Friday, August 10, 2007: 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
A3&6, San Jose McEnery Convention Center
SYMP 24 - Effects of human choice on ecosystem properties
The theme of this symposium is the interplay between human choices and their environmental effects. Goals are (1) to examine the effect of choices on ecosystem properties, with focus on residential areas, (2) to examine socio-ecological models developed by social scientists used to conceptualize “choice” in urban ecosystems, and (3) discuss the opportunities and pitfalls of the multidisciplinary collaborations needed to study interactions of humans with landscapes. Speakers for the symposium represent a mix of social scientists who have been involved in studies of urban ecosystems together with biophysical scientists (ecology, climatology and environmental engineering) who are studying the effects of “choice” at the household or landscape level. Each talk will integrate aspects of human behavior and choice with resulting ecosystem properties, including nutrient flux, vegetation patterns, stream biodiversity and surface temperature. The first talk will be explicitly linked to the subsequent talks, providing context. It will also introduce a set of 3-5 questions for listeners to ponder during the talks, and to provide the starting point for the discussion and synthesis to follow the talks. The symposium will fit the ESA time guideline of 3.5 hours. Talks will be 25 minutes long. Allowing for a 10-minute break, this will leave 25 minutes for discussion and structured synthesis. The proposed symposium is one of several interrelated activities being developed by the Urban Ecology section. Symposium organizers are coordinating with other in the Urban Ecology Section to develop an urban ecosystem field trip in San Jose so that themes from the symposium carry over into the field trip. We also plan to host an off-site, informal dinner with symposium speakers and the UE section. Finally, we will seek to develop an integrative paper on the topic “the importance of human choice on the properties of urban ecosystems” as a follow-up product from the symposium. Symposium speakers will be invited to participate in writing this article and we will plan schedule at least one authors’ meeting at ESA to shape the article.
Organizer:Lawrence A. Baker, University of Minnestoa
Co-organizers:Loren B. Byrne, The College of Wooster
Jason Walker, Arizizona State University
Moderator:Loren B. Byrne, The College of Wooster
8:00 AMThe importance of choice on ecosystem properties
Lawrence A. Baker, University of Minnestoa, Loren B. Byrne, Roger Williams University, Jason Walker, Arizizona State University, Alex Felson, EDAW - New York
8:25 AMMoney grows trees: A socio-ecological path analysis
Jason Walker, Arizizona State University, John M. Briggs, Arizizona State University
8:50 AMLifestyle choices: Land management practices and the ecology of prestige - Results from the Baltimore LTER project
Morgan Grove, U.S. Forest Service
9:15 AMParticipatory planning in ecological design: Urban cases from the Pacific Northwest
Kristina Hill, University of Virginia, Miranda Maupin, University of Virginia
9:40 AMShaping of neighborhood microclimates
Anthony Brazel, Arizona State University, Sharon L. Harlan, Arizona State University, Lela Preshad, Arizona State University, William L. Stefanov, NASA Johnson Space Center, Darrel Jenerette, University of Arizona, Larissa Larsen, Univeristy of Michigan, Nancy Jones, Arizona State University
10:05 AMBreak
10:15 AMThe influence of choice on nutrient fluxes through households and what influences choices
Kristen C. Nelson, University of Minnesota, Larry A. Baker, University of Minnesota, Paul M. Hartzheim, University of Minnesota, Sarah E. Hobbie, University of Minnesota, Jennifer Y. King, University of Minnesota, Michelle A. Payton, University of Minnesota
10:40 AMEffects of landscape preferences on stream condition: Empirical evidence from the Puget Sound lowland
Vivek Shandas, Portland State University
11:05 AMDiscussion

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See more of The ESA/SER Joint Meeting (August 5 -- August 10, 2007)