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Wetlands
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Aquatic Biodiversity 
 "Aquatic biodiversity encompasses freshwater ecosystems, including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, rivers and streams, groundwater, and wetlands. ... It also consists of marine ecosystems, including oceans, estuaries, salt marshes, seagrass beds, coral reefs, kelp beds, and mangrove forests." The site features introductory information about these water-based ecosystems, and addresses special topics such as threats and conservation. Also includes a glossary and links to related sites. From the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/bioiweb1/aquatic/ Topics: Animals, Biology, Environment, Water Last updated Aug 3, 2005 Bog & Soul: A Concord Experience
Information about one sphagnum bog Henry David Thoreau visited in Concord, Massachusetts, in the 1850s. "Gowing's Swamp (aka, Thoreau's Bog) is a classic, bowl-shaped, floating bog nestled in the hollow of a glaciated woodland." Includes images and a brief bibliography. From the Concord Magazine. http://www.concordma.com/magazine/sepoct01/gowingsbog.html Topics: Environment, Notable People: Arts & Humanities, Water Last updated Nov 7, 2005 Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association
The website for this industry group provides information for gardeners and garden centers about Canadian sphagnum peat moss (CSPM), which "is derived from the slow decomposition of sphagnum moss which accumulates in Canada's bogs (or peatlands)." Includes fact sheets on the use of peat moss in the garden, policy papers on peat harvesting and the environment, and related resources. Note: site is designed to work best in the Internet Explorer browser. http://www.peatmoss.com Topics: Agriculture, Environment, Water Last updated Aug 17, 2005 DUCKDATA: A Bibliographic Database of North American Waterfowl (Anatidae) and Their Wetland Habitats
"A comprehensive bibliography of published literature on the ecology, conservation, and management of North American waterfowl and their wetland habitats." Search by author, title, source, or keyword. Maintained by the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/rwp/database_descriptions.htm#DUCKDATA Topics: Animals, Birds, Environment Last updated Aug 22, 2007 Everglades
This is the official site for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), a program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District to "restore and preserve south Florida's natural ecosystems while enhancing water supplies and maintaining flood control." The site includes documents about restoring water to the area, the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, and a glossary. The site map is useful in navigating this intricate site. Searchable. http://www.evergladesplan.org/ Topics: Environment Last updated Jan 5, 2007 Everglades Restoration
Information on efforts to restore natural areas of South Florida, including the Everglades generally and the Kissimmee River Basin and Lake Okeechobee. Includes documents on wetland restoration, invasive species, legislation, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), land acquisition, current land use and water waste statistics, and links to more information on South Florida ecosystems. From Audubon of Florida, an affiliate of the National Audubon Society. http://www.audubonofflorida.org/specialplaces_glades.html Topics: Environment, Law by Place (U.S. States & non-U.S.), Water Last updated Jan 5, 2007 Geographic Information Systems
Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer systems "capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information." This site describes GIS technology, functions, and uses, such as calculating emergency response times during a natural disaster, or finding wetlands that need protection from pollution. From the United States Geological Survey (USGS). http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/gis_poster/ Topics: Environment, Geography, Home & Housing, Home & Housing, Science, Science Last updated Dec 4, 2003 Gone With the Water
Feature article from October 2004 about how the "Louisiana bayou, hardest working marsh in America, is in big trouble -- with dire consequences for residents, the nearby city of New Orleans, and seafood lovers everywhere." Discusses potential damage from hurricanes and how Louisiana is "losing its protective fringe of marshes and barrier islands faster than any place in the U.S." Includes links to related sites and a short bibliography. From the National Geographic Society. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature5/ Topics: Environment, Hurricane Katrina, Water Last updated Aug 13, 2008 Habitats/Biomes
This child-oriented site introduces the various biomes of the earth, from the arctic to the desert to a coral reef. Basic information about the climate, plant, and animal life is available, along with printable sheets on the various animals. These sheets contain information about the animal's diet, reproductive cycle, and anatomy, plus a picture of the animal to color that would be suitable to include with most school reports. Some biomes contain maps. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/ Topics: Biology, Environment Last updated Jul 25, 2006 International Migration Maps: Find Out Where the Ducks Are Going
"An interactive map system to show you the migration of ducks from Canada to the United States. ... This map system can show you where birds banded in Canada have been recovered all over North America, based on data gathered from 1986 and 2003." From Ducks Unlimited, an organization of waterfowl hunters that promotes wetland conservation. Also available in French. http://www.ducks.ca/resource/general/wetland/migration/maps.html Topics: Birds, Discover New Trails at LII, Environment, Scientific Themes, U.S. Maps Last updated Jul 16, 2007 La MER: Louisiana Marine Educational Resources
Teaching resources on Louisiana marine and coastal environment topics, such as marshes, estuaries, wetlands, coastal ecology, native fish, manatees, exotic species (including nutria and zebra mussels), and more. From the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. http://lamer.lsu.edu Topics: Animals, Biology, Education, Environment, Hurricane Katrina, Water Last updated Sep 14, 2005 The Lost City of New Orleans?
