Beavers are someof the worlds most prolific ecosystem engineers, creating, maintaining and radically altering wetlands almost everywhere they live. But what, if anything, might control this engineering by beavers and influence the formation of North Americas wetlands?In a new paper published in the journal Science Advances, researchers with the University of Minnesotas Voyageurs Wolf Project and Voyageurs National Park observed and demonstrated that wolves affect wetland ecosystems by killing beavers leaving their colonies to create new ponds.Beavers are important ecosystem engineers that create wetlands around the world, storing water and creating habitat for numerous other species. This study documents that wolves alter wetland creation when they kill beavers that have left home and created their own dams and ponds.Juvenile beavers disperse alone and often create new ponds or fix up and recolonize existing, old ponds. By studying pond creation and recolonization patterns along with wolf predation on beavers, project biologists and co-authors Tom Gable and Austin Homkes found that 84% of newly-created and recolonized beaver ponds remained occupied by beavers for more than one year. But when a wolf kills the beaver that settles in a pond, no such ponds remain active.This relationship between wolves and dispersing beavers shows how wolves are intimately connected to wetland creation across the boreal ecosystem and all the ecological processes that come from wetlands (see infographic).How large predators impact ecosystems has been a matter of interest among scientists and the public for decades, said Gable, project lead of the Voyageurs Wolf Project. Because wolves are the apex predators in northern Minnesota and beavers are ecosystem engineers, we knew there was potential for wolves to affect ecosystems by killing beavers.Researchers found that wolves can have this impact on wetlands without necessarily changing the abundance or behavior of beavers. This newly supported link between wolf predation, dispersing beavers and wetlands may have long-lasting impacts for boreal landscapes and habitat for other species. The Voyageurs Wolf Project is investigating the long-term effects of this relationship."In 2015, we documented a wolf killing a dispersing beaver in a newly-created pond, said Homkes, a field biologist with the Voyageurs Wolf Project. Within days of the wolf killing the beaver, the dam failed because there was no beaver left to maintain it. The wolf appeared to have prevented the beaver from turning this forested area into a pond. This initial observation was fascinating and we realized we needed to figure out how wolves were connected to wetland creation in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem.After five years of intensive fieldwork, Gable, Homkes and colleagues have estimated that wolves altered the establishment of about 88 ponds per year and the storage of over 51 million gallons of water annually in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem. The pond observed in 2015 still has not been colonized by another beaver, said Gable, who visited the site in mid-September 2020.Our work hints at the possibility that wolves might have a longer-term impact on wetland creation and generate habitat patchiness that supports many other species across the landscape, but we need to study this mechanism further, said Joseph Bump, study co-author and associate professor in the Universitys Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology.Wolves and large predators are usually thought to have outsized ecological effects primarily by reducing the abundance of their prey or by altering the behavior of their prey through fear of predation, both of which allow predators to indirectly impact lower parts of the food chain such as vegetation, songbirds and other wildlife. Some research has even claimed wolves impact river ecosystems through trophic cascades, but this has been met with substantial skepticism and remains hotly debated among scientists."The fact that we have convincingly shown wolves can impact wetlands without necessarily changing the abundance or behavior of beavers is a really exciting finding," said co-author Sean Johnson-Bice, a project collaborator from the University of Manitoba.The Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem sits within a flat landscape that is dominated by water and trees, creating the perfect conditions that currently support some of the highest beaver densities in North America, said Voyageurs National Park wildlife researcher and co-author Steve Windels.Though we dont have evidence that wolves are limiting the size of the beaver population in Voyageurs, understanding the nuanced and complex ways that predators and prey affect one another and their environment is critical to fulfilling the National Park Services mission to protect and preserve our resources for future generations.This study identified a novel and unique way by which predators influence ecological processes, which ultimately enriches our understanding of the diverse roles predators play in ecosystems."There are a number of good reasons to maintain and restore healthy predator populations and this study should be helpful for understanding the full role and therefore value of predators, especially when they eat ecosystem engineers," Bump said.For more information on the Voyageurs Wolf Project, check out their website and follow their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts for regular project updatesThe Voyageurs Wolf Project is funded by the Minnesota Environment & Natural Resource Trust Fund, Voyageurs National Park, the National Park Service, the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota, the National Science Foundation, Van Sloun Foundation, Bell Museum, Thomas H. Shevlin Fellowship, Voyageurs Conservancy, Rainy Lake Conservancy, Byers Foundation, Northern Michigan University, Sturgeon River Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Timber Wolf Information Network, National Wolfwatcher Coalitionand numerous small donors and hardworking volunteers.

