Creating conceptual models in Adobe Illustrator (10)

integrationapplicationnetworkThe art of science communication: using PowerPoint effectivelyJane HawkeyIn a recent Web-based survey, each person was asked to selectthe top three annoying elements from a list of elements.The speaker read the slides to us 60.4%Text so small I couldn't read it 50.9%They included full sentences instead of bullet points47.8%Slides hard to see because of color choice 37.1%Moving/flying text or graphics 24.5%Annoying use of sounds 22.0%Overly complex diagrams or charts 22.0%It is clear from the responses that the most annoying aspect ofbad PowerPoint slides is the text, not the graphics ormultimedia. It is important that a presenter focus on gettingshort, relevant and readable text on the slides and add toeach point with what they say. Simply reading the slidesthat are jammed with text to the audience is an insult to theaudience and the results indicate that, by doing this,presenters are severely damaging the message they aretrying to deliver.JustKidding

integrationapplicationnetworkThe art of science communication:using PowerPoint effectivelyJane HawkeyIAN Science Communication CourseHorn Point Laboratory3-7 April 2006www.ian.umces.edu

integrationOutlineapplicationnetwork• Presenting your talk– Communicating your messageeffectively• Using PowerPoint effectively– Hints and tips to maximize PowerPoint'susefulness• Components of a good PowerPointpresentation

Presenting your talk• Number of slides = number of minutes– Leave time for questions• Preparation is the key– Slides are your cues• Arrive early to check equipment and greet audience• Provide appropriate background– Assume naïveté, not ignorance• Show data within five minutes• Orient the audience to each slide– Explain graph axes, photos, diagrams• Every slide should have visual elements• "Tell 'em what you're going to tell them, tell 'em,then tell them what you told 'em" – George Bernard Shawintegrationapplicationnetwork

integrationapplicationnetworkYou are giving a talk,NOT reading a speech• Text can be used to:– Remind speakers of the key points of the talk– Provide the audience with enough information to interpretgraphics• Text should NOT be used to:– Distract audience from the speaker’s words (people will reada new slide before listening to the speaker)– Replace the need for the speaker to talk by having a completetext provided on the slides

Font size and visibility is important• 36 pt for titles• 20 pt for bullet points (at least)• 12 pt for citations• 8 pt never!• Use color judiciously, especially red and green• Contrast between your background, and text/graphics isimportant• Use system fonts, or embed fonts in your presentation• Sans serif fonts: Arial, Verdana, Comic Sans• Serif fonts: Times New Roman, Garamond, PalatinoThis is a serif font.Which of these fonts iseasier to read?This is a sans serif font.Which of these fonts iseasier to read?• Sans serif fonts are more readable from a distanceintegrationapplicationnetwork

integrationapplicationnetworkSome color combinationsare hard to read• Some people find red and green hard todistinguish• Dark backgrounds are harder on the eyes

integrationapplicationnetworkConsistency is importantJane Hawkey

integrationapplicationnetworkConsistency is important

Graph formatting makes all the differenceBad (or no) formattingGood formatting403020100-0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2• Boxes, gridlines and white backgroundare distracting• Axes not labelled, y-axis obscuring data• Boring black and white• Transparent background,no boxes or gridlines• Large labelled axes• Contrasting colorsintegrationapplicationnetwork

integrationapplicationnetworkGraph formatting makes all the differenceBad (or no) formattingGood formatting• Boxes, gridlines and white backgrounddistracting• Axes not clearly labelled, too many tickmarks on y axis• Excel default colors• Transparent background,no boxes or gridlines• Large labelled axes• Contrasting colors

Get them right in Excel firstintegrationapplicationnetwork• Use colored background box tofacilitate color matching• Remove graph background• Remove grid lines, borders &unnecessary legends (i.e. if onlyone data series)• Clean up extra tick marks andincrease intervals betweenmarks• Label axis with title and units• Select text and right click toformat (subscript, etc)• Delete colored background• Copy from Excel• Switch to PowerPoint• Paste Special– Picture (Enhanced Metafile)

integrationapplicationnetworkTry to avoid tables …RegionEHIRegion area(km 2 )% arearegion DO Secchi Chl a TP TNδ 15 NUpper PatuxentMiddle PatuxentLower PatuxentMouth PatuxentPatuxent Overall0.210.520.480.580.4821615330165133732181000.660.910.991.000.920.000.000.000.000.000.340.260.370.380.330.000.280.180.930.330.090.870.470.530.580.150.800.850.620.70Upper ChoptankMiddle ChoptankLower ChoptankMouth ChoptankChoptank Overall0.200.260.440.490.40168816010937342443291000.260.951.001.000.960.000.000.000.000.000.240.040.240.620.300.000.060.590.530.420.000.060.390.380.300.710.420.400.420.43Cape Charles City 0.75 N/A N/A nd 0.75 0.75 0.63 1.00 0.63

