Electronic Texts & Documents
Provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on taxa that have been evaluated using the IUCN red list categories. Includes information on taxa that are categorized as extinct, taxa that cannot be evaluated because of insufficient information and on lower risk taxa
This site is the entry point for information on alien species in Hawaii compiled by the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk (HEAR) Project
Includes a multimedia introduction to the expedition, readings about the expedition and the Congo, and digitized sound recordings, artwork, photographs, video clips, field notes, maps, GIS data, and scientific publications related to the Congo. Users can search for field notebook entries, photographs (including anthropological objects collected by the expedition), and bibliographic citations, and can search by keyword in the full text of digitized scientific publications
"Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Climate Change is the seventh in a series of Pew Center reports examining the potential impacts of climate change on the U.S. environment. It details the likely impacts of climate change over the next century on U.S. aquatic ecosystems."
Boreal and temperate ecosystems of the northern hemisphere are important for the future development of global climate. In this study, the carbon cycle has been studied in a pine forest, a meadow, a spruce forest and two deciduous forests in the Simpevarp investigation area in southern Sweden (5705THN, 34055THE). Ground respiration and ground Gross Primary Production (GPP) has been measured three times during spring 2004 with the closed chamber technique. Soil temperature, soil moisture and Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) were also measured. An exponential regression with ground respiration against soil temperature was used to extrapolate respiration over spring 2004. A logarithmic regression with ground GPP against PAR was used to extrapolate GPP in meadow over spring 2004. Ground respiration is affected by soil temperature in all ecosystems but pine, but still it only explains a small part of the variation in respiration and this indicates that other abiotic factors also have an influence. Soil moisture affects respiration in spruce and one of the deciduous ecosystems. A comparison between measured and extrapolated ground respiration indicated that soil temperature could be used to extrapolate ground respiration. PAR is the main factor influencing GPP in all ecosystems but pine, still it could not be used to extrapolate GPP in meadow since too few measurements were done and they were from different periods of spring. Soil moisture did not have any significant effect on GPP. A Dynamic Global Vegetation Model, a DGVM called LPJ-GUESS, was downscaled to the Simpevarp investigation area. The downscaled DGVM was evaluated against measured respiration and soil organic acids for all five ecosystems. In meadow, it was evaluated against Net Primary Production, NPP. For the forest ecosystems, it was evaluated against tree layer carbon pools. The evaluation indicated that the DGVM is reasonably well downscaled to the Simpevarp investigation area and it was used for future predictions of soil respiration, tree layer carbon pool and fast decomposing soil organic carbon pool, 2001-2100. NPP was also predicted for meadow. Two different climate scenarios were used. The fast decomposing soil organic carbon pools and soil respiration increased for all ecosystems, the tree layer carbon pools increased for the forest ecosystems and NPP increased in meadow in both scenarios, 2001-2100
A brief exposition of the range of benefits that marine protected areas (MPAs) provide for fisheries, local economies, and the marine environment
Discusses issues such as: why marine protected areas are needed; the benefits of preserving biodiversity and ecosystem processes; the benefits that marine protected areas bring to fisheries and tourism; and the importance of marine protected areas for education, training, heritage, culture, and research. A number of case studies are included to demonstrate the benefits of marine protected areas
This site provides information about New Zealand's native biodiversity, what is being done to help conserve and manage it, and who is involved. The information and work programs covered in this site are part of New Zealand's long-term commitment to conserve its natural heritage under the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy. The information on this site is sponsored by the four central government agencies that have a statutory role in managing and conserving New Zealand's unique biodiversity: Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Conservation, and Ministry of Fisheries
Biological smoke detectors : a toxicology primer for student inquiry / - HTML version
The biological account and these phylogenetic results provide an opportunity for identifying some general trends and major innovations in the evolutionary history of Cassidinae. The alteration of the adult head from prognathy to hypognathy and the compaction of the body, legs, and various elytral-locking mechanisms are recurrent themes in adult morphology. Maternal care may have arisen once or twice. Seven trophic guilds are defined here for cassidine larvae. They arise from two large radiations of leaf-mining and exophagous-feeding, a minor radiation in cryptic rolled-leaf feeding, and small generic and sub-generic specializations in stem mining, leaf scraping, petalophagy, and leaf-shelter chewers. Fecal shield construction and retention appear to be correlated with innovations in life history and in larval and pupal morphology, and they may have played an important role in cassidine diversification
"Botanicus is a freely accessible, Web-based encyclopedia providing full-text of historic botanical literature from the Missouri Botanical Garden Library."
