Link to Science-Based Conservation Project in Israel	Salit Kark, Ph.D. The Biodiversity Research Group Senior Lecturer Biodiversity Research, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Biological Invasions, Urban Ecology and Global Change Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel Phone: 972-2-6585714 Fax: 972-2-6584741 E-mail:salit.kark@gmail.com Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, Australia Link to my research group web page	Link to Identifying top questions and horison scanning topics for cobservation

Research Interests	Publications	Ongoing Research Projects
Awards and Research Grants	Conferences and Workshops	Academic History
Teaching and Courses	Members in research group	Around the world and family

RESEARCH INTERESTS

MAIN SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS

Conservation Planning, Mediterranean conservation, Environmental decisions, Biodiversity research, conservation biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, global change biology, biological invasions, distribution ranges, species ranges, gradients, birds, butterflies.

Our research focuses on understanding the patterns and processes shaping biodiversity and their implications for conservation in a changing world. We work at several levels, from the ecosystem and community down to the genetic level, aiming to unveil how the link between these factors shapes biological diversity in space and time. We combine in our research field work, experiments, GIS, remote sensing and molecular techniques.

We are interested especially in these main directions:

1. Biodiversity along species ranges and ecological gradients.
2. Biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes: This includes studies on both native and alien species in natural, agricultural and urban environs.
3. Conservation planning and prioritization at local, regional and global scales.
4. Systematic conservation planning and the importance of collaboration in the Mediterranean Basin and Mediterranean Sea.

Overview

My research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary aspects of biological diversity across species distribution ranges, environmental gradients, the effects of global change, species' introductions, urban ecology, and their implications for biodiversity research and conservation. I focus on patterns of survival and extinction across scales, from individual to ecosystem. I am intersted in the response of populations, communities and ecosystems to changing environments, and study global change effects on biodiversity, including climate change, fragmantation, and introduced alien species. Working in both natural and agricultural systems, I study patterns and processes in biodiversity at multiple scales and compare diversity and developmental instability from the molecular genetic and the phenotypic level, through the population level to the community and the ecosystem levels. I apply principles developed primarily at the community level to the population level. For example, I aim to extend the search for biodiversity rich areas, termed "diversity hotspots", which has traditionally been limited to the community level to the within-species level. My goal is to include the processes that determine biodiversity in research and in conservation ecology. I am interested in the link between macroecology, large-scale spatial and temporal patterns, and smaller scale local ecological and evolutionary processes. I attempt to integrate observational and experimental field work in different regions of the world with novel molecular approaches, working mostly on terrestrial vertebrates. I believe that a comparative approach provides us with a sound scientific tool to study our research hypotheses and may lead us to a better understanding of the patterns and processes determining diversity.

My thesis and some of my current research focus on the role of species distribution ranges, ecological gradients and ecotones (areas of ecological transition) in ecology, biodiversity and evolutionary biology work. Focusing mostly on animals, I aim to better understand the processes that produce the patterns of diversity at both the within and between-species levels. I am testing spatial patterns in environmental stress and developmental instability, as estimated by fluctuating asymmetry across environmental gradients and distribution ranges of species. In this work, I aim to compare patterns across various groups - including birds, butterflies and plants.

I am interested in patterns of survival and extinction across species ranges, and their change in time and space. In this framework, I study the effects of human-induced environmental changes on ecological and evolutionary processes and patterns. I look at temporal trends and shifts in asymmetry in species that have declined or gone extinct due to human-induced factors. Together with collaborators, in a study of range contraction, I am working on patterns of extinction and survival in species that have declined across their distribution range due to human-related factors. The aim is to test which populations across the species range persist in the face of environmental changes. In addition, we are testing whether declines of populations and changes in the levels of stress perceived by individuals may be predicted based on changes in bilateral asymmetry. If this is the case, developmental instability estimates may be useful as early-alarm calls, before the species declines to extinction.

In addition, I am interested in the complex relationship between humans and biodiversity, in applied ecology and environmental sciences, and in the services provided to humanity by nature, also termed ecosystem services. I am interetsed in biodiversity in both native and human-dominated environments, and in the role of agriculture, traditional and modern, in changing biodiversity patterns and processes, as well as maintaining native diversity.

I am also intersted in species' introductions across ecosystems, ranges and ecological communities. Currently, I am studying patterns of range expansion, species invasion and ecosystem survival across convergent Mediterranean ecosystems in California, the Mediterranean Basin, Western Australia, the South African Cape region and Chile. My focus is on birds. I aim to use this model system to test the effects of introduced alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem processes across ecosystems.

I am also intersted in biodiversity patterns in human-dominated landscapes, and am working on biodiversity patterns in urban, agricultural and other human related enviornments and their impacts on native biodiversity patterns and processes.

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Ongoing Research Projects and Collaborations

I. The role of ecotones in ecology and evolution: ecotones as diversity hotspots
1. Global diversity hotspots - A focus on ecotones and environmental gradients in global databases across ecoregions and biomes using novel approaches. A comparison of multiple groups (birds, mammals, plants).
2. Global diversity hotspots - A comparison of African plants and bird diversity across boundaries.
3. Local diversity hotspots: A focus on ecotones and environmental gradients across altitudinal and bathymetric gradients in Mount Hermon (birds, butterflies and plants) and the Red Sea (coral and fish).
4. Biodiversity, cultural diversity and organizational diversity across ecotones: an interdisciplinary study using geophysical and spatial statistical approaches.
II. Diversity across the distribution range and environmental gradients
1. Molecular patterns of diversity along ecological gradients and ecotones: an analysis of mtDNA sequencing, microsatellites and gene expression methods
2. Ecological changes in genetics of butterfly (Euchole belemia and E. falloui) across the distribution range
3. Development of approaches and methods for studying gradients: The Gradient Steepness Index
4. Species ranges and gradients – how do they coincide? A theoretical and empirical multi-group study.

