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Half a century ago, Belgian Zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans first codified cryptozoology in his book On the Track of Unknown Animals.

The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) are still on the track, and have been since 1992. But as if chasing unknown animals wasn't enough, we are involved in education, conservation, and good old-fashioned natural history! We already have three journals, the largest cryptozoological publishing house in the world, CFZtv, and the largest cryptozoological conference in the English-speaking world, but in January 2009 someone suggested that we started a daily online magazine! The CFZ bloggo is a collaborative effort by a coalition of members, friends, and supporters of the CFZ, and covers all the subjects with which we deal, with a smattering of music, high strangeness and surreal humour to make up the mix.

It is edited by CFZ Director Jon Downes, and subbed by the lovely Lizzy Bitakara'mire (formerly Clancy), scourge of improper syntax. The daily newsblog is edited by Corinna Downes, head administratrix of the CFZ, and the indexing is done by Lee Canty and Kathy Imbriani. There is regular news from the CFZ Mystery Cat study group, and regular fortean bird news from 'The Watcher of the Skies'. Regular bloggers include Dr Karl Shuker, Dale Drinnon, Richard Muirhead and Richard Freeman.The CFZ bloggo is updated daily, and there's nothing quite like it anywhere else. Come and join us...

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Saturday, October 09, 2010

CALL FOR EUROPEAN REPTILE EXPERTS

Dear herpetologists,

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently developed methods to assess species' vulnerability to climate change impacts, known as the `Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Framework' (CCVF). These methods have so far been applied to the world's birds, corals and amphibians, as well as at a more regional scale to a range of East African species.

As an upcoming MSc project it is my aim to apply these same techniques in the assessment of European reptiles. This will be the first time that such assessments have focused on this particular group of species and will likely compliment IUCN's Red List in highlighting areas (taxonomic or geographic) of high priority for conservation. This project will also likely form the groundwork for the assessment of other reptiles worldwide.

Having previously worked for IUCN in the application of these methods I am well qualified to perform this assessment. Furthermore, also collaborating on the project are Wendy Foden (Programme leader – IUCN's Climate Change and Species Programme), Dr Richard Davies (Ecologist and GIS expert – University of East Anglia, UK) and a number of other faculty members from the schools of biological and environmental sciences, meaning that a high level of expertise will ensure a robust and well executed assessment.

The success of this assessment relies on the contributions of large numbers of reptile experts, with a good knowledge of one or more European species or location. Therefore, I am looking to form communications with as many experts as possible. Communications will likely involve the discussion of factors that make reptiles more or less vulnerable to climate change impacts, and the consideration of which species possess these `traits'. Most data will be collected through the completion and review of short forms, and there is also likely to be a series of workshops at key locations across Europe for experts making substantial contributions and wishing to attend.

I am aware that many of you have extremely busy schedules and will, therefore, aim to keep communications simple and to a minimum. It is also important to note that contributors will choose their own level of participation – THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED AT ANY STAGE!

If anyone wishes to contribute their knowledge to this study, or would simply like more information on the project, then please feel free to contact me at:

Jamie.carr@uea.ac.uk

For my own organisational purposes it would be helpful if you could state your location of residence and any specific area of expertise (e.g. species, family, country or other geographic location) that you have.

Thanks very much to you all and I look forward to your responses and collaboration.

Best wishes,

Jamie Carr

--
Faculty of Science
School of Biological Sciences
University of East Anglia
Norwich
UK
jamie.carr@uea.ac.uK

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