Department ofBotany

No. 118
February 1993

Editor: Jane Villa-Lobos

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS THREATENED

According to recent news alerts released by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, all efforts to protect the highly endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda have come to a halt due to civil unrest between the Rwandese Patriotic Front and the government. Current fighting between these two political entities caused the staff of the Karisoke Research Center and the Morris Animal Foundation's Volcano Veterinary Center in Ruhengeri to abandon operations on February 13. The Karisoke Research Center and the Volcano Veterinary Center provide protection and health care to 310 endangered mountain gorillas. It is hoped the mountain gorillas living in the Parc National des Volcans will endure through the civil unrest without the care of this group of dedicated Rwandans and international scientists working for their survival.

While fleeing, the staff crossed the trail of Group 5, a well known research group of mountain gorillas, and noticed alarge quantity of blood, which caused concern about the safety of the mountain gorillas. Military personnel have apparently ignored assurances that the Parc National des Volcans and the indigenous wildlife would not be caught in actions between the two factions. Both conservationist organizations continue to urge the two fighting groups to end hostilities for the sake of the people of Rwanda and their national treasure, the mountain gorillas.

FELLOWSHIPS/GRANTS

The Biodiversity Support Program, a consortium of the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and World Resources Institute, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (A.I.D.), is soliciting proposals for biodiversity research in A.I.D.-assisted countries. Research may be ecological, economic, anthropological, or socio-political in focus or may utilize an interdisciplinary methodology.

Proposals are due by April 30, 1993 and must demonstrate substantial involvement of host country researchers and/or institutions. Priority will be given to proposals in which a principal investigator is from a developing country. To be most competitive, research proposals should demonstrate some degree of policy relevance. Proposals dealing exclusively with ecology and/or behavior of a single species are generally discouraged, although they may be appropriate in particular cases. The maximum grant awarded will be $15,000. For information and a copy of the Request for Proposals, contact: Research Grants Competition, Biodiversity Support Program, c/o World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037; Tel: (202) 778-9795.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

The 1993 edition of the National Wildlife Federation's Conservation Directory, the most comprehensive listing of regional, national and international organizations, is available. The 456-page directory lists names, addresses and phone numbers of 15,000 officials and volunteers concerned with natural resources. The directory costs $18, plus $4.85 for shipping. To order, send check to National Wildlife Federation, 1400 16th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036.

The Center for the Study of Tropical Birds has published a quarterly newsletter devoted to enhancing communication among individuals and organizations involved in the conservation of New World parrots. The text is in Spanish and English and includes short notes as well as project profiles. A $8.00 fee is being proposed to cover the cost of printing and postage of four issues. The fee will be waived for those in Latin American countries. For more information, write or fax: Psitacido Conservation, Center for the Study of Tropical Birds, Inc., 218 Conway Drive, San Antonio, TX 78209-1716; Fax: (210) 828-5911.

An updated information packet on global climate change can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Library. The packet updates material originally made available in August 1991. It includes reprints of articles supporting and rejecting the global change issue, bibliographies of other readings, a guide to information sources, a directory of organizations, and other materials. For a free copy of the Global Change Information Packet send a request with a self-addressed mailing label to: Reference Section, Room 111, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Blvd., Beltsville, MD 20705-2351.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Nature Conservancy seeks a director for its International Science Institute, which is being created to encourage the use of science and information technologies to inform biodiversity conservation and development decisions. The director will have responsibility for all aspects of the institute, including its strategic planning and growth. Candidates must have a background in biodiversity conservation, the biological sciences and information systems. Requirements: demonstrated leadership skills; experience in managing organizations involved in science and education; scientific and academic institutions; international experience; fundraising experience; commitment to conservation. Preference will be given to candidate with a Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in biology, ecology or systematics. All inquiries and responses held in confidence. To apply, send a CV and letter of application to: The Nature Conservancy, International Headquarters, Human Resources Department, 1815 North Lynn Street, Arlington, VA 22209.

