Click on the links below to find resources relevant to a specific area of the IBO curriculum
- General Information
- The Breathing Earth:Real-time simulation displays the CO2 emissions and birth and death rates of every country in the world.
- Ecology: Nature Education Knowledge Project contains links to various aspects of ecology.
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Census of Marine Life
- Phylogenetics, discoveries, video gallery, and art forms
- Ecology Global Network: An international site with mirrors in other languages. Extensive site that is alphabetical, well indexed with a separate search engine. Recommended for those questions with excellent keywords or research on a particular topic.
Ecological Organizations
- American Forests:
- Center for Environmental Research and Conservation – Ecology and Society:
- Ecological Society of America:
- Long-Term Ecological Research Network (LTER):
- The Institute of Ecosystem Studies:
- The Nature Conservancy:
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
- U.S. Department of Interior:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
- U.S. Geological Survey:
- Ecology WWW Page
Extensive list of sites related to ecology - Ocean Biogeography Information System (OBIS)
Database repository used to identify biodiversity hotspots and large-scale ecological patterns, analyze dispersions of species over time and space, and plot species’ locations with temperature, salinity, and depth - The History of Ecology (Ecological Society of America): Series of links to articles describing the history of ecology from the Greeks to 1990.
- Population
- Biotic Communities
- Ecosystems
- Trophic Structure
- Food Webs
- Food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids: Basic descriptions and interactive games on enery pyramids, food webs, and food chains. Texas Gateway online resources.
- Trophic Structure
- Trophic Levels
- Producers
- Consumers
- Decomposers
- Energy Flow
- Productivity
- Gross and Net Productivity
- Energy Transfer Efficiencies
- Matter Flux Through Ecosystems
- Global Biogeochemical Cycles
- Biosphere and Man
General Information
Individual Organisms
Unitary and Modular Organisms
- Bacteria as Modular Organisms
Research on bacteria as modular organisms - Reproductive Strategies Modular Organisms
Comparative studies of reef-building corals
Population
Population Structure
Dispersion, Age, Size, and Sex Structure
- Introduction to Population Ecology: Series of samples of population ecology mathematical models
- Population Ecology
Overview of populations micro to macro - Life Table Calculator: Description and mathematics to determine how long a person will live if born at Age “X”
Population Dynamics
- AAAS Science NetLinks: Population Dynamics
Lesson plan on population dynamics with resources - Population Limiting Factors: Nature News
Introductory information on factors affecting population size with additional resource sites. - McGraw-Hill Biology Virtual Laboratory Exercises-Population Biology: Laboratory exercise and post lab quiz and lab report.
Population Growth
- Interactive lesson the population growth models: exponential and logistic
Outline from an undergraduate
Birth Rate
- CDC: National Vital Statistics
Statistics on US births - CIA World Fact Book
Birth rates by country - USA Birth Rate Hits All-Time Low
Statistics on US birth rate over the past 12 years
Death Rate
- CDC: Fastats on US Mortality and Death
Information is by year and cause of death - CDC: National Vital Statistics System: Mortality Tables
In depth information of mortality for populations and causes in US - Human Mortality Database
Provides detailed mortality and population data to researchers, students, journalists, policy analysts, and others interested in the history of human longevity
Predicting Mortality Rates for Plants and Animals
- Research paper describing test a model of natural mortality that yields
Provides a quantitative theory for how metabolic rate varies with body size and temperature.
