Saturday, April 07, 2007

Mapping tools: Habitat Digitizer Extension

Developed by NOAAs Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment Biogeography group the Habitat Digitizer Extension is designed to use a hierarchical classification scheme to delineate habitats by visually interpreting georeferenced images such as aerial photographs, satellite images, and side scan sonar. The extension allows users to create custom classification schemes and rapidly delineate and attribute polygons, lines, and points using simple menus. The extension allows new hierarchical classification schemes to be easily created, modified, and saved for use on future mapping projects.

http://www.ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/digitizer/welcome.html

Looking for independent review of this tool by users!

New habitat mapping jobs

For starters - get hired in Australia:

There are several new job vacancies in Seabed Mapping and Characterisation group (Geoscience Australia):

Senior Marine Geologist/Geomorphologist - Ongoing (Ref: 12716)

Band 3 Level 6 (Executive Level 2)

Salary $86,424 - $97,215 + superannuation

We are seeking a senior marine geologist/geomorphologist to develop and lead an innovative research program focussed on using geology and geomorphology to help characterise and classify seabed habitats in key frontier and under-explored regions of Australia’s marine environment. Outcomes from the research will initially be used to create geological and seabed habitats maps for Australia. You will be an established scientist, having a PhD or equivalent in marine geology and/or geomorphology, and have at least 5 years post-doctoral or work experience in applying your research to practical applications. You will also possess a solid record of peer-reviewed scientific publications focussed on using geological and geomorphic techniques for characterising seabed environments. Experience in leading and managing small teams to achieve project outcomes is also a pre-requisite.

Senior Marine Acoustic Scientist – Ongoing (Ref: 17041)

Band 3 Level 6 (Executive Level 2)
Salary $86,424 - $97,215 + superannuation

We are seeking a marine acoustic scientist to develop and lead an innovative research program focussed on using acoustic seabed properties to help characterise and classify seabed habitats. Initially, outcomes of the research will be used to create a seabed substrate map for Australia’s marine region. You will be an established scientist, having a PhD or equivalent in marine acoustics, habitat mapping or seabed classification, and at least 5 years’ post-doctoral or work experience in applying your research to practical applications. You will also possess a solid record of peer-reviewed scientific publications focussed on using marine acoustics for habitat mapping and/or seabed classification. Experience in leading and managing small teams to achieve project outcomes is also a pre-requisite.

Benthic Marine Ecologist – (Ref: several positions)

Band 2/3 Level 4/5 (APS 6/Executive Level 1)
Salary $63,821 - $83,100 + superannuation

We are seeking two (2) research scientists to develop an innovative research program focussed on determining the degree to which abiotic variables in the marine environment can be used to predict the potential distributions of benthic marine biota. Outcomes from the research will be used to support environmental assessments of areas for future petroleum exploration and marine management. You will have attained relevant tertiary qualifications, PhD or equivalent, in benthic marine ecology or biology, and/or a related field of marine science. Marine geoscience experience or expertise is highly desirable. You will also have a record of peer-reviewed scientific publications. Both positions are available from 1 July 2007 until 30 June 2011.

Spatial Modeller – (Ref: 16998)

Band 3 Level 5 (Executive Level 1)
Salary $73,875 - $83,100 + superannuation

We are seeking a research scientist to lead the development of methods to undertake multivariate analyses of spatial biophysical data to classify seabed environments in Australia’s marine region to support the environmental assessment of areas for future petroleum exploration. You will have a PhD or equivalent in spatial science, mathematics, and/or a related field of marine science, and several years of post-doctoral or work experience in applying your research to practical applications. You will also have a record of peer-reviewed scientific publications in spatial science, mathematics and/or a related field of marine science. Experience in managing small teams to achieve project outcomes is also a pre-requisite. Marine geoscience experience or expertise is highly-desirable.

Applications for all positions at this web site:

http://gacareers.nga.net.au/fnt_jobs_list.cfm?mode=vacancies&skip_jobs_list_filter_on=1

I am back

After 8 months of nonstop life I am back to blogging. Wow, there were so many things in the world of habitat mapping - it is hard to discuss them all. I'll see what catches my attention.