British Columbia grasslands monitoring vegetation change / - pt. 2
This site contain a wealth of information, from overviews of plants, animals, and their habitats, to the researchers who investigate their interactions, and the legislation regarding their exploitation by man
Riparian forests are integral components of the landscape. The inherent biogeochemical processes that occur in such forests provide numerous benefits to wildlife and society. Maintaining good water quality is a major benefit from riparian forests and therefore, the maintenance, creation, or restoration of riparian forests is indispensable. This study was designed to broaden current knowledge of the complex, interrelated biogeochemical processes and determine indices for riparian forest restoration based on the various carbon pools/fluxes that may represent restoration success. This study was implemented on the Savannah River Site, an Environmental Research Park, where several riparian forests are recovering from thermal disturbances. The streams in these forests were subjected to thermal discharges that increased flows and resulted in removal of soil and a decline in the amount of woody vegetation. The differential amount of inputs could affect forest productivity. However, in these riparian forests, a distance gradient effect was not observed. Trends in herbaceous biomass were evident along a microtopographic moisture gradient. The ridge and swale microtopography prevalent in the younger riparian forests counteracted a distance from the stream channel gradient effect across the riparian forest. This study provided knowledge of how carbon pools and fluxes change with riparian forest recovery from disturbance as well as through different seral stages. Implementing the findings of this study will enhance restoration evaluation efforts to ensure that these areas continue to provide the numerous benefits gleamed from them
Cephalopods from the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary interval on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with a description of the highest ammonite zones in North America - pt.2
Cephalopods from the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary interval on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with a description of the highest ammonite zones in North America - pt.3
UW restricted - (SourceOECD) The database contains the scientific names of all species currently or previously listed in CITES Appendices I, II or III with the exception of Appendix-II Orchidaceae, for which the data are only partially complete. Hybrid generic names of Cactaceae and Orchidaceae are not included. English, French, and Spanish common names are included where available. Some synonyms of scientific and common names are also listed but no attempt has been made to make these comprehensive. Two species of Psittaciformes not listed in the CITES Appendices are included for information: Melopsittacus undulatus and Nymphicus hollandicus; these are the only species in this large order not covered by CITES provisions
Community composition and structure of shallow subtidal reefs in northeastern New Zealand / - pages 23-43
Community composition and structure of shallow subtidal reefs in northeastern New Zealand / - pages 44-65
This site contains Darwin's complete publications and many of his handwritten manuscripts. There are over 50,000 searchable text pages and 40,000 images. There is also a large Darwin bibliography and manuscript catalogue. More than 150 ancillary texts are included, ranging from reference works to reviews, obituaries, descriptions of the Beagle specimens and related works for understanding Darwin's context. Free audio mp3 versions of his works are also available
Kongahu Swamp is now a highly modified system, with a mosaic of vegetation types ranging from near pristine to highly degraded. Management options are explored
construction, aesthetics, and effects of lakeshore development : a literature review / - Univ. of Wisconsin site
Based at the American Museum of Natural History Library, the goal of the Darwin Digital Library of Evolution is to make the full literature of evolution available online within a historically and topically coherent structure, drawing on resources of members of the Biodiversity Heritage Library Consortium and contributions from the Natural History Museum (London) and the Missouri Botanical Garden
Finally, I designed, tested, and evaluated a public involvement process that identified public values for use in the development of DFCs for riparian areas on the Jefferson National Forest. I used a combination of alternative dispute resolution techniques and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a participatory decision-making tool. I used surveys before and after the riparian meetings to evaluate the effectiveness of the public involvement process. Survey respondents generally were middle-aged, well-educated, high-income males who were long-time residents of the area. Riparian meeting participants indicated that the DFC for riparian areas on the JNF should strongly emphasize water quality and quantity, protection of riparian-dependent species and their habitats, and maintenance of the integrity of the relationship between riparian areas and the surrounding environment. Participants indicated recreational and commodity uses of riparian areas could occur as long as they did not negatively affect the other, more highly valued characteristics of riparian areas. Participants felt that the meetings were fair, that diverse interests were represented, that they had enough information to participate in the process, and that it was a wise use of their time