This 2000 article discusses how pumping water out of New Orleans is causing it to sink, and that it is "sinking faster than many realize and could be under water within 50 years." Topics addressed include the system of levees, drainage canals, the decline of marshland near the city, and related insurance matters. From Risk & Insurance Magazine. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BJK/is_15_11/ai_68642805/pg_1 Topics: Environment, Hurricane Katrina, U.S. History By Place, Water, Weather Last updated Jun 7, 2007 Louisiana Coastal Facts
Fact sheet about Louisiana's coastal land loss, population, commerce, energy production statistics, and coastal restoration projects. Includes a brief but excellent bibliography and links to related sites. From the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Restoration and Management. http://dnr.louisiana.gov/crm/coastalfacts.asp Topics: Environment, Geography, Hurricane Katrina, Water Last updated Jun 14, 2006 Mangrove Action Project
This site contains information supporting the conservation and restoration of mangroves, which are "rainforests by the sea." Provides papers on mangrove ecology and ecosystems, photos of mangroves in Southeast Asia and South America, and discussions of the effects of oil and of shrimp aquaculture on mangroves. Also discusses the role of mangroves as protective barriers for prevention of tsunami damage. http://www.mangroveactionproject.org/ Topics: Agriculture, Environment, Photograph Collections: Regional, Water Last updated Jun 7, 2007 National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC)
The NBIC, a program of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the United States Coast Guard, "collects, analyzes, and interprets data on the ballast water management practices of commercial ships." A main goal of the NBIC is "to determine the degree to which ... [ballast] water has undergone ... treatments designed to reduce the likelihood of ballast-mediated invasions by exotic species." It features a database with ballast discharge information and links to research. http://invasions.si.edu/nbic/ Topics: Environment, Industries, Plants, Transportation, Water Last updated Oct 12, 2005 Nature's Revenge: Louisiana's Vanishing Wetlands
"Every year, a chunk of land almost the size of Manhattan turns into open water in Louisiana." This 2002 American RadioWorks series looks at "one of the worst and least-publicized environmental disasters in America's history." Discusses warnings by activists and environmentalists, ideas to save the wetlands (including flooding the area with water from the Mississippi River), and hurricane risk for New Orleans. Includes audio and transcripts from the program. http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/wetlands/ Topics: Environment, Hurricane Katrina Last updated Sep 5, 2005 The Other Hawai'i: A Journey to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands With the Hokule'a
Information about a 2004 canoe journey through the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral reef ecosystem, exploring the "relatively untouched 'kupuna' islands to raise awareness of Hawai'i's native habitats." The site features a map, photos, journal entries, stories, and related material. A special report from the Honolulu Advertiser. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/hokulea/ Topics: Environment, Geography, Nonfiction by Genre, Outdoor Recreation, Photograph Collections, Photograph Collections: Regional: United States, U.S. Travel, Water Last updated May 27, 2004 Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
"Since its establishment in 1936 as the nation's first wildlife experiment station, [this center in Maryland] has been a leading international research institute for wildlife and applied environmental research," in areas such as "migratory birds, wildlife population analysis, waterfowl harvest, habitat management, wetlands, coastal zone and flood plain management, contaminants, endangered species, urban wildlife, [and] ecosystem management." The site features a history of the center, information about research, publications, a photo gallery, video clips, and more. http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov Topics: Animals, Environment Last updated Jan 17, 2006 Peat Statistics and Information
Statistical publications on peat, "a renewable, natural, organic material of botanical origin and commercial significance. Peatlands are situated predominately in shallow wetland areas of the Northern Hemisphere, where large deposits developed from the gradual decomposition of plant matter under anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions." Includes the Directory of U.S. Peat Producers and entries in the Minerals Yearbook and Mineral Commodity Summaries. From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/peat/ Topics: Environment, Water Last updated Aug 17, 2005 Peatlands
This British government website provides an overview of peatlands, which are areas "with a naturally accumulated peat layer at the surface," including mires, bogs, and fens. Discusses peatland plants and wildlife, conservation of peatlands, natural and human factors affecting peatlands, history and uses of peat (such as fuel, building material, and filters), and peatlands' influence on poetry, sculpture, and painting. Provides links to related websites, including UK peatlands open to visitors. http://www.peatlandsni.gov.uk Topics: Animals, Environment Last updated Aug 17, 2005 Reclaiming the Everglades: South Florida's Natural History, 1884 to 1934
