Highlights for March 30, 2001

I. Key Department News:

• USGS/CBI Scientist Proposes Collaboration with Scientific Societies on Registry of Scientific Names: Dr. Michael Ruggiero, Director Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) and Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, World Bank, proposed development of a uniform numbering system and registry of scientific names of the world's species. They made the proposal to the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) Council and Governing Board on March 27 in Roslyn, Virginia. The group represented the leaders of more than 70 professional societies. Such a registry and numbering system will provide wider and more rapid access to the world's biodiversity databases. (Mike Ruggiero, Washington, D.C., 202-786-3117)

• Invasive Species presentation at the American Chemical Society: Karl Brown, Center for Biological Informatics, will assist with the presentation of collaborative research efforts on leafy spurge mapping at the 221st ACS National Meeting in San Diego, CA on April 1-2. Mr. Brown’s presentation will be one of over 30 symposia and will address the use of hyperspectral imaging and atmospheric correction. Georeferencing satellite and airborne sensors will be described, as will the spectral responses at both ground level and multi-height sensor data. Mr. Brown collaborated on this study with Ralph Root, (NMD), Ray Kokolay (GD), and Gerry Anderson, USDA Agricultural Research Service. The ACS expects over 2,000 attendees at the Conference. (Karl Brown 303-202-4240)

• USGS/CBI Scientist Speaks at International Symposium on the Catalog of Life: Dr. Michael Ruggiero, Director, Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), will make a presentation at the Museum of Natural History, Paris on April 2 about North American efforts to develop a catalog of scientific names. He will review the collaborative work done during the past five years in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Dr. Ruggiero will also attend a management team meeting of Species 2000, a global effort to index the world's known species. ITIS is a major partner in this global effort. (Mike Ruggiero, Washington, D.C., 202-786-3117)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives: No report.

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.