Text only homepage

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AS links		Small ecosystems - structure, links and succession
Theory		Government Agencies	'Eco' organisations	Green groups
Biodiversity		Biodiversity - case studies	Sand dunes	Scots pine forest case study
Swallow Pond case study		Biomes and global ecosystems	National Parks	Soils
		The effects of a woodland on microclimate Many A-level texts include material on urban microclimates, but not other small-scale environments. These notes may help.

• Theory

A basic wordlist of terms used in ecology. http://www.netcore.ca/~gibsonjs/dict3g2.htm

Ecosystems Beginners basics for non-biologists from Natureworks. http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwepecosystems.htm

Ecosystems Self-study unit from Leicester University's teacher training centre (aimed at primary teachers). http://www.le.ac.uk/se/centres/sci/selfstudy/eco.htm

Plants for a future database Search for a latin name with Leeds University. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/database/latinA.html Try the seed site for basic guidance on latin names.http://theseedsite.co.uk/latin.html The dictionary of common names by The Plant Press is not available at present. http://www.plantpress.com/docn.htm

Botany A good US site to search on all matters botanical. http://biology.about.com/cs/botany/

Biology pages John Kimball is a retired US teacher and successful textbook author. A good source of information on essential concepts such as trophic levels, net productivity, biomes and food chains. http://www.ultranet.com/~jkimball/BiologyPages/ http://www.ultranet.com/~jkimball/BiologyPages/T/TOC.html#ecology

Photosynthesis BBC GCSE essentials. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/biology/plants/photosynthesishrev1.shtml

Photosynthesis Links from Arizona State University's photosynthesis research centre - pitched at a variety of levels and more than you'll ever need to know. http://photoscience.la.asu.edu/photosyn/education/learn.html

Environmental Biology - Ecosystems Online biology text covering energy flows, food chains and webs and biogeochemical cycles. Some clear black & white diagrams. http://mcnet.marietta.edu/~biol/102/ecosystem.html

• Soils

• 'Eco' organisations

WWF was set up in 1961 and is committed to saving threatened wildlife species and their habitats. Internationally, WWF projects contribute to the conservation of natural habitats such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, coasts and marine areas. Looks for cost-effective, long-term solutions to environmental and conservation problems. Site has weekly news, facts and info and details of campaigns. Takes an ecological approach. http://www.wwf-uk.org

The RSPB is the charity that takes action for wild birds and the environment. Runs 150 nature reserves covering over 100,000 hectares of prime wildlife habitat, and strives to conserve wildlife wherever it lives. Ecological approach. Use the webcam to view the ospreys at Loch Garten in the Abernethy Forest Nature Reserve (native Scots pine). http://www.rspb.org.uk Habitats http://www.rspb.org.uk/countryside/habitats/index.asp Reserves http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/

The Wildlife Trusts believe wildlife is essential to a healthy environment for human beings. Works with people from all walks of life - government, industry, landowners, communities and families - to make sure nature gets a chance. http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/ The Northumberland trust has several reserves covering a variety of environments including Cresswell/Hauxley (Druridge Bay sand dune complex). http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/northumberland/

The Scottish Wildlife Trust owns or manages over 120 reserves from the Orkney Islands, to the Solway Firth, to the Isle of Eigg to Montrose Basin. Everything from small bat caves and urban nature areas, through wildflower meadows, woodlands, sea-cliffs and peat bogs, to large areas of open moorland, mountains and whole islands.Site has links to information about its Peatland Conservation Campaign (one of its peatland wildlife reserves is Red Moss of Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh). http://www.swt.org.uk/

Woodland Trust Wild about woods is no longer available. Online learning resources from Sept 2004 for teachers instead. http://www.wildaboutwoods.org.uk/

Institute of Ecosystem Studies Ecological understanding, intellectual debate and unravelling ecological complexity. http://www.ecostudies.org/

UK Safari A site for anyone interested in the wildlife and countryside of Britain. Features facts, photos, and a free newsletter. The best place for basic information on British plant or animal species (trees, insects, mammals, birds, molluscs). http://www.uksafari.com

