LibGuide: Ecology

Use Destiny Catalog and Follett Shelf for ebooks

Science in Context*
Science in Context provides topic overviews, experiments, biographies, pictures and illustrations, as well as articles from
over 200 magazines and academic journals and links to quality web sites. The database covers curriculum-related science topics, and offers easy-to-use tool to identify content directly correlated to state and national standards.

Websites

Earth Observatory Excellent site with information you may not have expected from NASA.
Enter your search term ex. coniferous forest biome.

Environment Guardian
An excellent web site out of the U.K. with loads of ecological information. Good photos and user-friendly, too.

Environmental Literacy Council
All the information you could hope to find in one place. Has excellent links, too.

National Geographic
" provides free maps, photos, videos and daily news stories, as well as articles and features about animals, the environment, cultures, history ..."

TOXMAP Environmental Health e-maps
http://toxmap.nlm.nih.gov/toxmap/main/index.jsp
United States National Library of Medicine
Uses maps of the country showing location and amount of certain chemicals.
Detailed information. Use Tox Town, too.

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Information, statistics, photographs.

Ecology WWW page
The Ecology WWW Page is a collection of links for students, teachers, researchers, and others interested in the
science of ecology, The site is arranged in alphabetical order. Click on a letter and find many links to sites or search
the site through a boolean keyword search. There is also a link to The Need To Know Library-Ecology and Environment Page. http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu

Tide Pools: Intertidal Ecology
Tide pools have abundant sunlight, oxygen, food, and nutrients. The constant wave action brings food and oxygen,
but can also carry tide pool animals out to sea. Abundant hiding places combine with surfaces that animals can attach to. The temperature can rise quickly, and the salinity can vary greatly. The changing tide can leave tide pool animals vulnerable to predators. Find out how these animals are adapted to prevent drying out and handle the pounding waves. Some tide pool fish can also breathe air.
Topic: Tide pools, Intertidal ecology (Tide pools) Lexile: 1080 http://www.seaworld.org

Wetland Ecology
At Wetland Ecology you will learn why it is difficult to define a wetland. Wetlands are complicated to study because
they have seasonal and fluctuating conditions that make it difficult for one definition to adequately describe all wetland types. Here you will find an introduction to wetland ecology, information on Texas wetlands, and wetland wildlife. You
will find links to a variety of state and government web sites on conservations programs and wetlands regulations.
Learn more here.
Topic: Wetlands, Marsh ecology Language: English Lexile: 1700 http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Ecology - The Study of Ecosystems
Almost everything we do affects our environment. What people do on the other side of the world affects our
environment, too. Ecologists study many different areas of the environment. As an ecologist, you don't just
study a fish. You study the fish, water, sunlight, food supply, things that eat the fish, and every possible factor
that might affect the fish in its lifetime. On this site you can study: Ecosystems, Food Chains, Land Biomes,
Erosion, Weathering, Soils, Natural Resources, Energy Resources, Recycling, and much more.
Topic: Ecology Language: English Lexile: BR http://www.geography4kids.com

Bog
The characteristics of bogs are described at the web site of the Michigan State University Extension. Learn about
the acidic, saturated peat and the prevalence of sphagnum mosses and ericaceous shrubs that are common in bogs. The differences between bogs that occur in kettle depressions and bogs that occur on former glacial lakebeds and drainageways are explained. Find out about the soil in bogs and read about the natural processes that take place in
bogs. Natural disturbance factors influencing bogs and bog vegetation and animals are listed. Biodiversity manage-
ment conditions are discussed.
Topic: Bog ecology, Wetland ecology, Natural resources--Michigan Lexile: 1490 http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu

Understanding: Lake Ecology Primer
A comprehensive online primer about the ecology of lakes awaits you at this site. The primer begins with the physical and geological characteristics of lakes, including the formation of lakes and the four major areas of the United States with an abundance of natural lakes. General lake chemistry is discussed, and details are given about dissolved oxygen and nutrients. The biological section includes information about lake zones, food webs, consumers and decomposers, and more. Many diagrams and tables are included on this site.
Topic: Lake ecology, Lakes Language: English Lexile: 1210 http://waterontheweb.org

Restoration Ecology: Prairie Ecosystems
Illinois is known as the prairie state, but less than one-tenth of one percent of original prairie remains. The Suzanne B. Dixon Prairie was established by the Chicago Botanic Gardens so visitors could learn about the diversity of prairies in the Chicago region. Soil disturbance is an issue that can affect the ability to restore native grasslands. Because this is a common factor in the Chicago region, there is much to be learned about how this affects the soil’s ability to support a diverse and sustainable native grassland community. Understanding soil disturbances will help scientists preserve regional biodiversity and develop alternatives for sustainable landscaping.
Topic: Grassland restoration Language: English Lexile: 1430 http://www.chicagobotanic.org

Estuaries
Found where rivers meet the sea, estuaries are coastal habitats where the water is usually brackish. They provide
food and nesting places for many animal species. They also provide food and recreational opportunities for people.
Many of the biggest cities on the planet are found on estuaries, but many of these estuaries are threatened. The
Hudson River Estuary, where New York City can be found, is a nursery for hundreds of fish species. Define and
classify estuaries. Find out why they are important for the economy and environment.
Topic: Estuaries, Estuarine ecology, Brackish water ecology Lexile: 1240 http://oceanservice.noaa.gov

Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development
The United Nations Environment Program presents information about managing fragile ecosystems. The survival of
the mountain environments is essential to the survival of the global ecosystem. Most mountain ecology are experienc-
ing environmental degradation. This program plans to generate and strengthen the knowledge about the ecology. Research for sustainable development of mountain ecosystems and promote integrated watershed development.
Ten percent of the world's population depends on mountain resources. The ecology of the mountains store endangered species and biological diversity.
Topic: Mountain ecology Language: English, French Lexile: 1580 http://www.unep.org

NOAA's State of the Coast: Ecosystems
Explore the major ecological threats to the United States' coastlines. Find out how much of the coastline is considered a marine protected area. Poor water quality and pollution from nonpoint sources impact plants, animals, and people. Invasive species threaten fisheries and sensitive ecosystems, and can even spread diseases or damage energy infrastructure. The loss of coastal wetlands increases economic damage from hurricanes and storm surges. Coral reefs provide great potential for medicines if we can help them survive. Investigate nutrient pollution and dead zones. Discover how oysters can be used to track chemical contaminant levels.
Topic: Coastal zone management Language: English Lexile: 1480 http://oceanservice.noaa.gov