent, Search Committee Chair, Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901-6509. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Review of applications begins Jan. 15, 2005 and will continue until the position is filled. SIUC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff, and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population. All applicants are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.

Collection Manager, Paleobotany and Micropaleontology
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History University of Oklahoma

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History has a position open for a Curator/Archivist I to serve as the Collection Manager for the museum's paleobotany and micropaleontology collection. The successful applicant will catalogue material, administer grants for collection improvement, facilitate loans, assist visitors, supervise interns and volunteers, and assist curator with research, exhibits and outreach as appropriate. In addition to collection care, the successful applicant also will serve part-time as a technician for SNOMNH's scanning electron microscope. Moderate lifting and chemical preparation/remediation of fossil specimens will be required. Some evenings and weekends required.

Minimum requirements include a bachelor's degree with 48 months experience, or a master's degree (preferred) with 24 months experience, in Botany, Geology, or other appropriate museum discipline. Requirements may be met by equivalent combination of education and related experience. Preferred requirements include: experience in paleobotany/palynology and/or Oklahoma geology, collection management and care, computer databases, experience using SEM and in specimen preparation for SEM. Salary is $28,000 plus full fringe benefits.

Applicants must have an OU job application on file and submit a resume, cover letter, and three (3) letters of references to The University of Oklahoma, Office of Human Resources, 905 Asp Avenue, Norman, Oklahoma 73019. Position open until filled; review of applications will begin December 16, 2004. Hiring contingent on a background check. To obtain an application on the web go to  http://www.ou.edu/persvcs/pages/opsjobs.html. Please refer to job #09-023N Curator/Archivist I. Materials submitted in application for position(s) become the property of OU. Deadlines are subject to change without notice. OU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages diversity in the workplace.
 

Q. Why aren't wetland grass jokes funny?

A. Because they are a `poa' excuse for humor

-Don Les

Courses/Workshops
Biodiversity of Tropical Plants

Harvard University Summer School, in collaboration with the National Tropical Botanical Garden at The Kampong, Coconut Grove Miami, Florida and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida. Will offer again, after a lapse of a few years, the following course:- Biology S-105 "Biodiversity of Tropical Plants".

Instructor: P. Barry Tomlinson, Professor of Biology Emeritus, Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, MA 01366  and Eleanor Crum Professor of Tropical Botany, National Tropical Botanical Garden, 3530 Papalina Rd., Kalaheo, Hawaii 96741.

Time: June 13 to July 8, 2005.Location: The Kampong Garden, National Tropical Botanical Garden, 4013 Douglas Road, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 and Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd. Miami  FL 33156

Accomodation: Provided in an air-conditioned dormitory-type facility at The Kampong.

Prerequisites: Preferred Introductory Botany at the undergraduate college level.

Selection: To be based on the prior experience of the student and the suitability of the course for further graduate advancement.

Finances: Students are regularly enrolled in the Harvard Summer School Program and will be expected to provide tuition, travel to and living expenses in Miami. Partial tuition and travel scholarships may be available for eligible students.

Course description: The course is directed toward students already enrolled or about to be enrolled in a graduate program and will introduce the diversity of tropical plant types within a biological and systematic framework. Study will be based on the living collections of The Kampong, supplemented by those at other South Florida institutions (e.g., Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Montgomery Botanical Center, Coral Gables) together with  plants in natural environments (e.g., Biscayne Bay and the Everglades National Park). This is a teaching resource of some 10,000 species representing all tropical groups.

The work involves classroom and laboratory demonstration and dissections in a systematic framework, but with emphasis on morphology and anatomy, together with outdoor presentations and excursions. The course requires each student to present an individual written research report, as an extension of some of the material studied, to be completed in the final week after the return to a home institution .This report becomes the basis for a final letter grade. The course is designed to develop an approach to the study of living plants that will broaden general understanding of plant biodiversity with emphasis on tropical ecosystems such as wetlands (e.g. mangroves, seagrass meadows), pine and hardwood forests, and life forms like epiphytes, lianes, and distinctive tropical groups like palms and cycads.

