save the rhyno... too

there was an interesting editorial in nature regarding the conflict between biodiversity conservation and human rights in the developing countries. I invite you all to debate the contents and meaning of the editorial. Editorial: Save the people, too (Nature, Volume 435 Number 7044, p855)Conservationists must pay attention to the needs of local human, as well as animal, populations.You can read also the related article in the same issue of nature:News FeaturesConservation in Myanmar: Under the gun p870Western conservation biologists working in Myanmar have been accused of colluding with a brutal military regime ｭ charges they deny. Duncan Graham-Rowe reports from this pariah state.Time: friday 24th, 11:30 amplace: museumWith my best,Ahimsa

Image: Tough skin, gentle soul, oil and acrylic on canvas by Helen Lurye

keeping eye on neighbors

I suggest the following papers about the relationship between home range and body size in mammals:

Keeping an Eye on the Neighbors Steven Buskirk Science 8 October 2004; 306: 238-239 [DOI: 10.1126/science.1104480] (in Perspectives)

The Scaling of Animal Space Use Walter Jetz, Chris Carbone, Jenny Fulford, and James H. Brown Science 8 October 2004; 306: 266-268 [DOI: 10.1126/science.1102138] (in Reports)

The second paper is the original scientific article published in Science, and the first one is the perspectives (comments) on the relevance of this work. We will focus on the perspectives, as usual, but it is helpful if you read both.

Image: Breaking ice (2000), oil on panel by Judith Currelly