integrationapplicationnetwork… or format them rightRegionEHIRegionarea(km 2 )% arearegion DO Secchi Chl a TP TNUpper Patuxent 0.21 21 13 0.66 0.00 0.34 0.00 0.09 0.15Middle Patuxent 0.52 61 37 0.91 0.00 0.26 0.28 0.87 0.80Lower Patuxent 0.48 53 32 0.99 0.00 0.37 0.18 0.47 0.85Mouth Patuxent 0.58 30 18 1.00 0.00 0.38 0.93 0.53 0.62Patuxent Overall 0.48 165 100 0.92 0.00 0.33 0.33 0.58 0.70δ 15 NUpper ChoptankMiddle ChoptankLower ChoptankMouth ChoptankChoptank Overall0.200.260.440.490.40168816010937342443291000.260.951.001.000.960.000.000.000.000.000.240.040.240.620.300.000.060.590.530.420.000.060.390.380.300.710.420.400.420.43Cape Charles City 0.75 N/A N/A nd 0.75 0.75 0.63 1.00 0.63• Use PowerPoint's Insert → Table function

integrationapplicationnetworkNitrogen cyclingFertilizerProductionAtmosphericEffectsNO xEnergyProductionNO xNH 3 NHFeed Animal3Feed AnimalAtmospheric DepositionNH 3 NO -3OzoneFormationNO -3Human FoodConsumptionN 2 to atm.DenitrificationNO -3ForestEffectsGroundwaterEffectsNO -3NO -3Human Health/Plant DamageDrinkingwater qualityN 2 ONO -3NO -3Surface WaterEffectsNO -3GreenhouseEffectCoastalEffectsNO -3Adapted from Galloway and Cowling, 2002.• Avoid box and arrow diagrams– Use a conceptual diagram instead

Format maps to include more informationintegrationapplicationnetwork

integrationapplicationnetworkIsabel surge height21.8Water height (m above MLLW)1.61.41.210.80.60.40.20Cambridge• PowerPoint is all about the visual – there is no excuse for yourgraphics to not be seen

integrationapplicationnetworkIsabel surge heightDefault ExcelYou + ExcelYou + Illustrator(export as atransparent.PNG file)

integrationapplicationnetworkVideo clips can be effective

Cropping and annotation of photos inPowerPoint can be very informativePhotos that are well chosen, cropped, aligned, distributed evenly andannotated provide information on methods, study site, description & relevanceAutomaticcleaning unitLight loggerUse the crop tool , resize with the mouse, and then use the automatic alignand distribute tool in PowerPoint to keep your slides clear and legibleintegrationapplicationnetwork

Crop, align and label photos carefullyAccuratecroppingXXvsXPhotos that are well chosen, cropped, aligned,distributed evenly and annotated provide informationon methods, study site, description & relevanceLyngbyainduceddermatitisClear labeling of photosLyngbya induceddermatitisLyngbyainduceddermatitisPay attention to alignment & overlappingintegrationXapplicationLyngbya induceddermatitisUse the crop tool , resize with the mouse, andthen use PowerPoint's align or distribute tool tokeep your slides clear and legiblenetwork

Use PowerPoint's Align or Distribute functionintegrationapplicationnetwork

Use PowerPoint's Align or Distribute functionintegrationapplicationnetwork

Map sequence can show temporal changes• Improvements or degradation over time can be highlighted by aseries of maps• Consistent layout allows comparisons• Maps should have scale and compass direction• Maps should have a legend that is self contained & legibleintegrationapplicationnetwork

integrationapplicationnetworkCombine visual elementsPatuxent River is responsive to increased flow(nutrient loading) with phytoplankton bloomsSummerBenedict, MD photo Dave Miller May 2001