III. Invasion biology across ecosystems and ecotones
1. Species introductions in Mediterranean type ecosystems - A comparison of the response of convergent Mediterranean-climate regions to invasions: a multi-species comparison
2. Invasion of birds in Israel: The factors that shape introduction success and failure with focus on birds in Israel and The effect of interactions within aliens and among alien and native species in Israel on establishment success (with focus on the starlings and parrots families).
3. DAISIE – Delivering Alien Species Inventories in Europe - a multi-country EU (FP6) consortium that aims to build and analyze a database of invasive organisms in Europe and the region.
4. Natural barriers to invasion: the role of boundaries and ecotones: a global comparison (California, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mediterranean Basin).
IV. Developmental instability and stress across the distribution range and environmental gradients
1. Asymmetry across the distribution range, from core to periphery: a search for general patterns and exceptions: Comparison of patterns in multiple species and gradients
2. Developmental stability and environmental stress at the local scale: a test across a nutrient gradient in a savannah using oak trees as a model
V. Range contraction and temporal dynamics of species ranges
1. Range contractions - a study of multiple species across the range
2. Patterns and processes of range contraction across the distribution range: approaches and methodology
3. Spatial patterns of range expansion and their relation to range contraction.

Biodiversity across altitudinal gradients: the role of ecotones, a study comparing three groups: birds, butterflies and plants in Mount Hermon along an elevation gradient from 200 to 2200 m.

Natural barriers to invasion and their implications for dynamic conservation: the role of transitional environments in maintaining ant species richness, rarity and introduction patterns and processes. With Dr. Harold Mooney, Dr. Deborah Gordon, Nicole Heller and Rebecca Young, Stanford University.

Natural barriers to invasion: the role of boundaries and ecotones: a global comparison (California, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mediterranean Basin). In collaboration with University of Victoria in Wellington, New Zealand (Dr. Phil Lester and Dr. Stephen Hartley).

Global diversity hotspots - A focus on ecotones and environmental gradients in global databases across ecoregions and biomes using novel approaches. A comparison of multiple groups (birds, mammals, plants).

A comparison of African plants and bird diversity across boundaries (in collaboration with Prof. Wilhelm Barthlott, Wolfgang Kueper, Henning Sommer, Jens Mutke, the BIOMAPS group, Bonn University).

Biodiversity, cultural diversity and organizational diversity across ecotones: an interdisciplinary study using geophysical and spatial statistical approaches (in collboration with Dr. Ronit Kark-Katz, Bar-Ilan Uni, Dr. Lisa Manne, The London Museum of Natural History, Dr. Tapan Mukerji, Stanford University).

Boundaries, gradients and ecotones as diversity hotspots - a global perspective. With Tom Brooks, Conservation International and Cambridge University, Tom Alnutt, WWF and Lisa Manne, Natural History Museum, London.

Patterns and processes of range contractions across species’ distribution ranges. In collaboration with Tim Blackburn, Imperial College at Silwood Park and Birmingham Univ., UK and John Fay, Stanford University.

From genes to phenoytpe: a comparison of spatial diversity patterns from the DNA, through the protein to the phenotypic level using the chukar partridge case study.

The role of species ranges, ecological gradients and ecotones in biodiversity conservation and in maintenance of biodiversity processes.

Species ranges reconsidered - in collaboration with Dr. Tim Blackburn, Birmingham Univ. and Dr. Niles Eldredge, The American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Diversity along ecological gradients and ecotones: molecular patterns of diversity. In collaboration with Dr. Ettore Randi and Dr.
Cristiano Tabarroni, Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica di Biologia, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Bologna (BO), Italy.

genetic diversity

Trends in genetic diversity estimated by mDNA sequencing across the distribution range in Israel and China: a comparison of two gradients. In collaboration with: Prof. Liu Naifa and Prof. Chen Qiang, Dept. of Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China, Prof. Zhou Tianlin, Qingyang Teacher's College, China and Prof. Ettore Randi and Dr. Cristiano Tabarroni - Population Genetics, molecular biology. National Wildlife Research Institute: Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica di Biologia, Ozzano dellíEmilia, Bologna (BO), Italy.

Developmental instability across ecological gradients, distribution ranges and ecotones.

Asymmetry across the distribution range, from core to periphery: a comparison of two butterfly (Pieridae: Euchloe) species. In collaboration with Stefan Van Dongen and Luc Lens, Antwerp Univ. and Erik Schmidt (previously at James Cook University, Queensland, Australia).

Asymmetry trends in the face of the Global Climate Change: a study of a relict tree species (Pistacia Atlantica) across a steep climatic gradient. In collaboration with Moshe Inbar - Dept. of Biology, Oranim Campus, University of Haifa, Israel.

Developmental stability and environmental stress across a nutrient gradient in a savannah: oak trees as a model. In collaboration with Mark Ritchie, Utah State University and Cedar Creek Long Term Ecological Research site (LTER), Minnesota.

Biodiversity and ecosystem services. With a working group at the Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University.

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ACADEMIC HISTORY

Current Appointment

Nov 2008 – Nov 2011 - Honorary Reader (~Adjunct Associate Professor), The Ecology Centre, The University of Queensland, Australia.

2007-2008 - Australian Research Council (ARC) International Sabbatical Research Fellow at the Ecology Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane (with Prof. Hugh Possingham).