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Wolves alter wetland creation and recolonization by killing ecosystem engineers - UMN News

ENGINEERING AT ITS BEST... AND WORST: DON'T MISS THE RETURN OF SCIENCE CHANNEL'S HIT SERIES "DEADLY ENGINEERING" AND "IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING" PREMIERING NOVEMBER 11

Behind each seemingly impossible marvel of modern engineering is a trail of mistakes, missteps, lessons learned, and historical trailblazers who are responsible for pioneering new building techniques and taking risks that push the boundaries of innovation. At its best, extraordinary engineering can showcase human ingenuity in ways that defy what we once thought impossible. At its worst, even the most minute miscalculation can cost millions in both dollars and lives.

With the return of two Science Channel series, DEADLY ENGINEERING and IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING, viewers travel worldwide to discover remarkable engineering feats that prove impossible, and witness some of engineering's greatest successes and failures through expert analysis, archived footage, and witness interviews.

An all-new season of DEADLY ENGINEERING premieres Wednesday, November 11 at 9 pm ET/PT on Science Channel, followed by an all-new season of IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING at 10 pm ET/PT. In addition to watching DEADLY ENGINEERING and IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING on Science Channel, viewers can join the conversation on social media by following SCIENCE CHANNEL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and using the hashtags #DeadlyEngineering and #ImpossibleEngineering.

On this season of DEADLY ENGINEERING, experts deep dive into the events behind infamous engineering catastrophes such as the VSS Enterprise crash, Fukushima, Exxon Valdez, Grenfell Tower, and Three Mile Island, as well as notable disasters including the Flint, Michigan Water Crisis, the Piper Alpha Oil Rig explosion and the San Jose mine collapse in Chile. Using state of the art graphics and recounting harrowing witness accounts, viewers will get a never before seen look at the fatal missteps behind these calamities and learn new theories as to why these disasters came to be.

In the upcoming season of IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING, experts celebrate the record-breaking buildings, ships and spacecrafts that push the limits of what's possible and reveal how these mega-structures are built and operated. In the season premiere, engineers and test pilots attempt the first ever flight on the impossibly huge Stratolaunch, a one-of-a-kind aircraft carrier designed to lift rockets and high-speed super sonic planes into the stratosphere. In China, engineers must divert water from the wet south to the bone-dry north - and do so over the distance that is equal to traveling from New York to Los Angeles. The project, known as the South-To-North Water Diversion project, will provide water to millions of people and break boundaries as engineers attempt to accomplish the project relying on gravity alone. Also this season, in the southern Scottish countryside, a bizarre mega-machine capable of lifting large boats between two canals has appeared on the ancient landscape. Experts investigate the ground-breaking engineering behind this unique machine and how it made and how it made the route from the Scottish capital of Edinburgh to their largest city, Glasgow, navigable by boat.

DEADLY ENGINEERING is produced for Science Channel by SWR Media and Intermission Film in association with Dash Pictures and DCD Rights. For SWR Media, Daniel Sharp is Executive Producer. For Science Channel, Lindsey Foster Blumberg is Supervising Producer and Jennifer Gross is Producer. IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING is produced by Twofour Broadcast for Science Channel. For Twofour, executive producer is Neil Edwards and series producer is Jonney Steven. For Science Channel, Neil Laird is executive producer and Lindsey Foster Blumberg is supervising producer.

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Breaking News - Engineering at Its Best... and Worst: Don't Miss the Return of Science Channel's Hit Series "Deadly Engineering" and...

Estates and Facilities

Grade 9:-52,560 - 59,135 per annum

Open-Ended/Permanent-Full Time

Contracted Hours per Week:35

Closing Date:02-Dec-2020, 7:59:00 AM

Job Reference Number:20000685

Job Title: Head of Engineering Maintenance

Department: Estates and FacilitiesEstates Operations

Responsible to: Assistant Director (Estates Operations)

Responsible for:Maintenance Engineers (Electrical)Maintenance Engineers (Mechanical) BMS Engineer

Grade:9

Salary range:52,560-59,135

Contract type:Permanent

Working arrangements:Nominal 35 hours

Closing date:01 December @ midnight

Interview date: (if known)14 December 2020

The Department and role purpose

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a number of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses, including:

The Head of Engineering Maintenance will be responsible for delivering a strategic-based engineering (electrical and mechanical) maintenance and minor works service to the University. Leading, managing and developing the Engineering Team to deliver a high level of service.