Exponential and Logistic Growth, Carrying Capacity
- The Exponential Function: Math Insight
Description of exponential growth - Carrying capacity Oregon State University
Discussion of carrying capacity - Population Growth
Discussion of population growth with animations of logistic and exponential growth models - Predator-Prey Model
Description of several predator-prey models and resource links by Frank Hoppensteadt (2006), Scholarpedia, 1(10):1563) - United Nations University: Global Environment and Population Carrying Capacity
Discussion of carrying capacity and factors affecting it - Logistic Growth Model Mathematics
Mathematics of growth modeling presented by Duke University
Population Regulation
Metapopulation Dynamics
- Chloroplast Microsatellites Reveal Colonization and Metapopulation dynamics in the Canary Island Pine
Research study on metapopulation dynamics - Metapopulation Dynamics of Wild Dogs in South Africa
Discussion of conservation strategy for wild dogs in South Africa and outlook for this species - Functional genomics of a metapopulation: population dynamics, life history traits, and genetic mechanisms in time and space
Examines relationships between metapopulation dynamics and the dispersal ability and fecundity of female Glanville fritillary butterflies - RAMAS: A Short Introduction to Metapopulation Models and GIS
Overview of metapopulation models - University of Cincinnati Clermont College (J. Stein Carter): Population growth, Fluctuations, Dispersal, and Territory
Characteristics of populations
Biotic Communities
- Blue Planet: World Biomes
Map of world’s biomes with descriptions of each - Earth Floor: Biomes
Describes biomes with pictures and climatographs with description of how to read the climatographs - NASA Earth Observatory: Mission—Biomes
Education site on biomes - The World’s Biomes
Includes the major biomes - WorldBiomes.com
In depth coverage of the world’s five major biomes
Species Richness and Diversity
- The Encyclopedia of Earth: Species diversity
Brief overview of species’ effect and measurement - US Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered Species
Information, images, and fact sheets on endangered species - University of Cincinnati Clermont College (J. Stein Carter): Coevolution and Pollination
Describes the mutual evolutionary influence between two species
Niche, Competition Exclusion Principle
- Competitive Exclusion Principle
In depth description of principle with links and resources - Competitive Exclusion Principle in Ecology
Summary of principle with related links - Niche Model
RaceRocks.com Ecological Niche—the Empirical Model - Some discrete competition models and the competitive exclusion principle
The introduction is very useful. The rest of the article is beyond the scope of the IBO
Interspecific Interactions
- Competition, Predation, and Symbiosis
YouTube providing overview of interspecific interaction - Interspecific Interactions: Author, Alan Molomby
Series of slides describing interspecific interactions
Competition
- University of Cincinnati Clermont College (J. Stein Carter): Interspecific Interactions and Niche
Describes interaction among different species and role they play in the community - Intraspecific Interactions and Cooperation and Competition
Describes interactions among members of the same species
Predation
- Encyclopedia of Earth: Predation
Basics of predation in relation to population dynamics - Encyclopedia of Earth: Seed Predation
Discussion of plant-animal interaction in which granivores (seed predators) feed on the seeds of plants as a main or exclusive food source to the destruction or loss of viability of the seeds
Symbiosis
- HowStuffWorks: How Symbiosis Works
Explanation of symbiosis with examples, content, and resources to include videos - Relationships of the Reef
Examples of marine symbiotic relationships by Steve Norvich - Symbiotic Relationships
Videos on symbiotic relationships - Symbiotic Strategies
Lesson plans focus on symbiosis and ecological relationships through investigations (Grades 9 to 12)
Community Dynamics
Succession
- The Mount St. Helen’s Story
History of Mount St. Helen from 1959 to today - Mount St. Helen’s: Yesterday and Tomorrow
Film about the eruption of Mount St. Helen and its recovery - Succession
Description of ecological succession - University of Cincinnati Clermont College (J. Stein Carter): Coevolution and Pollination
Describes the mutual evolutionary influence between two species - Succession
Discussion of how communities are not stable - Human Impact and Intervention
Describes the role and effects of humans in communities
Terrestrial Biomes
- Google Images of the Tundra
Classic images of tundra. Be sure to check for copyright restrictions - The Biotic Communities of the Colorado Plateau
Description of the 14 biotic communities of the Colorado Plateau and agents of change of biotic change - The Desert Biome
Description of the desert - The Forest Biome
Description of the forest - The Grassland Biome