Enrollment: Limited to 12.

Credits 4

Application should be made either to the Harvard Summer School (http://www.summer.harvard.edu/) or directly to P.B.Tomlinson at  The Kampong, 4013 Douglas Rd., Coconut Grove, Miami FL 33133, with an application dead-line of May 20th, i.e., earlier than that of the regular Summer School. A supplementary application form (available from P.B.T.) is required with the normal application.

For further information contact Professor Tomlinsion at the Kampong address or Harvard Summer School, Division of Continuing Education, Harvard University, 51 Brattle St. Cambridge MA 02138

Introductory Biology Course for University Professors

The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) will offer its summer Kenan Fellowship Program for University Professors of Introductory Biology at The Kampong, Coconut Grove Miami, Florida from July 25 to August 5, 2005.

Instructors: P. Barry Tomlinson, Ph.D., Professor of Biology Emeritus, Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, MA 01366  and Eleanor Crum Professor of Tropical Botany

Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D., Professor of Ethnobotany, CEO/Director, National Tropical Botanical Garden, 3530 Papalina Rd., Kalaheo, Hawaii 96741.

Dates of the Course July 25 to August 5, 2005.

Applications due: April 30, 2005

Notification of acceptance: May 21, 2005

Location: The Kampong Garden, National Tropical Botanical Garden, 4013 Douglas Road, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 and Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd. Miami  FL 33156.

Accommodation: Participants will stay in a dormitory-type facility at The Kampong, Florida.

Selection: This course will bring some of the very best biology faculty, those who can fire the imagination of major and non-major biology students. Although botanists will be considered, we also welcome applications from faculty who lack previous botanical experiences as well as those who have not previously worked in the tropics. The. Although botanists will be considered, we also welcome applications from faculty who lack previous botanical experiences as well as those who have not previously worked in the tropics. The fellowship will be limited to 10 participants.

Finances: The NTBG will reimburse all course participants' expenses including airfare, ground transportation, accommodation, meals, and supplies.

Course description: Rejuvenate your introductory biology course with some of the exciting topics of the tropics! Tropical examples can be used to illustrate biological principles and effectively address issues of form and function, evolution, biodiversity, ethnobotany, conservation, and human impacts on the biosphere. The course will teach how to integrate tropical biology into classroom teaching, and provides an outdoor laboratory to discover examples that are not normally found in textbooks. The work involves classroom and laboratory demonstrations, together with outdoor presentations and excursions. It will be based on the extraordinary living collections of The Kampong, supplemented by those at other South Florida institutions (e.g., Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Montgomery Botanical Center, Coral Gables) together with  plants in natural environments (e.g., Biscayne Bay and the Everglades National Park).

A very unique aspect of the course is the connection between exploring as scientists and transforming into facilitators of learning, teaching not only the intricacies and fascinating features of tropical plants but demonstrates superb teaching techniques that bring general biology to life. The NTBG Fellowship offers this potent mixture which serves as a highly effective approach in getting the excitement of tropical botany into the classroom. The course requires each participant to construct a teaching module to be presented and shared at the end of the course and implemented in their respective classrooms upon return.

Application: Applicants are required to submit a complete application form, two letters of recommendation, the most recent student evaluation and a complete Curriculum Vita. A non-refundable application fee of $30 in a form of check or money order must be made payable to the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

All inquiries about the course must be directed to:

Dr. Gaugau Tavana
Director of Education
National Tropical Botanical Garden
3530 Papalina Road
Kalaheo, HI 96741
Tel: (808) 332-7324 ext 225
Fax: (808) 332-9765
Email: avana@ntbg.org

Award Opportunities

INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN PLANT DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION FOR UNDERGRADUATES

About the program
The MORPH Research Coordination Network provides support for visits of undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctorals, and early career faculty (assistant professors) between organismic and molecular labs for periods ranging from a few weeks (to learn specific techniques) to a semester (to complete the equivalent of a lab rotation and take coursework not available at the home institution). This element of planned networking activities comprises the largest component of the MORPH funds and is open to any individual with an interest in bridging the gap between organismic and molecular aspects of the evolutionary developmental biology of plants.

