Biomes of the World - Biome Map Click on a biome on the above graph for more information, informative videos, and links to scientist profiles, travel information, lesson plans and species profiles for each region. We'd like to know where you're coming from. If you've used this site for a class project or browsing for fun, add yourself to our map and communicate with other "ecogeeks"
Journey to Planet Earth . Ecosystems We are intimately familiar with ecosystems. They are the woodlands where we live, hunt, cut timber, or hike; the lakes, streams, and rivers we fish, boat, transport our goods on, and tap for water; the rangelands where we graze our cattle; the beaches where we play, and the marine waters we trawl; the farmlands we till; even the urban parks and green spaces we stroll. In effect, every centimeter of the planet is part of an ecosystem. Ecosystems are: They are systems combined of organic and inorganic matter and natural forces that interact and change. When talking about ecosystems, the matter of scale or size is important. A small bog, a single sand dune, or a tiny patch of forest may be viewed as an ecosystem, unique in its mix of species and microclimate — a microenvironment. In World Resources 2000-2001, "ecosystem" refers to an even larger concept — categories of ecosystems. However, the divisions between ecosystems are less important than the linkages between them.
Bill Moyers Reports: Earth on Edge - Ecosystems Ecosystems are communities of interacting organisms and the physical environment in which they live. They are the combination and interaction of the plants, animals, minerals, and people in any given area of the Earth. A small bog, a single sand dune, or a tiny patch of forest is an ecosystem. In our heavily industrialized societies, work, religious expression, and recreation often take place in urban areas. It is our very reliance on ecosystems that is threatening them. For comprehensive data about the world's ecosystems, visit EarthTrends at www.earthtrends.wri.org/. Take our Interactive Quiz to see how much you know about ecosystems, then check out our Get Involved section to learn about ways you can make a positive difference in your home, your community, and your world.
Infopacket: Biomes Scientists divide the world into large natural areas called biomes. Each biome is known for certain kinds of plants and animals. But what’s really at the heart of a biome is its climate. In this downloadable Spotlight, get 8 packed pages of information about the world’s major biomes. Earth Floor: Biomes There are many different kinds of plants and animals on the Earth, but only certain kinds are naturally found at any particular place. (We are not counting zoos here!) For example, cacti are found in the desert, polar bears are found in the Arctic, and elephants are found in central Africa and India. So, why don't people living in south Texas have to be on the lookout for snow leopards, or why don't kids in Minnesota have to worry about finding giant boa constrictors in their back yards? These average weather conditions, such as the range of temperature and rainfall that typically occur in a particular location like Minnesota, are called the climate of that location. Plants and animals don't live in isolation, but they live together with other plants and animals in an interdependent group called an ecological community. A distinct ecological community of plants and animals living together in a particular climate is called a "biome." Next
Endangered Species Ornithos Atlantic Rainforest Webcam World Land Trust uses cookies to make all features of the website work effectively, and they are essential if you wish to donate online. Some cookies on this site are essential, and the site won't work as expected without them. These cookies are set when you submit a form, login or interact with the site by doing something that goes beyond clicking on simple links. We also use some non-essential cookies to anonymously track visitors or enhance your experience of the site. If you're not happy with this, we won't set these cookies but some nice features of the site may be unavailable. By using our site you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy. (One cookie will be set to store your preference) (Ticking this sets a cookie to hide this popup if you then hit close. About this tool About Cookie Control
and Sustainability “I would like to see our renovated Headquarters complex eventually become a globally acclaimed model of efficient use of energy and resources. Beyond New York, the initiative should include the other United Nations headquarters and offices around the globe.” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Speech on World Environment Day 2007 In 2007, on World Environment Day (5 June), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, with the above words, made public his ambition to make the United Nations more efficient in its operations. Specifically, they committed to: Estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of UN system organizations consistent with accepted international standards; Undertake efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; Analyze the cost implications and explore budgetary modalities of purchasing carbon offsets to eventually reach climate neutrality. The UN Climate Neutral Strategy highlights the advantages of harmonization. The main building at UN Headquarters in New York was recently renovated.
News and Features — eBird Sam Murray, June eBirder of the Month Please join us in congratulating Sam Murray of Augusta, GA, winner of the June 2017 eBird Challenge, sponsored by Carl Zeiss Sports Optics. Our June winner was drawn from eBirders who submitted 15 or more eligible checklists containing at least one breeding code in June. Sam’s name was drawn randomly from the 1,769 eligible eBirders who achieved the June challenge threshold. Sam will receive new ZEISS Conquest HD 8×42 binoculars for his eBirding efforts. eBird Illustrated Checklists are here! You can now view a digital bird guide for any hotspot or region in the world: an Illustrated Checklist. eBird Server Maintenance on July 20 – website unavailable 03:30-08:00ET All of eBird will be unavailable on July 20 between 03:30-08:00ET (08:30-13:00GMT), due to regularly scheduled server and database maintenance. Edward W. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology invites applications for our Edward W. Bird Academy giveaway: How to Identify Bird Songs
- ARKive - Extensive Animal Encyclopedia Wildscreen's Arkive project was launched in 2003 and grew to become the world's biggest encyclopaedia of life on Earth. With the help of over 7,000 of the world’s best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists, Arkive.org featured multi-media fact-files for more than 16,000 endangered species. Freely accessible to everyone, over half a million people every month, from over 200 countries, used Arkive to learn and discover the wonders of the natural world. Since 2013 Wildscreen was unable to raise sufficient funds from trusts, foundations, corporates and individual donors to support the year-round costs of keeping Arkive online. As a small conservation charity, Wildscreen eventually reached the point where it could no longer financially sustain the ongoing costs of keeping Arkive free and online or invest in its much needed development. Therefore, a very hard decision was made to take the www.arkive.org website offline in February 2019.
Teaching resources for 11-14 year olds Persuasive Writing — Invasive Species Students will learn about the applications and techniques of persuasive writing before writing their own persuasive article for a school newsletter on the topic of invasive species. Climate Change Students will learn about the causes and consequences of climate change, and the ways in which climate change can impact plants and animals. Engineering in Nature The Engineering in Nature Challenge inspires students to explore engineering principles while developing a greater connection to nature. Adaptations to Arid Habitats Students will learn about how different animals and plants are adapted to surviving in arid habitats. Invasive Species Students will explore the impacts that invasive species may have on native species and habitats, and will investigate some of the most common methods used to control invasive species. Species Discovery Explore how scientists discover, classify and name species previously unknown to science. ARKive School Museum Guess Zoo