Scientists' Requests
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 Charles Wilder and DLIA Board member Dr. Jim Lowe "synchronize" their GPS units before starting a Fern Foray in the Park's Cataloochee area. Photo by Kemp Davis, Jr. |
- Mycology (Myxomycetes) - Steve Stephenson, slsteph@uark.edu,
MyxoWeb
- Collecting slime molds with visiting scientists; special collecting from certain forest types/habitats at different times of year.
- Use of GPS unit and general knowledge of how to collect biological specimens
- Entomology (Neuroptera & Megaloptera) - John Oswald, j-oswald@tamu.edu
- Insects are collected at mercury vapor and UV lights. Best results from tending the light sheet and collecting directly from the sheet.
- Recognition of various groups; know-how for light traps and sheets; trained in collecting series of specimens; most can be collected in alcohol; mounting and labeling helpful for some.
- Specialized training needed; ability to get to collecting sites; steady hand and good eyesight for mounting specimens; could use nice digital photos of species, particularly living specimens.
- Lichenology - Tor Tonsberg, Tor.tonsberg@bot.uib.no
- Searching for larger foliose and fruticose lichens; searching for specific lichens such as very rare ones that should not be collected but mapped (georeferenced).
- Basic knowledge of lichens; ID in field and lab; lichen conservation; how to press lichens; how to write a proper label; use of GPS for mapping lichen occurrences.
- Distribution of lichen genus Lobaria. Some species ave cyanobacteria as photobiont and are sensitive to air pollution—occurrence of such species may indicate sites with high biodiversity.
- Invertebrate Zoology (Tardigrada) - Paul Bartels, pbartels@warren-wilson.edu
- Creation of microscope slides of tardigrades (“water bears”).
- Also stream and seep sampling and processing.
- Proficiency with microscope and slide making techniques .
- Process is being conducted and refined at Tremont and Purchase Knob, since access to a lab, with alcohol and microscopes, is necessary.
- Copepod Crustaceans - Janet Reid, jwrassociates@sitestar.net
- Assist scientists in the field when they come to collect in the Park—carry buckets, record localities, be familiar with the Smokies
- Ability to use GPS unit; good physical condition to help in the field; for lab work, familiarity with use of dissecting microscope and good eyesight and eye-hand coordination
- Need collection of plankton samples from one or two ephemeral ponds in October-November. (Cades Cove wetland areas)
- Plankton net, plastic jars, alcohol, labels.
- Lepidoptera (Microlepidoptera) - John Brown, jbrown@sel.barc.usda.gov
- Special expertise required for most work;
- Volunteers can run blacklight traps and place specimens in plastic boxes in a freezer for ID by a specialist.
- Entomology training; familiarity with use of traps; knowledge of collecting and preservation methods.
- Lepidoptera (Noctuidae) - Michael Pogue, mpogue@sel.barc.usda.gov
- Collection of leps. at higher altitudes and poorly collected sites; set out traps and prepare specimens; Interested in volunteers collecting at other times of the year
- Good physical condition for getting out in the field; know how to collect, prepare, and label specimens, use GPS and database; for specimen preparation—good eye-hand coordination for delicate work; some people could collect and rear caterpillars
- Willing to train volunteers during his visits to the Park.
- Need supplies and work space.
- Need dedicated volunteers with interest in obtaining skills;
- Also could use photographers
- Coleoptera (Chrysomelidae) - Ed Riley, egrchryso@tamu.edu
- Use Photoshop to help with final touch-ups of beetle images for web pages;
- Check certain plants for rare leaf beetles at certain times of the year, then document locations, and collect specimens for verification and preservation
- Separate beetles from malaise trap samples, then sort beetles to major groups
- For web page work, need fast computer, good internet connection and Photoshop knowledge;
- Plant ID skill and interest in hiking ;
- Need sorting workshop to teach basic beetle taxonomy
- Sorting session on beetles would require lab space, microscopes, instructors, and seriously interested volunteers
- Entomology (Hymenoptera) - Donald Manley, dmanley@clemson.edu
- Specimen collecting, pinning, and sorting
- Use of GPS;
- Basic knowledge of insect orders and sorting; Know how to use a microscope; Good physical condition
- Hymenoptera - Lubomir Masner, (613) 759-1827
- Collecting from yellow bowls and other methods in Cades Cove over the spring and summer; documenting and databasing work.
- Training in particular methods; Use of GPS, and knowledge of other field methods
- Lubo will train interested volunteers.
- Tephritids - Bruce Sutton, suttonb@doacs.state.fl.us,
Gary Steck, steckg@doacs.state.fl.us
- Intensive trapping at Cades Cove and Purchase Knob with malaise traps; Traps need to be checked at least twice weekly and samples frozen Sweeping of certain plants for tephritids; and making other field observations in Cades Cove, Purchase Knob, and some high elevation sites
- Entomology background; Use of GPS and knowledge of collecting, recording data;
- Ability to get out in the Park on a regular basis
- Need regular collections from traps; specimens will be placed in a freezer until retrieved.
- Aquatic Insects -
Chuck Parker, Chuck_Parker@usgs.gov
- Collecting, sorting, and preparing specimens from targeted sites around the Park. Rearing specimens to associate larval and adult stages.
- Use of microscope; good eyesight; computer skills; photography; illustrating; web page development; data entry
- Will train and work closely with volunteers. Collecting often requires night time light trapping, day time sweeping, beating, and looking closely. Rearing requires sampling in the water, keeping specimens alive and, of course, lots of T.L.C.
- Biology (Inventory and Monitoring) - Keith
Langdon, Keith_Langdon@nps.gov
- Web pages of all the trees in the Park; Photos of leaves, buds and twigs, bark, etc.; Put data into web page template
- Scanning of insect and other specimens on high resolution scanner and entering into database
- Photography and computer skills