From October 2002 - Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology, the Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Initiator and Head of research lab: The Biodiversity Research Group.

Postdoctoral research

2000-2002 - Post-doctoral research fellow, Mooney Lab, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Stanford University (with Prof. Harold A Mooney)

1999-2000 - Post-doctoral fellow with the Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University and the Center for Tropical Research, San Francisco State University

Ph.D. Research

1994-1999 (Sep.) - Ph.D. at the Department of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel in collaboration with the Institute for Wildlife Research, Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica di Biologia, near Bologna, Italy.

Research Topic:
Within-population diversity in the distribution range: Partridges as a research model.

Click here to download complete Ph.D. thesis

Advisors:
Prof. Uriel N. Safriel, Dept. of Ecology, Systematics and Evolution, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and The Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

Prof. Imanuel Noy-Meir, The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

1992-1994 - M.Sc. studies (courses completed with distinction, Summa Cum Laude), M.Sc. degree granted in Environmental Biology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Joint student with the Mitrani Center for Desert Ecology, The Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Sede Boqer, Israel.

1989-1992 - B.Sc. in Biology (with distinction, cum laude), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Courses in Psychology and Prehistory (The Hebrew University).

1985 - Matriculation (biology, mathematics, and art extended program), The University High School, Jerusalem.

1983-1984 - Research on the topic: A vegetation transect from the Mediterranean coast through the Jerusalem Mountains to the Judean desert, with emphasis on adaptation and phytogeography (research project, biology matriculation).

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Courses, Teaching Experience and Employment

Courses:
2009 - 2011 - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: "Biogeography" - an undergraduate course. Link to course web page

2004 - 2011 - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: "Conservation Biology" - an advanced graduate course on conservation ecology and applied conservation. Link to course web page

2003 - 2006 - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: "Evolution" - a course for final year B.Sc. and graduate students. Includes lectures, discussions and seminars on central papers and issues in evolutionary biology. Link to course web page

2003 - 2004 - Lecturer in the Etgar excellent student program of the Institute of Life Sciences.

Teaching Experience and Empolyment:

From October 2002 - Dept of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology, the Silberman Institute of Life Sciences The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Senior Lecturer.

1992-1999 - Teaching assistant at the Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in the courses:

TA in "Introductory Statistics and Probability" for Biologists (2nd year).
TA in Evolution for final year B.Sc. and graduate students.

October 1996 - Instructor in the course "Ecological Field Camp" on basic research methods (theoretical and field work) in Ecology for B.Sc. ecology students, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

1994-1997 - Initiator and organizer of "ESE Club", student seminar for the graduate students in Ecology, Systematics and Evolution (ESE). Scientific discussions, journal clubs and seminars on various ecological and evolutionary topics, research methodological issues etc.

1992-1999 - Zoology and nature group leader and guide in Kenya, East Africa, working for the Geographical Tours and Neot Hakikar.

1992-1999 - Lecturer on East Africa, Australia, zoology, ecology, conservation and various topics in Israeli Ministry of Tourism academic courses, tour-guide courses, and international group leader courses; lecturer for the Geographical Tours and Neot Hakikar.

1989-1992 - Guide and lecturer in elementary and high school science and nature courses.

1986-1988 - Nature, wildlife and conservation guide in Hermon Field School, the Society for Protection of Nature in Israel.

1985-1986 - Volunteer service in development town Mitspe Ramon in the Negev desert, Israel. Community work with children, youth and adults.

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For interested prospective students
(potential B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D students in our group)

You are welcome to browse through this web page, my research projects and directions, and download papers, and if this seems fascinating and interesting to you, and you are interested in joining our research group, please e-mail me salit@cc.huji.ac.il with some information on your previous studies, research and interests so that we can arrange a meeting. Please download this file for more details The Biodiversity Research Group .

POST-DOCTORAL, GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUTE STUDENTS IN MY RESEARCH GROUP

Postdoctoral Fellows and Visitors:

Dr. Rafi Kent (Ph.D. Technion; 2010 - Jan 2011)
Dr. Gili Konyak (Ph.D. Hebrew University of Jerusalem; 2009 - April 2010)
Dr. Francois Chiron (Ph.D. Museum of Natural History, Paris; Dec 2006 - July 2008)
Prof. Donald Dearborn (Lady Davis Sabbatical Fellow from the USA; March 2008 - May 2008)
Dr. Anne Turbe (Ph.D. Cambridge; Nov 2006 - April 2008)
Dr. Guy Pe’er (Ph.D. BGU; Feb 2005 - Oct 2006)
Dr. Susan Shirley (Ph.D. University of British Columbia; Sep 2005 - Dec 2006)

Graduate students:

Tessa Rawson (Ph.D. student, ongoing)
Eran Brokovich (Ph.D. student, graduated 2009)
Maya Sella (M.A. student, graduated 2008)
Gilad Bino (M.Sc. student, graduated 2007)
Oded Levanoni (M.Sc. student, graduated 2007)
Assaf Schwartz (M.Sc. student, graduated 2007)
Yotam Orchan (M.Sc. student, graduated 2006)
Orit Nir (M.Sc. student, graduated 2006)

International advisory to graduate students:

Shiri Noy - Summer project advisor (student exchange from McGill University, Canada) (2003).
Utku Perktas - Advisory scientist for Ph.D thesis (Hacettepe University, Department of Biology, Ankara, Turky) (2002-2003).

