Authors

VII. Authors

Dr. Mario Gutman Ph.D.
Didi Y. Kaplan
Roee Gutman

Range Management and Beef Cattle Specialist
e-mail: mgutman@shani.net
Internet Home pages: www.migal-life.co.il/mario; www.migal-life.co.il
Mailing address: Migal - Galilee Technological Center, Kyriat Shmona 10200, Israel
Phone: 972 4 6930388 (home)
Cellular: 050 294646

Chairman: The Israel Association for Rangeland Sciences.
Hobbies: Pistol shooting (IPSC), horses, military history, volunteer policeman

Main fields of research and results (Abstract)

Inter-relations between cattle grazing and pasture composition
The research conducted at the Karei Deshe Experimental Station showed that the herbaceous vegetation could be intensively grazed without reducing botanical diversity, long term primary production, or the cattle performance. Carrying capacity can be increased to at least double what was considered safe before that the trials at Karei Deshe Range Station. If rangelands are managed according to the tools developed in Karei Deshe Range Station over the past 30 years, the conflict between beef cattle breading and nature conservation could be minimized. Under proper management, grazing is an asset to nature conservation, decreasing the occurrence and the effects of fires and increasing botanical species diversity.
Wolf management. In recent years, the depredation of cattle by wolves increased from occasional cases to hundreds of calves per year. The problem eventually led to illegal attempts to poison wolves and, in the process, killing other threatened wild species, such as avian raptors. The program, in cooperation with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (NPA), and the Association of Beef Cattle Breeder, is with the aims to develop techniques to reduce depredation by wolves.
Restoration and Conservation of Fauna and Flora in the Re-Flooded Hula Wetland.
Before the Hula Valley was drained and the swamp dried out, they were populated by a rich variety of flora and fauna. The aim of reclaiming a large fertile area for cultivation was found to be only partially successful. Therefore in 1994 was decided to re-flood the valley. The main work conducted during the 1997-2001 period was as follows: Reintroduction of Persian Fallow Deer, White-tailed Eagle and ornamental plants. Establishing trees for shade and to shelter animals and birds and monitoring the bird response to habitat changes. Protecting birds nesting areas by "friendly" agriculture. The results show that The LIFE Project (reclamation, restoration and re - flooding) created a rich habitat for birds. Therefore the place is important from the point of view of nature conservation and eco-tourism.
Satellite Position Technology as a tool to study animal behavior. The objectives the project are: a. To determine the ability of animal activity measured global positioning systems (GPS) monitoring to predict grazing behavior of beef cows in Mediterranean environments. b. To understand the relationship between the availability and composition of the vegetation and the spatial utilization by the grazing animal. c. To define behavioral indicators of animal status that would improve grazing management decisions.

Last publications

Gutman, M., Holzer, Z., Baram, H., Noy-Meir, I. and Seligman, N.G. (1999). Heavy stocking of beef cattle and early season deferment of grazing on Mediterranean - type grassland. J. Range Manage. 52:590-599.

Sternberg, M., Gutman, M., Perevolotsky, A. & Kigel, J. (1999) Effects of grazing management on see bank and plant community dynamics in a Mediterranean herbaceous community. Annual Congress of the Israeli Society of Plant Sciences. Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot. Israel.

Gutman, M and Kaplan, D.(1999). Restoration and Conservation of the Re-flooded Hula Wetland Habitat. Put Life in your Environment. Life Week, Conference and Exhibition, Brussels on 20-23 October 1999.

Gutman, M., Perevolotsky, A. and Sternberg, M (2000). Grazing effects on a perennial legume, Bituminaria bituminosa, in a Mediterranean rangeland. The 10th Meeting of the F.A.O. European Sub-Network on Mediterranean Pastures and Fodder Crops. "Legumes for Mediterranean forage crops, pastures and alternative uses" Sassari (Italy) 4-9 April 2000.

Kaplan, D.and Gutman M. 2000. Restoration and conservation of fauna and flora in the re-flooded Hula Wetland in Northern Israel (Project LIFE TCY/97/1L/O38).
Proceedings of MEDECOS 2000 International Conference: "Mediterranean-type Ecosystems: Past, Present and Future", Stellenbosch, South Africa, September 2000.

Brosh, A., Aharoni, Y., Shargal, E., Choshniak, I., Sharir, B., Holzer, Z. and Gutman, M. (2000). The use of heart rate to measure energy expenditure and energy balance of cattle. 15th Symp. on Energy Metabolism in Animals. The royal Veterinary & agricaltural University, Danish Institute of Agricaltural Sciences.Coprnhagen 10-16 September 2000.