The intertidal flora and fauna of southeastern Australia (Robe, South Australia to southern New South Wales, including Tasmania) is described in terms of its horizontal and vertical distribution. A detailed account of intertidal zonation, on the central Victorian coast and Bass Strait islands, is included. Environmental features are discussed and sea temperature data for Pt. Lonsdale is presented. Analysis of the marine flora in southeastern Australia suggests that the concept of separate biogeographic provinces in this region is invalid and the flora is best interpreted as a continuum
This volume represents a first attempt at holistically classifying and mapping ecological regions across all three countries of the North American continent. A common analytical methodology is used to examine North American ecology at multiple scales, from large continental ecosystems to subdivisions of these that correlate more detailed physical and biological settings with human activities on two levels of successively smaller units. The volume begins with an overview of North America from an ecological perspective, concepts of ecological regionalization. This is followed by descriptions of the 15 broad ecological regions, including information on physical and biological setting and human activities. The final section presents case studies in applications of the ecological characterization methodology to environmental issues. The appendix includes a list of common and scientific names of selected species characteristic of the ecological regions
In order to gain a better understanding of how bottom fishing impacts benthic organisms, a team of researchers from the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) set out in 1994 to survey the benthic megafaunal community of Georges Bank. This project's study area was confined to the gravel habitat that straddles the boundary between the U.S. and Canadian exclusive economic zones (EEZs). This area was selected because previous research has indicated that it serves as an important nursery for juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Within this region, trawl marks appearing in side scan sonar images were counted in order to identify sites with different levels of bottom fishing disturbance. Based on this information, six study sites were pinpointed and classified as either "disturbed" or "undisturbed." At these sites, benthic dredge samples have been collected on a nearly annual basis. In addition, photographs and videos of the sea floor have been recorded using the SEABOSS system, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and manned submersibles. Data from this project have revealed significant differences between disturbed and undisturbed sites in terms of abundance, biomass, species diversity, and benthic community structure. In December 1994, three large sections of Georges Bank, comprising an area of 17,000 km2, were closed to all types of fishing gear capable of retaining groundfish. Since one of our most disturbed study sites was located within a closed area, this event provided a unique opportunity to investigate the changes that occur as a benthic ecosystem recovers from chronic fishing impacts
UW restrictedProvides information on some of the rare and endangered plants and animals in the Thompson-Okanagan region of British Columbia. Provides access to museum information, digitized pictures and maps, plus lesson plans compatible with the high school curriculum
Environmental effects associated with snow grooming and skiing at Treble Cone Ski Field / - Part 1
Environmental effects associated with snow grooming and skiing at Treble Cone Ski Field / - Part 2
EUNIS consists of information on European species, habitats, and sites. The species section contains information about more than 23,000 species and subspecies of animals, plants, and fungi. The EUNIS habitat types classification is a comprehensive pan-European harmonized description and collection of data across Europe through the use of criteria for habitat identification; it covers all types of habitats from natural to artificial, from terrestrial to freshwater and marine. The sites section contains information collected from various databases regarding protected areas and other sites of interest for biodiversity and nature protection
A register of marine species in Europe which, when completed, will be linked with a bibliography of identification guides, registers of taxonomic experts and locations of collections of reference specimens, and an information pack on European marine biodiversity
A searchable database and field guide featuring over 5,500 plants and animals of North America. The site's core content of wildlife information is the same data set used to create the printed Audubon field guides
Handbook on the procedures for ecological surveys in British Columbia, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and the Ministry of Forests
FEIS provides up-to-date information about fire effects on plants and animals. It was developed at the United States Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The database contains literature reviews, taken from current English-language literature of about 900 plant species, 7 lichen species, about 100 wildlife species and 10 research project summaries, and 16 Kuchler plant communities of North America
Effects of roads in forested ecosystems span direct physical and ecological ones (such as geomorphic and hydrologic effects), indirect and landscape level ones (such as effects on aquatic habitat, terrestrial vertebrates, and biodiversity conservation), and socioeconomic ones (such as passive-use value, economic effects on development and range management). Road effects take place in the contexts of environmental settings, their history, and the state of engineering practices, and must be evaluated in those contexts for best management approaches.
