Ecosystems
EPA Resources
- Aquatic ecosystems
- Ecological monitoring
- Effects of pollution
- Species
- Terrestrial ecosystems
- Resources
Aquatic ecosystems
About Estuaries
What is an estuary? Why are estuaries important? Why protect estuaries?
Learn the answers to these questions and more on this in-depth, easy to
understand website. Includes links to sites on related material.
www.epa.gov/nep/about1.htm
Action Bioscience
Learn about current topics in bioscience through this wide range of articles
by scientists, science educators, and science students. Site also provides
original lessons and resources to enhance bioscience teaching.
- The State of Ecosystems
- Wetlands loss and impacts on Birds
- America's Oceans in Crisis
- Ecosystem Services
- Global Warming
- Bringing Coastal Deadzones
- Beach
Closings
http://www.actionbioscience.org
Adopt Your Watershed
Learn about what groups in your area are doing to protect watersheds, and
find out how you can help.
www.epa.gov/adopt
America's Wetlands
This site will give you a better understanding of the rich variety of wetlands,
their importance, how they are threatened, and what can be done to conserve
them for future generations.
www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/vital/toc.html
Animals and Plants in the Chesapeake
Bay
The Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed provide the ideal habitat
for many plant and animal species. Learn about the diverse inhabitants of
this ecosystem and examine environmental indicators and data related to the
Bay.
www.chesapeakebay.net/baybio.htm
Chesapeake Bay Program
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a regional partnership that directs and conducts
the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United
States.
www.chesapeakebay.net/program.htm
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
Learn what this office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
is doing to protect marine mammals and endangered species.
ww.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
Coral Reef Protection
This site explores why coral reefs are important and what is being done
to protect them.
www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/coral/
Dive and Discover Expedition to the Seafloor
http://divediscover.whoi.edu
Immerse yourself in the excitement of discovery and exploration of the deep seafloor. Dive and Discover brings you right on board a series of research cruises around the globe, and gives you access to the latest oceanographic and deep submergence research as it happens!
Exploring
Estuaries
Estuaries are sometimes called bays, lagoons, harbors, inlets, or sounds.
They are special places where rivers and streams meet the sea. Visit this
site to find out about estuaries, the plants and animals that live there and
the problems estuaries face today.
epa.gov/owow/estuaries/kids
Great Lakes Ecopages
This site provides information on the biodiversity of the Great Lakes and
the partnerships and habitat restoration techniques being implemented to
conserve Great Lakes biodiversity.
www.epa.gov/glnpo/ecopage
Journey to Planet Earth
A PBS educational program that explores the fragile relationship between
people and the world we inhabit. Includes videos, teaching guides and internet
resource links.
http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/
The National
Estuarine Research Reserve System K-12 Educator Resources
Estuaries, where rivers met the sea, are facinating ecosystems. Find out
about what makes estuaries special, the threats to estuarine ecosystems and
explore estuaries around the U.S.
National Wetlands Research Center
This site from the U.S. Geolocic Survey explores the many factors that
affect wetland health, and provides resources for preserving our wetlands.
www.nwrc.usgs.gov
Nature Net
Detailed materials about natural resources that the National Park Service
maintains, including biology, geology, air, and water. Includes issues related
to wetlands, coral reefs, and other aquatic ecosystems.
www.nature.nps.gov
New England Aquarium
If you're interested in marine life, visit this site to explore educational resources the Aquarium offers. Don't miss the videos on the home page showing aquarium staff working with a variety of animals brought in after rescue.
www.neaq.org
NOAA Education Web Site
Explore this site to find the information you need about weather, climate
change, estuaries, and oceans. You'll find activities, background information,
and much more!
www.education.noaa.gov
Research Vessel Lake
Guardian on the Great Lakes
This site provides information on research that is being done on this vessel
to help solve environmental problems not only in the Great Lakes but in fresh
waters throughout the world.
www.epa.gov/glnpo/monitoring/guard/ship.html
Respect the Beach
The Surfrider Foundation offers information on preserving and conserving
our beaches--sand, water and waves.
www.surfrider.org/whatwedo3a.asp
Southwest Florida Water
Management District Interactive Education Resources
Great virtual, interactive field trips that will help you to teach
about wetlands and watersheds. Explore Florida's Green Swamp, Hillsborough
River and Springs Coast Watershed. Includes lots of other neat resources
too such as educational tabloids, teacher's guides, and comprehensive educational
kits.
www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/infoed/educators/interactive.htm
Stream
Corridor Project
This site provides an explanation of the structure of streams and their
role in the environment. It also discusses stream restoration.
www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/acad2000/stream
Surf Your Watershed
A service to help you locate, use, and share environmental information
on your watershed or community.
www.epa.gov/surf
TEACH: Environment
Why do water levels change in the Great Lakes? What fish do people catch
there, and what's threatening one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries?