Gutman, M., Sternberg, M and Perevoltsky, A. (2001). Effects of cattle grazing on a perennial legume, bitumen trefoil (Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) Stirton), in a Mediterranean grassland. Proceedings of the XIX International Grasslands Congress, Brasil.

Gutman, M., Perevoltsky, A., Yonatan, R. and Gutman, R. (2001)
Grazing as a management tool against fire in open areas. "The Future of the Green Mediterranean". Euro-Mediterranean Conference. 1-2 June, 2001, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy.

Gutman M., Henkin, Z., Holzer, Z., Noy-Meir, I. and Seligman, N.G. (2000). A case study of beef cattle grazing in a Mediterranean-type woodland. Agroforestry Systems. 48:119-140.

Gutman, M., Noy-Meir, I., Pluda, D., Seligman, N. G., Sternberg, M. and S. Rothman (2001) Biomass partitioning following defoliation of annual and perennial Mediterranean grasses.
Conservation Ecology. 5 (2):1.

University Education and Additional Training

1960-66	Agricultural Engineer. University of Buenos Aires. Thesis: Influence of hormones in the fattening of livestock.
1977	Ph.D. in Botany. Thesis: Primary production of Mediterranean steppes". Under the supervision of Prof. Gideon Orshan and Prof. Naftali Tadmor.
1977	Postdoctoral position at Dept. Agronomy and Range Science, University of California, Davis, USA. Under the supervision of Prof. Merton Love. Research subjects: Management of Annual Pastures; Conversion of Brush Land to Herbaceous Pasture; Ecosystem Manipulations by Agro -Technical Methods.
1986	Sabbatical Fellowship at Dept. Range Science, Texas A & M University. College Station, USA. Under the supervision of Professor Mort Kothman. Research subject: Influence of early season grazing in the management of rangelands".
1995	Sabbatical fellowships at: 1. Department of Wildlife and Ecology, CSIRO, Australia. Multi use of rangelands by domestic and wild animals. Work at Camberra Research Stations in New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory (Alice Springs). 2. Department of Range Science and Ecology, Texas A & M University. College Station, USA. Research Subject: Biomass partitioning in grasses subjected to defoliation: The key to increasing production efficiency in grazed systems.

Positions Held and Additional Training

1966-67	Farm work at Kibbutz Ramot Menashe, Israel.
1967	Range Researcher, Division of Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Organization, Israel.
1967	Migda Experimental Station. Sheep grazing trials in a semi-arid environment.
1967- present	Karei Deshe Range Station Galilee (Range scientist in charge).
1970	Study tour on methods of sampling Mediterranean Vegetation, at C.N.R.S, Montpelier, France.
1973	Survey on the feasibility of raising cattle in a tropical Environment, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
1975	Advisor in the P.N.U.D./B.I.D. project "Establishment of an Arid Zone Regional Research Center, Peru, Chile. Argentina.
1978	Adviser: Venezuela - Beef cattle ranching in the tropics.
1981-88	Range Scientist in Charge: Hatal Range Station, Western Galilee: for research on improvement and utilization of Mediterranean scrub range.
1988-98	Coordinator, Ruminant Management Research, Northern R & D Project. Israel.
1990	Promoted to Senior Scientist.
1993	Adviser - Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority on managing wild animals and reducing conflicts with agriculture.
1995	Sabbatical leave at Department of Range Texas A&M University and SCIRO, Australia. Department of Ecology.
1997 -2001	Scientist in charge: Restoration and Conservation of Fauna and Flora in the re-flooded Hula Wetland in Northern Israel. LIFE - Third Countries. Project TCY/97/1L/O38.
1997-2000	Scientist in Charge: Prevention of livestock depredation by wolves in beef cattle. Herds. Project 257-0155-97. Sponsored by Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Main fields of research