Description of the grasslands - Terrestrial Biomes: Deserts, Grasslands, and Forests Introduction
Video of various terrestrial biomes - The Tundra Biome
Descriptions of the tundra
Aquatic Biomes
- Aquatic Biomes
Full description of aquatic biomes and interactions within - Aquatic Biomes
Discussion and imagery of aquatic biomes
Ecosystems
- Bing Images of the Ecosystems of the USA
Photos and diagrams of USA ecosystem. Please check copyright before use. - Earth’s Ecosystems: Science Compendium Climate Change 2009
Provides introduction to ecosystems, structure and function, research, and additional resources - Great Salt Lake Ecology
Explores the living and nonliving factors of the Great Salt Lake - Images of the Great Salt Lake
Bing images of the Great Salt. Please check that they are copyright free before use. - NatureWorks: Ecosystems
Basic description of ecosystems with links to teacher resources, state resources, standards, NatureWork episodes, and nature files - Nature Worldwide: Ecosystems
Mapping and classification of world ecosystems - Northern Prairie Wildlife Resource Center
Assesses biotic resources of the Great Plains with other groups and individuals - Regents of the University of Michigan: The Concept of the Ecosystem
Describes geography, energy transformation, components, controls, biochemistry, and processes of ecosystems - Science at the Great Salt Lake
Ecology of the lake, chemistry, and microorganisms - University of Cincinnati Clermont College (J. Stein Carter): Aquatic Ecosystems
Examples and photos of aquatic ecosystems - Ecosystem Components, Dynamics, and Limiting Factors
Interactions and influence of environmental factors on organisms - Stratification and Ecotones
Vertical and horizontal distribution patterns in an ecosystem - Terrestrial Ecosystem
Description and photos of terrestrial ecosystems - NOAA: Marine Ecosystems
Description of structure and function of marine ecosystems and conservation with related links
Biosphere and Man
- The Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program USA
Interdisciplinary research effort directed toward providing information for the solution of natural resources and environmental issues - UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme
An interdisciplinary research agenda and capacity building to improve the relationship of people with their environment globally. Launched in the early 1970s, it notably targets the ecological, social and economic dimensions of biodiversity loss and the reduction of this loss. It uses its World Network of Biosphere Reserves as vehicles for knowledge-sharing, research and monitoring, education and training, and participatory decision-making. - University of California’s Museum of Paleontology: the World’s Biomes
Defines biomes, discusses changes in biomes, and their importance - World Biomes
Information on five earth biomes. Includes readings, discussion boards, and links
Human Population Growth
- The World Population Explosion
Provides information on trends in human population growth - Kimball: Population Growth
Description and examples of population growth - Human Population/Population Growth: United States Census Bureau
Educator site for information and statistics on human population growth
Pollution
Threats to Biodiversity
- Bugguide: Stink bugs
Overview of various stink bugs, their life cycles, and other resources - National Invasive Species Information
Invasive species information covering Federal, State, local, and international sources. - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Extensive resources on biodiversity and forces affecting biodiversity - Red Planet, Inc: Stink bug photos
Images of stink bugs - Threats to Aquatic Biodiversity
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fact sheet on threat to both freshwater and marine biodiversity - What Threatens Our Biodiversity?
Provides background information on biodiversity, description and examples of factors affecting biodiversity. Presented by UK National History Museum
In situ Conservation
- Botanical Gardens Conservation International : In situ Conservation
Description of in situ conservation - Conservation of Biodiversity and the New Regional Planning, Chapter 2: In-situ conservation of biodiversity, William J. Possiel. Richard E. Saunier, and Richard A. Meganck
Description of in situ conservations and implications - Open Door Web Site: IB Ecology Biology “In situ conservation: Nature reserves and national parks”
Comparison of in situ and ex situ conservation - Biodiversity International Resources on “In situ conservation”
Resources on situ conservation focused on farming and plant genetic resources
Ex situ Conservation
- A Sustainable Future for Europe: Discussion plant conservation plant for Europe.
- System Naturae: Ex situ Conservation: Projects monitoring, research, conservation and awareness of Biodiversity on all levels, both in Italy and abroad, with special regard for the Mediterranean basin and European member countries.
Source: https://www.usabo-trc.org/trc-usabo-study-challenges.