Undergraduate and other project students supervision in my lab:

Gil Rosenblum - Reintroduction of Fallow Deer in the Jerusalem Mountains (with collaboration of the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo).
Rony Atid, Amirim Project (Faculty of Science excellent student program) undergraduate research project on spatial patterns in biodiversity and cultural diversity (2007).
Tali Rosenberg – A database study on introduced species in Israel and in Europe.
Racheli Ben-David - Undergraduate (Biology) project advisor: interactions among alien and native cavity nesters (2004-2005).
Hagit Tamari –Etgar excellent student program research project advisor: changes in biodiversity along an elevation gradient and ecotones in Mount Hermon (2004-2005).
Gilad Bino – Etgar excellent student program research project advisor: Fluctuating asymmetry as an indicator of environmental stress
Assaf Shwartz - Undergraduate (Biology) and Summer project advisor: Bird diversity and invasion in Park Hayarkon (2003-2004).
Yaacof Rosman - Undergraduate (psyhcobiology) project advisor. The factors that shape the sucess of house sparrows in urban environments (2003-2004).
Adam Schalimtzek - Undergraduate (psyhcobiology) project advisor (2003-2004).
Gilad Bino – summer project: bird biodiversity along periphery-core and urban gradients (2003-2004).
David Cohen Khallas – Undergraduate project advisor: Bird diversity and invasion in Park Hayarkon (2003)
Ezer Miller – Graduate student summer project advisor: Adaptation and Response to environmental variation and Bird diversity and invasion in Park Hayarkon.
Samech Darawshi – Graduate Project on biodiversity of birds in traditional vs. modern agricultural landscapes advisor and summer project on: Urban bird biodiversity in open spaces and urban regions in Jerusalem (2003-2004).
Dr. Aderet Reich-Solomon – Summer research project on urban bird biodiversity in Jerusalem.
International advisory to graduate students:
Shiri Noy - Summer project advisor (student exchange from McGill University, Canada) on introduced mammals in Mediterranean climate regions).
Amir Ma’agan – B.Sc. seminar on introduced species in Israel (2003).
Adi Chasson – B.Sc. seminar on fluctuating asymmetry and sexual selection (2003).
Avital Dov – Etgar excellent student program research seminar advisor on introduced species (2003).
Tamar Marcus – Etgar excellent student program research seminar advisor (2003).

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Awards and Research Grants

2011 – 2017 – International PI, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED, Prof. Hugh Possingham Director).

2008 – 2011 – Appointed for three years as an Honorary Reader at the University of Queensland, Australia.

2008 – Chosen by The Nature Conservation (global conservation organization) as a Leader in the Global Mediterranean initiative alongside several other scientists and parctitioners. http://www.mediterraneanaction.net/ma_v2/leaders/kark_med_basin.jsp

2007 – Awarded the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage International Fellowship for a Sabbatical with University of Queensland.

2006 – Awarded the Prof. Hannah Farkas-Himsley and Alexander Himsley prize for excellence in scientific research for a young scientist in the Life Sciences.

2005 – The Nekudat Hen Yad Hanadiv Grant for Promotion of the Environmental assets in Agricultural Landscapes in Israel. Biodiversity in agricultural landscapes along the climatic gradient in Israel.

2005 – FP6 ALARM (Subcontract): Assessing large-scale environmental risks. Study on the ecology of Tomares nesimachus, an endangered butterfly species in Israel

2004 – Israel Science Foundation (ISF) grant. The role of ecotones as biodiversity hotspots (for 4 years).

2004 – FP6 STREP grant (DAISIE: Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe; for 3 years).

2004 – Israeli Ministry of Sciences and Technology (MOST) grant: Impacts of invasive birds on the local bird biodiversity (migrant and resident) in Israel.

2003 - Awarded the Alon Fellowship (by VATAT).

2003 – Awarded the Marsden Fund of the Royal Society of New Zealand (with Dr. Phil Lester, PI)

2002 - Offered the Israel Science Foundation Bikura Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

2001-2002- The Morrison Institute for Population and Resource Studies Grant.

2000-2001 - Stanford University Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

1999-2000 - The Rothschild Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

1999 - Offered the Fulbright Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

1999 - Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (JNF) grant for study of Trends in diversity across the range.

1998 - Australian Friends of the Hebrew University. Grant for participation and presentation of work at the International Society for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting in Macquarie Univ., Sydney, Australia.

1998 - South African Friends of the Hebrew University. Grant for participation and presentation of work at the 22nd International Ornithological Conference in Durban, South Africa.

1998 - The International Ornithological Conference, Durban Grant.

1997 - The JNF Center for Study of the Desertification and Restoration Ecology Research Center, grant for extending study and field work to China.

1996-1997 - The Inter-University Ecology Fund Grant. Research topic: Spatial patterns within the distribution range, and their implications for conservation.

1996-1998 - The Rieger Foundation Grant, The Desertification and Restoration Ecology Research Center, through the JNF. Research Topic: Trends in within-population diversity along the distribution range in the context of conservation and the Global Climate Change: Partridges as a model.

1996 - Association of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) grant for participation in summer meeting, UK.

1995 - The Polak prize for excellence in academic research achievement and studies, The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

1994-1996 - The Inter-University Ecology Fund. Research topic: Partridges as a model for testing hypothesis on variability in peripheral versus core populations, in the context of the Global Climate Change.

1994-1996 - The Pontremoli Research Fund through the Division of Financial Projects, Jewish National Fund (JNF).

1994-1995 - The Joe Alon Center for Regional Studies, Lahav, Research Grant.

1994 - The International Center, Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University Grant for participation in the XXI International Ornithological Conference in Vienna, Austria.

1993 - The Mitrani Center for Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institute for Desert Research Global Climate Change Research Grant.

1992-1994 - The International Center, The Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University Grant.