Inter-relations between cattle grazing and pasture composition. In most of the vegetation types of the world the danger of overgrazing is the main limiting factor to rangelands. In Karei Deshe Range Station, we found that the herbaceous vegetation is exceptionally resilient to heavy grazing. Under light or no grazing during the green season, tall annual and perennial grasses formed a stable, closed community with lower species diversity than under heavy grazing. This type of community can become unstable, as observed in protected areas, where the complete exclusion of grazing for more than 30 years produced an atypical community that provided protective habitat for voles. The cyclic population explosions of these rodents, were especially severe in these protected areas and caused large and persistent vegetation disturbances. We conclude that in areas with a long history of grazing such as the Middle East, exclusion of grazing can be considered as more of a disturbance than heavy grazing. The practical aspect of the results our long term studies is the conclusion that under suitable conditions, the potential stocking rate and productivity of Mediterranean grasslands is considerably higher than current levels.
Breeding season for beef cattle on range. Until the early 1980s, the accepted calving season extended from August to November so that the calves could utilize the green season (from January to May) and weaned at 7-9 months age. However, birth and suckling during the hot summer and early autumn months put a heavy strain on the cows, and the result was a low percentage of calving. The trial focused on a second calving season of 70 days so that cows that did not become pregnant during the main breeding season would be given a second chance. This improved the percentage of calving from 75% to 90%. Herd profitability improved, in spite of the lower weaning weight of the calves born in winter. Today, a second calving season is accepted management practice.
Early weaning. A trial was conducted to determine whether early weaning could relieve stress on the breeding cows and improve the breeding percentage. The result was negative. Hence, the current recommended system is to keep the calves with the grazing cows as long as possible up to the age of nine months.
Herd management software. I collaborated with Dr. Eugene Ungar in developing user-friendly software for managing beef cattle. The main achievement of this research has been to create a program that makes it possible to identify superior beef breeding cows based on their life-long production. The results are now being used to select offspring from the most productive cows.
Beef cattle grazing to reduce the wildfire hazard in parks and afforested areas. A program conducted in the Ramat Hanadiv park since 1990 to integrate beef cattle grazing into the management of the park vegetation has (so far) proved successful: no fires have occurred on the site, in spite of the large numbers of the public that visit the park during the hot, dry summer. A similar program has been applied in afforested areas. At the beginning of my work, in the late 1960s, the foresters were opposed to grazing in the forest. Since my studies have shown that the damage caused to trees by winter grazing, when the herbaceous vegetation is green, is much less than potential fire damage, the practice of grazing in the forests has become widely supported.
Grazing in Nature Reserves. A study was undertaken in association with Dr. Didi Kaplan, Northern District biologist of the Israel Nature Protection and National Parks Authority, to develop management schemes to reduce the conflict between grazing by beef cattle and nature protection. Our "environmentally friendly" approach to grazing showed that, under proper management, grazing is an asset to nature conservation, decreasing the occurrence and the effects of fires and increasing botanical species diversity. This approach is gaining acceptance by conservationists and has been introduced in the management of natural reserves by the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority.
Partitioning of biomass in plants under grazing. This study that was conducted in collaboration with scientists from Texas A&M, has given us an understanding of the effects of a range of defoliation intensities on biomass partitioning between seed and vegetative material. The results aid in the design of sustainable grazing systems even under heavy defoliation.

Didi Y. Kaplan
Regional Biologist, Northern district, Nature Reserves Authority.
Date of Birth: 7.6.1945
Home Address: B/18 Rosh Pina, Israel 12000 (Tel. No: 06-6937296)
email: dkaplan@migal.co.il ; didi.kaplan@nature-parks.org.il

Curriculum Vitae:
1979: Awarded the "Managers Prize" from the NatureReserves Authority for combined ranger and research Activities.
1981-present: Regional Biologist of the Nature Reserves Authority, Northern District.

Academic Activity:

1966-1970	Studies in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jerusalem . Awarded a B.Sc. degree (Honors).
1970-1972	Studying for a M.Sc. degree in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jerusalem. Title of thesis "The role of ethylene in the development, maturity and ripeness of custard apples and avocado fruits. In 1972 I gained an M.Sc. degree (Honors).
1972-1973	Studies towards a Ph.D. in Nature Conservation at the Wageningen University of Wageningen, Holland. During the same period studying a course at the International Institute for Aerial Survey and Earth Sciences (I.T.C) in Enschede, Holland on "Aerial photography interpretation of vegetation" and received a Diploma on passing the required examinations.
1973-1984	Continued research studies in the Yahudia Forest Nature Reserve, in the Golan, Israel for Ph.D. degree, at the same time working as a ranger with the Nature Reserves Authority, Israel.
1984	Awarded a Ph.D. degree from the Agricultural University of Wageningen, Holland. Title of thesis: "The ecosystem of the Yahudia Nature Reserve with emphasis on dynamics of germination and evelopment of Quercus ithaburensis Decne".
1986	Supervised two Dutch students in their final M.Sc. Projects. Sluis, T. van der, Nieuwdijk, A: Plants respond to grazing in the upper part of Israel.
1979-1989	Supervised six final projects of high-school students.
1990- present	Lecturer: for a course in landscape ecology for B.Sc and M.Sc students, Faculty of Architecture, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa.
1992-present	Member of Working Group on Green Books for Threatened Landscapes. IUCN Commission on Environmental Strategy.
1993	Nominee as a Senior Lecturer at the Israel Institute of Technology (The Technion), Haifa, Israel.
1994-1995	Visiting Scientist at the University of London, Wye College, Environmental Section, Supervised by Professor Bryn Green: Landscape Ecology; Professional advancement studies. Post-doctorate research on the subject:- "Ecological indices application on a landscape scale as a tool for countryside planning and management a methodological case study in the Stour Valley, Kent, U.K."
1996-present	Nominee as Senior Lecturer at the Tel-Hai Rodman College, Environmental Academic Section, Tel Hai, Upper Galilee, Israel. Lecturing in the course: "Management of nature reserves and countryside".

List of Publications

Articles in Reviewed Journals

Noy-Meir, I., Gutman, M., Kaplan, Y. 1989. Responses of Mediterranean grassland plants to grazing and protection. Journal of Ecology 77: 290-310.

Kaplan, D. Y. 1993. Biological diversity of Mediterranean landscapes in Israel through the deployment of nature reserves. Landscape and Urban Planning 24: 39-42.

Kaplan, D. 1994. Management of gazelle population in Mediterranean grasslands and rural landscapes in Israel. Landscape and Urban Planning 31: 303-311.

Kaplan, D., Pevzner, D., Galilee, M., Gutman, M. 1995. Traditional selective harvesting effects on occurrence and reproductive growth of Gundelia tournfortii in Israel grasslands. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 43: 163-166.

Kaplan, D., Gutman, M. 1996. Effect of thinning and grazing on tree development and the visual aspect of an oak forest on the Golan Heights. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 44: 381-386.

Kaplan, D., Gutman, M. 1999. Phenology of Quercus ithaburensis with emphasis on the effect of fire.Forests Ecology and Management 115:61-70.

Kaplan, D., Oron, T., Gutman, M.1998. Development of macrophytic vegetation in the Agmon Wetlands of Israel by spontaneous colonization and reintroduction.
Wetlands Ecology & Management 6:143-150

Henkin, Z., Walczk, M., Kaplan, D. 1998. Vegetation changes in the terrestrial areas surrounding the newly reflooded Hula swamp. Wetlands Ecology & Management (submitted).

Shai E., Frankenberg E., Kaplan D., Giladi P., Lachman A., Har-Zion M. 1998.Population management of mountain gazelles from the Golan Hights and Upper Galilee, Israel, 1983-1997. Ecology and Environment 5:11-18. (In Hebrew, English summary).

Shai E., Frankenberg E., Kaplan D., Giladi P., Lachman A., Har-Zion M. 1998.The effect of management of mountain gazelle (Gazella g. gazella) populations in Israel .
Gibier Faune Sauvage, Wildl. Vol. 15 (Hors serie Tome 2): 617-634.

Ashkenazi S., Markel D., Kaplan D. 1999. The catastrophic decline of cattail Typha domingensis in Lake Agmon: Possible mechanisms and remedial measures. Journal of Mediterranean Ecology 1: 85-100.

Degani G., Kaplan D. 1999. Distribution of amphibian larvae in Israeli habitats with changeable water availability. Hydrobiologia 405: 49-56.

Articles and Lectures Published in Proceedings of Symposia
Inbar, M., Kaplan, Y., Glassman, H., Ortal, R. 1986. Water reservoirs impact on the downstream environment of the Golan Heights rivers. Environmental Quality and Ecosystem Stability. Jerusalem, Israel III: 287-294.

Inbar, M., Glassman, H., Kaplan, Y., Ortal, R. 1989. Hydrological aspects of the water reservoirs impact on the Golan streams. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference, Society of Ecology & Environmental Quality Sciences. Jerusalem, Israel. June 4-8, 1989.

Kaplan, D. Y. 1991. Responses of Mediterranean grassland plants to gazelle's grazing. Proceedings International Conference Mediterranean Climate Ecosystems. (MEDECOSVI). Crete, Greece.