The Center for Plant Conservation seeks candidates for the position of President. This outstanding person will serve as Chief Executive Officer reporting to the Board of Trustees, as well as directing day-to-day activities. The Center is a national organization headquartered at the Missouri Botanical Garden and governed by an independent Board of Trustees. The Center is dedicated to conserving rare and endangered plants of the United States through cultivation, research and restoration. The Center's key programs include the national collection of endangered plants, maintained by a national network of outstanding participating institutions. The Center also maintains an endowment fund to support its programs.

Applicants must be knowledgeable of plant conservation and able to direct the strategic growth of the Center and its programs. Essential prerequisites include an advanced degree or equivalent experience in plant conservation or a related subject, a dynamic character, excellent public speaking skills, a good record of fund-raising from foundations and other sources, and an established record of management skills. Resumes should be sent to: Center for Plant Conservation, c/o Human Resources Management, #10-B01, Missouri Botanical Garden, P. O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166.

CURRENT LITERATURE

Anon. 1993. 65,000 acres added to the Darien Reserve. The Nature Conservancy Int. Update Winter: 5. (Panama)

Anon. 1992. Experimental release of whooping cranes in Florida is proposed. End. Species Tech. Bull. 17(9-10): 1, 3.

Anon. 1992. Final listing of rules approved for 21 species during July/October 1992. End. Species Tech. Bull. 17(9- 10): 9. (21 plants and animals, including 16 Hawaiian endemic plants)

Anon. 1992. Hawaiian endangered species task force defines its priorities. Herbarium Pacificum News 9(2): 10.

Anon. 1993. J.P. Morgan donates $11.5 million of Bolivian debt. The Nature Conservancy Int. Update Winter: 1, 6.

Anon. 1993. The Nature Conservancy launches Brazil campaign. The Nature Conservancy Int. Update Winter: 2.

Anon. 1993. New source of cancer drug spares yew tree. New York Times January 31.

Anon. 1992. Plant conservation center produces native plant directory. Herbarium Pacificum News 9(2): 11. (Hawaii Plant Conservation Center publishes a directory of sources for native Hawaiian plants)

Anon. 1993. Rare rose not so singular as once thought. New York Times (The Environment) February 21. (Shasta snow wreath, California)

Anon. 1992. Two western plants proposed for delisting. End. Species Tech. Bull. 17(9-10): 12. (Tumamoca macdougalii, Arizona & Texas; Hedeoma apiculatum, Texas & New Mexico)

Andreas, B. and Knoop, J. 1992. One hundred years of changes in Ohio peatlands. Ohio J. Science 92(5): 130-138. (98% of the area has been destroyed for agriculture)

Bader, M. 1992. A Northern Rockies proposal for Congress. Wild Earth Special Issue(Wildlands Project): 61-64. (Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho)

Berry Jr., C. 1992. South Dakota research unit gains new data on rare species of the Missouri River. End. Species Tech. Bull. 17(9-10): 10-11.

Beverton, R. 1992. Fish resources; threats and protection. Netherlands J. Zoo. 42(2-3): 139-175.

Bonner, R. 1993. Crying wolf over elephants. New York Times Magazine February 7(Sect. G): 16-19, 30, 52-53. (Ban on ivory)

Boyles-Sprenkel, C. 1993. Storm warnings. Nature Conservancy 43(2): 8-9. (Aftermath of hurricanes in Florida and Hawaii)

Bryant, S. 1992. Fauna management in the World Heritage Area. Tasmanian Naturalist 111: 23-27. (Australia)

Caraco, N. 1993. Disturbance of the phosphorus cycle: a case of indirect effects of human activity. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 8(2): 51-54.

Clark, W., et al. 1993. A new locality for the creeping devil cactus, Stenocereus eruca (T.S. Brandegee) Gibs. and Horak (Cactaceae), in Baja California, Mexico, with notes on growth. Cact. Succ. J. (U.S.) 65(1): 37-40. (Rare species)

Colwell, R. 1992. Biodiversity amongst microorganisms and its relevance. Biodiversity and Conservation 1(4): 342- 345.