1992 The Dean's list for academic excellence.

1991 The Dean's list for academic excellence.

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Memberships in Associations

The Association of Animal Behaviour (1996-2001)

Society for Conservation Biology (1995-2004)

The Ecological Society of America

The Lepidopterists' Society of Israel (1999-2005)

The Society for Protection of Nature, Israel (1976-2001)

Peer reviews for journals

Reviewer for peer-reviewed journals:
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Biology Letters (The Royal Society), Diversity and Distribution, Ecology, Evolution, Ecography, Biological Invasions, Israel Journal of Zoology, Journal of Arid Environments, Journal of Avian Biology, Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, Oikos.

PUBLICATIONS

Papers and articles about our work by others

Jerusalem Post (October 2010) - Beautiful nuisances.

National Geographic (August 2010, Hebrew edition) - Aerial Invasion.

Science Magazine news: ScienceNOW daily News January 2010.

McDonald, R. I. 2009. The promise and pitfalls of systematic conservation planning. PNAS 106:15101-15102.Click here for a copy of the paper.

Marine Ecosystem and Management (MEAM), School of Marine Affairs, Univeristy of Washington.

BBC news Science & Environment. Iron Curtain kept out alien birds, by Matt Walker. Editor, Earth News, Dec 2009. Click here for a copy of the paper.

The European Commission Science for Environmental Policy news alert - Multinational conservation projects could save money (article about PNAS 2009 paper by Kark et al.), Oct 2009.

Decision Point 34: 10-12, Applied Environmental Decision Analysis Journal (Nov 2009).

Israel Society for Ecology and Environmemntal Sciences update (Jan 2009)

Hebrew University Press Release, international and national media (e.g. Science Alert, Science Daily, Wildlife News, Alpha Galileo, Globes (Israel) and others).

Israel 21c - a non-profit educational foundation with a mission to focus media and public attention on the 21st century Israel (http:www.israel21c.org).

National Geographic blog, Birdwatch, Conservation Magazine (Hebrew University press office and others).

Ha'aretz Newspaper (in Hebrew and English Editions). Invasion of the pet parrot accused of killing off locals, by Zafrir Rinat, Jan 2009.

The European Commission Science for Environmental Policy news alert - Preserving bird diversity in urban parks. Edited by SCU, The university of the West of England, March 2008.

The Hebrew University Press Office (Dovrut) - News report(Why is the woodpecker afraid of the starling?) on Proceedings of the Royal Society paper by Kark's lab on Invasive Species, Oct 2008.

Israeli Broadcasting Authority (Reshet Bet) interview by Dr. Nadir Tsur - June 2004.

National Geographic(Hebrew Edition) - Invasive Parrots, Dec 2004.

National Geographic(Hebrew Edition) - Urban Biodiversity, Dec 2004.

Kav Pnim - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem monthly journal. Dec 2009, Nov. 2004.

The Times, London. Unnatural Selection, by Sanjida O'Connell, Jan 2001.

Link to Full Publications list

EDS MATLAB program (Kark and Mukerji, T. 2001), the two files should be downloaded:

Download the EDS (Estimator in a Dependent Sample) bootstrap MATLAB program calculationEDS file (Kark and Mukerji, T. 2002)

Download the EDS (Estimator in a Dependent Sample) bootstrap MATLAB program bootEDS file (Kark and Mukerji, T. 2002)

Articles and interviews about my work:

The Hebrew University press office - Why is the woodpecker afraid of the starling? about Proceedings of the Royal Society paper (#32 in list), Oct 2008.
The European Commission Science for Environmental Policy news alert - Preserving bird diversity in urban parks. Edited by SCU, The University of the West of England, March 2008.
Israeli Broadcasting Authority (Reshet Bet) interview by Dr. Nadir Tsur, June 2004.
Kav Pnim – Article on my research and research group, Nov 2004.
National Geographic (Hebrew Edition) – Invasive parrots, Dec 2004.
National Geographic (Hebrew Edition) – Urban biodiversity, Dec 2004.
Israeli Broadcasting Authority (Reshet B) interview by Dr. Nadir Tsur – June 2004.
The Times, London. Jan 15, 2001. Unnatural Selection (by Sanjida O'Connell).
Please click here for a link to an article from The Times, London discussing my work

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Confrences & Workshops

Oral & Postar Presentations at Scientific Meetings

The 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Florida, 2008.

The 20th International Congress of Zoology proceedings, Paris, 2008

The Commonwealth Environmental Research Facility on Applied Environmental Decision Analysis Workshop on incorporating genetics in conservation planning, Brisbane Australia, 2007.

Kark S. Carvalho S., Carwardine J., Game E., Grantham H., Klein C., Levin N., Nicol S., Judit Szabo, Wardell-Johnson G., Wilson, K. and Possingham H. The 11th International Mediterranean Ecosystems Conference (MEDECOS) abstracts, Perth, Australia, September 2007.

Van Rensburg, B., Kark, S. and Levin, N. The 21st conference of the Society for Conservation Biology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, July 2007.

Shwartz, A. (and Kark, S.). The 43rd Conference of the Zoological Society of Israel, The Open University, Israel, Dec 2006.

Brokovich, E. Einbinder, S., (Kiflawi, M. Shashar, N. and Kark, S.) The 43rd Conference of the Zoological Society of Israel, The Open University, Israel, Dec 2006.

Bino, G. Levin, N. and Kark S. The Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences Annual Meeting, June 2006.

Bino, G. (and Kark, S.), The 43rd Conference of the Zoological Society of Israel, The Open University, Israel, Dec 2006.
won the Porter School of Environmental Sciences award for the best lecture in the conference.