The post-holder will be responsible for providing compliance assurance on a range of statutory inspections of engineering assets and systems on a pan-University basis.

Interviews for this post will take place on 14 December 2020.

Core responsibilities

Role responsibilities

Specific Role requirements

How to apply

We prefer to receive applications online.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statementhttps://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

What you are required to submit

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application will not be considered.

Contact details

For further information please contact: Jane Robson,jane.l.robson@durham.ac.uk.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

Person specification - skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience required

Essential Criteria

Desirable Criteria

Realising Your Potential Approach

Providing Excellent Student Services and Professional Support:Providing the best quality service to all our students, customers and stakeholders. Building genuine and long-term relationships, through every day interactions, in order to drive up service standards and to enhance their experience.

Providing Leadership and Direction:Seeing the work that you do in the context of the bigger picture and taking a long-term view. Communicating vision clearly and enthusiastically to inspire and motivate others.

Working Together:Working co-operatively with others in order to achieve objectives. Applying a wide range of interpersonal skills.

Using Resources Effectively:Making effective use of available resources including people, information, networks and budgets. Being aware of the financial and commercial aspects of the University.

DBS Requirement:Not Applicable.

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Head of Engineering Maintenance job with DURHAM UNIVERSITY | 233561 - Times Higher Education (THE)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. Transportation professionals from around the country will sign in from home and office computers next month, when the annual Transportation Engineering and Safety Conference (TESC) isheld virtuallyfor the first time in history.HeldDec. 911, TESC will bring together experts in industry and academia to discuss some of the most important issues in transportation.

Theconference is divided into six key trackssafety, operations, planning, design,technology andleadership.

Topics to be discussedinclude autonomous vehicles;intelligent transportation systems;new/revised state and federal transportation guidelines;public/private partnerships and innovative financing;work zone innovations;safety improvements; and smart city applications.

Justin Schwartz, Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineeringin the Penn State College of Engineering,will open the conference with a welcome speech. Schwartz is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. on Dec. 9.

YassminGramian, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will serve as the conferences keynote speaker. She is scheduled tospeak beginning at approximately 1:10 p.m.onDec. 9.

Featured sessions include:

Online registration is available for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors. The deadline toregister as a sponsoris Nov. 13. Attendees mustregister by Dec. 3to avoid late fees. For complete details about sessionsorexhibitor opportunities, visittesc.psu.edu.

TESC is made possible each year with the help of a long list of sponsors and exhibitors. This years platinum sponsors are AECOM, HNTB, Jacobs, Michael Baker International,PennoniAssociates, Inc. and WSP. A complete list ofsponsorsandexhibitorsmay be viewed onthe website.

TESC is administered byPenn State Conferences and Institutesand hosted by theThomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute.

The Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute is Penn States transportation research center. Since its founding in 1968, the Larson Institute has maintained a threefold mission of research, education and service. The institute brings together top faculty, world-class facilities and enterprising students from across the University in partnership with public and private stakeholders to address critical transportation-related problems.

Last Updated November 10, 2020

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Transportation Engineering and Safety Conference to be held Dec. 9-11 - Penn State News

Management CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT The City of Gibbon is currently accepting applications for a Cemetery Superintendent. Job entails, but not limited to, a variety of semi-skilled duties in operation, turf management, maintenance and upkeep of the city cemetery as well as an assortment of supervisory, administrative, and technical tasks along with participating in an on-call rotation with other department leaders. A background in turf management and maintenance is desired and to be able to work well with others. Must possess or able to obtain a Nebraska driver's license. Applicate must also be willing to obtain a Nebraska Herbicide and Pesticide Certification within (1) year of hire date paid for by City of Gibbon. The City of Gibbon is an equal opportunity employer that offers competitive wages and a full benefit package for this position. For more information or to request an application please call Gibbon City Hall 308-468-6118. Candidates may send an application and resume to: City Administrator, PO Box 130, Gibbon, NE 68840. Applications accepted until the position has been filled.

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Management CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT The City of Gibbon is currently accepting - Kearney Hub