Nearly 10,000 searchable and browsable pages and images of primary source materials "relating to the history of south Florida's environment." Materials address themes of the creation of a national park, the modern conservation movement, the evolving role of women in politics, and the treatment of Native Americans (Seminoles). Includes timeline, and brief biographies of individuals who "focused national attention" on the Everglades. From the State University System of Florida. http://everglades.fiu.edu/reclaim/ Topics: Environment, Native Americans, U.S. History By Place, Water Last updated Jul 6, 2004 River Corridor and Wetland Restoration
This guide from the Environmental Protection Agency contains an abundance of data relating to the protection and restoration of watersheds and wetlands. Of potential use to land stewards and others dealing with the federal Clean Water Act, it contains a primer for managers of ecological restoration projects ( An Introduction to Wetland Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement ), links to other federal and state documents and information, and several directories of aquatic habitat renewal projects. http://www.epa.gov/owow/restore/ Topics: Environment, Geography, Water Last updated Aug 16, 2002 San Francisco Bay Estuary: A Key to Identifying the Seeds of Wetland Species
Contains photographs of seeds of common vascular plants found in the tidal marshes of the San Francisco Bay Estuary. Includes "both fresh and saltwater plants. ... Species are grouped alphabetically by family and can be viewed individually or as family." Many entries include a brief description of morphology, distribution, and habitat. From the Department of Geography, University of California, Berkeley. http://geography.berkeley.edu/ProjectsResources/SF_Estuary/Main_Page.html Topics: Agriculture, California: Gardening, California: Photograph Collections, California: Science, Environment, Photograph Collections: Nature & Wildlife, Plants Last updated Aug 16, 2003 The San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project
"The Invasive Spartina Project is a coordinated regional effort among local, state and federal organizations dedicated to preserving California's extraordinary coastal biological resources through the elimination of introduced species of Spartina (cordgrass)." The site features a field identification guide with images, information about invasive impacts, maps and findings, and project documents. Also includes links to related sites. Part of the California State Coastal Conservancy. http://www.spartina.org Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Environment, Plants, San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland, San Jose, more ..., Water Last updated Jan 19, 2005 Scientific American: Drowning New Orleans
An October 2001 article from Scientific American predicting that "[a] major hurricane could swamp New Orleans under 20 feet of water, killing thousands. Human activities along the Mississippi River have dramatically increased the risk, and now only massive reengineering of southeastern Louisiana can save the city. ... A direct hit is inevitable." http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?SID=mail&articleID=00060286-CB58-1315-8B5883414B7F0000&chanID=sa006 Topics: Environment, Hurricane Katrina, U.S. History By Place, Water Last updated Feb 4, 2007 South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
Website for this environmental restoration project in San Francisco Bay, which is "the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the west coast of the United States." Includes a project description (featuring restoration of tidal marshes and other wetland habitats that had been used for commercial salt production since 1854), a FAQ, reports, maps, and video clips. Also include events and meeting listings and newsletters. In English and Spanish. From California state and federal agencies. http://www.southbayrestoration.org/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, Environment, San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland, San Jose, more ... Last updated Jan 2, 2008 Subsidence and Sea Level Rise in Louisiana
Report on "subsidence, or land sinking, [which] is one of the main causes of coastal erosion and land loss in Louisiana and the surrounding Gulf states." Discusses issues such as wetlands loss, threat to coastal populations ("as much as 50 percent of the Louisiana's population lives in coastal areas of elevations of three feet or less"), and plans for monitoring and coastal restoration. From the magazine of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). http://www.magazine.noaa.gov/stories/mag101.htm Topics: Environment, Hurricane Katrina Last updated Sep 2, 2005 Tussocks and Floating Islands
"Sometimes what appear to be islands rising out of the water are actually drifting masses of peat, mud, and plants. ... Though this page pertains to ... Florida, these phenomena are in fact world-wide, witnessed in such places as Argentina, Australia, Finland, India, Japan, Kenya and Papua New Guinea." Includes images and information about the control of tussocks ("rafts of herbaceous plants") and floating islands. Part of "Plant Management in Florida Waters." http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/guide/tussocks.html Topics: Environment Last updated Nov 9, 2005 The U.S. Caribbean Region: Wetlands and Fish: A Vital Connection
This report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) includes an introduction to wetlands in general and types of wetlands, fish needs from wetlands, information specific to the U.S. wetlands in the Caribbean, and a case study of mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs, and associated fish. Also provides protection information based on legislation and for individual citizens. Includes maps, images, glossary, and bibliography. Opens directly into a PDF document. Also available in Spanish . http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/habitatconservation/publications/EnglishWetlands_051404.pdf Topics: Animals, Environment, Regions of the World Last updated Jan 12, 2005 |
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