Gutman, M., Oron, T., Kaplan, D., Iasur, E. 1996.Carrying capacity of dried Hula swamp in Israel for Bubalus bulalis (water buffalo) grazing.
"Preservation of Our World. In The Wake of Change". The Sixth International Conference of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences. Jerusalem, June 1996. Vol. VI B: 681-684.

Henkin, Z., Walczk, M., Kaplan, D. 1996.Vegetation changes in the terrestrial areas surrounding the newly re-flooded Hula swamp."Preservation Of Our World In The Wake of Change". The Sixth International Conference of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences. Jerusalem, June 1996. Vol. VI B: 865-866.

Kaplan, D., Green, B. 1996. Ecological pattern indices in landscapes as a tool for countryside planning and management. "Preservation Of Our World In The Wake of Change". The Sixth International Conference of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences. Jerusalem, June 1996. Vol. VI B: 591-594.

Kaplan, D., Oron, T.1996. Restoration and conservation of the re-flooded Hula wetland habitat in northern Israel. Salim Ali Centenary Seminar on Conservation of Avifauna of Wetlands and Grasslands. Bombay Natural History Society. Mumbai, India.

Kaplan, D., Oron, T. Gutman, M., 1996. Restoration and conservation of the re-flooded Hula wetland habitat in Northern Israel. "Preservation Of Our World In The Wake of Change". The Sixth International Conference of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences. Jerusalem, June 1996. Vol. VI B: 671-674.

Court, L., Schursted, H., Fischer, I., van Eersel, M., Nuyl, p., Ariham, O., Shorey, L., Kaplan, D., Bahat, O., Yosef, R.1996. Conservation of the Griffon Vulture (gyps fulvus) at Gamla Nature Reserve, Israel. 2nd International Conference on Raptors, October 1996, Urbino, Italy: 86-87

Kaplan, D., Oron, T., Gutman, M.1997. Returning drained and cultivated wetland to the wild, Hula Valley, Israel. Landscape Ecology: Things to do. The 25th anniversary congress of the Dutch Association for Landscape Ecology, October 1997, Amsterdam.

Kaplan, D., Oron, T., Gutman, M.1998.Returning drained and cultivated wetland to the wild, Hula Valley, Israel.The congress of the Czech Association for Landscape Ecology, September 1998, Prague.

Kaplan, D., Kadmon, A. 1999. Eco-diversity changes in the Hula Valley, Israel during this century. The Seventh International Conference of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences. Jerusalem, June 1999.

Kaplan, D., Kadmon, A. 1999. Ecodiversity changes in the Hula Valley, Israel during this century. Proceedings of IALE International Conference on Landscape Ecology - Theory, Teaching Applications, October 1999, Pultusk, Polland.

Kaplan, D. 2000. A long-term gazelle, (Gazella gazella gazella) population fluctuations in Northern Israel. Proceedings of MEDECOS 2000 International Conference: "Mediterranean-type Ecosystems: Past, Present and Future", Stellenbosch, South Africa, September 2000.

Kaplan, D., Gutman M. 2000. Restoration and conservation of fauna and flora in the re-flooded Hula Wetland in Northern Israel (Project LIFE TCY/97/1L/O38). Proceedings of MEDECOS 2000 International Conference: "Mediterranean-type Ecosystems: Past, Present and Future", Stellenbosch, South Africa, September 2000

Roee Gutman

Address (office): Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel.
Tel. # 972-3-6405739/9810 Fax # 972-3-6409403 Mobile #972-58-422601
Address (home): 16/2 Smoel hanagid St., Herzelia, 46498, Israel.Tel. #972-9-9565397.
E-mail address: roeeg@post.tau.ac.il

Date of birth: June, 9th, 1972.
Place of birth: Zafat, Israel.
Marital status: Married + 1

Military service: 1990-1994: Armored corps. Rank of Captain, served as a Tanks Executive Company Commander.