Levin N., Shmida A., Levanoni O., Tamari H. and Kark S. Israeli Geographical Association 47th Annual Conference Abstracts, Tel Aviv University, December 17-19, 2006.

Sella, M., Kark, R. and Kark, S. Israeli Geographical Association 47th Annual Conference Abstracts, Tel Aviv University, December
17-19, 2006.

Kark, S., Shmida, A, Banker, E., Bino, G., Levanoni, O., Levin, N., Pe’er, G. and Tamari, H. The 1st Congress of European Conservation Biology, Hungary, Aug 2006.

Levin, N., Shmida, A., Levanoni, O., Tamari, H. and Kark, S. The 1st European Congress of Conservation Biology, Hungary, Aug 2006.

Kark, S. and Pe’er, G. The Nekudat Hen for Promotion of the Environmental Assets in Agricultural Landscapes in Israel Annual Meeting, Sep 2006.

Shwartz, A. and Kark, S. The Neobiota Meeting, Vienna September 2006.

Shirley, S. and Kark, S. The Neobiota Meeting, Vienna September 2006.

Shirley, S. and Kark, S. The Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences Annual Meeting, June 2006.

Pe’er, G. and Kark, S. The Society for Conservation Biology 20th Annual Meeting, San Jose, June 2006.

Brokovich, E. Einbinder, S., Tchernov, D., Kiflawi, M. Shashar, N. and Kark, S. International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS) European meeting. Sep 2006.

Nir, O., Eibender, S., Tcherno, D. and Kark, S. The Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences Annual Meeting, June 2006.

Kark, S. and Shmida, A. (invited presentation). Workshop of Bridging the Rift (Israel-Jordan-Stanford), Movenpik, Jordan. Jan 2006.

Pe'er, G., Settele, J. and Kark S. The 42nd Conference of the Zoological Society of Israel, Rehovot, Israel, Jan 2006.

Kark, S. Open Science Conference: Global Change in Mountain Regions, Perth, Scotland, October 2005.

Kark, S. (two invited plenary talks). Workshop on Biological Invasions. Bern University, June 2005.

Kark, S. (invited talk). Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences, Wisemann Institute, 31 May 2005.

Brokovich, E. Einbinder, S., Kark, S., Kiflawi, M. and Shashar, N. The IndoPacific Fish conference, Taiwan, May 2005.

Kark, S. (invited talk). Federation of the Israeli Societies of Experimental Biology Conference, Eilat, 7-10 February 2005.

Kark, S. First meeting on biological invasions in ecological systems in Israel, Ben Gurion University. 31 January, 2005.

Orchan, Y., Schwartz, A. and Kark, S. First meeting on biological invasions in ecological systems in Israel, Ben Gurion University. 31 January , 2005.

Zion., M., Spektor-Levi, O., Orchan, Y., Schwartz, A. and Kark, S. First meeting on biological invasions in ecological systems in Israel, Ben Gurion University. 31 January , 2005.

Orchan, Y. (and Kark, S.) The 41st Conference of the Zoological Society of Israel, Haifa. Dec 2005.

Schwartz, A. (and Kark, S.) The 41st Conference of the Zoological Society of Israel, Haifa. Dec 2005.

Orchan, Y., and Kark, S. The Geographic Society Conference, Haifa. December 2005.

Shwartz A., E. Miller, N. Levin and S. Kark. International Conference on Bird and Environment. Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, India, November 21-24, 2004.

Bino, G., N. Levin and S. Kark. Conference on Bird and Environment, November 21-24, 2004, Abstract Volume, pg. , Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, India.

Kark, S. and Sol, D. The Society for Conservation Biology 18th Annual Meeting, Columbia University, NY. July-August 2004.

Bino, G. Darawshi, S., Reich Solomon A., Levin, N. and Kark S. The Society for Conservation Biology 18th Annual Meeting, Columbia University, NY. July-August 2004.

Brokovich, E. Einbinder, S., Kiflawi, M., Kark, S. and Shashar, N. The First Israel Marine Conference, Bar Ilan University, 2004.

Einbinder, S., Brokovich, E., Ben-Shafrut, O., Kiflawi, M., Kark, S. and Shashar, N. The First Israel Marine Conference, Bar Ilan University, 2004.

Kark, S. The Israeli Lepidopterists’ Society Conference. Ramat Gan, Israel, 2004 (invited presentation).

Kark, S. Presentation at the Hebrew University Inter-disciplinary Biodiversity Research Center first meeting. Jerusalem, 30 January 2004.

Kark, S. The US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) “Frontiers of Science” meeting. Presentation in symposium: Biodiversity in a Changing World: A Perspective From The Middle East (co-organizer of symposium together with Dr. Marcelo Sternberg, TAU). Hosted by the Turkish National Academy of Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey, 21-24 September 2003 (invited plenary presentation).

Kark, S. Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences (ISEESQ). Tel-Aviv, 17-18 Dec 2002 (invited talk).

Kark, S. BIOLOG-Europe workshop “Biodiversity in the Cultural Landscape”, in session “Identification of regions especially sensitive to regional changes”, Giessen, Germany, 4-7 Dec 2002 (invited plenary presentation).

Kark, S., Alnutt, T.F., Brooks, T.M. and Manne, L.L. The Ecological Society of America 87th Annual Meeting, 4-9 August 2002, Tucson, Arizona.

Kark, S. and Mooney, H. A. Mediterranean ecosystem bird introductions: Patterns of success and failure across convergent ecosystems. Workshop on the Impacts of biotic invasions in terrestrial ecosystems: spatial assessment, base rates and consequences. The European Science Foundation. 19-22 September 2001, Barcelona, Spain.

