1. APPLICATION OF SCIENCE INFORMATION TO MANAGEMENT
2. BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY
3. CONTAMINANTS
4. ECOSYSTEMS
5. ENDANGERED AND AT-RISK SPECIES
6. EXOTIC SPECIES
7. FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES
8. STATUS AND TRENDS
9. WILDLIFE

APPLICATION OF SCIENCE INFORMATION TO MANAGEMENT Develop tools to apply ecological information to the management of biological systems, often in cooperation with management agencies. Develop systems to support decisions in such areas as land-use planning, land and water management, timber harvest, wetland management, fish and wildlife management, endangered species policies, and other areas involving human attitudes toward biological resources. Generate information to balance social and economic needs with natural resource management and conservation actions. Examples of Application of Science projects include natural resource decision-support systems and those dealing with social science and human impacts.

BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY Advance access to and dissemination of biological data, information, and technology resulting from worldwide research. This is facilitated by establishing partnerships with other government and nongovernment science organizations, developing standards and methodologies for biological data collection and documentation, developing information products targeted to specific user populations, and introducing technical applications for analyzing and integrating biological data and information. These activities constitute participation in the development of the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII). Examples of Biological Information Management and Delivery projects include NBII, biological informatics (i.e., science of biological data and information delivery and application), Gap Analysis projects, National Park Vegetation Mapping, and information transfer.

CONTAMINANTS Investigate the environmental fate, biological accumulation, and adverse effects of contaminants broadly defined to include toxic substances (manmade or naturally occurring), sediments, and excess nutrients. Investigations include development of bioassessment and chemical methodologies, and spatial patterns of contamination. Examples of Contaminants projects include toxicology, contaminant monitoring, analytical chemistry, contaminant effects, Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST), and biomarker development.

ECOSYSTEMS Investigate interactions among abiotic and biotic ecosystem components, biogeochemical processes and biological interactions within and among ecosystems, and the development and dynamics of spatial heterogeneity across landscapes. Investigations are undertaken to identify, explain, and predict the ecological consequences of short- and long-term environmental changes. Activities include assessing ecosystem vulnerability to adverse effects of environmental change and providing the information needed to adapt to and mitigate these effects. Examples of Ecosystems projects include ecology of ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and grasslands; landscape ecology; modeling ecological systems; ecosystem restoration; fire ecology; Ecosystem Initiatives; and Global Change.

ENDANGERED AND AT-RISK SPECIES Determine the status and trends of rare species, detect the point at which species fall into the status of being at risk, identify the factors that cause the decline of threatened and endangered species, and help develop management plans and methods to restore decimated populations and to prevent further declines. Examples of projects include restoration and management of federally listed species and Species at Risk.

EXOTIC SPECIES Investigate the causes, effects, prevention, and management (including habitat restoration) of the spread of invasive and nonindigenous organisms (including detection and monitoring). Determine ecological and economic effects of invasions, biological effects on native fauna and flora (including disease agents), factors controlling invasions at varying spatial scales, likely social responses, and institutional and legal frameworks for addressing the problems. The ultimate goal is to develop effective management solutions. Examples of Exotic Species projects include detection and monitoring of invasive species and weeds and biological control methods.

FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES Determine factors affecting the reproduction, survival, and health of fish and other native aquatic fauna, including their physiology, behavior, genetics, and habitat requirements. Develop and evaluate methods for restoring and managing populations and communities through culturing techniques, artificial propagation, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Determine the systematics, taxonomy, and distribution of species of concern, including identification of populations and their taxonomic relationships. Determine habitat characteristics, resource needs, and the biological integrity of multijurisdictional aquatic systems, including the effects and mitigation of habitat alterations on riverine species. Examples of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources projects include fish genetics, fish disease, aquaculture, drug and chemical registration, anadromous and interjurisdictional species, fish passage, native aquatic invertebrates, and aquatic habitat management.

STATUS AND TRENDS Collect, synthesize, and present data that describe biological diversity or measure changes in populations or ecological conditions. Develop methods and protocols for inventory and monitoring and produce reports that synthesize information on the status and trends of our Nation's flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Examples of Status and Trends projects include inventory, monitoring, Great Lakes fish stock assessment, nongame bird monitoring, population modeling, National Park Monitoring, taxonomy, systematics collection management, standards and protocol development, Breeding Bird Survey, and the North American Bird Banding Program.

WILDLIFE Investigate factors regulating the distribution, abundance, and condition of wildlife populations and communities, including their physiology, behavior, genetics, and habitat requirements. Investigate the effects of disease on wildlife populations and communities and the prevention and management of disease in free-ranging biota. Examples of Wildlife projects focus on waterfowl, migratory birds other than waterfowl, nongame migratory birds, international migratory bird conservation, upland game, terrestrial mammals, marine mammals, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates, wildlife management on public lands, nuisance wildlife, wildlife disease, population studies, and wildlife habitat management.