Proper use of color is very powerfulSite selectionCommunity composition & morphologyUNGRAZEDGRAZEDSimulatedtrailsNaturalgrazingGrazerexclusionNaturalgrazing trailsgrazerbarrierSimulatedgrazing trailsungrazedWanga Wallen Banks‘cultivation grazing’Amity BanksGrazerexclusionN fixation (mg N m -2 d -1 )9060300Nitrogen fixationNatural grazing trailsNitrogen fixation per m 2Ungrazed GrazedSiteAerobicN fixation (mg N m -2 d -1 )2.521.510.50AnaerobicNitrogen fixation perplant biomassUngrazed GrazedSiteN fixation (mg N m -2 d -1 )35302520151050Nitrogen fixationSimulated grazing trailsNitrogen fixation per m 2Ungrazed GrazedSiteAerobicN fixation (mg N m -2 d -1 )0.90.80.70.60.50.40.30.20.10AnaerobicNitrogen fixation perplant biomassUngrazed GrazedSiteN fixation (mg N m -2 d -1 )Nitrogen fixationGrazer exclusionNitrogen fixation per m 2 Nitrogen fixation perplant biomass18 316142.51221081.561420.500Ungrazed GrazedUngrazed GrazedSiteSiteAerobic AnaerobicN fixation (mg N m -2 d -1 )• Set up color pattern early on and train the audienceintegrationapplicationnetwork

integrationapplicationnetworkOveruse of PowerPoint effectscan be distractingFocus should be on the content,not on the presentation

Effective use of animation to showsteps in methodologySlow release fertilizer(88 g N m -2 : 22 g P m -2 )Incubate for10 daysDinoflagellates areclassified, countedand recordedDinoflagellates arewashed from thesurface of the host20μm size fraction collectedintegrationapplicationnetwork

integrationapplicationnetworkA map sequence using the ‘animation’function can be effectiveBribie Is.BongareeToorbul Pt.Pebble BeachSandstone Pt.Godwin Beach

integrationapplicationnetworkA map sequence using the ‘animation’function can be effectiveBribie Is.20 Jan 2000~0.8 km 2Toorbul Pt.BongareePebble BeachSandstone Pt.Godwin Beach

integrationapplicationnetworkA map sequence using the ‘animation’function can be effectiveBribie Is.1 Feb 2000~2 km 2Toorbul Pt.BongareePebble BeachSandstone Pt.Godwin Beach

integrationapplicationnetworkA map sequence using the ‘animation’function can be effectiveBribie Is.13 Feb 2000~4.5 km 2Toorbul Pt.BongareePebble BeachSandstone Pt.Godwin Beach

integrationapplicationnetworkA map sequence using the ‘animation’function can be effectiveBribie Is.24 Feb 20008 km 2Toorbul Pt.BongareePebble BeachSandstone Pt.Godwin BeachBloom Expansion Rate = ~100 m 2 min -1( Jan 1st - Feb 24th)

integrationapplicationnetworkSeparate pages for animation oftenbetter than ‘build’ animation• Builds can get difficult tomanage and edit• BUT separate pages mayincrease PowerPoint file size

integrationapplicationnetworkReduce your file size by compressing your photos• Photos at high resolution can dramatically increase the file size• Reduce resolution first• Use PowerPoint's built-in compression function• Use NXPowerlite – www.nxpowerlite.com

integrationapplicationnetworkPowerPoint presentations can bepoorly organizedTitle asks aquestion, butdoesn't answer itGreat photos, butno captions orexplanationPhotos not resizedor aligned properlyBackground andsidebar distracting

integrationapplicationnetworkPowerPoint presentations can bewell organizedTitle's question answeredwith judicious bulletpointsSubheadings explainrelevance of photosPhotos resized andaligned properly

PowerPoint presentations can bepoorly organizedBoring title givesno clue to slidecontentsBad font and colorchoicePoorly formattedgraphText box with poorleft alignment; badfont and colorintegrationapplicationnetwork

PowerPoint presentations can bewell organizedActive title sets thesceneGood color and fontchoiceData is wellformatted and legibleintegrationapplicationText box alignedproperly; good colorand font choicenetwork

integrationapplicationnetworkTopical humor can be effectiveAcknowledgementsThanks to all thepeople in the MoretonBay catchment thatcontributed theirnutrients to this study.

integrationapplicationnetworkDesigning a good scientificPowerPoint presentation• Title slide – title, authors, affiliations• Outline of talk – explain organization & previewconclusions• Body of talk – format consistency, on-goingsummaries (e.g. ‘active’ titles)• Conclusions – take-home messages, stimulatequestions• Acknowledgements – specify roles• Extra slides for questions

integrationapplicationnetworkThe title contains the mostimportant words of ascientific presentationAuthor’s nameAuthor’s affiliation can be represented with a logoMultiple authors common: each can be noted with affiliations