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• Biodiversity

Biodiversity A basic introduction from the Canterbury Environmental Education Centre. http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/biodiversity/

Biodiversity From campaign group Friends of the Earth. Good for threats to biodiversity. http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/

Biodiversity Free access pages from Nature magazine. http://www.nature.com/nature/insights/6783.html

UK Biodiversity Find out about biodiversity in the UK, what it means, why it is important and what is happening to conserve species and habitats in the UK and in your area or region. Access the Action Plans - a set of costed strategies and goals that review the UK's biotic resources and establish a basic framework upon which to safeguard our species and habitats. http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ See also Defra Wildlife and countryside http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/index.htm

Biodiversity Pages from Environment Australia. http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/

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• Biodiversity - case studies

Broadwaters Virtual pond ecosystem. Interactive diagrams of food webs and the physical conditions within a pond (microhabitats). Well worth a dip. http://www.broadwaters.fsnet.co.uk/ Swallow Pond case study Other sites on ponds tend to be for younger school pupils. To pond dip http://web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/pond-dip/tools.htm To identify pond life http://www.wildkids.org.uk/pondlife/pondidentify/trail_fset.htm

The Countryside Council for Wales did have links to specialist areas such as the Anglesey wetlands and coastal dune NNRs, but many of the pages have been shuffled around and some excellent case studies apparently deleted. From the 'General information' page you will find 'habitats and species' and 'protected sites'. http://www.ccw.gov.uk/

Solway Firth, Cumbria An example of the management of a coastal AONB. Described as mudflats fringed by saltmarshes that bustle with birdlife, sand dunes that shelter rare and delicate flowers and low peat domes of the coastal moss. Aberdeen University host the Solway Firth partnership (good for links and reports). Saltmarsh classed by English Nature as of international importance. http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sfp/

RSPB campaigns The bird charity often objects to innappropriate developments because of the impact these would have on local ecosystems and therefore on local wildlife. Look for conservation action and protecting wildlife sites for each region. http://www.rspb.org.uk/ SE England - where there is a lot of pressure on land. http://www.rspb.org.uk/england/southeast/action/sites/index.asp North England http://www.rspb.org.uk/england/north/action/sites/index.asp Scotland http://www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/sites/index.asp In Wales farming practices rather than industrial development seems to be the main concern http://www.rspb.org.uk/wales/action/index.asp Dibden Bay, Hampshire A proposed new port terminal at Dibden Bay, on the west side of Southampton Water and on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire was thrown out by government following protests. The RSPB pages http://www.rspb.org.uk/england/southeast/action/sites/dibden_bay.asp

Rising Sun Country Park A 400-acre brownfield site which has been redeveloped to include an organic farm, Wallsend Swallow Pond local nature reserve and a countryside centre. The park offers an alternative to the built-up world that surrounds it by looking towards a sustainable future involving an integration of nature conservation, farming, renewable energy, small business and the local community. North Tyneside Council site (links frequently change - type rising sun in the search box). http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk

The Tees Forest One of twelve community forests in England. http://www.teesforest.org.uk/

Understanding forest dynamics for ecosystem management New Zealand case study from Cambridge University. Note - acrobat pdf file. http://www.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/plantsci/research/coomes.pdf

Mangrove forests For something more exotic. There are more than 70 species of mangrove tree. What makes them different from other trees is their ability to live in a salt-water environment. Thailand project http://www.odi.org.uk/tropics/projects/1988.htm Shrinking forests http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=1355 Planting threat to coral reefs http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993677

The Florida Everglades South Florida Information Access for the background and current ecological issues. http://sofia.usgs.gov/ Plan to rescue the Everglades under the Water Resources Development Act 2000. http://www.evergladesplan.org/

Chesapeake An ecosystem adversely affected by a combination of nutrient enrichment, toxic substances, sediment, and overharvesting of shellfish and finfish. Find out about the USGS activities in the region. http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/

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• Green groups

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