Highlights for June 9, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• Invasives, Biosafety Topics at International Biodiversity Conference. Mike Ruggiero of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics represented DOI and USGS at the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of Parties Fifth Meeting, held May 15-27 in Nairobi, Kenya. Significant issues of negotiation included biosafety, invasive species, clearinghouse mechanism (informatics), national reporting, indicators and monitoring, taxonomy, ecosystem approach, indigenous knowledge, and biodiversity in agricultural, forest, dryland, and marine systems. (Mike Ruggiero, Washington, D.C., 202-786-3117)

• CENR Ecological Subcommittee. Mike Ruggiero of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics and Executive Secretary, Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Subcommittee on Ecological Systems, is arranging a meeting of the Subcommittee this Friday, June 9, to begin planning interagency research activities for FY 2002. (Mike Ruggiero, Washington, D.C., 202-786-3117)
• Fire Training Assistance by USGS Scientist. Karl Brown of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics served on the faculty of the GPS Technical Specialist pilot course taught at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho. The course, "Field Applications of Global Positioning Systems for Wildland Fire Management," trained 18 students in the geospatial skills and techniques needed to deliver a map-ready digital coordinate file for mapping wildfires in ArcView. Reality-based training included two sessions of polygon mapping, including aerial helicopter flight. The training materials were assembled by NPS, BLM, and USGS, and are a culmination of the status of our knowledge of GPS mapping. Materials can be accessed from NIFC at and are also available on CD-ROM from DOI agency fire personnel. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303-202-4240)

• New GAP Bulletin Looks Back-and at What's to Come. The 1999 issue of the Gap Analysis Bulletin, the eighth in a series of annual publications produced by the USGS Gap Analysis Program (GAP), will be mailed to subscribers this week. This year's theme is looking back on the first ten years of GAP-as well as looking forward to the next decade. The bulletin features 24 articles on various aspects of gap analysis methods and results. Topics include land cover mapping, animal distribution modeling, reserve design, aquatic GAP, land use planning, and other applications of GAP data. The bulletin also provides updates on the status of each GAP state project as well as pertinent notes and announcements. (Elisabeth Brackney, Moscow, Idaho, 208-885-3560)

• USGS Contributes to NTM Sourcebook Development. On May 23, Karl Brown of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics presented the conceptual design of the National Technical Means (NTM) Sourcebook at the Classified Session of the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Convention held May 22-26 in Washington, DC. Current multiple education sources are available; however, no composite reference for users exists. Both a classified and an unclassified version of the Sourcebook will be issued to assist researchers interested in data alternatives and imagery-derived products available from NTM, including National Reconnaissance Office educational products. The summary-unclassified synopsis will be developed last and will include secure communications and facilities guidance (Karl Brown, Denver, 303-202-4240)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:

• International ITIS Strategy. On June 13-14, Mike Ruggiero of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics and director of the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) is sponsoring a meeting among representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to develop a North American ITIS strategy. The Integrated Taxonomic Information System is a partnership of U.S., Canadian, and Mexican agencies, other organizations, and taxonomic specialists cooperating on the development of an online, scientifically credible list of biological names focusing on the biota of North America. ITIS is also a participating member of Species 2000, an international project indexing the world's known species. (Mike Ruggiero, Washington, D.C., 202-786-3117)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.