A. Education
2001 -	Ph.D. Ecophysiology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Ph.D. titled: �Body mass control of Acomys russatus�
Supervisors:	Prof. Izhak choshniak and Dr. Noga Kronfeld � Schor, Tel-Aviv University.
1988 � 2001	M.Sc., Ecology and Environmental Studies, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Summa cum laude. M.Sc. thesis titled: �Foraging Behavior of Spiny Mice: A Model for Testing the Role of Competition, Predation Risk and Habitat Structure�.
Supervisor:	Prof. Tamar Dayan, Tel-Aviv University.
Jul-99	Summer course, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. �Mark / resight recapture models for estimating survival of wildlife using MARK Model Development Computer Software and density estimation using DISTANCE sampling�. Taught by Dr. Eric Rexstand, University of Alaska Fairbanks and Dr. David Saltz, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
1995 � 1998	B.Sc., Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Research project in Ecology, titled: � Trade off between influence of habitat structure and food quality on foraging behavior of Acomys russatus and Acomys cahirinus.
Supervisors:	Prof. Tamar Dayan, Tel-Aviv University. and Dr. Menna Jones, University of Tasmania
1987 � 1990	Matriculations, Ort High Scholl, Hatzor Haglilit, Israel. Majoring in biology and mathematics. Graduation project in ecology, titled: �Influence of abiotic Conditions on the growth rate of marine macro algae�. The work was presented at AgriTech the Tel Aviv International Agriculture and Technology Conference, May 1990.
Supervisor:	Prof. Uri Marchaim, Migal, Israel.
B. Teaching experience
2001 � 2002	Teaching Assistant, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University. �Labs Pysihology � course.
2001 -	Public Programs Coordinator, Nature Campus, I. Meier Segals Garden for Zoological Research, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University.
1998 � 2000	Teaching Assistant, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University. �Anatomy of Vertebrates� course.
1996 � 1998	Teacher, �Israel Yafa� Learning Center. Urban and environmental ecology course.
C. Field Experience
1999 �	Research Assistant, Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority and the Jewish National Fund.
	-�� Botanical surveys of rangelands and data analysis.
	-�� Influence of grazing on the development of mixed young forest.
	-�� Influence of roads on animals behavior, mortality of running down and passage of animals in passage under the roads.
1998 �	Research Assistant, Ramat Hanadiv Park, Israel. Botanical surveys
	of rangelands and data analysis. Evaluation of grazing as a management tool for prevention of fire in open areas.
1995 -	Research Assistant, �Life project �, Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority. Data accumulation and analysis to monitor the success of fauna and flora restoration and conservation in the re-flooded Hula Wetland, Northern Israel.
D. Active participa in scientific meetings
2002	The IX European Ecological Congress (Eureco 02) Lund Univesity, Sweden.
2002	38th meeting of the Zoological Society of Israel, Haifa, Israel.
2001	81st Annual meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists, Missoula, Montana, USA.
2001	37th Annual meeting of the Israel Society for Ecology & Environmental Quality Sciences (ISEEQS)
2000	37th meeting of the Zoological Society of Israel, Beer Sheva, Israel.
1999	36th meeting of the Zoological Society of Israel, Tel Aviv, Israel.
E. Membership in professional societies
2001 -	American Society of Mammalogysts
1999 -	Zoological Society of Israel.
F. Academic and professional awards
2002	Adesman scholarship for outstanding students.
G. Community service
1997 � 1998	Coordinator, �Perah Project�, Tel Aviv, Israel. Mentoring children from disadvantaged families.
1997 � 1998	Volunteer, �The Society for Fighting Cancer� annual fund raising campaign.
1995 � 1996	Tutor of Biology, �Perah Project� Tel Aviv, Israel. Tutoringchildren from disadvantaged families.
H. Publications
Gutman, R., and T. Dayan. 2002. Moon struck spiny mice: the influence of moon cycle on diurnal and nocturnal foraging behavior. Israel Journal of Zoology (in press).
Mario Gutman, R., A. Perevolotsky, R. Yonatan and R.Gutman. 2001. Grazing as a management tool against fire in open areas. Proceedings of �The Future of the Green Mediterranean�. Euro-Mediterranean Conference. 1-2 June, 2001, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy. (in press).
Gutman, R., and T. Dayan. 2001. Foraging behaviour of Acomys russatus in absence of his competitor Acomys cahirinus: The role of exploitation competition and interference competition in competitive exclusion. Israel Journal of Zoology 47, pp.183.
Gutman, M., A. Perevolotsky, R. Yonatan and R. Gutman. 2001. Grazing as a management tool for prevention of fire in open areas: Ramat Hanadiv Park (1990-1999). Ecology and Environment 6, pp 239-248 (in Hebrew, English summary).
Gutman, R., M. E. Jones and T. Dayan. 2000. Influence of habitat structure and food quality on Foraging behavior of spiny mice (genus Acomys). Israel Journal of Zoology 46(2), pp.161.