General
http://www.panda.org/news_facts/publications/general/livingplanet/lpr04.cfm
The 2004 Living Planet Report is the fifth in a series of global ecological updates from the WWF. The Report assesses the state of ecosystems around the world using two primary measures: The Living Planet Index, which is based on population trends for hundreds of forest, freshwater, and marine species, and the Ecological Footprint, which is based on human demands on renewable natural resources. The 44-page report shows, among other things, that as human consumption has continued to rise beyond sustainable levels, global animal populations have been declining at a rapid pace. English and Portuguese versions of the 2004 Report are available in portable document format, as well as Reports from 2002, 2000, and 1999. In addition, the site offers a world map animation representing the growth of our ecological footprint during the past few decades. [NL]
A great resource for Pacific Island land managers, the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) project works to "compile and disseminate reference information on exotic plant species of known or potential threat to Pacific island ecosystems." The PIER website contains invasive species lists organized by scientific name, location, life form, and common name. Species names link to brief profiles that include images, Native Range, Habitat, Description, References, common names in a number of languages, and more. PIER also offers Risk Assessments for both invasive and potentially invasive species. In addition, the site contains downloadable invasive species Survey Reports for various Pacific islands including Rota, Chuuk, American Samoa, Palau, and Tonga, to name a few. [NL]
http://www.pma.edmonton.ab.ca/vexhibit/eggs/vexhome/egghome.htm
From the Provincial Museum of Alberta, this virtual egg exhibition features more than 300 egg images, and information about Oology, Egg Diversity, and Nesting. The exhibition features an Eggs of the World section, as well as sections for Migrant Species of Alberta, and many bird families including Loons, Birds of Prey, Shorebirds, and Woodpeckers, to name a few. Site visitors will discover a fascinating array of egg images accompanied by brief egg descriptions for birds like the Ostrich, Gentoo Penguin, Chilean Tinamou, Limpkin, Osprey, Southern Cassowary, and many more. The site's information sections touch on a variety of interesting subjects including clutch size, egg size and shape, egg color, eating eggs, and egg texture and structure. [NL]
http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/observedimpacts/index.cfm
This recently released report from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change "reviews the broad range of ecological changes that have occurred in response to human induced changes in the global and U.S. climate." The 67-page report, authored by Camille Parmesan of the University of Texas-Austin and Hector Galbraith of the University of Colorado-Boulder, is available in portable document format. The publication utilizes maps, tables, and figures as it addresses the following topics: Potential Effects of Climate Change on Wild Plants, Animals, and Ecological Processes; Current Observed Climate Change Impacts; Scope of Review and Evaluation Criteria for Studies; and Strength of Evidence that Climate Change is Already Affecting Natural Systems. Site visitors will also find the following sections of the report online: Table of Contents, Foreword, Executive Summary, and Conclusions. In addition, the site links to short bios for the authors and to a Glossary as well. [NL]
http://www.nativefish.org/Gallery/index.html
From the Native Fish Conservancy, this ever-growing online Photo Gallery currently contains more than 550 images. At present, photos are organized alphabetically by scientific name, but future updates will include common names as well. Gallery visitors will discover images of fish like the Western Sand Darter (Ammocrypta clara), Blue Sucker (Cycleptus elongatus), Hornyhead Chub (Nocomis biguttatus), and Brown Trout (Salmo trutta), to name just a few. Visitors can also link to other parts of the NFC site including information about Adopt-A-Tank, Exotics Removal, Breeders Program, and electronic mailing lists. [NL]
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/turkey/index.html
Well, it wouldn't be right to put out the Thanksgiving edition without at least one website exploring the wonders of turkey. From the University of Illinois-Extension's Nutrition & Health archives, this featured website contains a bounty of information regarding the use of turkey in holiday meals. Site visitors will discover a variety of cooking techniques including Traditional Roast Turkey, New Orleans Fried Turkey, Marinated Turkey, and a safe version of the Trash Bag Method. The site also offers information about selection, carving, side dishes, safety, leftovers, and more. For the sake of novelty, the site includes a page of interesting Turkey Facts, as well as links to fun turkey sites. The website offers a page of Thanksgiving links as well. [NL]