Learn about the environment of the Great Lakes region and the environmental
issues there.
www.great-lakes.net/teach/envt/
Virtual Watershed Tour
Learn about and view photographs of watersheds on this informative virtual
tour.
ohiowatersheds.osu.edu/cbwm/virtualwatershed
Visualizing the Great Lakes: Images of
a Region
This site offers images representing topical issues surrounding the Great
Lakes and the environment.
www.epa.gov/glnpo/image
World Water Monitoring
Day
World Water Monitoring Day helps watershed leaders, educators and trained
volunteers to educate students and citizens how the actions of individuals
in a watershed can impact environmental quality and human health.
www.worldwatermonitoringday.org
Ecological monitoring
Animals and Plants in the Chesapeake
Bay
The Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed provide the ideal habitat
for many plant and animal species. Learn about the diverse inhabitants
of this ecosystem and examine environmental indicators and data related
to the Bay.
www.chesapeakebay.net/baybio.htm
Environmental Inquiry
Developed by Cornell University to help students conduct environmental
science research and participate in communities of fellow student scientists.
ei.cornell.edu/student
EPA Environmental Indicators
Initiative
Reports on the status of and trends in environmental conditions and their
impacts on human health and the nation's natural resources.
/www.epa.gov/indicators
Global Water
Sampling Project
A collaborative project that allows participants to compare water quality
of local water streams, lakes, etc. with other fresh water sources around
the world.
www.ciese.org/curriculum/waterproj
Great Backyard Bird Count
www.birdsource.org/gbbc
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.
Journey North
www.learner.org/jnorth/
A global study of wildlife migration. Students in North America track the
journeys of a dozen migratory species and share their own field observations
with classrooms across the Hemisphere.
World Water Monitoring
Day
World Water Monitoring Day helps watershed leaders, educators and trained
volunteers to educate students and citizens how the actions of individuals
in a watershed can impact environmental quality and human health.
www.worldwatermonitoringday.org
Effects of pollution
Acid Rain Educational Resources
epa.gov/acidrain/education
Experiments and activities,
basic acid rain concepts, and things you can do about acid rain.
Cleanup for Kids
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) designed this site
to teach you about oil spills and other hazardous chemical accidents.
You will find information about how oil spills can occur and how NOAA
works to help clean them up. You'll also find experiments you can do
to demonstrate the hazards of oil spills.
response.restoration.noaa.gov/kids/kids.html
Effects
of Acid Rain
Fact sheets that define acid rain, its causes and effects on our planet.
www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/
Global
Warming Facts and Our Future
Explore the latest scientific information on global warming. Discover how
a warmer climate might affect your life and what could be done to minimize
the potentially harmful effects of climate change.
www.koshlandscience.org/exhibitgcc/
Climate Change
All about climate change-- what it is, what it can do, and what's being
done about it.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
Science of the
Earth-Sun System
Learn about the questions NASA is researching on earth science, including
how the global ecosystems are changing.
www.earth.nasa.gov/science
Species
Animals and Plants in the Chesapeake
Bay
The Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed provide the ideal habitat
for many plant and animal species. Learn about the diverse inhabitants
of this ecosystem and examine environmental indicators and data related
to the Bay.
www.chesapeakebay.net/baybio.htm
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
Learn what this office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
is doing to protect marine mammals and endangered species.
ww.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
Coral Reef Protection
This site explores why coral reefs are important and what is being done
to protect them.
http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/coral/index.html
Endangered Species Program
Link to the Endangered Species Act (which is administered by the Fish and
Wildlife Service) as well as information and educational materials on
endangered and threatened species.
endangered.fws.gov
Frogwatch
This website explains the role of amphibians in our ecosystem and how they
are affected by our changing world. It provides information about volunteering
and educational opportunities.
www.nwf.org/frogwatchUSA
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
Learn what this office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
is doing to protect marine mammals and endangered species.