Coveny, S. 1992. Technology isn't entirely evil. Wild Earth Special Issue(Wildlands Project): 81-83. (Geographic Information Systems)

Cubit, S. 1992. Who goes there! - Traditional recreation and the World Heritage Area. Tasmanian Naturalist 111: 10-13. (Australia)

Cunningham, J. 1992. Flora of the Philippines Project: new, rare species found. Herbarium Pacificum News 9(2): 3. (Sararanga philippinensis, Gentiana luzoniensis)

Davidson, P. and Pashley, D. 1992. Unorthodox alliance and the Louisiana black bear. End. Species Update 10(2): 1-4.

de Onis, J. 1992. The Green Cathedral. Sustainable Development of Amazonia. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England. 292 pp.

Delucchi, G. 1991. Situacion Ambiental de la Provincia de Buenos Aires - A. Recursos y Rasgos Naturales en la Evaluacion Ambiental. Comision de Investigaciones Cientificas, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 53 pp. (Catalog of vascular plants of the Province of Buenos Aires with their conservation status)

DeRoy, T. 1993. Waiting for the rain. Int. Wildlife 23(2): 4-11. (Galapagos tortoises)

Eberhard, R. 1992. Limestone quarrying versus karst conservation at Ida Bay. Tasmanian Naturalist 111: 14-17.

Ertter, B. 1993. The puzzling potentillas. Fremontia 21(1): 25-29. (Potentilla multijuga, presumed extinct in California; P. hickmanii, endangered in California, and P. basaltica, extremely rare in Nevada)

Ertter, B. 1993. A re-evaluation of the Horkelia bolanderi (Rosaceae) complex, with the new species Horkelia yadonii. Systematic Bot. 18(1): 137-144. (Threatened species)

Faden, R. 1993. A misconstrued and rare species of Commelina (Commelinaceae) in the eastern United States. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 80(1): 208-218. (Commelina gigas, rare species in Florida)

Flader, S. 1993. Saving a beanfield oasis. Am. Forests 99(1 & 2): 46-47, 55-56. (Big Oak Tree park, Missouri)

Foreman, D. 1992. Developing a regional wilderness recovery plan. Wild Earth Special Issue(Wildlands Project): 26-29.

Galloway, D. 1992. Biodiversity: a lichenological perspective. Biodiversity and Conservation 1(4): 312-323.

Glass, C. and Fitz Maurice, W. 1992. Operation rescue. Cact. Succ. J. (U.S.) 64(6): 295-298. (Rescuing cacti along new highway outside of San Luis Potosi)

Gradstein, S. 1992. Threatened bryophytes of the neotropical rain forest: a status report. Tropical Bryology 6: 83-93.

Hartfield, P. 1992. Surface mining threatens wildlife of the Buttahatchee River. End. Species Tech. Bull. 17(9-10): 3. (Mississippi)

Holdgate, M. 1992. Biodiversity conservation after Rio. Biodiversity and Conservation 1(4): 346-347.

Horwitz, P. 1992. Scientific research and the World Heritage Area. Tasmanian Naturalist 111: 28-31. (Australia)

Jones, L. 1993. Running the Tat. Buzzworm 5(1): 60- 64. (Canada's wild Tatshenshini & Alsek rivers threatened by proposed mining operation)

Jones, R. 1992. Additional studies of Aster georgianus, A. patens and A. phlogifolius (Asteraceae). Sida 15(2): 305-315. (Rare species, southern United States)

Kirkparick, J. 1992. Possible impacts of the World Heritage Area management plan on the maintenance of biological diversity. Tasmanian Naturalist 111: 6-9. (Australia)

Kurta, A., King, D., Teramino, J., Stribley, J. and Kimberley, J. 1993. Summer roosts of the endangered Indiana bat. Am. Midland Naturalist 129(1): 116-131.

Lau, A. 1992. Disappearing Mexican wilderness. Cact. Succ. J. (U.S.) 64(6): 299-300. (Chihuahua, Mexico)

Les, D., Reinartz, J. and Leitner, L. 1992. Distribution and habitats of the forked aster (Aster furcatus: Asteraceae), a threatened Wisconsin plant. Michigan Botanist 31(4): 143-152.