Funding duration
Ten-week summer internship.

Funding amount
Each year, the MORPH RCN is able to fund five ten-week research internships for undergraduates. A set amount of $2,250 is available per grant to cover travel plus stipend.

Next deadline
March 1, 2005.

Application materials
1. a letter from a biology professor,

2. a letter from the director of the host lab (indicating a willingness to host, consensus about the proposed activities of the visitor, and an explicit statement acknowledging that the host lab understands that MORPH RCN funds may not be used to underwrite costs associated with the proposed research activities), and

3. a letter from the applicant detailing research plans and interactions.

Each letter must be no more than two pages. The applicant letter must specifically document the fact that the training opportunity is cross-disciplinary between an organismic and a molecular laboratory studying plant developmental evolution. By NSF rules, these funds may not be used to cover costs associated with the proposed research activities (e.g., supplies).

How to apply
All application materials must be emailed as attached pdf or Word documents to William (Ned) Friedman, ned@colorado.edu.

Proposal evaluation
Two members of the steering committee (one organismic and one molecular) and a third individual from outside of the core participants (chosen by the steering committee) will be charged with evaluating applications.

Questions
SEE: http://www.colorado.edu/eeb/MORPH/

For further questions contact William (Ned) Friedman, ned@colorado.edu.

Applied Plant Conservation Training Program

Denver Botanic Gardens and the United States Botanic Garden announce a new Applied Plant Conservation Training Program coming in the summer of 2005. The program will feature seminars and workshops taught in part by the Center for Plant Conservation, who join national leaders in the fields of plant conservation, ecology and botanic garden management for a hands-on program that explores the principles and techniques used in the research, documentation, study, conservation and reintroduction of threatened plants. A paid research internship will follow for selected participants. Admission is limited and competitive with an application deadline of March 1, 2005. Visit the program's website at: http://www.usbg.gov/education/Certificate_Plant_Conservation.cfm for more information.

Timothy C. Plowman Latin American Research Award

The Botany Department at The Field Museum invites applications for the year 2005 Timothy C. Plowman Latin American Research Award. The award of $3,000.00 is designed to assist students and young professionals to visit the Field Museum and use our extensive economic botany and systematic collections. Individuals from Latin America and projects in the field of ethnobotany or systematics of economically important plant groups will be given priority consideration.

Applicants interested in the award should submit their curriculum vitae and a detailed letter describing the project for which the award is sought. The information should be forwarded to the Timothy C. Plowman Award Committee, Department of Botany, The Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605-2496 USA and received no later than 15 December 2004. Announcement of the recipient will be made no later than 31 December 2004.

Anyone wishing to contribute to The Timothy C. Plowman Latin American Research Fund, which supports this award, may send their checks, payable to The Field Museum, c/o Department of Botany, The Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605-2496 USA. Make certain to indicate the intended fund.

Premio de investigación Latinoamericano Timothy C. Plowman

El departamento de Botánica en "The Field Museum" invita aplicaciones para el premio de investigación Latinoamericano Timothy C. Plowman 2005. Este premio de $3,000.00 fue diseñado para apoyar a estudiantes y profesionales jóvenes en visitas al museo de Field y utilizar sus extensas colecciones de botánica económica y sistemática. Se les dará consideración especial a individuos de Latinoamérica y a proyectos en los campos de etnobotánica ó sistemática de plantas económicamente importantes.

Las personas interesadas en aplicar a este premio deberán proveer su curriculum vitae y una carta detallando el proyecto para el cual el premio se utilizará. Esta información debe ser enviada al Timothy C. Plowman Award Committee, Department of Botany, The Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605-2496 USA y ser recibida antes del 15 de Diciembre de 2004. El ganador del premio será anunciado antes del 31 de Diciembre de 2004.

Cualquier persona que desee contribuir al Fondo de investigación latinoamericano Timothy C. Plowman, el cual apoya este premio, puede enviar su cheque, pagadero a "The Field Museum, c/o Department of Botany, The Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605-2496 USA". Asegúrese de indicar el fondo al cual se destina su contribución.