Through the interaction of their soils, hydrology, and biotic communities, riparian forests protect and improve water quality, provide habitat for plants and animals, support aquatic communities, and provide many benefits to humans. Virginia, along with other states in the Chesapeake Bay region, has recognized the importance of riparian forests by implementing a plan to restore forested buffers along streams, rivers, and lakes. This project reviews selected literature on riparian forest buffers, including water quality functions, benefits to fish and wildlife, and human benefits. The review also discusses riparian buffer restoration and some of the costs and barriers associated with riparian forest buffer establishment. Information on financial and technical assistance programs available to Virginia landowners is included
Genetic toxicology from the scientific literature for over 3000 chemicals. Searchable through TOXNET's Toxicology data search
Ranks the status of Alberta vertebrates, butterflies, orchids, and ferns
High mountain lakes in Idaho total about 1800 and represent one of the most pristine type ecosystems in the country. Limnological characteristics are described for 27 lakes and 20 ponds in 32 established and proposed Research Natural Areas (RNA) representing seven subregions in the state. Field collections were made from the 1960s through 1999 by different researchers. Even though data about some of these lakes is not currently available, the databases can be updated as research continues. A classification is developed to include elevation, size, depth, production potential and lake origin. Additional information that describes the sites is pH, rock type and hydrology. Aquatic plants, zooplankton, immature aquatic insects and cold water vertebrates inhabiting the water bodies are described. The classification can be applied to gap analysis to identify missing or under-represented natural area types. Future research efforts can focus on covering the gaps and bringing more high mountain lakes into the RNA system
Knowledge of human-mediated transport pathways for non-indigenous marine species (NIMS) to and around New Zealand is important for understanding and managing bioinvasion risks to high-value areas (HVAs). This document describes potential pathways for the spread of NIMS to areas of high conservation value, based on a preliminary list of such localities. This list includes HVAs that are geographically spread throughout New Zealand and vary in size from small discrete areas (e.g. small marine reserves) to expansive regions of coastline (e.g. Fiordland and Stewart Island/Rakiura). Similarly, HVAs range from remote offshore islands to localities close to centres of human activity (e.g. international ports), which may be vulnerable to the natural spread of pest organisms. Vessel traffic and aquaculture activites are highlighted as important pathways for the human-mediated spread of potential pest species. In relation to conservation areas, vessel traffic appears to be of particular significance, with three major mechanisms for the potential transfer of pest organisms: ballast water, hull fouling and sea chests (water-intake recesses in the hull). While ballast water is widely considered as the major present-day mechanism for the global dispersal of NIMS, hull fouling is likely to be particularly important for translocation within New Zealand and may be significant even at local scales. Vessel sea chests can harbour a range of NIMS, including adult life-stages, and are a potential mechanism for the spread of pest organisms directly from infested international source regions to high-value conservation areas around the New Zealand coast. There is a variety of other actual and potential pathways that may be important in the spread of marine pests to and around New Zealand. However, reliable and sufficiently detailed information for many pathways is difficult to obtain, even at a regional scale. This suggests that future effort needs to concentrate on identifying pathways that are of greatest importance in the transfer of NIMS, using a structured, risk-based approach
Identifying freshwater ecosystems of national importance for biodiversity : criteria, methods, and candidate list of nationally important rivers / - Pages 25-51
Identifying freshwater ecosystems of national importance for biodiversity : criteria, methods, and candidate list of nationally important rivers / - Pages 52-63
Identifying freshwater ecosystems of national importance for biodiversity : criteria, methods, and candidate list of nationally important rivers / - Pages 64-75
Identifying freshwater ecosystems of national importance for biodiversity : criteria, methods, and candidate list of nationally important rivers / - Pages 76-87
Identifying freshwater ecosystems of national importance for biodiversity : criteria, methods, and candidate list of nationally important rivers / - Pages 88-99
Identifying freshwater ecosystems of national importance for biodiversity : criteria, methods, and candidate list of nationally important rivers / - Pages 100-112
This report describes a biogeographic classification for use in identifying water bodies of national importance in New Zealand. The classification aims to identify geographic units likely to have experienced similar physical disturbance regimes, while taking cognisance of potential recolonisation pathways and/or geographic barriers to the dispersal of freshwater biota. The classification is based on: biotic distributions, particularly those of non-diadromous fish (the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database); genetic similarity between different populations, as determined from molecular analyses; and physical disturbances, particularly the Last Glacial Maximum, volcanic eruptions in the central North Island and seismic activity, especially in mountainous parts of the South Island. Seven biogeographic provinces and 19 units have been defined
UW restrictedAn economic estimation of the net value of carbon sink capacity was also performed. The value of the carbon sink was given in relation to conservative estimates of total net values of important stocks and flows of forest natural capital--factors such as recreational values or hydrological services omitted. The net value of the carbon sink was suggested to amount to 3-50% of the net value of Swedish forests
Over the last two decades, concerns about the impact of towed fishing gears such as trawls and dredges on benthic habitats and organisms have increased. This publication reviews the most recent experimental studies of the impact of towed fishing gears on benthic communities. Otter trawls, beam trawls and scallop dredges are likely to have different physical impacts on the sea bed owing to their different catching techniques. The most noticeable physical effect of otter trawling is the furrow created by the doors. Beam trawling and scallop dredging cause a flattening of irregular bottom topography by eliminating natural features. The long-term effects of fishing activities have not been investigated although several studies provide clear evidence of short-term consequences. The difficulty in conducting impact studies that produce clear conclusions stems mainly from the complexity and natural variability of benthic communities