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The conservation of hyperdiverse taxa such as arthropods may prove frustrating for land managers who lack the taxonomic expertise to perform species-level identifications. Therefore, interest has turned towards selecting indicator taxa that can be monitored as surrogates for detecting changes in entire communities. In this study, we examined whether several moth families or subfamilies were significant indicators of lepidopteran species richness and habitat disturbance in Eastern deciduous forests of North America. We screened moth families to identify assemblages that are easily sampled and primarily comprised of species that can be identified by non-experts. Using existing field data collected over 3 years, we tested four taxa that met our initial requirements with regard to their performance as an indicator of total observed lepidopteran species richness and levels of forest disturbance. We determined that the Arctiidae and Notodontidae hold promise as potential indicator taxa in Eastern deciduous forests. The Arctiidae functioned best as an indicator of moth species richness, while the Notodontidae performed best as a coarse-scale disturbance indicator. Additional research will be required, however, before species within either family have practical significance as tools for assessing forest condition.

"Survive and thrive in graduate school. Designed to unravel some of the mystery around graduate school programs in science and engineering, this one-stop resource reinforces strategies for succeeding. Qualitative interviews offer first-hand stories and tips from women who have found success in academia, industry, and the public sector. Each chapter covers a different aspect of graduate school, from identifying funding sources, to writing the dissertation, to looking for a job. THE WOMAN'S GUIDE TO NAVIGATING THE PH.D. IN ENGINEERING & SCIENCE also focuses on the emotional and social difficulties women may experience, and offers practical suggestions and advice for surviving and thriving in graduate school. Featured topics include: * funding, requirements and standards, qualifiers * making the advising process work * writing the dissertation and defending * searching for a job * learning by critique * balancing competing needs THE WOMAN'S GU DE TO NAVIGATING THE PH.D. IN ENGINEERING & SCIENCE's goal is to help women overcome the stereotypes and hidden barriers they may encounter in graduate school - so that they may emerge ready for careers in the academic, corporate or public sector. About the Authors Dr. Barbara B. Lazarus is the associate provost for academic affairs and an adjunct professor of educational anthropology at Carnegie Mellon University. Recent publications include "Journeys of Women in Science and Engineering: No Universal Constants" (Temple University Press, 1997) and "The Equity Equation: Fostering the Advancement of Women in the Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering" (Jossey-Bass, 1996). Dr. Lazarus serves as a member of the Committee on Women's Studies in Asia, on the Advisory Committee of MentorNet, and as a board member of the Women in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network. Lisa M. Ritter is a communications consultant at Carnegie Mellon University and the editor of the quarterly graduate newsletter on campus. She has also worked as a public relations director and coordinator of professional development seminars for graduate students. Dr. Susan A. Ambrose is associate provost for educational development, director of the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence, and a principal lecturer in the Department of History at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research interests include applying cognitive principles to education and understanding how class origin, sex, race and ethnicity, social conceptions of women, and other variables collectively influence women's life decisions and careers in engineering and science. Recent publications include "Journeys of Women in Science and Engineering: No Universal Constants" (Temple University Press, 1997) and "The New Professor's Handbook" (Anker Press, 1994). Dr. Ambrose was recently honored with an American Council on Education fellowship for the 1999-2000 academic year."

This chapter contains sections titled: The Job Search What it's Like Out There What the Future Holds for Women Scientists and Engineers