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
Tour
of the Biomes
Do you know how rainy a rain forest is? Or how dry is a desert? This is
your chance to find out, and also to learn what kinds of plants and animals
make their homes in these, and other, places.
www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html
Wildlife Fact Sheets
From the Fish and Wildlife Service, basic information about species of
regular public interest.
species.fws.gov
Terrestrial ecosystems
Adopt Your Watershed
Learn about what groups in your area are doing to protect watersheds, and
find out how you can help.
www.epa.gov/adopt/
America's Wetlands
This site will give you a better understanding of the rich variety of wetlands,
their importance, how they are threatened, and what can be done to conserve
them for future generations.
www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/vital/toc.html
American Forests
From the U.S. Forest Service comes this Primer on Forest Ecosystem Health,
focusing on seven general concerns including loss of biodiversity and pollution.
www.fs.fed.us/dxnf/lrmp3.htm
Animals and Plants in the Chesapeake
Bay
The Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed provide the ideal habitat
for many plant and animal species. Learn about the diverse inhabitants
of this ecosystem and examine environmental indicators and data related
to the Bay.
www.chesapeakebay.net/baybio.htm
Journey to Planet
Earth
A PBS educational program that explores the fragile relationship between
people and the world we inhabit. Includes videos, teaching guides and internet
resource links.
http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/
The
National Estuarine Research Reserve System K-12 Educator Resources
Estuaries, where rivers met the sea, are facinating ecosystems. Find out
about what makes estuaries special, the threats to estuarine ecosystems
and explore estuaries around the U.S.
Nature Net
Detailed materials about natural resources that the National Park Service
maintains, including biology, geology, air, and water. Water topics include
issues related to wetlands, water quality, water rights, and water resources
planning/conservation.
www.nature.nps.gov/
Prairie
Information from Fermilab
Web sites about prairies, sources of seeds and restoration tips, general
agricultural information and virtual weather.
www-ed.fnal.gov/ntep/f98/projects/fnal/student/bkgrd.shtml
Southwest Florida
Water Management District Interactive Education Resources
Great virtual, interactive field trips that will help you to teach
about wetlands and watersheds. Explore Florida's Green Swamp, Hillsborough
River and Springs Coast Watershed. Includes lots of other neat resources
too such as educational tabloids, teacher's guides, and comprehensive educational
kits.
www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/infoed/educators/interactive.htm
Surf Your Watershed
A service to help you locate, use, and share environmental information
on your watershed or community.
www.epa.gov/surf/
Tour of
the Biomes
Do you know how rainy a rain forest is? Or how dry is a desert? This is
your chance to find out, and also to learn what kinds of plants and animals
make their homes in these, and other, places.
www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html
Virtual Watershed Tour
Learn about watersheds on this informative virtual tour.
ohiowatersheds.osu.edu/cbwm/virtualwatershed
Resources
The Alaska Native Knowledge
Network: Traditional Ecological Knowledge
The Alaska Native Knowledge Network is designed to serve as a resource
for compiling and exchanging information related to Alaska Native knowledge
systems and ways of knowing. This site provides documentation related to
the ways in which Native people acquire and utilize knowledge related to
the ecological system in which they are situated.
www.ankn.uaf.edu/tek.html
Animals and Plants in the Chesapeake
Bay
The Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed provide the ideal habitat
for many plant and animal species. Learn about the diverse inhabitants
of this ecosystem and examine environmental indicators and data related
to the Bay.
www.chesapeakebay.net/baybio.htm
Ecological Footprint
Quiz
This Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates how much productive land and water
you need to support what you use and what you discard.
Endangered Species Program
Link to the Endangered Species Act (which is administered by the Fish and
Wildlife Service) as well as information and educational materials on
endangered and threatened species.
endangered.fws.gov
FT Exploring Science and
Technology
www.ftexploring.com
Learn what energy is, how it's created, and how it's used. Explore how
energy, as food, moves through Earth's ecosystems. Find out how energy
makes life possible and how we can use energy better.
New England Aquarium
If you're interested in marine life, visit this site to explore educational resources the Aquarium offers. Don't miss the videos on the home page showing aquarium staff working with a variety of animals brought in after rescue.
www.neaq.org
Surf Your Watershed
A service to help you locate, use, and share environmental information
on your watershed or community.
www.epa.gov/surf
Virtual Watershed Tour
Learn about and view photographs of watersheds on this informative tour.
ohiowatersheds.osu.edu/cbwm/virtualwatershed
Visualizing the Great Lakes: Images of
a Region
This site offers images representing topical issues surrounding the Great
Lakes and the environment.
www.epa.gov/glnpo/image