Many of today's adolescents have little to no connection to their environments or the native plants and animals that share their spaces. This is primarily due to a significant decrease in the amount of time children spend outdoors now, compared with children in the mid to late 20th century, compounded by a lack of natural history and outdoor…

Describes scientific research on an Earthwatch expedition to study Arenal, one of the world's most active volcanoes, in north central Costa Rica. The purpose of the two-week project was to monitor and understand the past and ongoing development of a small, geologically young, highly active stratovolcano in a tropical, high-rainfall environment.…

A method for the collection of Aedes mosquito eggs is described whereby collection of mosquito eggs is used to monitor the intensity of egg deposition in urban and rural areas. The data is used to increase public awareness of the effect of human habitation and cultural practices on mosquito abundance.

Presents a viewpoint that the civilized man, the humane man, accepts not only the humane ethic but also the conservationist's philosophy and the environmentalist's point of view because all these views are overlapping, interlocking and essential to a better and more civilized world. (BR)

The second of two parts of a paper discussing the role of biology teachers in attempting to change public policy and attitudes toward exploitation of resources, population, and economic systems. (AL)

Biology textbooks usually give examples of organisms that have become ideally adapted to their habitat as a result of evolution. This article illustrates some poorly adapted organisms. Imperfections serve to demonstrate the purely chance nature of evolution since either the beneficial changes have not happened or the modifications that have…

The author purports that the humanistic approach to environmental education is essential. Environmental problems arise because man is somewhere in the picture making use of an environment to maintain or improve his way of life, therefore, an environmental crisis is a crisis of the human spirit. The author cites many pieces of literature which…

This article examines the mechanisms of adaptation and acclimatization of animals to cold temperatures. The differences between the two processes are explained and terms are defined. Graphs and drawings illustrate the article. (MA)

Physical, chemical, and biological effects on macrophytes (aquatic plants) on the freshwater ecosystem are discussed. Research questions and issues related to these organisms are also discussed, including adaptations for survival in a wet environment, ecological consequences of large-scale macrophyte eradication, seasonal changes in plant…

Introduces activities to reinforce the concept of and problems involved with introduced, nonnative or alien species. Provides seven vignettes about seven different plant and animal species that have become or currently are near ecological disasters. (CCM)

Discusses the problems of population growth and space utilization, acquisition of land, and planning for rural areas. Techniques available for achieving a physically open society with fewer problems of living space are enumerated. (Author/MA)

Seven complete secondary/college level acid rain activities are provided. Activities include overview; background information and societal implications; major concepts; student objectives; vocabulary/material lists; procedures; instructional strategies; and questions/discussion and extension suggestions. Activities consider effects of acid rain on…

Discusses microbial production of methane from biomass. Topics include methogens (bacteria producing methane), ecology of methanogenesis, methanogenesis in ruminant/nonruminant and other environments, role of methanogenesis in nature, and methane production in sewage treatment plants. Also discusses construction of methane digesters (and related…

Former President Jimmy Carter discusses the "Global 2000 Report" and the need for coordination, political leadership, unified action, research and development, and for education. A list of recommendations based on the issues and topics discussed is included. (JN)

Summarized is a land use planning unit which culminates an environmental science course and focuses on inventory and data collection, data reduction, data synthesis, and decision making. Mini units address issues related to natural areas, urban systems, model cities, and future growth. (DC)