Lipske, M. 1992. A whale of a story. Nat. Wildlife 31(2): 4-13. (Whales threatened by fishing)

Manry, D. 1993. Cliff-hanger in Morocco. Int. Wildlife 23(2): 34-37. (Waldrapp ibis)

Maramorosch, K. 1991. Current status of neem pesticides and by-products. Recent Advances in Medicinal, Aromatic & Spice Crops 1: 23-29.

Marshall, A. and Swaine, M. (Eds.) 1992. Tropical Rain Forest: Disturbance and Recovery. The Royal Society, London, England. 135 pp. (Southeast Asia)

Martin, G. 1993. A little fox's big trouble. Nature Conservancy 43(2): 10-15. (Endangered San Joaquin kit fox, California)

Martini, A. 1992. Biodiversity and conservation of yeasts. Biodiversity and Conservation 1(4): 324-333.

Marynowski, S. 1992. Paseo Panthera. Wild Earth Special Issue(Wildlands Project): 71-74. (Wildlands in Central America)

McClellan, R. 1992. Southern Rockies ecosystem mapping. Wild Earth Special Issue(Wildlands Project): 84-85. (Colorado)

Mech, L. 1992. Construction of International Wolf Center begins. End. Species Tech. Bull. 17(9-10): 11. (Ely, Minnesota)

Medeiros, P. 1992. A proposal for an Adirondack primeval. Wild Earth Special Issue(Wildlands Project): 32-42. (New York, Adirondack Park)

Miller, M. 1993. Can Mexico City clean up its air? Int. Wildlife 23(2): 12-17. (Pollution)

Miller, S. 1993. High hopes hanging on a "useless" vine. New Scientist 137(1856): 12-13. (Chemical in tropical vine in Cameroon inhibits HIV)

Moore, H., Holt, W. and Mace, G. (Eds.) 1992. Biotechnology and the Conservation of Genetic Diversity. Zoological Society of London, London, England. 256 pp. (Symposium of the Zoological Society of London No. 64)

New, T. 1992. Butterfly Conservation. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England. 236 pp.

Newman, B., Irwin, H., Lowe, K., Mostwill, A., Smith, S. and Jones, J. 1992. Southern Appalachian wildlands proposal. Wild Earth Special Issue(Wildlands Project): 46-60. (Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky)

Nickens, E. 1993. Operation conservation. Nature Conservancy 43(2): 24-29. (A conservancy-aided project to search for and protect rare species and habitats on military installations)

Nickens, E. 1993. Woodpecker wars. Am. Forests 99(1 & 2): 28-32, 54-55. (Red-cockaded woodpecker)

Noss, R. 1992. The Wildlands Project land conservation strategy. Wild Earth Special Issue(Wildlands Project): 10- 25.

Oberwinkler, F. 1992. Biodiversity amongst filamentous fungi. Biodiversity and Conservation 1(4): 293-311.

Panayotou, T. and Ashton, P. 1992. Not By Timber Alone. Economics and Ecology for Sustaining Tropical Forests. Island Press, Covelo, California. 270 pp.

Parks, E. 1993. A special treat awaits zoophiles in Washington. Smithsonian Magazine 23(11): 54-61. (Amazonia exhibit)

Pimm, S. 1993. Life on an intermittent edge. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 8(2): 45-46. (Variability and rarity)

Porro, J. 1993. Saving Disney's land. Nature Conservancy 43(2): 32. (Walker Ranch in central Florida protected as a preserve)

Poynton, S. 1992. Forestry road construction in the World Heritage Area. Tasmanian Naturalist 111: 18. (Australia)

Price, J. 1993. Babbitt sees the forests, not the trees. Washington Times February 17: 6. (Secretary of the Interior proposes to base the Endangered Species Act on "ecosystems" instead of individual species)

Ramakrishna, K. and Woodwell, G. (Eds.) 1993. World Forests for the Future. Their Use and Conservation. Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut. 164 pp.

Redhead, S. and Norrell, L. 1993. Myceni gaultheri rediscovered after 50 years. Mycotaxon 46: 97-104. (Rare species, Washington to Oregon)

Rensberger, B. 1993. Grass species could save vast amount of cropland. Washington Post January 27: A2. (Vetiver planted to control soil erosion)

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