Group items tagged

"Using data for 25,780 species categorized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, we present an assessment of the status of the world's vertebrates. One-fifth of species are classified as Threatened, and we show that this figure is increasing: On average, 52 species of mammals, birds, and amphibians move one category closer to extinction each year. However, this overall pattern conceals the impact of conservation successes, and we show that the rate of deterioration would have been at least one-fifth again as much in the absence of these. Nonetheless, current conservation efforts remain insufficient to offset the main drivers of biodiversity loss in these groups: agricultural expansion, logging, overexploitation, and invasive alien species. "

"A consortium has formed to develop, support and maintain an on-line, GIS-based, all-taxa invasive species mapping tool, iMapInvasives, focused on serving the needs of land managers, regional planners and others working to prevent, control or manage invasive species. A particular emphasis is placed on functionality designed to aid in Early Detection/Rapid Response (ED/RR) efforts. "

A free downloadable textbook written by the top names in conservation biology with the principal aim of disseminating cutting-edge conservation knowledge as widely as possible. Topics include balancing conversion and human needs, climate change, conservation planning, designing and analyzing conservation research, ecosystem services, endangered species management, extinctions, fire, habitat loss, and invasive species.

" overgrazing of native plants by deer that open up more growing space for invasive exotic plants that deer find unpalatable"

Multimedia, lessons, data, and background information about the Great Lakes. Includes a "Listen to the Lake" podcast and several webcams. Lessons to download relate to watershed land use, fish life cycles, invasive species, human population, and others.

"large animals were once ubiquitous across the globe. They shaped the structure and dynamics of ecosystems. Their decline, largely caused by humans through hunting and habitat fragmentation, has far-reaching and often surprising consequences, including changes in vegetation, wildfire frequency, infectious diseases, invasive species, water quality and nutrient cycles."

I've got a pdf file of the actual article from 7/15 Science. Let me know and I'll gladly e-mail a copy to anyone interested.

Lessons and activities for a formal classroom setting. I heart NY fish - great activities on invasive species!

NSF Special Report - Science Nation

These online video features bring curious visitors the latest developments in the fields of astrophysics, human biology, biodiversity, and evolution. The Bulletins contain additional resource links, educator resources, and a guide designed specifically for science educators to help them incorporate the Bulletins into classroom work. All of the Bulletins are produced through the collaboration of in-house writers, producers, and designers. They are offered here in sections that include "Astro", "Earth", "Bio", and "Human", and visitors are welcome to browse through the full-features, visualizations, and snapshots. First-time visitors might want to start by viewing either the feature on invasive species or "The Last Wild Horse: The Return of Takhi to Mongolia".