Kark, S, Blackburn T M. and Fay J. P. Species ranges – should we abandon the dichotomous core-periphery approach? The Society for Conservation Biology 15th Annual Meeting, July-August 2001, Hilo, Hawaii.

Randi, E., Kark S. and Tabarroni C. 2001. Inferring the role of current and historical determinants of genetic diversification in chukar partridge populations distributed across a steep ecological gradient. European Society of Evolutionary Biology meeting, Aahrus, Denmark.

Kark, S. 2000. Ecological gradients sustain high genetic and morphological diversity in the Mediterranean Ecosystem of Israel. MEDECOS 9th International Conference on Mediterranean-type Ecosystems, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, September 2000.

Kark, S. 2000: Shifts in population asymmetry across the range and their implications for conservation: butterflies and partridges as a case study. The Society for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting, Missoula, June 2000

Kark, S., 2000. The Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Snowbird, August 2000.

Kark, S. 2000. Patterns of diversity and asymmetry across the distribution range and their implications for conservation. San Francisco Bay Area Conservation Biology Symposium 2000. January 29th, 2000, Stanford University, USA.

Kark, S., S. Volis and A. Novoplansky. Biodiversity and conservation along core-periphery distribution clines. 1999 International Workshop: Biodiversity in Drylands: Towards a Unified Framework and Identification of Research Needs. June 27-July 2, 1999, Sede Boqer, Israel.

Kark, S. Asymmetry as a tool in research and conservation biology. The Israeli Lepidopteran Society Conference. Ma'agan Michael, Israel, 8 Arpil 1999.

Kark, S., U. N. Safriel, I. Noy-Meir and E. Randi. 1999. Patterns of genetic diversity and fluctuating asymmetry across the distribution range: a focus on ecotones. Federation of the Israeli Societies of Experimental Biology Conference, Eilat, Israel, 8-11 December 1999.

Kark, S., P.U. Alkon, I. Noy-Meir, E. Randi, U.N. Safriel. Population diversity of chukars along a steep environmental gradient with conservation implications. Presentation at the 22nd International Ornithological Congress, Durban, South Africa, 16-22 August 1998.

Kark, S. and E. Randi. 1998. Patterns of fluctuating asymmetry and genetic diversity: a focus on ecotones. Presentation at the Jacques Monod Conference (CNRS): Towards a new synthesis: The evolutionary theory at the dawn of the millennium, Roscoff, Brittany, France, 24-29 October, 1998.

Kark, S. 1998. Are geographically peripheral populations ecologically marginal? Fluctuating asymmetry in the chukar partridge in Israel. Poster presentation at the Society for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, July 10-14, 1998, and at the 22nd International Ornithological Conference, Durban, South Africa, 16-22 August 1998.

Kark, S., U. N. Safriel, I. Noy-Meir and E. Randi. Patterns of genetic diversity and fluctuating asymmetry across the distribution range: a focus on ecotones. Arid Land consortium meeting, Dec. 17, 1998, Sede Boqer, Israel.

Kark, S., E. Randi, P.U. Alkon and U.N. Safriel. Conservation value of sub-peripheral populations: the chukar partridge example. cSociety for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting, Victoria, Canada, 6-9 June 1997.

Kark, S., E. Randi, P.U. Alkon and U.N. Safriel. Populations of chukars at the edge of the continuous range - worth conserving? Presentation at the session "Biodiversity conservation: behavioral and spatial patterns". The Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Albuquerque, NM, USA, 10-14 August 1997.

Safriel, U.N., S. Volis and S. Kark. 1994. Core and peripheral populations, and Global Climate Change. The Michael Evenari Fifth Memorial Meeting. Organisms Under Stress in Desert Environments. Sede Boqer, Israel October 27th, 1994.

Kark, S., P.U. Alkon, U. Ritte and U.N. Safriel. Genetic and phenotypic variability of chukar populations in contrasting environments. Presented at the symposium: Patterns of genetic variability and speciation around the Mediterranean. The 21st International Ornithological Congress. Hofburg, Vienna, Austria, August 20-25th, 1994.

Kark, S. How many species of Psammophis are found in Israel? Conference on the Biology of Reptiles and Amphibians. Jerusalem, Israel, April 1, 1993.

Kark, S. and Y.L. Werner. Polymorphism of Psammophis schokari (Ophidia: Colubridae) in Israel and Sinai. Presented at the 29th conference of the Zoological Society of Israel. Jerusalem, Israel, December 20-21, 1992.

MEETING ORGANIZER

Dec 2008 – Organising Committee of the first International Invasive Bird Conference (Perth, Australia).

May 2008 – Co-organizer of the 1^st International Conference on Butterflies of the Middle East, Israel.

July 2005 – Host and presenter at the Israeli Lepidopterists Society Annual Meeting, Dept. of ESE, Givat Ram Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

March 2005, April 2005 – coordinator for meetings of the Hebrew University Inter-disciplinary Biodiversity Research Center (MIGVAN)
30 January 2004 – Organizer and presenter at the first meeting of the Hebrew University Inter-disciplinary Biodiversity Research Center (MIGVAN).

24 June 2004 – Host and presenter at the second meeting of the Hebrew University Inter-disciplinary Biodiversity Research Center (MIGVAN).

SYMPOSIA ORGANIZER

21-24 September 2003 – Invited organizer of opening symposium at the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) meeting: Frontiers of Science. Istanbul. Biodiversity in a Changing World: A Perspective From The Middle East.

Participation in other Conferences, Workshops and International Scientific Working Visits

August-October 2008 – Scientific visit at The Ecology Centre (Prof. Hugh Possingham), The University of Queensland, Australia.

