22 April 2013

Article Published on Mosquitos in DC & Baltimore



Paper by Dr. Shannon LaDeau, BES Co-PI, and colleagues was recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.  Below is a brief summary of the work.

Mosquito-vectored pathogens are (re)emerging in many urban environments, reinvigorating research efforts to understand patterns of urban infestations derived from complex interactions between ecological and social factors that define where mosquito populations can grow.  In this study we compared the density of mosquito habitat and pupae production across economically varying neighborhoods Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC.  We recorded seven species capable of transmitting human pathogens, including the invasive Aedes albopictus, which was the only species found in all neighborhoods.  Culex pipiens, a primary vector of West Nile virus (WNV), was predominantly found in Baltimore and was most abundant in abandoned tires. Both Culex and Aedes pupae (our best indicator of biting adults) were more likely to be sampled in neighborhoods categorized as below city-specific median income level.  The abundance of Aedes pupae was also greater in container habitats in lower income neighborhoods. We infer that lower income residents may experience greater exposure to potential disease vectors and Baltimore residents specifically, were at greater risk of exposure to the predominant WNV vector.  However, we also found that resident-reported mosquito nuisance was not correlated with our measured risk index, indicating a potentially important mismatch between motivation needed to engage participation in control efforts and the relative importance of control among neighborhoods. 

LaDeau, S.L., P.T. Leisnham, D. Biehler, D. Bodner. 2013. Higher mosquito production in low-income neighborhoods of Baltimore and Washington, DC: understanding ecological drivers and moquito-borne disease risk in temperate cities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 10:1505-1526. doi:10.3390/ijerph10041505.  http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/10/4/1505

Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) 5th World Conference 6-11 October 2013




The deadline to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations at the 5th World Conference on Ecological Restoration has been extended until May 15, 2013.  This will be the final deadline for all submissions.

Please visit the Call for Abstracts page on the conference website for complete instructions and a link to the online submission form.

If you have been invited to present as part of an organized symposium, you must also submit your abstract before the May 15 deadline in order to ensure that your presentation is included in the conference program.

We welcome abstracts from restoration researchers, practitioners, government officials, and others on a broad range of topics and themes related to ecological restoration.  We also encourage submissions on new and emerging topics in the field, so don't feel limited to this list! 

THE Restoration Event of 2013

The SER2013 World Conference connects researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and industry professionals, and provides the premier opportunity to develop relationships and share research findings, best practices, and new ideas with others working in the field of ecological restoration.

The 4-day scientific program includes an exciting slate of workshops and symposia organized by public, private, and non-profit groups from around the world, and will feature several internationally renowned keynote speakers including: author Paul Hawken, visionary forest engineer and conservationist, Willie Smits, and Alvaro Ugalde, founder of Costa Rica's National Park System.

In addition to a dynamic program of scientific sessions, SER2013 also offers a number of pre-conference training courses covering a variety of topics, and post-conference field trips visiting sites throughout southern Wisconsin.

Conference partners include: Aldo Leopold Foundation, Arboretum at UW-Madison, International Crane Foundation, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW-Madison, Niagara College-Canada, The Wildlands Network, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Register now and save up to $125 on the cost of registration.  Become a member of SER and receive additional savings.  Visit the Registration page for a list of rates and a link to the online registration form.