Workshops

This daylong workshop will provide an overview of Bayesian modeling at a relatively introductory level and give participants a toolset to begin exploring creative statistical/modeling solutions within their own research scopes. The workshop will include presentation and discussion of basic concepts, including important elements of Bayesian statistics and hierarchical Bayesian modeling. We will also demonstrate the use of JAGS implemented through R; JAGS is a freely available Bayesian software package, similar to WinBUGS/OpenBUGS. Thus, participants should have some familiarity with R. During the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to develop and implement a Bayesian model based on a selection of data-motivated example problems. These examples will familiarize participants with data structures or analysis techniques relevant for addressing environmental problems.

Most plants form beneficial associations with mycorrhizal fungi that improve plant nutrition and stress tolerance in exchange for photosynthate. The abundance and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi can be altered following land use changes including stand-replacing fire, drought, tree mortality, invasive plant species and over-grazing. Does that mean that restoration projects should include additions of mycorrhizal fungi?  If so, are products available commercially likely to be helpful or should other approaches be used?  This workshop will explore those questions and provide examples of how mycorrhizal fungi and other soil organisms are being used to enhance restoration outcomes in the southwestern United States. The workshop will include short talks, tours of lab and greenhouse facilities, and discussion.

This workshop will introduce participants to emerging methods for integrating climate change impacts into biological soil crust restoration planning.Because biocrust restoration in the context of climate change is a new field, and best practices remain far from settled, we will additionally use the workshop to discuss new approaches and unresolved challenges during each phase of the restoration process from planning to aftercare and long-term monitoring, with the goal of producing a living guide to biocrust restoration in a changing climate that will contribute to a biocrust restoration handbook.

This workshop will provide the basic background information about biocrusts for science educators, including: What is a biocrust? What are biocrusts composed of? Where are biocrusts found? What do biocrusts do in ecosystems? We will share several distinct active- education modules that we have developed with the goals of teaching core science skills such as observation, experimentation, data collection, hypothesis testing, and use of taxonomic keys. We will also share a recently developed citizen science tool in which users can document their biocrust observations. Our modules span multiple areas of inquiry ranging from: (1) effects of disturbance and climate change on biota, (2) physiology and functional traits of diverse biota, (3) transformation and flow of energy and matter through ecosystems, (4) biodiversity, and (5) biogeography. We will offer an opportunity for participants to  observe natural biocrusts and brainstorm additional outdoor educational activities with the instructors.

This workshop will provide the basic background information about biocrusts for science educators and naturalists. Activities will include microscope time, citizen science, ecological experiments, and educational activities involving these cryptic and yet beautiful communities!