December 2007 – International Congress on Modeling and Simulation of Land, Water and Environmental Management: Integrated Systems for Sustainability (MODSIM) conference, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.

November 2007 – The Commonwealth Environmental Research Facility on Applied Environmental Decision Analysis Workshop on incorporating genetics in conservation planning, UQ.

March 2007 – Invited to the international workshop on Mediterranean climate region conservation priorities (Increasing the pace, scale and effectiveness of conservation in the Mediterranean biome) organized by The Nature Conservancy, Monterey, California.

July 2006 – Visiting researcher from University of Pretoria, South Africa (Dr. Berndt van Rensburg).

June 2005 – Workshop and working meetings of FP6 project DAISIE on introduced vertebrates in Europe, Bern University.

May 2005 – Meeting of Bridging the Rift (a joint Stanford-Cornell-Israel-Jordan research Center in the Arava Valley) biodiversity team, Amman, Jordan.

March 2005 – Meeting of the Israeli Association of Philosophy and History of Science, Van Leer Institute, Jerusalem (biological invasions workshop).

February 2005 – First workshop of the EU FP6 DAISIE (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe) consortium, Bacrelona.

January 2005 – First Field Survey and workshop (Israel and Jordan) of Bridging the Rift - a joint Stanford-Cornell-Israel-Jordan research Center in the Arava Valley.

August 2004 – Working visit, Stanford University.

June 2004 – Biodiversity conference, Tel Aviv University.

May 2004 – Yad Hanadiv conference on agricultural landscapes, The Rotschild Foundation, Kibbutz Tzuba.

December 2003 - The 39th Conference of the Zoological society of Israel, The Institute for Desert Research, Sede Boqer Campus.

August 2003 – Working visit, FP6 symposium organization, Leeds University.

July 2003 – Working visit, Institute of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Vienna University.

June 2003 – Meeting of The Environmental Studies Center, The Hebrew University (on climate change and the Kyoto Protocol).

May 2003 – Workshop on Foundational Issues in Biology, Van Leer Institute, Jerusalem.

January 2003 – Working visit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Victoria in Wellington, New Zealand (Dr. Phil Lester and Dr. Stephen Hartley).

December 2002 – Working visit, BIOMAPS group, Bonn University (Prof. Barthlott), Germany.

July 2002 – Working visit in Las Cruces Research Station, Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica.

September 2000 - The GISP (Global Invasive Species Project) meeting, Kirstenbosch, South Africa.

August 2000 - Working visit in Cedar Creek LTER (Long Term Ecological Research site), Minnesota, USA (Prof. Mark Ritchie).

16-19 March 2000 - Participation in the National Academy of Sciences colloquium: The Future of Evolution, Irvine, California, USA.

24-29 October, 1998 - CNRS Jacques Monod Conference: Towards a new synthesis: The evolutionary theory at the dawn of the millennium, Roscoff, Brittany, France.

August 1998 - Working visit at James Cook University, Townsville, Australia, including field work with Allen McIlwee on spatial patterns and causes of fragmented distribution of greater gliders, using radio-tracking and GPS methods.

July 1998 - Working visit at the Tasmanian Department of Environment and Land Management, Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart, Australia.

8-9 July 1998 - Visit at the Plant Protection Research Institute, Weeds Research Division, The Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.

November 1997 - Visit to China as part of an Israeli-Chinese-Italian research collaboration that continued the research in Israel on the chukar partidge.

July 1996 - Participation in the Association of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) conference: From Individual Behaviour to Population Processes. University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

July-August, 1995 - Joint Jordanian-Israeli-Palestinian research project delegation for combating and evaluating desertification risk in the Arava Valley. The INCD Middle East Sub-regional Joint Study preparatory field trips. Planning and project design tour in Arava valley, Jericho, Jordan and Israel. The Israel Foreign Ministry (three person Israeli delegation, Prof. U. N. Safriel, Head).

July 6-10, 1995 - Participation at The Resource Modeling Association International Meeting, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

July 1995 - South Africa, Southern Cape Nature Conservation, concluding field summary in national parks (Western Cape region National Parks: False Bay, Walker Bay coastal reserves and sand dunes, De Hoop and De Mond Nature Reserves) with C. Marais, Head scientist, Cape Nature Conservation.

July 1995 - South Africa, Zululand, Mkuzi National Park, Distance Sampling study. With Dr. Peter Goodman and Ian Rushworth, Natal Parksboard scientists. Practical work: estimating abundances of mammals and large birds within the park.

June 26-30, 1995 - International Workshop, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Distance Sampling: Design and Analysis of Distance Sampling Data. Theory and Application. Estimating abundances of natural populations.

June 1994 - International Workshop on Arid Land Management - Towards Ecological Sustainability, Jerusalem and the Negev.

January 1994 - The 30th Conference of the Zoological society of Israel, Tel-Aviv.

October 1992 - The Herpetological Society of Israel Annual meeting.

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MIGVAN
THE HU INTERDISCIPLINARY BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH CENTER

March 2005, April 2005 – coordinator for meetings of the Hebrew University Inter-disciplinary Biodiversity Research Center (MIGVAN)

30 January 2004 – Organizer and presenter at the first meeting of the Hebrew University Inter-disciplinary Biodiversity Research Center.

24 June 2004 – Host and presenter at the second meeting of the Hebrew University Inter-disciplinary Biodiversity Research Center .

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Family and Home link

Ruth Kark Web Page

Favorites

Longboards, Ultimate Frisbee

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(Photo credits: Norbert Sauberer (top right), with thanks.)

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Salit Kark salit@cc.huji.ac.il August 8th, 2011 h&h