Lawrence Memorial Award - 2004 Recipient and 2005 Nominations

Ms. Danica T. Harbaugh, a student of Professor Bruce G. Baldwin at the University of California, Berkeley, is the recipient of the 2004 Lawrence Memorial Award. For her dissertation research, Ms. Harbaugh has undertaken a study of Santalum (Santalaceae), which includes the sandalwoods, and is constructing a phylogeny of the entire genus. The proceeds of the Award will help support her travel to islands of the South Pacific and to India for field research.

The Award Committee of the Lawrence Memorial Fund invites nominations for the 2005 Lawrence Memorial Award. Honoring the memory of Dr. George H. M. Lawrence, founding Director of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, the annual Award of ($2,000) is given to support travel for doctoral dissertation research in systematic botany or horticulture, or the history of the plant sciences, including literature and exploration.

Major professors are urged to nominate outstanding doctoral students who have achieved official candidacy for their degrees and will be conducting pertinent dissertation research that would benefit significantly from travel enabled by the Award. The Committee will not entertain direct applications. A student who wishes to be considered should arrange for nomination by his/her major professor; this may take the form of a letter which covers supporting materials prepared by the nominee.

Supporting materials should describe briefly but clearly the candidate's program of research and how it would be significantly enhanced by travel that the Award would support. Letters of nomination and supporting materials, including seconding letters, should be received by the Committee no later than 1 May 2005 and should be directed to: Dr. R. W. Kiger, Hunt Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 USA. Tel. (1412) 268-2434

Symposia, Conferences, Meetings

XV International Plant Nutrition Colloquium
Plant Nutrition for Food Security, Human Health and Environmental Protection
September 14-19, 2005,
Beijing, The People's Republic of China

Sponsors
International Council on Plant Nutrition
International Association for the Optimization of Plant Nutrition

Host organization
China Agricultural University

Objectives
The 15^th International Plant Nutrition Colloquium will provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge, information and ideas amongst researchers in the field of plant nutrition with a focus on food security, human health and protection of the environment. The colloquium will include research topics on physiological, genetic, molecular, and ecological aspects of plant nutrition, plant-soil and plant-symbiotic microbe interactions, plant quality, soil nutrient dynamics, and nutrient management, for the sustainable development of agriculture and the environment.

For further details please go to http://www.ipnc15.com

Final Circular
The final circular with the Registration Form and detailed instructions for the 2-page manuscripts to be included into the colloquium Proceedings will be available before December 31, 2004and will be sent to all participants who return the Abstract and Preliminary Registration Forms.

Submission
Via email preferably to the address:
registration@ipnc15.com (for Registration Form and Financial Support Form)

paper@ipnc15.com (for Abstract)

Alternatively send a hard copy to:

Dr Guohua MI
Department of Plant Nutrition
College of Resources and Environmental Science
China Agricultural University,
Beijing, 100094, P. R. China
Fax: 86-10-62891016

Summary of deadlines
Registration and Abstracts September 30, 2004
Final circular December 31, 2004
Registration fee February 30, 2005
Manuscripts February 30, 2005

New Frontiers in Grain Quality Technology and Informatics: A National Roundtable

April 13-15, 2005
Hyatt Regency New Orleans

Please visit the conference website at:
http://www.grainqualitytechnology.org

Hosted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Third International Conference on Plants & Environmental Pollution (ICPEP-3)
29 November to 2 December 2005,
Lucknow, India

Contact
Dr. R. D. Tripathi & Dr. Kamla Kulshreshtha
(Organising Secretaries)
E-mail: isebnbrilko@satyam.net.in
http://www.geocities.com/isebindia/index.html

Free Pre-Registration is Open Now

There is no pre-registration fee.  Only those individuals/organizations who pre-register themselves will receive Conference Circular, Registration form and other details by mail/email. For free pre-registration following details may please be furnished by post/e-mail to the  Organizing Secretaries, ICPEP-3:

Title: (Dr./Prof./Mr./Ms./Mrs./Miss/etc.) ; First Name; Middle Name; Last Name; Designation;
Organization; Address; City, State, Postal Code; Country; Phone with full dialing code;
FAX with full dialing code; E-mail; Area of interest/Field of specialization

Books Reviewed In this issue:

ECOLOGICAL
Enriching the Earth. Smil, Vaclav - - John Beckner..122
Ex situ Plant Conservation: Supporting Species Survival in the Wild. Guerrant, Edward O., Kayri Havens and Mike Maudner (eds) - - Dorothea Bedigian..124
Historical Biogeography - An Introduction. Cirsci, Jorge V., L. Katinas, and Paula Posadas - Suzanne Koptur..127

ECONOMIC BOTANY
American Medical Botany (1917-1820). Bigelow, Jacob - Douglas Darnowski..127
Blueberries, Cranberries, and Other Vacciniums. Trehane, Jennifer - Douglas Darnowski..128
Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants. Speichert, G. and S. Speichert. - Don Les..129
The Lowland Maya Area - Three Millennia at the Human-Wildland Interface. Gomez-Pompa, A, M.F. Allen, S.L. Fedick & J.J. Jimenez-Osorino (eds) - Marcel Rejmanek..130
Medicinal Plants of the World. van Wyk, B.E. and M. Wink.- Michelle A. Briggs..131
Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden. Reich, Lee. - Steven B. Carroll..132

HISTORICAL
Botanical Watercolors from the Nationaal Herbarium Nederland. White, James J. and Lugene B. Bruno - Douglas Darnowski..133

PHYSIOLOGICAL
The Biology of Seeds: Recent Research Advances. Nicolas, G., K.J. Bradford, D. Come, and H.W. Pritchard (eds) - Jeffrey L. Walck..133

SYSTEMATIC
Flora of North America. Volume 4. Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae, part 1. Flora of North America ommittee (eds). - Jim Reveal..135
Flowering Plants of the Neotropics. Smith, Nathan, Scott A. Mori, Andrew Henderson, Dennis Wm. Stevenson, and Scott V. Heald (eds) - Gerhard Prenner..138
Molecular Markers, Natural History, and Evolution, 2nd Ed. Avise, John. - Tyler Smith..139
Native Trees for North American Landscapes. Sternberg, Guy and Jim Wilson. - Aaron M. Ellison..140

TEACHING
Botanical Latin, 4th ed. Stearn, William T. - Dorothea Bedigian..141

Enriching the Earth, Smil, Vaclav; 2001. ISBN 0262693135 (Paper, US$34.95) 339 pp. MIT Press Cambridge, MA . Readers of this journal can be assumed to have learned certain facts in high school and college science classes. The entire Earth has an atmospheric covering that is almost 80% diatomic nitrogen molecules. This compound is highly stable and while very abundant it is not easy for organisms to use. Yet they must have nitrogen atoms to build cells. Lightning converts a little of the air into more useable molecules. About 100 genera of little prokaryotes can fix nitrogen for organic use. Many of these organisms are cyanobacteria, and are the basis of most of the planet's ecosystems. We are increasingly realizing how significant many lichens are in this respect. There are some other symbionts, but some of the array of prokaryotes occur as symbionts in multi-cellular eukaryotes, including legumes. These nitrogen fixers are not all closely related, so perhaps the trick was evolved several times and fairly early in the geological record. And why don't all organisms fix nitrogen, since it seems to have a strong selective value?

Humans need a lot of nitrogen, and so we exploit legumes heavily. We mine fossil sources, such as the guano islands. In the last 90 years we have been using an industrial technique, the Haber-Bosch process, to manufacture ammonia and other compounds. Our inorganic fertilizer nitrogen is 99% from this source. These factories are huge, very costly, use a great deal of electricity, and operate at high temperatures and pressures inside containers that are triumphs of metallurgy. Many people are squeamish about "pond scums," but if one celled cyanobacteria, operating at ambient temperature and pressure, floating casually in water, were sentient and could laugh, who would blame them? Many students have wondered how such microbes can be so muc