Outline slides: An outline can be a guideto the talk and can provide conclusionsintegrationapplicationnetworkLANDSAT ETM 21/3/2003GEOIMAGESeminar outline• Introducing…Caulerpa taxifolia• Honours research– Current distribution in Moreton Bay– Distribution change 1998-2003– Experimental manipulations• Summary and implicationsOutline• Report cards = importantmanagement tool• 2003 pilot study of Patuxent andChoptank Rivers• Ecosystem health index approachcan be used• Additional indicators need to beconsidered• Effective monitoring programs canbe developed (e.g. Moreton Bay)RegionUpper PatuxentMiddle PatuxentLower PatuxentMouth PatuxentPatuxent OverallEHI0.210.520.480.580.48Out l i ne• Global overview•MoretonBay/Chesapeake Baycomparison• Moreton Bay issues•Chesapeake Bay issues• Integration & Application Networkintegration application networkintegration application networkOutline• Land-sea interfaces are regions of stronggradients and major human impacts• We have entered the ‘anthropocene’• Now is the time for a global scientific focuson environmental problem solving• Case studies of coastal managementdemonstrate solutions are possible• Key lessons and recommendationsintegration application networkOutline• Seagrass evolution• Life history traits• Balancing limitation and excess• Tropical vs. temperateintegration application networkOutline• Thalassia as an indicator forthe Caribbean• Use of δ 15 N• Nutrient sources to a dryCaribbean Lagoon, Yucatan,Mexico• Nutrient sources to a wet CaribbeanLagoon, Bocas del Toro, Panama• Comparison and conclusions

Methods slides: Visual elements candescribe the experimental approachintegrationapplicationnetwork15 cm seagrasscoreZostera capricorni and light:Laboratory experimentsSimulated sediment productionShakeBulk Soil Add water SettleCollectClaysolutionCentrifugedOven driedMethods – C. taxifolia distribution• Repeated benthic surveys from 1998throughout Moreton Bay• Snorkelled transects estimated benthiccover and species compositionplastic-linedlinedpotflowing seawater tanksLight intensities: 100%, 50%, 30%, 20%, 15%Duration: 63 dParameters: Growth, biomass, pigments,tissue nutrient content, δ 13 C+P +P +P +P +P +P +Predkandosolyellowkandosolredredoxickurasol chromosol hydrosol podosolSeven simulated clay sedimentsYellowkurosolSimulatedsediments(clay

Results slides: Data-rich figures canprovide both detail and the big pictureintegrationapplication35%48%0%85%97%0%13%2%3%0%65%52%networkETR (μmol e - m -2 s -1 )Nutrients can increase photosynthesisPadinaChlorodesmis503040253020152010105000 500 1000 1500 2000 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400PAR (μmol quanta m -2 s -1 )PAR (μmol quanta m -2 s -1 )Unfertilised FertilisedUnfertilised FertilisedSediment Depth (mm)Vertical distribution in sedimentsOligotrophicAbundance (cells m -2 )0 50 100 150 200 250 0 50 100 150 200 25001020304001020304050Viruses x 109 50Viruses x 1066606 60Bacteria x 10Bacteria x 1070510 70Cyanobacteria x 105Green Algae x805Diatoms x 10 80Diatoms x 10590510 90Dinoflagellates x 105Cyanobacteria x•Heterogeneity•Subsurface maxima - UV destruction at sediment surface•Microalgae - sediment surfaceDistribution of plant material alongthe turtle digestive tract4m5m6m7mSeagrassMangrove leavesMangrove propagulesPhytoplanktoncomposition• Diatoms predominate inBay• Flagellates inhypereutrophic river site• More diversity inoligotrophic Bay sitesWater Column[Iron] (µM)121086420Total water column iron3.27.94.73.42.3Sunda (1988)15-9-99 6-10-99 27-10-99 20-01-00 25-02-006.3• No indication that Total Fe is responsiblefor stimulation of bloom1.6• Levels are comparable with those seen inother coastal systems0.51.4Jan 983.6273Increasing seagrass area• Total water column [ Fe ] are comparableto levels seen in mullet ponds withreported Lyngbya blooms.integrationapplicationnetwork

Data summary slides: Conceptual diagramscan be used to synthesize dataPolar issues: Climate changeNutrient inputs to the west Yucatan Peninsulaintegration application networkCoral reef responses to added nutrientsSome, but not all, coral reef organisms andprocesses affected by elevated nutrientsShrimp farm – Conceptual diagramZostera communityLocalized zone ofwastewater influenceDissolved NParticulate NElevated δ 15 NElevated [amino acid]Elevated phytoplanktonbloom potentialLittle wastewater influenceLow particulate and dissolved NLow δ 15 NLow [amino acid]Low phytoplankton bloom potential• Zostera marinaintegrationapplicationnetwork