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Research Ecologist Jim Estes Receives a Meritorious Service Award from the Department of the Interior
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November 2003 |
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Jim Estes, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research ecologist and adjunct professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, received a Meritorious Service Award at the USGS Western Region Awards Ceremony held October 15, 2003, in Menlo Park, CA.
The Meritorious Service Award was established by the Department of the Interior in 1948 and is the
second-highest departmental honor award that can be granted to a career employee (the highest is the Distinguished Service Award).
Western Regional Director Doug Buffington read the following summary of Jim's citation at the ceremony:
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Western Regional Geologist Wes Ward (left) had the pleasure of presenting USGS research ecologist Jim Estes with a Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award.
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Jim Estes is awarded this citation in recognition of his exceptional research on
the role of predators in coastal marine ecosystems. Jim discovered the keystone role of the sea otter in kelp forests, uncovering the dramatic effects that disturbing one element in this ecosystem had on its other elements. Jim has documented the collapse of the sea-otter/kelp-forest ecosystem in western Alaska and the role of killer-whale predation in the collapse. His outstanding and innovative research has taken the knowledge of worldwide marine ecosystems to new levels of understanding and appreciation, revealing the clear role of overfishing and consequent changes in ecological communities. Jim's work has already influenced global decision makers to set new policy goals for restoration and management of coastal ecosystems. |
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November 2003
in this issue:
cover story:
Southern California Gas Hydrate Discovered
Gulf of Mexico Deep-Water Coral Habitats
Impacts of Hurricane Isabel
2003 Hokkaido Earthquake and Tsunami
Marion County Springs Festival
Earth Science Week Exhibits
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Sally Ride Science Festival
Blacks in Government
Estes Receives Meritorious Service Award
Maender Receives Communicator of the Year Award
Marincioni Farewell
November Publications List
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U. S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
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